Once your campaign website is up and running, the work has just begun. Your website is more than a digital pamphlet. It should be an online hub and a place where voters can visit for updates, news and information.
Depending on your level of technical expertise, you may want to handle website updates yourself, or you may want others in your campaign to do it. Many campaigns have a volunteer act as a website coordinator.
Some web designers or hosting companies offer website maintenance packages. That is where you pay a flat rate for a set amount of site update time each month. You may find this an attractive option, but be aware of two things: First, things move fast in a campaign, so how quickly will they make requested changes or updates? Two, will ALL changes have to go through them? If your site is set up through a CMS, then anyone with proper access can update it. There is no need to have updates bottled up through one person.
Your website coordinator(s) can perform many duties, including:
- Posting site updates.
- Managing social network profiles.
- Responding to voter emails and social media correspondence.
- Composing and sending e-newsletters.
- Coordinating online fundraising campaigns.
- Managing online volunteer offers.
- Handling online advertising campaigns.
Action Items
Set up a system to make sure that your website, email and social media needs are in place. Web coordinators should work closely with the rest of your campaign staff. They must also be able to act quickly and have enough leeway to handle routine matters themselves.