CLINTON — Seeking to increase the visibility and marketability of the hospital, the Dr. John Warner Hospital board this week approved a plan to significantly upgrade its Web site.

Hospital director of business development Sandy Rice told the board she felt the Internet was one of the most important marketing tools for the facility and that its Web site should be more useful and visible.

The board voted to hire Mike Brazeau, an ISU senior in information systems and former hospital employee, to improve the site at a cost of $3,575. Prices from different companies to do the work ranged from about $2,000 plus additional fees to nearly $10,000.

Rice said Brazeau’s price was based on a list of items the hospital asked be included in the Web site upgrade. She said Brazeau agreed to complete the project within 120 days from its start. Rice also said the hospital would maintain control of content on the site.

Board member Joe Rodts recommended the hospital ask Brazeau to design the Web site so the hospital’s name would sort to the top of searches, known as “optimizing.”