Cranberry's Online Home Gets a Makeover

Cranberry’s website got a new look on Friday that its staff members say should make it easier to navigate the ins and outs of the township.

Cindy Marzock, a communication specialist with, said the goal was to improve customer service and communications on the site. It was redesigned after gathering feedback from residents and employees, including a focus group of community members. The staff also conducted a web survey aboutthe project and looked at other community websites for inspiration, Marzock said.

About 1,000 people visit the site daily, usually zeroing in on the parks and recreation department and the library to check out upcoming events and program. Besides a redesign of the main site, the sub-sites for the and  are sporting new looks.

Also under construction is a sub-site titled the Cranberry Business Hub. Marzock said the hub is designed for people who are building, developing or moving their businesses to the township.

The FAQS section of the township website has been revamped as “How Do I?” With this feature, Marzock said visitors can type in what they are looking for and the site will take them to that area. 

“For example, visitors who go to the website can simply type in, ‘How do I get a building permit?,’ and it will take them to the section of the website they need to get through the application process,” she said.

Other new features include: 

• BrowseAloud:The program enables the township and library website to speak their contents out loud in the user’s choice of voices, accents and European languages. The user toolbar for BrowseAloud can be downloaded for free at www.cranberrytownship.org/BrowseAloud.
• Announcements: Subscribers can now sign up for news and announcements from the community development, library and recycling/trash departments.
• Facilities Module: Allows users to determine the availability of a township facility, including meeting rooms, park shelters, pool deck, stage or playing field.
• My Dashboard: Lets visitors set up accounts and customize their screens to create a personalized home page for Cranberry.