In my article for the Georgia Municipal Association, I have taken the time to outline some issues facing municipal sites nationwide. Essentially, constituant expectations are rising for municipalities to become active online within the social networks and for their websites to support dialogue and transparency. What do you think about the issue – did I get it right?
To imagine the evolution of municipal websites requires pushing our thought envelope beyond one-way monologues and to consider the qualities of a “municipal website of the social web.”
Some of the things I feel municipal websites must accomplish as things change (read details at the main article….)
- They actively solicit public discussion.
- They integrate with other social networks.
- They allow tagging, publishing of constituent-created content.
- They service a wide variety of users.
- They are streamlined, fast and always up-to-date.
- They will simplify staff dialogue.
- They are designed using user behaviors.
- They enforce consistency in design and navigation.
- They allow the website to shoulder an increasing administrative load.
