Intuitive Web Design: The Key to Good Client Relationships as a Government Agency

Local councils and government agencies need good communication with the public due to their role in everything from education, transportation, health, labour, social services, and more. If communication in these areas is subpar, then it can have a profound effect on people’s lives.

One of the main ways that government agencies communicate with the public is through a website. For most people looking for answers, a quick Google search is usually the solution. A government agency’s website needs to have answers to common questions to ensure the public stays informed in key areas.

However, a website can have all of the necessary information to keep the public properly abreast of changes and updates, and still, it can mean nothing if the website isn’t intuitively designed.

Below, we’re going to go over what it actually means to have an intuitive website, why it’s important for government agencies, and how government agencies can employ intuitive designs in their websites.

Keep reading now to learn more about intuitive web design.

What is Intuitive Web Design?

At its most basic, intuitive web design means that your website is easy to understand, navigate, and interact with. This is especially true even if the visitor is completely new to the site and unfamiliar with its content. Intuitive web designs aim to create user-friendly experiences that allow web users to find what they need efficiently and without confusion.

For a government agency, an intuitively designed website means the public can find the answers they need, navigate to key areas of the website, and find whatever it is they need from the agency without getting confused or stuck in the wrong areas of the site.

Understanding Client Needs as a Government Agency

Government agencies and local councils often have slightly different needs from other businesses. This is for the most part because these bodies need to communicate information rather than sell a service or product. Keys client needs that government agencies should be aware of when considering their website include:

• Access to information: All government bodies and businesses working alongside the government should be aware of this need. The public looks to official websites for the most up-to-date information first.
• Public services: Whether looking for information, forms, local services, or social assistance, your website should be as clear as possible to allow people access to these public services with minimal disruption.
• Regulatory compliance information: This is a key area, particularly for people looking for information on their taxes or business compliance. Guidance should be clear and easy for people to navigate.
• Transparency and accountability: Clients tend to expect transparency and accountability from government agencies, which means that opportunities for feedback are key on your website. 
• Accessibility: People tend to forget about accessibility and inclusivity when thinking about website design. As a government agency or government-adjacent business, people from all walks of life will be engaging with your website. This means it needs to meet people’s needs, regardless of age, income, education, language proficiency, or disabilities.

Elements of Intuitive Web Design for Government Agencies

So, what elements of intuitive web design should government agencies and government-adjacent businesses consider when building a website? We recommend the following.

• Clear navigation: Web navigation is an often overlooked aspect of web design, but clear navigation can be the make or break for your bounce rate. If a client can’t find their way around your website, they’re much more likely to log off it. Clear navigation means a menu that allows users to find what they need quickly. On top of offering a user-friendly experience, clear navigation can have a positive impact on your site SEO too!
• Consistency across layout and design: Brand consistency is important so that you’re recognisable, but it can also ensure a user-friendly experience. If things stay consistent, users will likely be able to find buttons and forms more easily. This is because they’ll know what to look out for.
• User-friendly interactions: For form downloads, buttons, links, and more, error messages won’t cut it. Making sure that all of your links work, that downloads are straightforward and that everything is clearly labelled is key to ensuring clients get what they need when they log onto your site.
• Mobile responsiveness: Many users now access websites on their mobile phones. If your website doesn’t translate to mobile devices then you’re cutting off a whole group of your users from being able to access your site. Ensure that you have an intuitive site, no matter the device your users are using.
• Accessibility: As we mentioned above, accessibility can sometimes take a back seat when it comes to web design. But it shouldn’t! Implement accessibility into your design with alt texts for imagery, keyboard navigation, adjustable text sizes, and language options.
• Feedback opportunities: As a place for the public to get answers, it’s always a good idea to allow your users to give feedback on your site. If something isn’t working for them it’s always best to know about it. So ensure there are places for your users to give you feedback and suggestions.
• Clear content: While web design is often concerned with back-end design, ensure that content, like your words and imagery, are as clear as possible too. It’s all good and well having a great and user-friendly site. But if the content itself is confusing, all your hard work will have been for nothing!

Final Thoughts

As a government body, intuitive website design can have a positive effect on your website metrics and your client’s happiness. 

At Rokir, we know that web design can be difficult if you don’t have experience with it, but we’re here to help. We have experience across a range of industries and have built websites for several different business types. Our web development services can be paired with our other services for a tailored approach to our digital expertise.
Contact the team today to find out more about what we can do for you.