Ritzville chamber launches new website, aims to better promote community, events

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce launched a new website to provide locals and visitors with additional information about the Ritzville area: http://www.visitritzville.com.

The site went live at the beginning of May and has already seen a tremendous amount of online visits. The website provides visitors with history of the area and highlights businesses and individuals who are chamber members.

Jennifer Saunders, co-administer at the chamber, said the website operates with ChamberMaster, a member management system. The software allows the website managers and chamber members to work together and update information easily.

“It integrates with our bookkeeping system and that way you’re not duplicating that step. It’s a huge time saver,” Saunders explained.

Each chamber member has a specific page that lists the basic contact information, links visitors to the business’ website, and allows chamber members to access the page and make specific changes. The website also allows chamber members to post deals and coupons specific to their business.

The project for a new website began back in March and though Saunders admits it was a challenge, the new site is easily accessible and informational. It provides visitors and residents with a single location to access community information, activities and flyers advertising events.

“Since we are a visitor information center too, there has to be a fine balance,” Saunders explained about information on the website. “You have to offer as much information as you can to benefit businesses and the community. But there has to be a benefit to being a (chamber) member.”

Jason Kiel, owner of Wheatland Computer Services, was the designer of the new website.

There are currently 94 members or businesses registered on the website that offers a wide variety of services and expertise for those who visit the site. Business and non-business memberships are available through the chamber.

Also a new opportunity through the chamber is the addition of a single owner/operator membership option. This membership is for businesses that do not have employees and membership dues are reduced to accommodate these business owners.

Individuals or businesses interested in becoming a chamber member should contact the Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce by phone at 659-1936, by email at [email protected] or through the website, http://www.visitritzville.com.

The chamber hosts monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at a local restaurant that is a chamber member. The chamber is located at 111 West Main Avenue in Ritzville.