Downtown Tecumseh Website Redesign, Development, Hosting & Management

RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
1. INTRODUCTION
The City of Tecumseh Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is seeking proposals from qualified
website design and development firms to redesign, develop, launch, host, and provide ongoing
technical support and management for the Downtown Tecumseh website, currently located at www.
downtowntecumseh.com.
The purpose of this project is to create a modern, visually engaging, mobile-friendly, user-friendly, and
easily managed website that promotes Downtown Tecumseh as a destination to shop, dine, experience
arts and culture, attend events, explore, invest, and live.
The DDA is particularly interested in transitioning from the current custom website platform to a
manageable content management system (CMS) that allows DDA and City staff to make routine
updates without requiring a web developer for day-to-day content management.
The redesigned website should serve as both a visitor destination and an economic development tool,
while providing an effective communications platform for downtown businesses, residents, event
organizers, property owners, prospective businesses, and community partners.
The City of Tecumseh will receive sealed proposals at the City Clerk's Office, 309 E
Chicago Boulevard, Tecumseh, MI 49286, until Monday, October 19, 2026. Proposals shall
be submitted in a sealed envelope and plainly marked "DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE
REDESIGN." Late submissions will not be opened.
Proposals will be publicly opened and read aloud at 3:00 PM on Monday, October 19, 2026, in the
Council Chambers of Tecumseh City Hall located at 309 E Chicago Boulevard, Tecumseh, MI 49286.
2.PROJECT BACKGROUND
Downtown Tecumseh is a historic downtown district featuring locally owned businesses, restaurants,
professional services, arts and cultural amenities, public spaces, events, and community activities. The
existing website provides information about downtown businesses, events, arts and culture, things to
do, lodging, directions, visitor resources, and DDA initiatives.
The DDA has identified Events & Activities as one of the most important and frequently accessed pages
of the existing website. The redesigned site should make event discovery a primary function of the
website rather than requiring visitors to navigate to a secondary or buried page.
The DDA also wants the redesigned website to better communicate the breadth of Downtown
Tecumseh's quality-of-life experiences, including Art Trail Tecumseh, the Tecumseh Farmers Market, arts
and culture, shopping, dining, recreation, seasonal activities, and community events.
3. PROJECT VISION
The DDA is seeking a website that functions as the digital front door to Downtown Tecumseh. The
website should be organized around how visitors, residents, businesses, and investors use downtown-
not around City departments or the limitations of the existing site.
Desired experience: Visitors should be able to quickly discover what is happening, what they can do,
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
where they can shop and dine, what businesses are located downtown, and why Downtown Tecumseh
is a destination worth visiting. Possible theme includes:
COME. EXPLORE. EXPERIENCE. CONNECT.
4. PROJECT GOALS
* Create a modern online presence that reflects Tecumseh's historic character, creativity, vibrancy,
and community identity.
* Make Events & Activities a primary navigation item and a prominent homepage feature.
* Provide a mobile-first experience that works exceptionally well on smartphones, tablets, and
desktop devices.
* Transition from a custom website to an intuitive CMS that allows DDA/City staff to independently
manage routine content.
* Promote quality-of-life experiences rather than presenting downtown only as a business district.
* Create a robust, searchable business directory that provides meaningful information about
downtown businesses.
* Provide prominent, dedicated content for Art Trail Tecumseh and the Tecumseh Farmers Market.
* Clearly communicate what the DDA is working on, including projects, plans, programs, grants,
public art, and other initiatives.
* Improve search engine visibility and local search performance.
* Provide analytics that allow the DDA to measure website engagement, especially with events,
activities, businesses, and visitor information.
* Avoid unnecessary vendor lock-in and provide the DDA reasonable control over website content
and data.
5. TARGET AUDIENCES
* Visitors & Tourists - people seeking events, activities, shopping, dining, arts, recreation, and
experiences.
* Local Residents - people seeking upcoming events, activities, businesses, and community
experiences.
* Downtown Businesses - businesses seeking visibility, event promotion, directory information,
and opportunities to participate.
* Prospective Businesses - entrepreneurs and businesses considering locating or investing in
Downtown Tecumseh.
* Property Owners & Developers - individuals interested in downtown properties, investment,
redevelopment, and future plans.
* Community Partners - organizations, event organizers, arts organizations, and other partners
working with the DDA.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
6. RECOMMENDED INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
The DDA is open to recommendations from the selected firm regarding final information architecture.
The following structure is provided as a starting point and should not be interpreted as a requirement
to replicate the current website.
* EVENTS & ACTIVITIES - upcoming events, calendar/list views, categories, recurring events,
featured events, event submissions, maps, registration/ticketing links, and social sharing.
* EXPLORE DOWNTOWN - Things to Do, Arts & Culture, Art Trail Tecumseh, Farmers Market,
historic downtown, public art, recreation, walking/biking, family activities, seasonal experiences,
and attractions.
