New A-D Web site launches

As part of a Freedom Communications initiative focused on improving its properties' online performance, the Appeal-Democrat launched a redesigned Web site Monday.

The redesigned appeal-democrat.com offers better navigation, enhanced functionality and improved site speed, as well as new products and services.

Freedom Communications Inc., the Appeal-Democrat's parent company, is a national, privately owned company of newspapers and other print publications, television stations and Web sites.

The redesign is in response to extensive consumer research conducted to ensure that the new site incorporates the highest standards of usability, navigation and design while continuing to be the Mid-Valley's No. 1 source for local news online.

Overall improvements from the redesign include: easy access to local news stories drawing the most views and generating the most user comments, improved search functionality and design and enhanced classifieds listings.

The redesign follows up on other recent enhancements to appeal-democrat.com, including an improved platform for local videos and social networking tools enabling users to write their own blogs, participate in forums and share their photos.

"We are committed to delivering a Web site experience based on our customers' preferences and needs. As more consumers in the Mid-Valley turn to appeal-democrat.com for the latest news and information, we will continue to evolve our site based on the news our customers care about," said Appeal-Democrat Publisher Don T. Bricker.

For questions or comments about the redesigned site, contact Internet Operations Director Courtney Lopez at 749-4748 or clopez@appealdemocrat.com, or Web editor Steve Nelson at 749-4782 or snelson@appealdemocrat.com.