You’ve probably noticed a few changes here at flatheadbeacon.com – that’s because we’ve rebuilt the site from the ground up to make it more visual, easier to use and adaptable to all your electronic devices. The site is responsive, meaning it “responds” to the screen size of the device you’re using. Go ahead and test it out. If you are on a desktop, grab the corner of your web browser’s window and shrink it and watch the site’s elements rearrange in real time.
I’m here to provide a quick tour of the site, so let’s begin:
HOMEPAGE
The homepage is fairly similar to our previous site, with a few noticeable changes. Next to our flag (logo) are buttons that will take you to our various social media pages that allow you to experience the Beacon in different ways. We’ve recently added Instagram, Linkedin, YouTube and Google+ pages. Check them out and follow us if like what you see.
In the right-hand column of the page you will notice a new feature called “Beacon & Eggs.” Here we will provide exactly what the tagline says: “Hand-picked links to start your day.” Each morning, a Beacon staffer will gather stories, photos and videos from our site and elsewhere and package those items into an easily digestible news roundup.
Also in the right-hand column you will find tabs to the most popular and most recent stories and those with the most comments. There is also a Twitter feed featuring real-time breaking news and other reports from our staff.
The left-hand column will look familiar. It includes the latest daily headlines, poll questions, police blotter and Beacon blog, where we will post information about our company, from photos to upcoming events to job openings.
CATEGORY PAGES
These are relatively unchanged from the previous site, although we added an Outdoors section and a few bells and whistles on each page.
On the Sports page, readers will find a scoreboard and standings for when prep sports are in season. And the Arts & Entertainment page will feature spotlight events to help you plan your week and cooking recipes from our weekly Side Dish column.
COMMENTING
We have implemented a new commenting system to make it easier to join the discussion. You can now comment using your Facebook, Twitter and Google accounts.
You can still comment anonymously. Just create an account using Disqus by choosing a username and submitting an active email account. That’s it. You will now be able to comment and up/down vote other comments on the site. Please follow our guidelines and be kind to other users.
CLASSIFIEDS
The classified section was completely redesigned. All classifieds are hosted at flatheadbeaconclassifieds.com. We think you’re going to love the changes.
The site categorizes featured, latest and most popular classifieds. You can also search by product, price and locations.
Here are further instructions on how to post an ad. Please follow our ad guidelines when posting classifieds.
EVENTS
Flatheadevents.net is unchanged.
Finally, I would like to thank Art Director Steve Larson, who designed much of the site, and web developers Ross Peterson and Brian Kopper, who built it, for their hard work over the last several months.
If you are interested in advertising on any of our platforms, you can find more information here.