Catalog

Web Watch
ADB.org: Expanding Online Presence

User sessions are up by an amazing 256% since June 2000

GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT:
One of ADB’s popular topical web sites

ADB recently marked the 7th anniversary of its web site.

From humble beginnings as the hobby of an IT-oriented senior information officer, the web site has become one of ADB’s most powerful tools to inform, influence, and involve a global audience of governments, media, researchers, civil society, private enterprises, academics, and students.

Web analyses showed that as of December 2001, the site hosted almost 8,000 documents and over four gigabytes of data ranging from ADB’s major publications, such as the Asian Development Outlook, Annual Report, and Key Indicators, to a growing number of topical web sites, such as the NGO Center, gender and development, and HIV/AIDS.

Draft policies—with an invitation for feedback—are posted on the web. Resident mission newsletters, conference documents, and even articles about missions—such as ADB’s first mission to Afghanistan in 20 years — are also available online.

The design and development of the site revolves around bridging the gap between the needs of users for information retrieval and access, and the requirements of ADB as an organization for transparency and branding. A small, dedicated team of staff and consultants in the Office of External Relations (OER) works to continuously improve the site’s usability and contents. ADB’s web site is recognized by other multilateral development banks as a leader in content management systems and quality control: ADB’s webmaster has given web content and strategy workshops to international and regional organizations. External groups often consult OER technical staff to advise on interface, database, and navigation issues.

Use of the site has grown exponentially. In April 2002, the site had 7,856,026 hits and 269,813 user sessions, an increase of 135% and 256%, respectively, compared with January 2000, when web statistics were first recorded.

“It’s amazing how the web site has developed into such a powerful communications tool in such a short time,” says ADB’s webmaster, Penelope Price. “Can we begin to imagine what the next 7 years will bring?”

As Internet access increases in the Asia and Pacific region, more and more stakeholders expect ADB to expand its online presence. OER plans to sustain ADB’s leadership in this field.

Email this to a friend