Implementation of Internet Technology for Local Government Website: Design Guidelines

There may be limited resources for local government Web site designers to devote to innovative design. This study investigated current technology use by local government (Town of Blacksburg, TOE - Virginia) and suggests key design guidelines. Observation and interviews were used. Using recommendations in phase I, the TOE employed a blog that was investigated in phase II. The TOE incorporated traditional media with online to broadcast public meetings via TV and online. We suggested using indexed video to improve usability by shortening the amount of time it took to find specific information. We also recommended the Task Force blog be linked to an aggregator site for blogs in the region to increase opportunities for discussion and commentary. Such linkage would also make it unnecessary for the Task Force to open comments to the public directly on the Task Force blog, which was primarily used for commentary among panel members