After several months of strategizing, planning and building, the revamped Poynter.org is here. The goals of this redesign were to build a mobile-friendly site that loads quickly, allows for easier navigation and provides more avenues to the content and work of other parts of The Poynter Institute.
As is the case with most redesigns, this is only the beginning. We have a list of features that we plan to roll out in the coming months as we learn what readers like, what they are looking for and what they tell us is missing.
We realize that the new site may be a bit of a shock to our regular readers who had gotten used to knowing where to find certain information. After all, this is the first redesign of Poynter.org in more than five years, a span in which digital design and audience behavior changed dramatically.
Therefore, we have assembled a list of questions and answers that will grow as we receive feedback and questions.
Is the Poynter logo and font different?
Yes, with the design help of Roger Black and Mario Garcia, we improved the logo to give it a more elegant and updated look. The font was changed to make it easier to read on all platforms.
Where is MediaWire?
MediaWire still exists, but it is now called news. If you are interested in seeing all of our articles in a blog-like format, you can still find that on the news page.
Why do the article pages look different?
We added author bios, bigger pictures and more avenues to related content to enrich the reader’s experience and to highlight other content that may be of interest. This was done because we know that many of our readers come from social media and might not see our homepage.
Is the site faster?
Yes! In an effort to respect your time, we made several changes to decrease the time it takes for the site to load.
Why does the site look the same to me?
Sometimes it takes a while for the site to propagate. Or you may be seeing a cached site; Try refreshing your browser.
What were the goals of the redesign?
We wanted to create a streamlined experience that helps you navigate content better—no matter what device you’re using. We also wanted to provide more points of integration with Poynter’s teaching, starting with our latest feature, the Coffee Break Course. We also are offering more categories of news, such as storytelling, business and ethics, so you can quickly navigate to the coverage areas that interest you most.
What’s next?
As you can imagine, we have a list of other features we want to add. In the coming months, we will be prioritizing those and rolling them out. Some of that depends on what we hear from you.
How do I let you know about any site problems?
Our website redesign is an iterative process that depends on feedback from our readers. If you spot something that looks awry, send us an email at redesign@poynter.org or let us know by tweeting at Poynter. We’ll be reviewing these comments in the coming days and adjusting the site accordingly.
The launch of a new site is full of challenges. If you have questions or encounter glitches, simply email us at redesign@poynter.org. For other feedback, visit our Contact Us page.
I use articles from Poynter in the classroom. Where did they go?
All of Poynter’s articles have been conserved in the redesign. You can find them at the same URLs, or by searching through our archives.
Some parts of the new website resemble Poynter’s old version. What’s going on?
Some parts of Poynter’s extended web presence, such as our membership, e-learning, training, calendar and support pages, weren’t part of our plans for this version. Going forward, every aspect of our extended web presence will be revisited.
I have a great story idea. How can I get in touch with Poynter?
Freelancers who want to pitch story ideas should email webstaff@poynter.org. If you have a tip you’d like us to look into, email tips@poynter.org.
I love the new site. How can I become an advertiser?
Advertising queries may be directed to Tina Dyakon, Poynter’s Director of Advertising and Marketing, at tdyakon@poynter.org.
What happened to my old comments?
The disqus comments are taking a while to propagate to the new site. We’re working on getting them all back into the stories.
Fun Fact:
Poynter.org was launched in 1994 as a text-only BBS site. The institute launched the Poynter Online website at 7:30 pm on December 31, 1994. However, from Spring 1994-December 1994, Poynter experimented with a text-only BBS online site called “ViewPoynt.”
from Spring 1994-December 1994, Poynter experimented
with a text-only BBS online site called “ViewPoynt.”
The institute launched the Poynter Online website at 7:30 pm on
December 31, 1994.
