Iterative Development

Programmers building and revamping government websites started switching over from more traditional methods to Agile development in the past decade. (Agile development is a set of development methodologies; it focuses less on planning until it’s perfect and more on making a product that can be used as soon as possible, then modifying it over time.) Feedback from the public leads to ongoing improvements. In this way it is completely iterative and takes much less time on the front end of development. Agile is the real MVP as it is never static, rather always progressing based on what is and isn’t working for the website and the consumer.

Compliance

Accessibility isn’t just nice to have—it’s a mandate. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination of Americans with disabilities and requires accessibility to public spaces. This includes government websites, which have their own accessibility requirements. In 1998, Congress amended the existing Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require that all federal agencies make their electronic and information technology accessible to both employees and members of the public who have disabilities. This is commonly referred to as Section 508.

What does accessibility mean? All videos shared on a government website must be captioned for citizens who are hearing impaired. Other considerations include colors, sizes, and fonts in graphics, and navigation components for those who may have vision problems. Additional provisions must be made for those with limited function who must navigate through keyboard strokes alone. It can be difficult to marry a functional, compliant website with one that also looks good, but a wealth of accessible design  knowledge is available to guide this process and help you understand the ins and outs of compliance with Section 508.

Fresh Look

In case you thought government was all work and no play, creative transformation is already underway. Government websites generally aren’t known for being aesthetically pleasing, but cities and organizations are revitalizing their pages with designs that not only work seamlessly but look good while doing so. Some of the most popular trends right now include:

• Bright, bold colors. Any organization will instantly benefit from the simple, visual face lift adding color can provide. Use it in logos, images, or text, to accentuate specific information.
• Keeping the content relevant and engaging. Out-of-date calendars or news give off a neglected feeling. Using photo galleries, social media, and videos to highlight important information helps the site shine.
• Cutting the cord from stock imagery. Photos that represent a community or organization in real life are important. Users are looking for authenticity from their government.

Fontana, California’s official website illustrates all of the above, offering beautiful and inviting photos from its community, pleasing colors, and relevant content in an easily navigable package.

Modernizing, optimizing, and creating a better online experience will continue to be a priority for government. Recent government mandates such as the Customer Experience Act (CEA) and the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act have introduced new standards for government web presence. The availability of an open-source web design system from the General Security Administration (GSA) signals the priority placed on transforming government websites to provide easier navigation and usability. As government websites adapt to these requirements, consumers will experience familiarity with the navigation tools while enjoying the unique designs that illustrate the services available online.