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Company: Harrowgate Hill Community Link
Project: Harrowgate Hill Community Link

http://www.harrowgatehill.co.uk/

Dates: Oct 2007 to Nov 2007

How did the project start?

When I wanted to provide information to the residents of Harrowgate Hill and allow them to interact with one another.

What options did you consider?

I knew the site would have to be database driven to allow an easy flow of information, to allow other residents to comment and post news... CMS (content management system) was the option I chose.

What help and expertise did you receive?

I received some help with the editing of scripts from 3rd parties; for example to allow full and easy interactivity I provide 4 options; Shout Box, Comment on News items, Forum discussions and full Content Management access. For each of the elements to work, edits to the scripts had to be made to ensure each one would function correctly and sit within the template.

Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?

The first site made allowed full access to forum functions, not thinking anyone would want to 'hack' in. Sadly it was hacked through the uploading of an executable image - through the forum. The whole site had to be re-built, but now it looks and feels much better... without that vulnerability.

What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?

I feel my business is to communicate and deliver up-to-date information for residents and others interested in Harrowgate Hill and the surrounding area. To provide a facility where everyone is able to freely interact and put across their passions and feelings on subjects close to their hearts and homes. Without this level of interaction, through use of the internet, providing up-to-date information would be much harder to achieve. I find that for every single person who visits the site 10 others are informed of the ‘up-dates’ on topical issues through word of mouth. The site currently receives over 10,300 visits each month!

What are your plans for the future?

To allow greater interaction through training and to encourage and help develop a network of community active individuals and allow them to develop the site, posting news and information on what people really care about.