So you want some web pages...
You are likely to be keen about the idea of the web, and sold on the benefits. Before going further though, it is worth examining exactly why you want to develop web pages and why they are different from other media.
Understanding exactly what you want to achieve from your web pages at this stage will make it more likely that you will succeed.
Visit other local government websites
The web team strongly recommends that you visit other local government websites to consider how "your" information is published there.
One of the great things about working in local government is that there are 400-odd local authorities out there all doing broadly the same thing for their local community!
- What works for you?
- What do they do well?
- What (in your opinion) does not "work"?
Everyone will have their own favourite local government websites, but here are a few that are worthy of closer inspection for one reason or another:
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
- Corporation of London
- East Sussex County Council
- Hampshire County Council
- Lichfield District Council
- Lincolnshire County Council
- Shetland Isles Council
- Wiltshire County Council
We'll leave it up to you to determine the effectiveness of the above council websites. A list of links to all local government websites can be found on Directgov.
Planning checklist
Here are some key points to consider when planning your web pages:
- Who is your target audience?
- What are their information needs?
- What language and style of presentation will they relate to?
- How will your web pages fit with other elements in your communications strategy?
- How can you link your web information with other information that you produce?
- Web pages are more dynamic than brochures and press releases and can be kept up to date more effectively.
- Improve two-way communication with your target audience by incorporating email addresses and online forms for interaction.
- Your website needs to comply with the legislative framework and the council's domain name policy.
This page was last updated on 26 May 2009
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