Top 5 trends in municipal web design

By Rebecca Christoforidis - February 22, 2023

What is the purpose of a municipal website?

It’s to inform, engage and serve the residents of the community. It does this effectively by being flexible, targeted, unique, accessible, inclusive and interactive.

But it’s a slave to technology, and technology changes. Fast. To stay relevant, you need to be aware.

There are certain noticeable trends that are taking place among municipal websites that have significant impact on their effectiveness. Here is a closer look at some of those trends.

1. Content-centered layout

It starts with a content management system (CMS) that makes it easy for staff to create customized page layouts to fit best with content, ensuring it is actionable and user-friendly.

Use your full suite of tools available (easy, simple, and precise) to you in your CMS helps in diversifying your content and make it accessible for your audiences to skim or read and guide users to other pages on your website that may interest them.

2. Citizen-focused web design and navigation

Citizens these days are used to a very smooth online browsing experience. The private sector is constantly re-evaluating how to get consumers to use their products or services, and thus has raised the bar when developing websites and delivering online services.

Starting with your site's information architecture, strong municipal websites apply a "service" lens to every decision. Instead of a departmental directory-focused sitemap, service-oriented websites begin by first identifying who the users are, and why they have come to the site.

The focus of a service-first website offers intuitive navigation, easy searchability, top user tasks, calls-to-action and visual links that grab users' attention and guide them to the information or services that they're looking for.

Stand out without standing in the way

Visual web design is an ever-changing spectrum. It can seem like it changes with the seasons, but there are some hard and fast truths that strong municipal sites share. They help the brand's visual identity stand out consistently throughout the browsing experience, without distracting from the main goals of users.

Homepages feature links to the most commonly sought-after pages; services are emphasized, recent news items and upcoming events are integrated, icons complement written labels, and visual banners are used as a supportive tool to highlight important information.

3. Excellence in usability, responsiveness and accessibility

Today's users want to do more online. Whether that stems from the pandemic, sheer convenience, or a mixture of both, it's simply easier to complete tasks online than in-person. Engaging municipal sites are finding more ways than ever to bring services to the citizens because that's where they are going first.

As Statista shares, the percentage of website traffic from mobile users has grown from 31% in 2015 to 55 % in 2021, and steadily increasing. The ability to access information and complete tasks online anywhere and at any time has changed the game for private businesses and the public sector alike.

Having a website that is responsive across all mobile devices and screen sizes is now more important than ever, considering more than half of all users use mobile to browse content.

4. Prioritized diversity and inclusion

Along with ensuring compliance with web accessibility, legislation and best practices, strongly designed municipal websites prioritize a sense of diversity and inclusion, and faithfully reflect the community within their content.

Entrenching this inclusive approach to web content creation and functionality helps create trust and confidence within citizens, helping them resonate to the brand on a meaningful level.

5. Dedicated spaces and tools for two-way citizen engagement

Last, but certainly not least, is the importance of offering multiple opportunities for citizens to get engaged and provide input. The archaic method of a municipality issuing orders from above, with the people acting as one-way recipients of the message, is no longer used.

Some of the components include things like:

  • Interactive forms
  • Polling functionality
  • Chatbots
  • Citizen engagement platforms
  • Video conferencing technologies

The combination of a strong integrated website, self-service portal, and digital communications are key for an engaging municipal web design. Learn more about how to transform your website into a more responsive, intuitive and engaging one with Govstack. Schedule a demo today!

FAQ

Effective municipal website design should prioritize user-centric features such as easy navigation, accessibility, and intuitive content management. Key features include a powerful CMS for content updates, a responsive design that adapts to various devices, secure resident portals, and integration with local services. A clear, informative layout with quick access to essential services like tax payments, event updates, and service requests is crucial for enhancing the user experience.

Design of a Municipal website enhances citizen engagement by providing a personalized, easy-to-navigate experience where residents can access services, get updates, and interact with the city online. Features like a Citizen Portal offer one-stop access to everything a resident needs, from paying bills to accessing local government news. Real-time notifications, events, and the ability to customize dashboards based on citizen preferences ensure that the website stays relevant and engaging.

