One of the basic elements that any good company Web site should have is an "online newsroom" with information and materials useful to journalists. Often created when the site is launched, online newsrooms are the proper receptacle for background information and public announcements.

At its very basic, online newsrooms should include:

• press releases,
• biographies of key executives, and
• basic information about the company (especially if that is not included in a separate "About Us" page).

Once launched and maintained for an initial period, too often online newsrooms are subsequently neglected and stuck in the past. What does it say about your company if the last press release posted is over six months old? Probably that your company is stagnant.

With the advent of social media, additional resources are just a click away. The modern and well-maintained online newsroom takes advantage of internal and external forums to present a full array of information to the Web visitor.

When appropriate, modern newsrooms can fully utilize the interconnectivity of the Web to present a dynamic and well-rounded view of your company and its products and services.

Your newsroom could link to:

• a company or sanctioned employee blog,
• company Facebook page,
• company Twitter account,
• external articles,
• videos of your products on public sites such as YouTube or Vimeo,
• photos you’ve posted on Flickr or other photo-sharing sites,
• an events calendar (e.g., where you will be exhibiting),
• RSS feeds,
• company podcasts,
• an online request form for additional information or an interview, and
• downloadable high-resolution photos of your products, facilites and key executives.

Adding new content can also help with search engine optimization. Specifically, posting and tagging photos, videos and other relevant content will help your site perform better in search engine rankings and potentially attract more visitors.

Online newsrooms are no longer just for static content, they can be a vital informational portal for journalists, job seekers and even your own employees.

To discover how S&A Cherokee can help you with your Web design and online search needs, contact us.