What We Heard: Website Redesign Resident Survey

Thank you to everyone who shared their feedback during the Website Redesign Resident Survey, held from January 25 to February 12. Your input is helping shape a new Russell Township website that better reflects how residents actually use it, and what you need most from it.

What Residents Told Us

Your feedback was clear: the Township website is an essential tool for day-to-day municipal information. Residents rely on it for quick answers, timely updates, and easy access to services.

Here’s what we heard: Residents want a website that is fast, clear, easy to navigate and reliable for important alerts.

Many shared that finding information can be harder than it should be on the current website. This includes:

• Difficulty navigating pages
• Not knowing where certain services are located
• Trouble using the search bar

What Residents Visit Most

Most website visits are for practical reasons, including:

• Information on waste and organic collections
• News and public notices
• Recreation information and program registration
• Council meetings, agendas, and minutes
• By-laws and reporting by-law concerns

Several respondents said they would like an easier way to:

• Look up collection schedules
• Access all municipal by-laws in one place
• Search for information using filters and clear categories

Top Priorities for the Redesigned Website

You told us that the most important improvements are structural, not visual. Residents want:

• Clearer and simplified navigation
• Better organization of services
• A more powerful and accurate search tool
• Quick access to popular services and information
• A layout organized around residents’ needs—not internal departments

In short, you want a website that is simpler, faster to navigate, alert-driven, search-powered and focused on essential services.

What Happens Next

Our website consultants have already met with Township staff and reviewed the survey results along with website analytics. This work will guide the redesign, ensuring the new website is built around your needs.

We look forward to launching the new website this summer. Stay tuned for updates!

Tips for Using the Current Website

While we work on the new design, here are a few ways to make the most of the current site:

• Stay informed with email alerts: Subscribe to receive updates directly to your inbox, including news, road closures, fire bans, parking bans and calendar updates. Subscribe now at www.russell.ca/subscribe.
• Social media: You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay current.
• Access your property taxes and utility bills online: You can view your bills and make payments online at www.Russell.ca/VirtualRussell.
• Local business directory: Explore local businesses using our directory at www.russell.ca/directory.
• Add community events: Local organizations can add their events in both languages to www.russell.ca/calendar as long as the event takes place in the Township and is open to all.