Recordpub.com, the online edition of the Record-Courier, is getting a new look.
The redesigned Web site, which is set to debut Saturday, includes a more user-friendly system that retains all of the elements of Recordpub.com but is aimed at making navigaton of the site more convenient.
The present site utilizes a "vertical navigation" system, enabling visitors to select from menu items along the left side of their computer screen. The redesigned site will utilize "horizontal navigation," with access to elements of the site available through a menu located along the top of the screen.
The horizontal navigation bar includes links to local news and sports, blogs, Associated Press stories, the Dix News weeklies, classifieds, real estate, job listings, Ohio Autofinder and other elements.
The PDF Edition link, which provides subscribers with the ability to view a digital reproduction of the Record-Courier, has been renamed E-Edition.
"Much of the reasoning to alter the site to incorporate horizontal navigation was internally driven by our own editorial departments," said Andrew R. Dix, president of corporate Web site development for Dix Communications. Editorial personnel were asked to critique Recordpub.com and suggest changes.
The redesigned site will increase the space available for additional content, he said.
Editorial content providers also will be able to add or alter links or menu items as needed, which will enable more hands-on local management of the site.
"We will be making incremental changes to the site design as we move forward with this change but our end goal is to improve the user experience," he said.
Content for the site will continue to be provided by the Record-Courier staff, which provides breaking news updates throughout the day.
The redesign, according to Editor Roger J. Di Paolo, should make the site even more accessible to visitors because of the improved navigation functions, which in turn should help to increase site traffic.
"We believe that the new design will bring a fresh look to Recordpub.com that our readers will appreciate," he said. "We also welcome suggestions for future improvements."
Readers are invited to utilize the comment function on this story on Recordpub.com or may send their comments to editor@recordpub.com, he said.