When building a website, the design and development are each two distinct and essential steps of the process. Web designers use design programs such as Adobe Photoshop to create the layout and visual elements of the website. Design principles include balance, contrast, emphasis, consistency, and unity. On the other hand, Web Developers take the website design and make it into a functioning website, using ASP.NET, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP or other programming languages to bring the design files to life. Check out our Blog Post: “Government Outsourcing Process for Website, App, Software Development”. At Webilize (Portfolio and Testimonials), we specialize in working with Government organizations through an RFP/RFQ process, and we are very proud to have aligned with some amazing Government organizations over the years. www.webilize.com.
Websites Design & Development should follow the following best practices:
- Design: Keep it unique and fresh: User Interface (UI) designers need to utilize User Experience (UX) information: which problems need to solve, how the user flow will look, and from this, be able to determine critical areas and hierarchies. It is also essential to know and understand your audience when storyboarding the overall design of the website. Also, pay attention to site load times and establish that it is easily accessible, mobile-friendly, and makes good use of colour, contrast, and white space.
- Ease of use/Interactivity: Keep it simple: The key here is to keep things simple, consistent, and organized the website to provide a better user experience. The overall layout should be easy to navigate through, and content easily searchable. Having multi-language options and font resizers are also helpful to ensure that the website content is easily accessible to the public.
- Content: Content is king: Ensure that texts are easy to read, engaging, and informative. Having robust and quality content also helps with Search Engine Optimization (SEO) rankings.
TOP CANADIAN WEBSITES:
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers tax laws for the Government of Canada and most provinces and territories. The CRA administers various social, economic, and incentive programs delivered through the tax system.
- The website is exceptionally user-friendly, made to navigate throughout the site with useful content easily.
- Multi-language options realized in English and French.
- Simple tabs make it easy for visitors to navigate through the website and find the information and forms that they need: Individuals and families; Business; Charities and giving; Representatives.
The Government of Canada provides services related to Jobs, Immigration, Travel, Business, Benefits, Health, Taxes, and more.
- Very simple and easy to navigate, complete with an intuitive Job Bank, Immigration Application process, Travel Advice, info on starting a business in Canada, Benefits, Health, and Taxes.
- Multi-language options in English and French.
- Excellent UX design and use of white space.
The Province of British Columbia
The website for the province of British Columbia offers the citizens of BC a wealth of resources and information about the region.
- The website uses exquisite colour contrasts and has a very fluid and intuitive user experience.
- There are two main menus. The drop-down menu helps visitors navigate to various sectors, such as health, education, taxes, tourism, Immigration. The other list organizes sections such as Careers, Services (A-Z), Organizations (A-Z), and Forms (A-Z).
- The website delivered in multiple languages: English, Chinese, French, Korean, Indian.
The website for Metro Toronto offers the citizens of Toronto a wealth of resources and information in a portal format.
- The website is elementary and straightforward in its design; however, it offers easy navigation to a wealth of information.
- The menu bar is large and simple, and divided by Living in Toronto; Doing Business; Visiting Toronto; and Accessing City Hall.
- The website offers font resizing functionalities to enable those with visual impairment a better user experience.
The Province of Newfoundland Labrador
The website for the Province of Newfoundland Labrador offers visitors information about the province and gives suggestions on how to make your stay a memorable one.
- The website for the Province of Newfoundland Labrador offers valuable information and is designed well with great colours and white space.
- High integration of Social Media Channels: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram.
- The website offers website tools from Air Canada Flight information, Travel itineraries, Special Offers, Chat option.
- The main menu bar divided into the following sections: About this place; Things to do; Places to go; Where to stay; Plan your trip; The latest. And the top menu is divided as follows: Map; Weather; Photos & Videos; Brochures; and eNews.
TOP US WEBSITES:
The website for the Government of the United States offers valuable information and services.
- The website has an extensive and intuitive menu (Government Agencies and Elected Officials; Housing and Community; Jobs and Unemployment; Money and Shopping; Travel and Immigration; Voting and Elections).
- Built on Drupal, a very secure platform.
- Changing text size functionalities and an extensive search bar.
- Functional Social Media integration.
- Excellent UX design and use of white space.
The website for the State of California offers a wealth of information for visitors and inhabitants of California State.
- Great use of colours, and has an intuitive and straightforward navigation flow.
- The website is custom-built using ASP.NET, which offers clean and secure coding.
- The menus are extensive and easy to navigate: Getting Services; Doing Business; Working; Learning; Living; Visiting; Government; Search.
- Functional Social Media Integration and Feedback Survey.
The website for Hawaii offers its residents and visitors a wealth of information on its services.
- Winner of the Best of the Web 2014 Award.
- The website uses a colourful well-branded UX design, with proper usages of contrasting colours.
- The menus organized well: Top Menu: Government, Residents, Business, Visitors. Bottom Menu: Help, Services, Share, Translate, Settings, More+.
- There is a sizeable intuitive search bar.
- Integration of Social Media and an Online Help Chat.
The website for the State of Maryland offers a rich user experience for both residents and visitors of the State.
- Winner of the 20th Anniversary Best of the Web 2016 Winner.
- Options to translate, change the text size, and styling of the website.
- The website is custom-built using ASP.NET.
- The main menu is a fat menu, with images and Twitter Feeds.
- The website has a large Search bar, with “My Clips” and “Near Me” functions.
- The website has functional Social Media integration, and sections on Calendar, Top News, Open and Public Events, and Trending Now section.
The Government of Canada provides services related to Jobs, Immigration, Travel, Business, Benefits, Health, Taxes, and more.
- Winner of the 20th Anniversary Best of the Web 2016 Winner.
- Large main homepage section, with a search bar, and intuitive navigation menu: Government; Services; Employment; Business; Education; Residents; Visiting, About; Connect. The menu bar is a fat menu with images.
- The website offers excellent UX design with good use of colour contrasts.
- Functional integration of Social Media, and mobile, voting, and collaboration functionalities.
TOP GLOBAL WEBSITES:
The New Zealand Government’s website provides an easy to find a resource for its citizens.
- The overall design is intuitive and straightforward. It provides a search bar, as well as update information on significant events such as earthquakes.
- The content is laid out based on category and is all found on one page (with no menu). It includes everything from information on Immigration and visas; Work; Education; Housing; to Health, History, Culture, and Heritage.
The Australian Government website provides a central location of its resources for its citizens.
- The website has a simple layout and has good use of white spaces.
- The menu divided into the following sections: Information and Services; About Government; News and Social media; About Australia.
- The website uses a secure Drupal platform.
- Information and content are easy to found on its home page, and promotions and announcements displayed clear.
The website for the Hong Kong Government provides relevant resources and information for residents, non-residents, business and trade.
- The design is simplistic overall, with good use of white space.
- Content and relevant links are easy to find.
- The website enables visitors to adjust the text size, as well as the language.
The Korean Government provides a wealth of information about the country, the Government, and resources.
- Very simple in design, with good use of white space.
- Integration of Social Media.
- Content-rich with information about the country; News; Sports; Events; Society; Culture; Travel.
We would love to be included in your Government RFP, RFQ, RFI, EOI Supplier Selection Process for Websites, Apps, and Software Design & Development Projects. Please email or call us. www.webilize.com
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