Accessibility is a fundamental consideration in municipal website design, especially to ensure equal access for all residents. Websites should comply with WCAG 2.1 standards, providing clear, readable content and support for assistive technologies. Govstack’s CMS, for example, is designed to be fully accessible, ensuring all users, regardless of disability, can access critical information and services.

Municipal websites can be made user-friendly by focusing on intuitive design, simplified navigation, and a responsive user interface. Platforms like the Govstack CMS provide easy-to-use content management without requiring technical skills, enabling public sector employees to maintain and update the website. Clear workflows for content creation and approval ensure that information remains current and accurate. Additionally, personalized dashboards and seamless integration of local services can help users find the most relevant information quickly.

Common challenges in municipal website design include ensuring accessibility for all users, managing large volumes of diverse content, and keeping the website secure. Additionally, maintaining an intuitive user experience while integrating multiple third-party systems and services can be complex. Budget constraints and a lack of technical expertise can also limit the ability to implement modern, scalable website features.

Municipal websites can incorporate local services and information effectively by centralizing all key services in a resident portal, like Govstack’s Citizen Portal. This portal allows for seamless integration with both in-house and third-party systems, bringing essential services such as tax payments, event updates, and public notifications into one personalized, easy-to-access location. Additionally, you can elevate the operational efficiency by using Govstack CMS that enables automated workflows for content creation and approval to help keep residents informed and reduce the risk of outdated information.

Mobile responsiveness is essential in municipal website design, as an increasing number of residents access government services via smartphones and tablets. A responsive design ensures that the website looks and functions well on all devices, providing citizens with the ability to access services and information anytime, anywhere. The Govstack platform, for example, offers responsive layouts, ensuring a seamless user experience across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices.

Tools like Govstack CMS provide a comprehensive suite for designing and managing municipal websites. This includes an easy-to-use website builder, powerful content management capabilities, customizable layouts, and built-in tools for search engine optimization (SEO). Additional tools, such as the Media Manager and Business Directory, allow municipalities to manage local business listings and media assets. Integrated tools for news, alerts, and social media also help municipalities keep residents informed and engaged. Based on requirements, one can further enhance functionality by integrating other Govstack products such as Citizen Portal, Events and Forms.

Website design for the public sector requires careful attention to several unique factors to ensure it effectively serves a wide range of users. These include:

  1. Accessibility: Compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG ensures that people with disabilities can easily navigate and interact with the site, offering features like screen readers and keyboard navigation.

  2. Security and Privacy: Given the sensitive nature of the data handled, robust security measures, such as encryption and secure authentication, are essential to protect personal and confidential information.

  3. Legal Compliance: Government websites must adhere to legal frameworks, ensuring that all content is accurate, transparent, and aligned with regulatory requirements, including data protection laws.

  4. User-Friendliness: Government websites need to be intuitive, offering a seamless experience for users of all technical skill levels. This includes clear navigation and easy access to services like filing forms or making payments.

  5. Scalability: These websites must be capable of handling high traffic volumes and integrating with various government databases and systems, ensuring the continuous delivery of services without disruption.

  6. Multilingual Support: To cater to diverse populations, many public sector websites include multilingual options, ensuring that all citizens can access information in their preferred language.

  7. Cost Efficiency: Public sector websites must balance functionality with budget constraints, focusing on long-term, cost-effective solutions for both development and maintenance.

These requirements ensure that government websites remain functional, secure, and accessible to all citizens while meeting regulatory standards.

Government website design fosters transparency and accountability by providing clear, accessible information about government activities, public records, and decision-making processes. Features like real-time updates, news alerts, and public service announcements ensure residents are informed. Platforms such as ones offered by Govstack also allow easy integration of public-facing dashboards, where citizens can track government performance, access official documents, and interact with public services, ensuring greater openness and engagement.