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Presentation by Granicus OpenCities on the New County Government Website
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Los Alamos County contracted with Granicus OpenCities to redesign, replace, and host the county's government website over the next seven years. The County/Granicus project team has been working to create a new website that is services-oriented and web user-friendly. While the anticipated go-live date is October 27, 2023, the project team is taking this opportunity to apprise the Council of how the project is proceeding and to provide a firsthand look at the website (still a work in progress) through a live demonstration. The following is offered as background as to the project team's approach:
1. Web User Focus: The project team's primary objective was to ensure the new website was web user-friendly. Early on, the project team surveyed county web users to gather insights into their preferences and frustrations. We heard that finding information and navigating the existing website is difficult. As a result the project team is focused on making improvement in these two areas.
2. Improved Navigation: Subsequent to the survey, the project team conducted a navigation test with citizen volunteers. The purpose was to understand how the county's web users expect to find information. Content on the new site is being organized (information architecture) and labeled according to this feedback. The intent is to make information and content easier to find.
3. Services-Oriented: One of the changes in the information architecture is organizing information by services rather than by county departments.
4. Google Analytics: Looking at Google Analytics data, the project team ascertained what content individuals searched most frequently so that the new layout could highlight this information up front on the home page.
5. Searchable Tools: The project team is implementing improved search functionality to make it easier for users to locate the content they seek quickly.
6. Enhanced Look and Feel: The project team has prioritized aesthetics while ensuring the design aligns with the county's branding standards.
7. Training for Web Administrators: In addition to providing training to the county's web administrators on using the platform, the project team also wanted to ensure that the web administrators had additional training in web writing best practices and page design principles to improve navigation through visual cues. These training sessions were conducted and recorded so that future web administrators could watch and re-watch these at their convenience.