Myrtle Beach is getting a new website. Here’s why, what it costs and when it launches

After more than 10 years at its current domain, Myrtle Beach’s online presence is getting an overhaul with a new website.

“Everything about the new website will be different from the current,” Director of Communications and Creative Services Meredith Denari said in an email. “We are starting from scratch.”

Transferring from its current cityofmyrtlebeach.com address to myrtlebeach.gov, the city says the new website will be easier to navigate, increase transparency and improve cybersecurity for Myrtle Beach.

How much will Myrtle Beach’s new website cost?

Myrtle Beach opened its request for proposals for the new website last December. The city contracted a company called Juicebox for the project for roughly $66,000, but the final price tag will be heftier.

Denari anticipates the total cost will run the city between $75,000 and $100,000 with the addition of optional features like translations.

According to Denari, the new website will save Myrtle Beach money by bringing all departmental websites under one domain, rather than its current system of paying for separately hosted websites.

What will be different on the new site?

The new myrtlebeach.gov domain will feature the Myrtle Beach police, fire, Convention Center, Economic Development and Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism departments all in one.

For users tending to city business like completing electronic forms, scanning paperwork, reporting issues like potholes and water leaks, sharing feedback and accessing city services, the website is supposed to be more convenient and navigable.

The site will also have an archive of Myrtle Beach and its department, staff, projects and services from the city’s Communications and Creative Services department, which is meant to help users understand the local government, according to Denari.

“Ultimately, this project is about improving customer service, increasing transparency and creating a website that reflects how people expect to interact with their local government today, not how they did a decade ago,” Denari said. “We want the city’s website to become the first place people think to go when they need information, want to access a city service or simply want to better understand their local government.”

Why is Myrtle Beach creating a new website?

Myrtle Beach has a functioning website with tabs for services, government, visitors and more. However, the city says it’s out of date and lacking. The new site is supposed to be more accessible with the benefit of better cybersecurity.

“The City of Myrtle Beach’s current website is more than 10 years old, and both technology and the expectations of residents have changed significantly during that time,” Denari said.

Myrtle Beach’s new website will integrate enhanced accessibility features, including language translation services, improved navigation and a design intended to be more intuitive, so users can find and understand information more easily.

It will also be on a .gov domain, which is reserved for verified government entities. A government domain allows users to immediately identify the website and emails from its domain as official, reliable resources.

“The public shouldn’t have to guess whether the site they’re on, or the email in their inbox, is genuine,” according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). “Use of the .gov top-level domain can help reduce uncertainty.”

The CISA verifies every .gov domain, which is free for eligible organizations. The verified .gov websites also remain secure by using multi-factor authentication for accounts in the .gov registrar, preloading all new domains, administering domain requirements, appearing on a complete list of .gov domains and receiving recommendations for security best practices.

When will the new website launch?

The new website has no clear launch date. The city aims to go public with it early next year, but according to Denari, that could change.

“This is a behemoth of a project that will take time, and we’re intentionally not rushing the process because we want to get it right,” Denari said.

Once the new website is up and running, Myrtle Beach plans to continually update it with new resources and evolving information. Important notices will take front and center in emergency situations like natural disasters, while seasonal activities and programs may be featured other times.

“It’s going to be a lot of work but so worth it in the end,” Denari said. “It’s very exciting for everyone involved, including staff, and I’m excited for our community to be getting this much deserved upgrade.”