If you've been poking around the website this past week, you might have wondered, "hey, why does this look different?"
After 2 years, it's time our website got an upgrade worthy of the community that's fueled our growth. That means a smoother, more accessible user experience.
There's nothing I hate more than trying to order my favorite chicken dish and realizing the restaurant "upgraded" it by adding six different kinds of aioli. Don't worry. This isn't that kind of upgrade – the kind that turns a familiar resource into something unrecognizable and unwieldy.
These past 2 years, The Townie has evolved to include several resources for community life in Greater Newburyport: opinion pieces, social media videos, an events calendar, Townie-hosted community events, local comics, regional travel, and more.
Our new website reflects that evolution. We brought all these elements under a single roof. Here's what to look for as you explore our new site:
Opinion pieces: The same op-eds you've come to know and love (or, sometimes, hate). Just a sleeker design.
Author profiles: We want our writers to feel like part of the Townie community. We now feature author bios for contributors who want to (briefly) tell readers a little about themselves, plus room for a headshot. Writers also now have dedicated author pages, where all their articles will be compiled.
Videos: While we still encourage you to check our Instagram for the latest videos, all our videos now also live directly on the website. So you have even easier access to our popular street interviews, and the adventures of our Townie Taster.
Comics: We're excited for this one. We're partnering with local cartoonists to feature semi-weekly comic strips. Some will be about local life, others will just be generally amusing. Thanks to AJ Smith for getting this series kicked off, and to the other artists who will be contributing.
Townie Staycation: There's so much to love about Greater Newburyport, it's easy to lose ourselves in our little bubble. Townie Staycation encourages readers to explore a little further, highlighting great weekend trips that don't require a passport or hefty plane fare. These could be boutique hotels, scenic destinations, or unique experiences – as long as they have a touch of local color.
Hopefully, The Townie 2.0 makes it easier for you to engage with us. As always, don't hesitate to submit an opinion piece, or get in touch with us for any questions of partnership inquiries.