Norfolk County Council launch new websites using GOSS Platform.

After choosing the GOSS Digital Platform to usher in a wave of new digital transformation projects in May 2023, Norfolk County Council, are implementing their online service provision using the Platform. As part of this wider project, the council have recently launched new websites using the platform as a means to improve the online user experience for their citizens and wider customer satisfaction.

Over the course of the past 12 months, Norfolk have been working with the GOSS Team to redevelop their main public website, as well as the launch of two new subsites. Prior to their implementation of the GOSS Digital Platform, the Council hosted their main public website and separate subsites across different content management systems, meaning it was more difficult to consistently manage their entire web presence. With this challenge in mind, Norfolk and the GOSS Team went about transitioning Norfolk's main website and subsites over to their new GOSS Digital Platform - a project that would entail the redevelopment of these sites using GOSS technology and tools.

Initially focussed on bringing consistency to their overall web presence, look and feel, Norfolk and GOSS meticulously reviewed and analysed the council existing website, identifying custom requirements essential for the transition. This included the development of bespoke solutions within their GOSS Digital Platform implementation like the Stage and Promo content management templates, which allowed Norfolk to seamlessly integrate essential features while preserving their unique branding. The Stage template, for instance, was tailored to incorporate a submenu within the panel template, along with logos, articles, and background imagery, ensuring a cohesive and user-friendly interface. Similarly, the Promo template enabled Norfolk to efficiently showcase various types of content within the side section, including images, links, and HTML, enhancing user engagement and accessibility.

Through this early-stage web styling consistency work, Norfolk were able to relaunch their main public website with ease - migrating previous content into their new GOSS-styled site. After nine months of redevelopment, Norfolk relaunched their main public website alongside the successful launch of two new subsites using the GOSS Digital Platform. The first of these subsites is the American Library website, serving as a memorial dedicated to the 2^nd Air Division, 8^th Air Force, and United States Army Air Forces of World War II, commemorating Norfolk's pivotal role as an airbase during the conflict. Shortly after this launch, the Council rolled out its new ICT Solutions website, a valuable resource offering ICT support to educational institutions across East Anglia, facilitating the development of ICT and technology skills for staff and students alike.

Moving ahead, Norfolk is gearing up for the imminent launch of additional websites utilising the GOSS Digital Platform. Additionally, the Council is exploring other essential functionalities of the GOSS Platform, including its Forms capabilities, to revamp numerous existing public-facing forms. This initiative aims to consolidate all form submissions into a single system, thereby minimising manual data entry and freeing up staff time for essential service delivery projects. With the deployment of new sites and the planned utilisation of additional GOSS Digital Platform features, Norfolk is steadily progressing towards realising its digital transformation goals in the upcoming weeks and months.