ED Website BasicsEconomic development websites simplified and demystified

GOED Marketing and Research

Departments

July 21, 2010

Welcome

Research•Mary Cerney- Manager

•Jenny Ondell- Data Coordinator

•Sherri Bastle- Information Specialist

•Mark Bohem- Tax and Industry Analyst

•Dave Anderson- Community Development Representative

Marketing & PR• Mary Lehecka Nelson-

Manager

• Jen Hodny- Communications Coordinator

• Evan Davis- E-Commerce Coordinator

• Alice Wright- Made In South Dakota Coordinator

Today’s Agenda

- Importance of having a website and current website stats

- Content

- Website creation basics

Importance of websites

“The Times They Are a-Changin”-Bob Dylan

Importance of websites

8-9 years ago Now

Length of typical search 6+ months 4-8 weeks

Scope of initial screening

One or two dozen communities

Hundreds of communities

% done in person vs. remotely

40% remote vs.

60% in person

80% remote vs. 20 in person

#1 tool for learning about communities Personal visit Website/internet

Changes in Site Selection

Source: “The internet has changed the dynamics of site selection” by Bob Ady, 2006 via YFactor Inc

Importance of websites

“If your [economic development] web-site isn't easy to find, easy to navigate, full of current facts and figures, strong on case histories and comparable data, you might as well go into some other form of business”

-Ted M. Levine, Founder and Chairman of Development Counselors International

Importance of websites

Communication Vehicle Top 2 Box (very to somewhat important)

Existing relationship with Eco Dev official 85.92

INTERNET 85.92Site Visits 85.92Past experience with other deals 81.69Word of mouth from your peers 54.93Source: ccintellect survey 2006

Importance of websites

"Our research has shown that 80% of the initial site selection process is now being done on the internet.

David T. Ginn, President & CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance

Importance of websites

"90% of site selection begins on the Internet"

"The Internet is THE preferred method of contact with corporate site selectors"

-Mark James,ED Solutions

Importance of websites

Real Life Example

- Looking to get info on other relocation options- Found Madison’s ED website- Found contact info on website- A lead was generated with just the info on the

website.

Madison Website

Site Content

Information is Key– Not just another pretty website– Tell your story

• Where are you?• What do you offer?• Why should I do business there?

Site Content

Know Your Audience– Corporate CEO’s– Site SelectorsRank Key Factors: Corporate CEO Key Factors: Site Selectors

1 Labor Costs Highway Accessibility

2 Highway Accessibility Labor Costs

3 Tax Exemptions Occupancy or Construction Costs

4 Energy Availability & Costs Availability of Skilled Labor

5 Corporate Tax Rate State & Local Incentives

6 Availability of Skilled Labor Availability of Land

7 Occupancy or Construction Costs Energy Availability & Costs

8 State & Local Incentives Tax Exemptions

9 Availability of Advanced ICT Services Proximity to Major Markets

10 Inbound/Outbound Shipping Costs Corporate Tax Rate

The 24th Annual Corporate Survey & 6th Annual Consultants Survey (2009)

Site Content

What Your Clients WantRank Factor Score Rank Factor Score

1 Highway accessibility 191.8 14 Right-to-work state 155.2

2 Labor costs 191.0 15 Availability of buildings 153.6

3 Occupancy or construction costs 179.6 16 Environmental regulations 150.0

4 Availability of skilled labor 179.1 17 Inbound/outbound shipping costs 149.2

5 Tax exemptions 178.0 18 Availability of long-term financing 140.4

6 Energy availability and costs 177.7 19 Proximity to suppliers 134.8

7 State and local incentives 176.9 20 Training programs 128.8

8 Corporate tax rate 174.4 21 Accessibility to major airport 128.0

9 Available land 166.5 22 Availability of unskilled labor 117.4

10 Availability of advanced ICT services 164.5 23 Raw materials availability 110.0

11 Proximity to major markets 161.8 24 Proximity to technical university 97.4

12 Expedited or “fast-track” permitting 157.3 25 Railroad service 65.5

13 Low union profile 155.8 26 Waterway or oceanport accessibility

41.5

http://www.areadevelopment.com

Site Content

Top Ten

– Highway accessibility – Labor costs – Occupancy or construction costs

– Availability of skilled labor – Tax exemptions – Energy availability and costs – State and local incentives – Corporate tax rate – Available land – Availability of advanced ICT

services

Translation to Website

– Transportation• Highway Accessibility

– Labor Force• Labor Costs• Availability of Skilled Labor

– Available Properties• Occupancy & Construction

Costs• Available Land

– Business Climate• Tax Exemptions• Corporate Tax Rate

– Incentives• State and Local Incentives

– Utilities• Energy Availability & Costs• ICT Services (Telecom)

Site Content

Contact Information– Complete Contact Info

• Address, Phone, Fax, Email, Name

– Obvious• Don’t make people hunt for contact info

– Best position is at the top of your site

Site Content

Transportation– Highway– Proximity to Major Markets– Railroad– Commercial & Private Air– Local Shipping Carriers

http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx

Site Content

Labor Force Demographics– Population– Wages by Occupation– Workers by Occupation– Educational Attainment– Labor Supply– Labor Force (Employed, Unemployed, Rate)– Currently Seeking Work– Commute Time

http://dol.sd.gov/lmic/

Site Content

Available Properties– Land & Buildings– Size– Price– Maps & Images– GOED Property Management System

• www.SDreadytowork.com/Property/Search.aspx

• Detailed guide to information

Site Content

Business Climate– Explanation of Taxes

• What we do and don’t tax• “No Tax” litany

– Rankings Promoting our Business Climate• http://www.sdreadytowork.com/dbisd/rankings.asp

– Business Friendly Regulations• Lack of regulations

Site Content

Incentives– State Incentives

• Financing• Workforce Development• Graduated Sales Tax Refund

– Local Incentives• Property Tax Abatements• TIF’s• Grants• Local Sales Tax Refunds• Free or Reduced costs on Land/Building

http://www.sdreadytowork.com/fi/index.asp

Site Content

Utilities– Profile Energy Options available (electricity, natural gas)

• Provide cost• Capacity• Reliability

– Water & Sewer• Cost & Capacity

– Telecommunications• Providers• Internet Access (land line, fiber, and wireless)• Cell reception (?)

http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx

Site Content

Other Content– Industry– Maps– Quality of Life– Other Content Unique to your Community– Use Testimonials– News & Publications

Site Content

Best Practices– Identify the Purpose of your Site

• Add & Arrange Content with that in mind

– Always Source your Data– Make a commitment to keep the site current

Site Content

Getting it Right– Don’t be afraid to borrow from what other

ED sites are doing– Some ED Site Leaders

• http://www.indypartnership.com/• http://www.brenhamtexas-edf.com/Public/Home.as

px• http://www.businessremixed.com/• http://www.discoverwakeforest.org/• http://www.okcommerce.gov/

Break Time!

• Back in 15 minutes!

Website Creation

• In the old days……

=

=

Website Creation

“The Times They Are a-Changin”-Bob Dylan

Website Creation

Many different ways and place to create website

Website Creation

www.yola.com

http://www.yola.tv/adding-pictures.php

http://www.yola.tv/tutorials.php

http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx

Website Creation

Important Tips/Notes when using Yola- Consult handout or website for guidance- It’s ok to mess around a bit - Use photos that are relevant to your community- Content is king!

http://www.yola.tv/tutorials.php

The End

Thank you!

Questions? Comments?

1-800-872-6190

www.SDreadytowork.com

www.SDreadytopartner.com