Dear Fellow Nebraskans:
I want to extend an invitation for readers to visit the official Web site for our state, which recently underwent a complete redesign. The new look for Nebraska.gov was designed to make the Web site easier to navigate, more convenient and more accessible for those looking for information about state government.
Available at http://www.Nebraska.gov, the new portal pairs an easy-to-remember name with a layout that helps visitors locate information and services without having to know how government works or is structured.
In the digital world, our online presence matters both here at home and around the world. Nebraska.gov is our front porch to the rest of the world, and the increased use of our state Web site is evidence that our online image is an important marketing tool for the state.
Traffic and use of the state portal to conduct business has continued to increase. Last year, the Nebraska.gov securely processed nearly 8.5 million online service transactions and attracted more than 48 million hits, up from 6 million transactions and 40 million hits in 2005.
Nebraska.gov features a streamlined design that serves as the centerpiece of the state’s e-Government initiative. The site provides connects visitors with more than 300 online services within two clicks, and offers intuitive features designed to help users access information they may need as Nebraska residents, those moving to our state, visitors from out of state, and those starting a business in Nebraska.
The Web site also offers brighter and larger images, including a series of photographs promoting Nebraska attractions and destinations, which is linked to information on our tourism and travel Web site.
Those visiting the site from a PDA or smartphone can access a streamlined version of Nebraska.gov, designed specifically for viewing from a mobile device. The new design also offers improved functionality for the visually impaired, and the option of translating the page into 12 different languages.
While the Nebraska.gov site was designed to help visitors access to the most used services, it also provides an expanded area to highlight new services. The previous site featured up to three services.
The new version puts featured services in a scrolling bar allowing any number of new and most-used services to be highlighted. The site currently highlights 12 services available in one click, such as storm recovery information, a link to pay speeding tickets and order specialty license plates online, and downloading the latest Nebraska Travel Guide.
I’d like to thank those who have already offered feedback, as well as those involved with the redesign and the staff of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Their work is helping integrate new technology into the work of state government.
With each new revision of the site, the goal is to make it one step easier for visitors to navigate our state Web site. In an effort to make state government more accessible, we are always looking for ways to provide the services Nebraskans would like to see. Visitors are invited to offer feedback by taking an online user survey or using the new Idea Box feature for suggestions on new services and upgrades to the Nebraska.gov Web site.
The new look for Nebraska.gov is one part of our effort to provide services that are more convenient for our citizens. It is projects such as this that ensure Nebraska remains at the forefront of digital government.
