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DHHS employees who logged into their computers on Monday morning, July 28, saw the new face of the department, our redesigned website. Some features:
“So far it has been smooth sailing,” said Lois Nilsen, project director from Public Affairs. “Most comments are very positive, saying the website is attractive and easy to use.”
The redesign will eventually reach all divisions and offices. The timeline for that has not been set, but it will take some years.
The change in look is the most visible aspect of a large project to overhaul the department’s online presence. Last fall, a new website policy and guidelines were unveiled. Each division now has a web content manager, who is the division/office director’s go-to person for the web.
“To make our website easy to use for the people we serve takes a lot of thought, planning and coordination,” said Lois Nilsen, project director from Public Affairs. “The policy and web content managers are tools to make that happen. Since it will take time to bring all of DHHS into the template, the policy and guidelines are important for divisions and offices to follow in the short term.”
DHHS employees have their own area in the site. Local agencies and those regulated by the department have clear information intended just for them. Researchers can find facts and figures compiled in one place as well.
Medicaid information has been revamped, and offers a glimpse to how other programs and services will be presented in the future.
In a “soft launch” that lasted 4 weeks, more than 2000 site visitors viewed the new site through a link on the old home page and 134 filled out an online survey. Eighty-six percent of survey respondents gave the site top marks for design and 88% gave it top marks for usability. Two of the most common comments were that the site was user friendly and easy to navigate.
Still, some users of the old site might find the transition difficult. “Change is hard, even when the change is for the better,” Nilsen said. “If you’re used to accomplishing a certain task without thinking, and now everything looks different, well you may not welcome the new look at first. Please keep an open mind. If you have ideas about how to improve our online presence, we want to hear them.”
Kudos, comments and suggestion can be sent to dhhswebmaster@ncmail.net