* SHOP & DINE - shopping, restaurants, food, entertainment, and downtown experiences.
* BUSINESS DIRECTORY - searchable, filterable profiles for downtown businesses.
* ART TRAIL TECUMSEH - interactive map, sculpture profiles, artist information, photographs, self-
guided tour information, and annual updates.
* FARMERS MARKET - schedule, location, seasonal dates, vendor information, announcements,
applications, photographs, and FAQs.
* ABOUT DOWNTOWN / DDA - DDA information, Board, staff, meetings, projects, plans, grants,
programs, news, development opportunities, and contact information.
Proposers should explain whether they recommend an alternative navigation structure and why. The
DDA specifically encourages proposals that use user-centered information architecture.
7. HOMEPAGE REQUIREMENTS
The homepage should immediately communicate what is happening in Downtown Tecumseh and
provide clear paths to the most important visitor and business information.
* Prominent upcoming events / What's Happening This Week feature.
* Quick access to Events & Activities.
* Featured activities and Things to Do.
* Shop & Dine.
* Business Directory.
* Art Trail Tecumseh.
* Tecumseh Farmers Market.
* Featured businesses.
* Downtown news and DDA updates.
* Seasonal promotions or campaigns.
* Visitor information and directions.
* Strong photography and visual storytelling.
* Clear calls-to-action.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
8. EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Events & Activities is a priority feature and should be treated as a primary destination within the new
website.
* Calendar and list views.
* Date, category, and keyword filtering/search.
* Recurring event functionality.
* Featured events.
* Event detail pages.
* Event photographs.
* Locations and maps.
* Registration/ticketing links optional
* Social sharing.
* Automatic handling of expired events.
* Homepage event display.
* Ability for staff to easily create, duplicate, edit, and remove events.
9. BUSINESS DIRECTORY
The business directory should be a core feature of the website, not simply a static list. It should help
visitors discover downtown businesses and provide businesses with meaningful online visibility.
* Search and category filtering.
* Business name, category, description, address, phone, website, email, hours, social links, logo
photo, and map/directions.
* Featured business functionality.
* New business announcements or features.
* Temporary closures or special notices, if supported.
* Staff-controlled additions, edits, deactivation, and approvals.
* Optional business-owner submission/update process with DDA approval.
* Recommendation for maintaining accurate business data over time.
10. ART TRAIL TECUMSEH
* Dedicated, prominent website presence.
* Interactive map and/or self-guided tour.
* Individual artwork/sculpture profiles.
* Artist information.
* Photographs.
* Installation/location information.
* Artwork purchase information where applicable.
* Printable/downloadable map.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
* Annual content updates.
* Integration with mapping tools.
11. TECUMSEH FARMERS MARKET
* Dedicated, prominent website presence.
* Market schedule and seasonal dates.
* Location and map.
* Vendor information.
* Vendor application links/forms.
* Market announcements.
* Photographs.
* FAQs.
* Social media integration.
12. DDA COMMUNICATIONS / 'YOUR DDA AT WORK'
The website should communicate the DDA's role in improving Downtown Tecumseh in a clear, public-
facing manner. The site should make it easy for residents and businesses to understand what the DDA
is working on, why projects matter, and what comes next.
* DDA mission, Board, staff, and links to meetings, agendas and minutes.
* Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and implementation updates.
* Public art and placemaking projects.
* Business assistance, grants, and programs.
* Downtown development and investment opportunities.
* Downtown news and announcements.
* Annual plans/reports and other public documents.
* Project status or 'What's Happening' updates.
* Clear contact information and opportunities for business/community engagement.
13. CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CMS)
A major objective is to eliminate unnecessary dependence on the website developer for routine
updates. The CMS must be intuitive enough for non-technical DDA/City staff to use confidently.
* Cloud-based, secure, scalable, and user-friendly CMS.
* Multiple administrative users with appropriate permissions.
* Easy page and content editing.
* Easy event creation and management.
* Business directory management.
* Image and document management.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
* Homepage feature management.
* Forms and submissions.
* Basic SEO controls.
* Accessibility-supporting features.
* Analytics access.
* Backups and version/recovery capabilities.
Proposers must identify the recommended CMS, explain why it is appropriate, identify licensing or
subscription costs, describe user permissions, and explain how staff will be trained.
14. MOBILE-FIRST DESIGN
The website shall be designed and tested using a mobile-first approach. The proposer should describe
responsive design practices and testing across common mobile, tablet, and desktop devices and
browsers.
15. DESIGN & BRAND EXPERIENCE
* Modern, welcoming, visually engaging design.
* Authentic connection to Tecumseh's historic downtown character.
* Strong photography and visual storytelling.
* Easy navigation and clear calls-to-action.
