An official hromada website is more than just a set of news and contact pages. This is an important tool for establishing a dialogue with the residents, interest of potential investors and business partners. The website is a business card of your AH that should have a good impression on all audiences. How to achieve this?

The DOBRE Programme in the cycle of Digital Hromadas articles advises AHs on how to grow successfully in digital space, and considers mistakes to be avoided in design and development of the official website.

So what are the common hromadas’ mistakes regarding website development and how to avoid them?

1. Bad website design

It is important to understand that design concerns not only the shape of buttons and text colour. Design is the language your AH website uses to communicate with users.

Designing a website, it's best to focus on integrity. Choose several font options, colour scheme, and icons – and use them further. Do not overload the website with a bunch of colours, fonts, and a variety of button shapes. Remember that less is more.

Get inspired by looking through hromada websites created on the Dosvit platform and explore their approach to the development of official representative offices online.

 

 

2. Uninteresting news ​​​

Life in the Ukrainian hromadas is in full swing as different events are held: from art fests to business meetings.

Compare two news items:

“We kindly invite you to a training lecture on waste sorting in … hromada”

“Learn how to sort wastep. Open lecture in … hromada already on 6 August”

The first piece of news is difficult to perceive, the second is simple and clear to a wide range of readers.

For more tips on writing effective news for the AH website, as well as ideas for hromada communicators, follow the link.

 

 

3. Weak feedback

Detailed attention should be paid to the development of components to establish feedback. Check out the following:

• Is there a feedback form on the website?
• How does it work, who administers it?
• Are citizens receiving answers?

We encourage you to read how to successfully analyse the public opinion and combine online and offline tools.

For more tips on sustainable hromada development in digital space, see the Digital Hromadas section. Find out how to develop the AH website with a new approach, how to interest an investor in implementing joint projects and promote budget transparency in your settlements.

The full version is available in Ukrainian – please click HERE