Boys seeking information have put aside the compass and map for their search engine. Your first personal contact with Scouts and their parents more than likely won't be in person, but rather on the Web. Whether you're creating a new website or sending a tweet, every message must be appropiate and consistent with the Boy Scouts of America brand.

Websites
There are five important elements to building and maintaining an effective website:

• Clean Design:

  Less truly is more. Bold images and light copy create a "sticky" site that grabs and holds visitor' interest.



• Simple Navigation:

  A menu bar that contains all available pages and a link back to the home page invites visitors to explore your website.



• Brand Consistency:

  Websites should be treated no differently than any other marketing materials. Use the approved brand identity elements and colors, and the online font Arial.



• Interactive Opportunities:

  Digital content has an enormous advantage over printed material: interaction. Encourage visitors to share their thoughts by creating interactive elements such as polls, a monitored forum board, or a blog.



• Timely and Appropiate Content:

  If you want to keep visitors coming back, you have to keep your website fresh. Even short updates about past events, upcoming outings, or a regular blog entry can increase site traffic.

  
  
  

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the many other popular social media outlets can be an effective way to communicate with Scouts and their parents. Every message, photo, and link must be appropiate and consistent with the Boy Scouts of America brand.