* Consistent typography, layout, and visual hierarchy.
* Design that can accommodate seasonal campaigns and changing featured content.
* Ability to incorporate existing DDA/City branding while recommending improvements where
appropriate.
16. SEO & LOCAL SEARCH
* SEO-friendly site structure and URLs.
* Page titles and meta descriptions.
* Image alt text.
* Structured data where appropriate, especially for events and businesses.
* XML sitemap.
* Search engine indexing setup.
* Redirect management during migration.
* Local search optimization.
* Event and business-directory SEO.
* Recommendations for ongoing SEO management.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
17. ANALYTICS & PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
The proposer shall implement or recommend an analytics solution that allows DDA staff to understand
how the site is being used and whether the redesign is meeting its goals.
* Overall traffic and engagement.
* Most visited pages.
* Event page traffic and interactions.
* Business directory searches and profile views.
* Visitor geography.
* Device usage.
* Referral sources.
* Popular content.
* Search terms where available.
* Conversions or other meaningful actions.
The proposer should recommend a simple annual or quarterly reporting approach that the DDA can use
to evaluate website performance.
18. ACCESSIBILITY
The website must be designed and developed in accordance with current applicable web accessibility
standards and best practices. Proposers shall identify the accessibility standard used, testing process,
tools, and responsibilities of the vendor and DDA.
19. HOSTING
* Reliable website hosting.
* SSL certificate.
* Security monitoring.
* Routine backups.
* Disaster recovery procedures.
* Software/CMS updates.
* Uptime expectations.
* Storage and bandwidth limits.
* Technical support.
Hosting and recurring costs must be clearly identified and separated from one-time design and
development costs.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
20. ONGOING MANAGEMENT & SUPPORT
* Technical support and troubleshooting.
* CMS and security updates.
* Backup management.
* Website monitoring.
* Accessibility monitoring.
* Emergency support.
* Optional content updates.
* New functionality and design modifications.
* Annual website review.
Proposers shall provide hourly rates and/or monthly or annual support packages for services not
included in the base hosting agreement.
21. CONTENT MIGRATION
* Review and inventory of existing website content.
* Migration of approved content.
* Identification of outdated, duplicative, or unnecessary content.
* Content restructuring and consolidation recommendations.
* Image/file migration.
* URL preservation or redirect strategy.
* SEO protection during migration.
The DDA anticipates that some existing content will be rewritten, reorganized, consolidated, or
eliminated as part of the redesign.
22. SOCIAL MEDIA & THIRD-PARTY INTEGRATION
* Facebook and Instagram integration where appropriate.
* Google Maps or comparable mapping tool, when appropriate.
* Other recommended community engagement tools.
Proposers shall identify all third-party platforms, licensing, subscriptions, plugins, or other recurring
costs that would be the DDA's responsibility.
23. TRAINING & DOCUMENTATION
The selected vendor shall provide training for DDA/City staff sufficient to independently manage routine
website content.
* CMS navigation and administration.
* Page editing.
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RFP - DOWNTOWN TECUMSEH WEBSITE REDESIGN - DEVELOPMENT, HOSTING & MANAGEMENT
* Event creation and management.
* Business directory management.
* Image and document uploads.
* Homepage content management.
* Forms.
* Analytics.
* Basic SEO.
* Accessibility practices.
* Common troubleshooting.
Training should include live instruction and written and/or video documentation for future reference.
24. PROJECT PHASES & DELIVERABLES
1. Discovery & Strategy - kickoff, analytics review, content audit, audience analysis, sitemap
information architecture, requirements.
2. Design - homepage concept, interior page designs, mobile design, navigation, user experience.
3. Development - CMS implementation, responsive website, event calendar, business directory,
forms, maps, integrations.
4. Content Migration - approved content, images/files, redirects, content restructuring.
5. Testing - desktop/mobile, browsers, accessibility, forms, links, search, events, directory,
performance.
6. Training & Launch - staff training, final review, launch, post-launch monitoring.
7. Ongoing Hosting & Support - hosting, security, updates, technical support, backups, analytics,
maintenance.
25. PROPOSER QUALIFICATIONS
The DDA is seeking an experienced website partner with demonstrated ability to create and maintain
destination-oriented, content-rich websites.
* Minimum of five years of professional website design/development experience preferred.
* Demonstrated experience designing and launching responsive, mobile-first websites.
* Demonstrated experience implementing and supporting user-friendly CMS platforms.
* Experience with municipal, DDA, Main Street, economic development, tourism, destination
marketing, or comparable organizations preferred.
* Demonstrated experience with event calendars and event-management functionality.
* Demonstrated experience with searchable business directories or comparable listings databases.
* Experience with SEO, local search, analytics, accessibility, and website performance.
* Experience migrating existing websites without unnecessarily sacrificing SEO value.
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