Frequent visitors to the Archdiocese of Atlanta Web site may have noticed that some major changes recently took place. The archdiocese has updated and revamped its official Web page, not only to make the site even more user friendly, but also in anticipation of the continued growth of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.

When users open their Web browsers and log on to www.archatl.com, a cleaner, more concise layout meets the eye. On the far left, a list of the most visited sections allows quick and convenient access to what the majority of visitors are reading about.

Along the top of the Web site are the major navigation links, providing one-click avenues to information on topics such as Catholic education, various ministries throughout the archdiocese and contact information to specific offices of the archdiocese, as well as news, events and information on the archbishop and other clergy in the archdiocese.

According to Jessica Handley, Web master for the Archdiocese of Atlanta, the new Web page has all the content as the old site but is now organized in a different way with a new visual presentation.

Handley notes that prior to this change, each department of the archdiocese had its own look and style for its section of the Web site, but now a consistent style gives users a familiar look no matter where they navigate.

“The aim of the new site was to make it as user-friendly as possible,” said Handley in an e-mail. “The addition of elements such as the breadcrumb, which shows you where you are within the Web site (e.g. You are here: home >> level one >> level two) is one new user-friendly feature of the site. In addition, the top-level navigation remains at the top of the page, and the secondary navigation is always presented on the left side of the page and includes the appropriate contact information for that section of the Web site.”

The site has also been designed to cater to the growing needs of the archdiocese. Handley says that many of the departments are looking to add new information and the site, which will remain “ever changing,” is designed to handle just that.

“The site is now very easily updated and gives us plenty of room to keep growing,” said Handley.

One of the biggest changes to the Archdiocese of Atlanta Web site is the addition of video and audio podcasts. A podcast is a Web-based broadcast that is accessed via the Internet.

Produced by Veronica Diaz, the assistant communications director for the archdiocese, these podcasts cover a range of topics, including video coverage of happenings in the area, like last month’s coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Atlanta, and audio highlights from major events, such as the Eucharistic Congress.

“It started with the Eucharistic Congress,” said Diaz. “The idea was to bring the Congress to those people who could not make it.”

Diaz, who learned to create podcasts for the House of Representatives at the Georgia Capitol, has produced 20 podcasts for the archdiocese and plans to continue creating one or two per month throughout 2008.

The new Web site for the archdiocese did not happen overnight. Handley, along with the archdiocese’s communication director, Pat Chivers, met with Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory to discuss the change and choose the design.

Visitors are encouraged to visit www.archatl.com and take a moment to familiarize themselves with the new layout, which will continue to expand and change, as the face of the archdiocese does as well.