Celebrating 2 years of Dumbarton.net
This November marks a milestone for Dumbarton.net as we celebrate two years of supporting, promoting and connecting the Dumbarton community.
Since its launch in November 2022, the website has come a long way. What started as a small project during challenging times has grown into something much bigger than we could have imagined.
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A quick look back
Dumbarton.net was set up by local resident Ian Sinkins, who wanted to create a platform that could provide helpful information for Dumbarton residents whilst showcasing everything the town has to offer.
Intended as a long-term project, the original launch was brought forward to help provide cost of living advice during the height of the cost of living crisis in late 2022, as families across West Dunbartonshire struggled with rising prices.
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From those early days, Dumbarton.net has always been about the community. Over the past two years, the website has taken on a variety of projects, including:
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> Warm Spaces Initiative: For 3 winters now, we've been keeping a list of warm spaces for residents to visit during winter. This has become a valuable resource for those looking for a place to keep warm but finding it difficult to see what's actually available.
> Community Campaigns: We joined forces with the local community to help try to save the Dumbuck Hotel from de-listing before its eventual demolition, providing a pro forma to make it easier to object to the proposals and encouraging everyone to get behind the campaign.
> Cost of Living Support: The key section when we first launched was the Cost of living support area of the website. This has provided practical advice and resources, accessed by hundreds of visitors seeking help during difficult times.
These efforts have made Dumbarton.net more than just a website - it’s become a part of the community in the town.
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A growing platform
To mark our anniversary, we’re happy to share some of the key pages in terms of visitors on the website:
> Help in winter: Our page on Warm spaces has continued to be one of our most popular pages, bringing in hundreds of views each winter. This year, we've also added a new Help this winter page to hopefully provide even more signposting and support for people that might be needing it.
> Retail therapy: Google searches for shops in Dumbarton and the surrounding area has brought in almost a third of the website's traffic. This is prompting us to review how best we can provide this information to visitors in the next year and improve the results people are getting for this.
> Community spirit: Our community section has seen consistently high visitors, acting as a landing page for highlighting community groups, volunteering opportunities and community councils. This reinforces the purpose of the website: to be Dumbarton's online community hub.
The continued growth of visitors to the website is a testament to the support of the Dumbarton community and highlight the growing role the website is playing in bringing people together and spreading the word about our town.
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A fresh new look
To celebrate turning 2 years old, Dumbarton.net has had a bit of a makeover. The new design isn’t just about looking good - it’s all about making the site better for you.
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The refreshed layout tidies up some of the inconsistencies that had built up over the last 2 years, giving the site a cleaner, more polished feel. Pages are now easier to navigate, with a clear structure that helps you find what you need quickly and easily.
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Accessibility has been a big focus, too. The updated colour scheme isn’t just appealing - it’s designed to make the site easier to read and use for everyone. We’ve also streamlined the overall layout to ensure that whether you’re browsing on a computer, tablet, or phone, the experience is simple and seamless.​
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Launching Visit Dumbarton
This new section has been one of the highlights of the past year. It’s all about encouraging visitors to discover Dumbarton and explore everything the town has to offer, from its rich history to its natural landscapes.
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There’s so much potential here in Dumbarton, and Visit Dumbarton is helping to shine a spotlight on what makes our town special. By attracting more visitors, we hope to support local businesses and boost the town’s profile across the region and beyond.
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What’s next for Dumbarton.net
As we celebrate 2 years of Dumbarton.net, we’re already thinking about what comes next. The site will keep growing, with new features and resources planned for the future. But we can’t do it without your help.
Have an idea for the website? Want to suggest a feature? We’d love to hear from you. Ian is always happy to chat on social media, and you can also reach out by email.
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Thank you
None of this would be possible without the incredible support of the Dumbarton community. Every visit, share, and suggestion has helped make Dumbarton.net what it is today. Here’s to the next two years and beyond!
Thank you for being part of this journey.
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