GULF SHORES, Ala. — The city of Gulf Shores is dabbling in the world of technology with the rehabilitation of the city Web site and the introduction of its online newsletter “Connections.”

“We’re in the process of modernizing our Web site,” Gulf Shores City Administrator Steve Garman said. “Our Web site wasn’t nearly as exciting as the town is. A Web site needs to reflect the city you’re in.”

Garman said the Web site, www.cityofgulfshores.org, hasn’t been as accessible and informative as needed and a staff member in charge of the site is working to make that change by the end of spring.

“We have a staff person in information technology who is devoted to doing a new Web site,” Garman said.

Hopes the site will attract more visitors is the driving force behind revamping the city’s online appearance.

“I think it’s really important, especially for a city like ours who has such a dependency on visitors,” Garman said. “And it’s as much for the citizens as anyone else.”

The city is hoping the site will evolve into an interactive resource giving residents the ability to handle all city business online, from buying a business license to applying for a building permit.

Originally mailed literature, “Connections” has moved into the cyber world and is spreading the word of city news.

“The newsletter is another device to try and keep people informed. There’s just so much more information you can put out in a much more readable fashion if you do it electronically,” Garman said. “With a paper newsletter you’re targeting an individual; with a Web site you’re narrow casting to a very broad base.”

“Connections” will offer information on the programs and activities at city entities, video presentations and even exercise classes.

Eliminating the cost of postage and materials to produce the hard copies will also be a product of going paperless.

The city of Orange Beach made the switch last year and cut back from $35,000 to $40,000.

“What we’ve always tried to do is create another media outlet that had city of Orange Beach information entirely,” Orange Beach City Administrator Ken Grimes said. “The main reason we shifted to the online (format) was because of the cost of printing and mailing.”

The online “Orange Beach Community Newsletter” has about 1,500 subscribers to the free service. Upcoming events, city resources and news can be found on the Web site, which is linked to www.cityoforangebeach.com. Grimes said it is beneficial to second home owners who live elsewhere.

“For us it’s been a really good tool because we have full color, high-quality photography and information,” Grimes said.

For people who are not Internet savvy or do not have access to a computer, a limited amount of copies of “Connections” will be available at Gulf Shores City Hall.

The “Orange Beach Community Newsletter” will not have printed copies for distribution.

If a resident does not have access to a computer, Rauf Bolden, Orange Beach Web and IT coordinator, said a print copy would be available upon request.