Virginia updates state website in desktop and mobile versions

Virginia has redesigned and launched an entirely new version of its official state website, Virginia.gov, according to Governor Bob McDonnell. The new Virginia.gov streamlines access to Virginia government through one efficient Web portal, he said.

The site has a new look backed by an efficient architecture focused on improving citizen usability, according to a statement. The site provides what a news release described as “easy-to-use Web access to Virginia government information and services.”

An all-new mobile version also has been launched. This website, also known as the state portal, directs visitors to the many online offerings of Virginia agencies faster and more efficiently.

According to a news release, the “new website enhances Virginia’s image as one of the nation’s best states in which to operate a business and raise a family. It provides direct access to information that businesses looking to start up, locate or expand can use, enhancing economic development and job creation efforts.”

State residents tested and retested the usefulness of the desktop and mobile versions. Participant responses drove enhancements.

The new http://www.virginia.gov site loads more quickly, on both versions. Times to complete and ates of successful task completion are improved. The same tasks were tested on the previous version of the website and the new site in order to validate the comparison. Users are invited to answer the user survey prominently displayed on the home page of virginia.gov.

All website contractors are Virginia-based, according to the news release. Website architecture, construction and usability testing were performed through a contract between the commonwealth and CapTech of Richmond. Big River, a Richmond-based advertising agency, provided design work through CapTech. The site is hosted by AIS Networks of Falls Church. The commonwealth will continue to manage the website.