2nd August 2007

Hantsweb Awards 2007

Back in May we thought we would enter this website for the Hantsweb Awards 2007, a competition which is open to all Hampshire websites and something we had never entered before. In all there were 11 categories and after careful consideration we entered the site in two: Best Recreation & Tourism category as well as the Best Local Area category. We then sat back and waited.

Regular visitors to this website may remember that we revamped the website back in February, giving the pages a stronger visual layout with the blue ‘wave’ heading, cleaning up the overall presentation and trying to make navigation around the site easier. We regularly review the content of the site and try to make it lively, interesting and accessible to visitors, whilst trying to encourage feedback in the form of sightings in the Valley as well as seasonal submission. It is partly because of the design changes that we thought it would be interesting to see how others viewed the website, which was one reason why we entered the Hantsweb Awards.

By the time nominations closed in May there were 52 sites nominated in the Best Tourism & Recreation category and a staggering 73 sites nominated for the Best Local Area category.

At the end of June we were informed that we had been shortlisted in the Best Tourism & Recreation category. We were delighted to think that our website was in the ‘Top Ten’ and was, for various reasons, judged ahead of 42 other sites. We then had to wait another month to find out if we were going to make it to the final three.

I’m delighted to say that it’s good news as we were informed yesterday that this website has been selected as a finalist in the Best Tourism & Recreation category! We now have to wait until September 18th for the awards ceremony when we will find out if we have won. 

Whatever happens we are absolutely delighted to have got so far. To be one of the top three websites in our category is absolutely fantastic. For the judges to have selected us shows we must be doing something right, and it will be interesting to find out exactly what their professional opinion of the site is. But then the fact that our visitor figures have been increasing is a good indication that visitors like what they see. In the past year visitor numbers have increased from over 11,700 in July 2006 to nearly 21,000 this July.

We’ll let you now what happens in due course. In the meantime if you would like to make any comment about this website please do email us, we always welcome comments positive or otherwise. If you would like to find out more about the Hantsweb Awards 2007 use this link. Hantsweb Awards

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For further information contact: Christine Reeves, Visitor Promotions Officer on 01252 331353. Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, Ash Lock Cottage, Government Road, Aldershot GU11 2PS