Allotment Website

[Newton]

We are doing a website that has been set up for free through the local government initiative.

Has anyone else done similar and what do you use it for? Any successes or failures welcomed so we can get it right and get it used?

I look forward to any replies........

[alldigging]

"free through the local government initiative."

I am horribly cynical about this sort of thing. You get it free but it's probably spending £30k of grant money somewhere in the chain to let you have a free website.

Finding people to put content on on a regular basis. Video, photos, text, planting schedules etc should have been a first step before going further with the project.
If it all falls to one person and they have little time then it's useless.

A basic wordpress installation with multiple authors set up allowed to post content would cost virtually nothing to set up apart from some hosting which isn't dear.

[Two_Sheds]

We are doing a website

What's the objective? What's it going to be showing, and who is the audience going to be?
(I get all my gardening from this site, blogs, youtube & Flickr etc: all free)

[Aberdeenplotter]

I used one hosted free by Microsoft for several years which was great for getting information out to local allotment holders. Microsoft pulled the plug recently though so I have had to set up a new site Bucksburn Allotments Association | Growing Together. Haven't got much on there yet but feel free to have a wee looksee

[Mikey]

Our local council had one for our allotments, through a linked system called cobwebs. Cobwebs was accurate, its never used.

[Snadger]

Our local council had one for our allotments, through a linked system called cobwebs. Cobwebs was accurate, its never used.

Much like ours..............Marie Celeste they should call it!

[Newton]

Thanks all...hmmmmmm all comments gratefully noted! Getting community groups online is the primary objective of the programme AD. I am as sceptical as you with regard to finances.....so good point!

Thanks for the peek AP. I like the legal messages.....good idea.

TS I think the site will be used mainly by society members which includecplotvholders and shop members. But I would like to engage with people wanting an allotment, helpers etc.....

I was really looking to avoid mistakes and find out things that work well. Hmmmmm

[chris]

If you can, just use a blogging engine - such as wordpress - easy to setup (most decent hosts support auto-installs anyway, via a control panel), or even googles blogger (blogspot). Both can be customised and styled to suit various websites

[alldigging]

Getting community groups online is the primary objective of the programme

You can use it as the chance to get new skills - presume they have money for training, domains, hosting etc.


If you could persuade people to create the content then getting it online isn't that hard. Some people might be interested in giving their opinions on rules, growing massive veg, their top secrets, etc.

Some simple talking heads videos about allotments would be interesting and engaging. And you'd need a video camera which they might have funding for. (Only need something simple like a flip one)

[Two_Sheds]

the site will be used mainly by society members which includecplotvholders and shop members. But I would like to engage with people wanting an allotment, helpers etc.....

Would a Facebook page do the job?

[Newton]

We are up and running.......Newton Park Allotments | Home

Wordpress is the platform Chris.....it's quite easy to get going......loads of YouTube help and a tutorial from the local authority for us to get going too!

The initiative paid for the domain etc and some training. I will ask for a camera!

TS I am not savvy with Facebook......I will delegate it to some of the more social creatures

Thanks for your help!

[Two_Sheds]

TS I am not savvy with Facebook......I will delegate it to some of the more social creatures

Facebook isn't only for teenagers ~ it can be really useful at connecting like-minded people, and as a place to put messages, photos etc. (my lotty one is in my link below).