Seo For Government: What Does Your Local Government Web Site Offer
Ive been asking myself how local governments could use their websites to help them govern more effectively and save money. The question led to this post.
Building Bridges in Communities
Reading through one of the local weekly papers in my area I noticed a large public notice announcing a public hearing for the replacement of a bridge leading into a nearby town from one of the major north-to-south roadways that provides a main access point into the center of that town.
The announcement provided a fair amount of details about the bridge project and the meeting, as well as a phone number to find out more and to get a copy of the written plan for the renovation of the bridge. It also included an email address which you could use to send comments about the plan. But something was missing
What was missing was a web address where readers could see the plan online, download it, and possibly post comments for others to view. If that written plan was placed online, people with an interest in the plan wouldnt have to call and take up the time of someone sitting at a government desk. There wouldnt be a need to spend money on postage and copying costs mailing the plan out to people who could otherwise view it online, or have people come into their office to view the plan in person.
Putting that plan online would likely increase the amount of people who would actually view the plan, and provide feedback that might materially affect the project. So, why isnt it online, and why didnt the notice include a web address?
Im not sure of the answers to those questions, but I have been reading in my local weekly newspapers about how harsely the economy is affecting the budgets of towns and counties in the region. Ive seen plans to cut the salaries of employees, send workers on unpaid furloughs for weeks, raise property taxes, and remove programs and community services, including cuts to school programs.
Im also not sure how many people read that notice about the bridge in their local paper, or skimmed past it since it was placed in the paper as an ad rather than a news story. Im not advocating that local government stops publishing public notices like that one, but instead Im trying to stress that the web offers an opportunity for towns and counties to become portals of up-to-date information about what goes on within their communities, building bridges to residents and people who might be interested in what happens within their boundaries.
Why should a town or city have a web site?
There are at least two major reasons why local governments should have web sites. The first reason is for the web site to act as a communication channel to reach people interested in information about the region, including news, events, and regulations.
The second reason for a town or city to have a web site involves being able to do more with less; less money, less workers, and less time.
While most government offices are only open a certain number of hours a day, and days a week, a website is usually always on and available. Audiences for local government web sites can include residents, visitors, potential and present employees, vendors and contractors, business owners and developers, and others.
I went through about 70 local government websites in Virginia, and came up with a list of examples of the kinds of information that a local government web site might contain.
Many of those sites offered information and application forms for different kinds of permits and licenses, keeping people from having to visit in person for those documents. A number of sites offered ways for citizens to become the eyes and ears of their communities, providing ways to report broken street lights and traffic lights, missing street signs, potholes, environmental problems, and even criminal activity. Most of the sites provided news and details about upcoming community events and meetings, and local attractions and landmarks. Some offered safety, security, conservation, and environmental tips for residents and businesses.
A local government web site can be a central information hub for business development, community action, government action and employment, and services available to the public. Here are some of the different kinds of information, services, and opportunities that I found on my survey of local government sites:
Adopt a road programs
Agricultural services and resources
Animal control problems
Annexation of property
Architectual design standards
Area attractions and museums
Assisted living information
Awards and Recognitions
Beautification projects
Biking information
Building and zoning regulations
Business directories
Business inspections
Business relocation information
Business startup information
Campground locations
Cemetary locations and information
Census and population information
Child identification programs
Church locations
City events vendor programs
City management information
Cleanup campaigns
Clubs and organizations
Community centers
Community watch information
Contact information for government departments
Court and criminal justice agency information
Crime reporting and alerts
Daily crime bulletin
Demographics and statistical data
Dog tag requirements
Drainage projecs and maintenance
Election information
Emergency alerts
Emergency preparedness information
Employee resources, including regulations, handbook, compensation, training guides, hotlines
Employment opportunities and application forms
Environmental protection tips and projects
Farmers market locations and times
Fire hydrant adoption
Flood plain maps
Food pantries, bill payment assistance, and shelters
Freedom of information requests
Genealogy research information
Government meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes
Guide to local artists
Historical records
Holiday schedule
Home improvement programs
Home safety and security information
Housing information (HUD)
Hunting and fishing requirements and permits
Important town documents
Information about local businesses, economic development, and Chambers of Commerce
Information about present and past Mayors, Council members, and Government Managers
Inspection requests
Leaf, debris, and bulk item collections
Library locations and hours
Links to other nearby government web sites
Local airport information
Local community events
Local media
Local weather
Locations and information about police, fire departments, post offices, and hospitals
Maps
Marriage licenses
Meeting facitilities
Mosquito and Bug control
Motor vehicle information
New resident information
News releases
Noise ordinances
Online energy audit
Online government videos, podcasts, and RSS feeds
Parenting class registration
Parking information
Parks and recreation information
Permit application forms
Permits for signs
Pet adoption
Photo galleries
Press releases
Privacy policy and security policy
Public comments and feedback
Public computer access locations
Public transit information
Real estate assessments
Recreational class registrations
Recycling bin locations and information
Registering as a government vendor
Reporting concerns
Reporting damaged sidewalks
Reporting dead animals
Reporting environmental problems
Reporting grafitti
Reporting missing street signs
Reporting potholes
Reporting street light outages
Reporting traffic light outages
Requests for proposals and bidding for items such as radio services and generators
Reserving facilities
Resources and activity information for kids
Resources for people with disabilities
Resources for senior citizens
School locations and educational opportunities
School registration
Services offered by local nonprofits
Shopping and dining information
Sister city partnerships
Snow removal information
Social services information
Soil and water reports
Street maintenance information
Surplus property sales
Tax information
Tax relief programs
Town history
Town newsletters
Town or municipal ordinances
Town plans
Traffic cameras
Trash pickup schedules
Utility payments and information
Vehicle registration information
Videos
Vision statement
Visitor information
Volunteer opportunities
Water conservation tips
Yard sale and garage sale permits
What does your local government site offer to its visitors? Did I miss somethings that you would like to see on the pages that your town or city publishes?
Source: www.seobythesea.com