Study Ranks Teaneck Website at 221

Monmouth University's Polling Institute has ranked Teaneck's town website at 221 out of 540 municipal sites across the state. 

The project evaluated each website based on 86 content items in 2012, including information for citizens, interaction and social networking.

“Websites are probably the single most important tool for citizens to find local information,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. “According to a poll we conducted in 2011, Garden State residents are far more likely to visit a municipal website than to call or write a town official.”

The "ease of use" category scored whether the mayor's contact information was available, if a building permit form was posted online, if the municipal budget was present, as well as trash/recycling information. The quicker it took to find the information, the higher the municipality scored on the "ease of use" category.

"Initial content scoring was done from March to June and ease of use evaluations were conducted from July to September," according to the University's report. "It should be noted that some municipalities have revised their websites since the study period and that the results in this report reflect the status of New Jersey’s municipal websites as of the fall of 2012."

Teaneck rolled out a completely redesigned website in April 2012. The township later started using Twitter and Facebook to share links and updates. Officials have also encouraged residents to sign up for e-mail alerts sent as new information is posted. 

Bergen County was well-represented in the Monmouth University study with Franklin Lakes, Englewood, Fort Lee and Bergenfield all in the overall top 20 of best websites. 

More details on the study are available at the Monmouth University website. 

-- Staff Reports 

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