Which describes your use of local government (council) websites? (2008)

From February - May 2008 we asked you, 'Which describes your use of local government (council) websites?' 1091 of you responded with the following results:

Never used them 293 votes (27%)
Used occasionally to find information 371 votes (34%)
Used often for information only 96 votes (9%)
Used, would consider making transactions ^† 110 votes (10%)
Used for information & transactions ^† 219 votes (20%)

^† Transactions include paying parking fines, making an application etc.

Why you voted this way

A big thank you to all of you that took the time to tell us why you voted how you did. Some of our favourite comments from you, divided up by how you voted, are:

Never used them

I don't know the website address and don't know how it could help my life.

Anon

I've never needed information from my local government.

Sandra, Vancouver, Canada

Used occasionally to find information

The practical information is often hidden deep beyond the interface and often requires some advanced searching techniques. I, as a web professional, find this to be true of all government websites so far.

Jaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands

I use it occasionally to find out further information on things like rubbish collection dates and recycling in my area.

Jo, Swansea, UK

Local government websites crash on a regular basis. As a researcher I don't have time to deal with continual glitches when pages are loading. This makes them my last port of call rather than my first.

Sue, Derby, UK

I've used local government sites to check addresses and to source links to the sites that I actually want to access.

Chris, Reading, UK

Used often for information only

I use it mainly to check available jobs and occasionally to check out information on social work services.

Bryan, Edinburgh, UK

I work for local government and know how insecure local government web systems are, so I wouldn't use them for transactions.

Anon

Used, would consider making transactions

My council's website has a professional look, either answering my enquiries or directing me to a knowledgeable officer. Consequently I have confidence that transactions would also be processed professionally.

Michael, Norfolk, UK

Local government portals can be very effective in exposing the workings of municipal government to the average citizen, and I would certainly use a website for transactions with the government.

Madison, Memphis, USA

Used for information & transactions

I'm continually amazed by the variety of information, advice and news on council sites. In my opinion they're a very underrated resource and improving all the time. I take it for granted that I can pay my council tax online. Next stop - an RSS feed of planning applications near me and a library reservations system that says 'if you like this, try this'.

Nick Foster, Brighton, UK

I don't have time to visit my local council's offices so online access is much easier for me.

Evan, Totnes, UK

What next?

Please contact us by phone on 0870 242 6095 or by e-mail at info at webcredible.co.uk. We'll discuss your user experience research & design needs and requirements with no pushy sales pitch and no obligation to you.