Website Development Services

The Vendor is required to provide website services and marketing support to the county economic development department.
- Economic development website is hosted on the word press content management platform; the content management system (CSM) requirement is word press; economic development website contains the following technology:
• The divi platform by elegant themes is the primary theme installed on the site, with customized divi child themes.
• Custom content directories for local businesses and attractions have been created using the toolset plugin; these directories feature mapping, directory views, and templates developed with toolset; additionally, an events calendar powered by toolset is integrated into the website.
• The website is linked and integrated with Economic Development’s Application Programming Interface (API) Plug-ins:
o Bludot CRM;
o State Scan;
o LoopNet/CoStar;
o Divi-Modules Table Maker;
o Gravity Forms;
o Toolset to manage public log-ins to add and manage content updates;
o Yoast or Rank Math to manage Search Engine Optimization (SEO);
o Google Analytics Dashboard Plugin
o Google Translate
o Google Tag Manager
o Google Console
o ADA Compliance
o Privacy Compliance
• Extensive redirects for custom domain names are implemented on the site.
• Photo/video gallery tools are integrated to highlight events and sights across the county.
• Divi framework and toolset programming plug suite are used.
• We anticipate up to four site administrators from economic development and all need to have full permission through their accounts.
• The offeror shall perform a comprehensive redesign of the website, tailored specifically for economic development purposes; this redesign will include:
o Strategic planning: assessing current website performance and defining objectives for the redesign.
o User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design: creating an intuitive, visually appealing layout to enhance user engagement.
o Content development: updating or creating new content to effectively communicate economic development goals and initiatives.
o Responsive design: ensuring the website is fully functional and optimized for all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
o SEO optimization: implementing best practices to improve search engine visibility and ranking.
o Integration: incorporating necessary tools and features, such as contact forms, event calendars, and interactive maps.
o Performance metrics: setting up analytics to monitor website traffic, user behavior, and other key performance indicators.
o Training and support: providing training for staff on managing and updating the website, as well as ongoing technical support.
o The redesigned website will be crafted to effectively promote economic development and enhance the user experience for all visitors.
- Website access and content updates:
• Economic development staff will provide and approve all content for the website.
• Offeror shall provide recommendations for content and graphics design adjustments as needed or requested.
• Offeror shall be responsible for completing all necessary website system updates to include any code and plug-ins.
• Offeror shall have demonstrated knowledge of the word press platform for content management; offeror shall be capable of training internal staff on how to manage all development as well as complete content and code changes on the site as needed.
• Offeror shall be responsible for additions of content and pages as needed or requested.
• Offeror shall be responsible for regular data backups of database as well as site code.
• Offeror shall maintain and update all site indexing and search tools.
• Offeror shall be responsible for technology support and hosting.
• Offeror shall design and develop microsites tailored to specific needs; this includes setting up and configuring the domains for each microsite, as well as handling all aspects of domain management; service ensures that each microsite is fully optimized, seamlessly integrated, and professionally maintained.
• Data privacy and collection compliance: the offeror must outline and adhere to clear data privacy and collection agreements and procedures, ensuring compliance with applicable data protection laws and regulations e.g., general data protection regulation (GDPR), state consumer privacy act; this includes securing user data, providing transparent data usage policies, and ensuring all data collection mechanisms align with best practices for user privacy and security.
• Accessibility compliance: the offeror must ensure the website meets and maintains compliance with the state act and web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 (or the most current version) standards; this includes providing ongoing updates and documentation to demonstrate continued adherence to accessibility requirements.
- Analytics:
• The offeror shall be responsible for integrating the website with google analytics using the google site kit; this must include google analytics tracking, google tag manager, google console and other website analytics and data tracking.
• The website is currently using rank math to manage SEO.
• Additional tracking tools to be added upon request.
- Advertising:
• Offeror must have capability to purchase digital media across various platforms, including but not limited to programmatic, streaming, native, search, and social advertising.
• The current hosting environment is through engine; the tasks to be provided by the offeror under this item include, but are not limited to:
o Design creation and identification of placement opportunities for digital advertisements.
o Google ad words targeted at specific economic development keywords, developed in conjunction with the economic development marketing contractors.
o Targeted social media advertising (primarily Facebook and LinkedIn) campaigns focused economic development assets and programs.
o Geographically and behaviorally targeted digital advertising campaigns.
o Video pre-roll advertising in front of streaming video.
o Local digital advertising buys as warranted by the campaign focus.
o Web and email advertising.
o Identification of new digital platforms to reach the economic development marketing staff’s desired audiences.
o Detailed reporting and evaluation of campaigns to refine the advertising strategy.
o Print ads for industry blogs, media releases, newsletters, magazines, and other publications as requested.
o Maintain all sign-up tools for email newsletters or links to social media integration.
o Advertisement placement expenses are not part of this contract.
o The offeror shall assist economic development staff with culling ad campaign data, social data, site traffic data, and market data to build marketing strategies for stafford county economic development.
- Hosting management:
• Offeror shall manage the hosting environment, SP engine; tasks under this item include, but are not limited to:
o Plugin updates and backups;
o Security certificates;
o New microsite installations;
o Based broken link analysis and repair plugin;
o Domain names and redirects;
o Managing a development/test/live environment for development purposes;
o Website hosting and system platform; and
o Offeror shall meet with the county economic
- Development staff as needed to review website, advertising goals and initiatives, and website performance.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year