Nottingham City Council recently relaunched its website after much local advertising and promotion - but is it any good? Here are my thoughts:
1. Web 2.0 = Wow!
I can imagine the brief now: "Everyone likes MySpace and Facebook, let's make a website like that! In fact just copy the BBC website, that'll do!"
It really smacks of a generic "Web 2.0" template where the content takes a back seat to widgets letting you link to your Facebook or Gmail. People visit a Council website to get local information not to be a portal for their email etc - know your place NCC!
2. Supporting Local Business
So what was the reasoning for using a company in Plymouth to build this? There are many, many established and successful web companies in Nottingham that could've built this travesty - whatever happened to using local businesses eh? Not really "On our side" are you?
3. Adsense!!??
"I know, let's make some money out of this website - these Google ads look great!".
No, no, no, no....
4. Lack of Direction
The site seems to have lost track of what information that people want to see. Don't worry about making a cool Web 2.0 site, get the information in an accessible format that people can quickly find. Too many different navigation items and distractions, not to mention the Google Ads - keep it simple please.
But, it is a LOT better than the previous site which was truly terrible! And fairplay to NCC for trying but I think it's missed the target somewhat.
What do you think?
2 comments:
Hit the nail on the head! Every point is an extremely valid one. Google Ads is a definite no, no for a Council website. If you're going to try and make money from advertising at least let local businesses advertise there.
I have used their online reporting system a few time and its a complete waste of time.. giving the chance to not speak to the customer you would think they would use it to better use. Ok i got the email and the case reference but no way of looking up a status .. so you still have to chase up things... and i just get so frustrated with it all.. the only way to get anything resolved with the council is to report it.. then complain about the lack of response and let someone else in the council kick ass in the department that you originally wrote to..
whats the point.. if the people did their roles and completed the job.. perhaps they would be so many job cuts because you wouldnt need a complaints team and all the other administration dealing with doing the job properly.. and in fact that why they are receiving an wage and keeping their job on that basis ...
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