March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 45 F

VisitAnnapolis.org undergoes fresh design, mobile optimization

visit annapolis screen shotThanks to the May 8th launch of Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County’s (VAAAC) redesigned, mobile device-friendly websites, individuals seeking comprehensive information about things to do and see in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County have immediate, 24/7 access to the information they need on their desktops, tablets or mobile phones.

VAAAC President & CEO Connie Del Signore says the redesigned VisitAnnapolis.org website and its sister websites, WeddingsInAnnapolis.com and TheHotelsAtBWI.com, speak to a world on the move. “Today’s consumers are attached to their mobile devices. They expect information to be at their fingertips when and where they need it. Now that our websites are completely mobile responsive, visitors can access their full depth and breadth everywhere mobile service is available.”

Created by the Annapolis-based Symmetry Agency, the redesigned sites replace the 2013 design that promoted Anne Arundel County’s three distinct destinations – Annapolis City, Annapolis Countryside and BWI Marshall/Arundel Mills – under the single VisitAnnapolis.org URL.     

Del Signore says her organization used lessons learned from the old site to enhance the new ones. Over a three-year period, VAAAC implemented a number of changes to increase the speed of accessing select information on the 2013 site. These included designing separate websites to promote destination weddings at WeddingsInAnnapolis.com and the BWI-Marshall/Arundel Mills region at TheHotelsAtBWI.com.

To assist with the planning and design of the new sites, VAAAC administered an email survey to more than 20,000 consumers and contracted the Symmetry Agency to conduct focus groups in Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; and Charlotte, NC. It was based on their feedback and the strengths of the 2013 site that the seeds of the new VisitAnnapolis.org and its sister blog sites were sewn.

The newly designed sites introduce three new microsites that address the wants and desires of three distinct groups of travelers – foodies, historians and explorers. Anchored by stories written by long-time contributors to VAAAC’s NaptownLocals.com blog site, FoodieAnnapolis.com, HistorianAnnapolis.com and ExplorerAnnapolis.com provide insider recommendations and insights on how best to experience Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

Because the Annapolis area is home to a host of talented musicians and performers, VAAAC has added streaming radio to the VisitAnnapolis.org website. A product of the California-based company, Vacadio, Annapolis NOW Radio features an eclectic range of music – including the works of popular local musicians. It also keeps listeners informed about local events and happenings.

VAAAC is promoting the newly redesigned VisitAnnapolis.org websites in a big way – with a four-week, $400,000 spring advertising campaign that kicked off May 9th. The campaign invites individuals to create their Annapolis Moment by entering a sweepstakes to win a midweek getaway that includes a two-nights’ stay at the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel. Print, digital and television ads are running in the Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA; and Wilmington, DE markets.  

VAAAC is a nonprofit, membership-based destination marketing organization that generates revenues for the local economy by promoting Annapolis and Anne Arundel County to leisure and business travelers across the country and around the world.

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