Our new website is here and you can find it at a new web address oxfordshirefreemasons.co.uk
We are delighted to say that for the first time, we have been awarded the UGLE Chartermark for security and content criteria. Why is this important? Because we want to reassure all visitors that they can have the best possible secure experience, without seeing the alarming ‘unsafe site’ warning. The UGLE Chartermark and security certificate (SSL) are vital ingredients for search engines such as Google to direct visitors to us.
In addition to these features, oxfordshirefreemasons.co.uk is also now fully ‘responsive’, which means it is suitable for mobile devices of all types and sizes. You can now view all pages in both horizontal and vertical modes with text and images resizing themselves to fit different screens.
Almost everyone now uses a smart-phone to browse the internet, so this automatic functionality was one of our top priorities. Don’t worry if you still have a traditional desktop or laptop computer, our site also instantly detects these and is compatible with these.
You will immediately notice that the content is now brighter and clearer. This follows a trend in website evolution to minimise clutter and distractions. The technical term for this is ‘retina friendly’. Put simply it means more breathing space and ease on the eye. We now place a much greater emphasis on making the landing experience accessible and more enjoyable for the non-freemason visitor. This is especially important for anyone who may wish to subsequently make enquiries about joining us.
Both orders of women’s freemasonry are given due emphasis in the contact pages, as is the Universities Scheme. We have also streamlined the pathway for getting in touch with our own Provincial membership officer Dave Robinson.
The new website is designed to give a great overview of who and what we are and, in particular, how we operate in our communities here in Oxfordshire. In renewing our focus, we have had to necessarily remove some less important or tired elements.
In a short while there will also be an additional password protected members’ area. This will contain various forms and will be a repository for information relevant only to members. (Launching soon.)
More than anything, we are entirely conscious that great websites depend on great fresh content. Your Lodge, Chapter or Order news is still very important to us. Eye catching images are even more welcome, but we do want to move beyond the usual ‘cheque presentations’ to the core essence of every story. For example, how money was used to support vulnerable people, rather than just the moment of handing over funds. Our social and ceremonial side may be missing at the moment, but we are still making a huge difference to charities and communities locally.
Covid-19 and suspension of our normal activities has made some of our topical news-gathering more difficult. But we’re absolutely confident that when we restart, the website will reflect all of our renewed and refreshed efforts. We have much to be proud of and oxfordshirefreemasons.co.uk is designed to showcase our values and achievements.
Our website is the public-facing shop window into our organisation and we want to update it regularly and give fresh and compelling reasons to visit and revisit us every day.
A webmaster truism is that a website is never really finished! No doubt we can add more and more information indefinitely. However there is always a need to balance and focus the content to the greatest effect.
Bro Gavin McCoy
Provincial Communications Officer & Webmaster