In the 19th and 20th
Centuries, most cities, towns, and counties were anchored by either a city
hall, a county courthouse, or a town square. These town squares were the center
of community activity, functioning as a communications hub which often fostered
civic pride.
Due to Covid-19, we are in an era of major
social and economic upheaval. Our daily lives have changed and it may be a long
time before we can return to what we thought of as normal. Local governments
are challenged to provide essential services to their residents increasingly in
a digital world. To address these challenges, now more than ever, you need to
position your website as the new digital town square, where citizens can turn
for information and the services they need – safely and efficiently.
Your GovOffice website has the ability to
display a variety of content integral to creating a digital town square in a
Responsive Web Design. You can display your city meetings on a calendar with
links to a video-feed and associated documents so residents can participate in
council or board meetings virtually. Implementing an ePayment system can offer
your residents an easy way to pay for services and utilities without ever
leaving the house. With forms, residents can contact a staff person, sign up
for an event, or even apply for a license.
Here are some key goals to make your government
website function as a digital town square:
- Serve as a one-stop resource for reliable information regarding civic services, activities, local governance, and public safety
- Digitize critical services including online forms, registrations, and ePayment for services and utilities
- Ensure website accessibility for all people with disabilities by adhering to the web content accessibility guidelines and ADA standards
- Optimize your website with a Responsive Web Design so visitors can view and access information and services from any device – laptop, tablet or smartphone
- Follow web best practices for organizing site content and features to make information clear and easy to find
- Create an attractive and engaging virtual experience that builds your citizens’ civic pride
