MONROE — A new era in local media starts today with the official launch of the Monroe Times’ website at www.themonroetimes.com.

The new media platform will allow for more stories, photographs and information than ever before available in the greater communities of Green County, Lafayette County and northern Stephenson County, Illinois. 

The site is designed for optimal display on a variety of devices, including cellphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

“Our newly-designed website is going to be a completely different online experience than our former website,” Matt Johnson, publisher of the Monroe Times, said. “Those visiting will immediately see much more information than was offered previously. Local advertisers on our website will be able to harness the nearly 200,000 views our website generates in a month.”

The site provides “infinite scroll,” which is the same type of platform people who use Facebook and Twitter have been accustomed to seeing. There is also a “menu” for people who want to immediately access obituaries, sports, legal notices and other types of specific information.

The website platform, known as “Anvil” was developed by Morris Technology, a business associate of Morris Media of Monroe which publishes the Monroe Times and Monroe Shopping News.

Readers who have used the address “themonroetimes.net” will not have to change, as that address will redirect the viewer to “themonroetimes.com.”

First-time users of the site who have an online account through the Monroe Times, will be required to log in using the email address that they first used to log into the Times’ former website. If readers can’t remember this email address, they can call the Monroe Times at 608-328-4202 for customer support to get set up.

“Just as with any change in technology, we anticipate people will have questions and may need assistance early during the implementation of our new website,” Johnson said. “Our motto is ‘Strong local news and excellent customer service.’ We plan to help people, if needed, get their new online accounts set up, so they can continue to get the information that makes the Monroe Times unique.”

Morris Media of Monroe operates websites at mymonroeshoppingnews.com and stateline411.com. The formats for those websites won’t change, as they are a clearing house for advertising for those products. The mymonroeshoppingnews.com website has been exceptionally successful for years — drawing in readers who wish to read the advertising content published in the Monroe Shopping News.

After nearly 18 months of making significant internal and external changes to products offered by Morris Media of Monroe, the implementation of the new website is the last major external change for readers planned. 

The website will continue to evolve with the addition of more products for advertisers. For example, the new website includes an enhanced community calendar that allows event organizers to provide special content and give greater notice to their event. Advertisers have access to four unique sizes and placement areas for their content on the website. The online advertisements for advertisers, when clicked on by readers, redirect people to the business website.

The new website is faster, crisper and friendly to all digital devices.

“During our beta testing period of the new site, comments from the community on the new platform rolled with 90 percent of them being positive,” Johnson said. “Much like our overall philosophy of being as local of a newspaper as possible, we’re making changes to bring the community closer together and provide for the success of the Monroe Times for decades to come.

“A great part of our philosophy has been about kindness — the kindness that is evident in our greater community and the positivity that’s created all around us due to the nature of our readers and their strong, traditional beliefs in ‘The Golden Rule’ and common courtesy,” Johnson continued. “We find all news important and don’t shy away from our duties to protect the people’s right to know. The Monroe Times is a reflection of our community. There’s no end to stories happening here that people should see and feel good about.”

Readers who have print subscriptions to the Monroe Times receive a free online subscription to themonroetimes.com. Morris Media of Monroe has lowered the price of an online-only subscription significantly. It costs $6 a month.

During the first month of operation, the website will offer 20 free views to readers who don’t have an online subscription. After the first month, readers will need an online subscription to view the site.

As in the past, the editorial team of the Times makes decisions about key local news that it allows the community to view for free, outside of the paywall for the website. This philosophy will continue.

Businesses interested in advertising in any of the products offered by Morris Media of Monroe can call the business number at 608-328-4202. Readers with questions about content on the new website or opinions can call Johnson at 608-328-4202 or email him at mjohnson@themonroetimes.net.