I've noticed that many government service websites are really poorly designed and often not even responsive. I'm wondering: how can individuals like us approach them to suggest improvements? What's the best way to offer an updated, more user-friendly version of their websites?
5 Answers
Honestly, it's a hard battle. Government websites often have strict requirements that can hamper modern design. Sometimes, working with political connections is more effective than pure skill.
Have you looked into how government procurement works where you live? Understanding that process is key to pitching your ideas effectively.
It's tough dealing with government websites since they're often handled by in-house IT teams or contractors. If you're really interested, applying for a job with them or becoming a contractor might be a route. Just know that they usually go with the lowest bid, so quality isn't always prioritized.
In the US, there are so many regulations that complicate updates to government websites, like security standards and accessibility laws. It can take forever to get anything done.
Some governments have departments that focus on creating design systems and guidelines without directly building the sites. An example is the UK Government Digital Service. Pushing for your local government to adopt similar practices could be more effective than trying to build the sites yourself.
In Italy, we have guidelines and open-source implementations like WordPress templates for public institutions. It's worth checking out!
I haven't, actually. What does it involve?