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COI to publish comprehensive figures on the cost, quality, and use of government websites
The Central Office of Information (COI) is driving forward a programme of work to assess the value for money of government websites to the taxpayer.
ABCe has been appointed, by COI, as a sole third party to independently validate the figures generated by an audit of government websites, in the largest project of its kind to date
COI will publish comprehensive figures on the cost quality and use of government websites by June 2010.
The decision by COI to appoint ABCe, a UK, industry owned, not for profit body, offers significant savings for the UK taxpayer.
Recent COI guidance has created a common framework for government departments to measure the cost effectiveness, use and performance of their websites.
All central government departments will be required to provide their usage figures for auditing. Departments must ensure that every website planned to be open on 1 April 2010 has an audit schedule ending no later than 31 December 2009.
A consistent set of measurements for unique users/browsers, page impressions, visits and durations of time spent on sites will underpin the audit. These industry-agreed standards will, for the first time, accurately assess how much central government sites are being used.
ABCe’s work will provide greater transparency and confidence in the figures which will be used by government to manage performance and investment in digital media. The audit will also help to improve accountability of website owners.
To improve user satisfaction a usability tool kit for departments who are developing new, or refreshing existing government sites, is also now available from COI.
This forms part of a suite of new materials and guidance developed in conjunction with the Cabinet Office and the Power of Information Task Force.
COI Board Director for Interactive Services Alex Butler said:
“We are determined to drive up the quality of government websites to ensure they offer excellent value for money for the taxpayer, and a better user experience.
“COI has a key role to play in ensuring government can connect effectively with citizens and business online.”
The audit is, in part, a response to a Public Accounts Committee recommendation for reliable data on the volume and use of central government sites. It is also being driven by a desire for COI to provide greater accountability for its own investment in digital media.
Please contact Rhona de la Mer at COI to arrange an interview with Alex Butler, or ask further questions.
Notes to editors
- COI provides marketing and communications services for government and the public sector.
COI aims to secure best value for money in marketing for government through reducing duplication, maximising efficiency and best practice communications.
- COI’s framework for measuring cost effectiveness and performance of websites can be found here: www.coi.gov.uk/webguidelines
- COI’s usability tool kit can be found here: www.coi.gov.uk/usability
- COI has been managing ongoing work with the Cabinet Office to reduce the number of government websites, since 2005. Of the 1,649 websites belonging to central government listed for closure, 762 had been closed by the end of March 2009.
- ABCe works on behalf of the industry to manage standards for electronic media measurement. They are independent, industry owned, not-for-profit and part of the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
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