The Municipality of Voorschoten Launches a New Website
On Tuesday, December 8, the municipality’s redesigned website went live. With this redesign and improvement of the website, the municipality is taking an important step forward in digital service delivery. The major improvements that will immediately benefit visitors include: improved readability and accessibility, a “Google-style” search bar, and full compatibility with smartphones and tablets.
Accessibility and Ease of Finding Information
The new website meets the government’s accessibility requirements. For example, descriptions are provided for photos and images so that screen readers can include them. In addition, the text for the most frequently visited products and services has been simplified to make it easy for every visitor to read.
A second major improvement is the enhanced search engine. This makes it even faster and easier to find information. As you type your search query, the search bar also provides suggestions, such as the most frequently searched topics.
Increase in Mobile Visitors
The website has been optimized to provide smartphone users with a better online experience. For example, it features narrower columns and more compact text, so visitors don’t have to scroll as much. A route planner has also been added, allowing visitors to plan their route to City Hall directly from their phone. In addition, all phone numbers are clickable, making it easier to contact the municipality’s Customer Contact Center.
Help from Residents
Residents provided input on the website’s design. The municipality conducted a user test via social media. In this test, residents could indicate where they would look for information—for example, to report a broken streetlight, apply for an environmental permit, or arrange a move.
Mayor Charlie Aptroot (Communications): “With this update, we as a municipality are taking another step forward in our digital services. I’m proud that residents helped us figure out how to design the website to best serve their needs. That just goes to show how engaged the people of Voorschoten are. The new site also ensures we’re digitally future-proof.”
Additional Accessibility Test
In the first quarter of 2021, an accessibility test will be conducted by an independent external party. The entire website will be reviewed for all criteria that an accessible government website must meet. The municipality will use the results of that test to guide its work in 2021.