We have added six new photos to the gallery of Durlston http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/gallery/default.aspx and updated the Durlston Country Park page http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/thingstodo/page.aspx?p=durlston

As part of our recent update we are sent an email notification if someone uses the search facility and it doesn’t provide any matches. This enables us to try to add the missing information into the website.

Today we had several searches for catering companies and we currently do not have any local catering businesses in the directory.

If you run a catering business (or any other type of business) it is free to advertise in the local directory so please add your business to the listings. http://www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/advertise/

Our website has undergone many changes and updates as it has grown over the last 16 years. Below are screen shots of some of the different designs used on the website as the addition of new content and sections has required a redesign to the previous versions.

2000

The 2000 website had links to all the site pages on the simple top menu.

2001

The 2001 website had the main links moved to the left side and an additional menu added to the right side of the page.

2002

The 2002 site saw the launch of our first "mobile" website aimed at the growing market of PDA's and WAP mobile phones.

2003

The 2003 we site came away from the side menu system to a top dropdown menu.

2004

The top menu system was also used on the 2004 version but with the addition of extra sections.

2005

Christmas version show below with the return of the side menu as more sections were added including a commmunity forum.

2008

The 2008 design saw the side menus broken down into simpler sections with sub pages being shown when each section was selected.

2010-Spring 2012

The 2010 design saw the return to a top level menu on all pages with a left side sub menu on all other pages.

We welcome three new accommodation businesses who have chosen Virtual Swanage to advertise their properties.

Number 83, High Street, Swanage 

7 Ulwell Road

Richmond Road

We also want to thank the event’s organisers who have added their events to the event diary www.virtual-swanage.co.uk/events/

Its FREE to advertise your events with us and your events will be seen by thousands of people every day and also shown on our smartphone mobile apps.

The Virtual Swanage website has now been running for over 16 years and has grown considerably since its first version which contained only 4 pages. As websites evolve and change the design and look of the websites have to change to keep pace with the changes in technology and the way people access information online.

The website has undergone a facelift and now has a fresh new look.

The new look website features all the same useful and local information as before but has been organised into easier to navigate and use pages and some new features have been added.

The old navigation could take 3 or 4 clicks to get to some pages and the new menu system will reduce this down to one or two clicks to reach the same information.

Some pages such as the home page and accommodation pages now feature a new paging system which allows us to show all the businesses that have active special offers rather than only showing 10 at random as before. To move to the next or previous offers or events simply click the small round buttons below the lists to browse.

The local directory has been updated and the Where to Eat section is now independent of the other businesses, clubs and organisations, and now features in the top level menu on all pages.

A new Explore the Area section has been added which contains our photo gallery, local information including emergency contact info, travel and other local resources. The A-Z of clubs, businesses and organisations is now in this area along with weather reports, local history and Education section.

We have added a new page to make it easier for local users to add their businesses, clubs, organisations, accommodation and events. The new Advertise with Us page is linked on the footer from every page.

There have been lots of other small changes and improvements throughout the site which will also help people find our website from the millions of other websites with Swanage information.

Up to June 2012 has been a mix of increases some months and losses on other months

2011 Visitor Stats

2012 Visitor Stats

One of more than 4,000 beacons are being lit across the Commonwealth as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Filmed from the southern side of Swanage from approx 1.6 miles away

We have removed the gallery shop from the website but you can continue to buy prints online from our photographers from their own websites which have a much wider selection of images available as prints and canvas.

Andrew Dorey Photography www.andrewdorey.co.uk

Andy Farrer Photography www.andyfarrer.co.uk