There seems to be an ongoing conversation in the newspapers world about the web. How much content should newspapers offer on their websites? Should their websites have paywalls? Are paywalls effective? Without a paywall, how much content should be added? Should newspapers offer e-editions? What are the benefits of an e-edition?

     From visiting with other editors and publishers in the fields, it sounds as though the newspapers that don't have websites aren't suffering in circulation. In reality, they may be doing better because they aren't offering information for free online.

     The Seward County Independent, Milford Times, Friend Sentinel and Wilber Republican each have their own websites through Town News. Full-length stories from the front pages are uploaded each week. The website includes subheadings such as news, sports, obituaries, celebrations, calendar, photos and classifieds. All four websites include an online poll question that we try to keep generic enough that it applies to the region. The websites are direct reflections of each week's newspapers. There are a lot more bells and whistles that need to still be explored.

    The Seward County Independent offers an e-edition that appeals to out-of-state subscribers who want to avoid paying for extra postage rates.

     The SCI launched SCI News Now about a year ago. It is a daily update feature that is distributed through an email blast Monday through Friday. Content includes upcoming events, breaking news updates, sports scores, death notices, weather forecasts and teasers to that week's print publication. It is currently not a sponsored piece but the intention is that is will be in the future.

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"Digital advertising accounted for 29% of newspaper advertising revenue in 2016, based on this same analysis of publicly traded newspaper companies. This is up from a quarter in 2015 and 17% in 2011." (http://www.journalism.org/fact-sheet/newspapers)

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