When people think of government website designs, “exciting,” “cutting-edge,” and “engaging” aren’t usually adjectives that come to mind. However, exceptional government website designs do exist, as those already using them can attest!
A usable and visually-appealing government website design is not a necessity but can make all the difference. Not only can a successful custom website design improve citizens’ satisfaction but also streamline service delivery. It can also lower government overhead costs and the demands on civil servants.
This post is all about the top local government website design examples in the U.S.and it breaks down exactly what the government website designers did right.
The Top Local Government Website Designs in the U.S.
Website designers implement various web design best practices to achieve exceptional government website designs. The local government websites listed below are prime examples of well-thought-out designs.
Innovative Design: The State of Utah Government Website
Utah.gov is one of the best government websites when it comes to UI and UX design. The look and usability of this website exceed expectations. Besides, its homepage really showcases the beauty of the state of Utah!
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Clever use of eye-catching, high-quality background photographs of the state of Utah.
- The website’s design, elements, and photography perfectly blend together.
- The website menus and sections are easy to find and navigate.
Simple User Interface: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Website
NOAA possesses one of the best federal government website designs, offering superior usability and simplicity. Its menu is compact, leaving plenty of space for relevant photography and information. It also utilizes branding, iconography, and color well to match the purpose and theme of the site.
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What sets this federal government website design apart:
- A simple, easy-to-navigate, uncluttered user interface.
- The website adapts well to mobile devices as well as laptops and PCs.
- On-brand color palette choice and use of iconography.
Clean and Professional Layout: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Website
The IRS website is a prime example of what the best federal government websites should aim to look like. The government website design company responsible for this site clearly knew what it was doing, showcasing professional and clean design at its best.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- It features a clean and professional design that inspires trust.
- The website is very usable and easy to navigate.
- The traditional blue, gray, and white color palette suits the official purpose of the website.
UX-Optimization: The State of Mississippi Government Website
Ms.gov is undoubtedly one of the best government websites in terms of UX and UI. Its clean, well-thought-out design, quickly-accessible chat box, and search bar put users first. Those visiting it can easily navigate to whichever section or information they’re searching.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- A prominent search bar and chat box for quick and easy navigation.
- Complimentary use of blue hues and bright accent colors.
- High-quality background and website photographs.
Modern Graphics: The United States Postal Service (USPS) Website
USPS.com gets featured as one of the best federal government websites because of its smart use of color and graphics. The website itself comprises a visually-appealing design with blocks, buttons, icons, and illustrations that really bring it to life.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- Features on-trend and modern graphics in its design and visuals.
- Bold use of accent colors alongside traditional blues and grays.
- UI- and UX-optimized to ensure easy navigation to services and information.
Cultural Engagement: The Silverthorne Colorado Government Website
Silverthorne, Colorado’s government website design company, really went above and beyond creating a website that highlights what the city has to offer. This site is one of the best government websites when it comes to UX and UI, making finding local activities easy and fun.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Highlights the scenery and local activities that make Silverthorne unique.
- Smart use of buttons, calendars, and blog posts to better guide website and city visitors.
- Aesthetically pleasing use of accent colors and photography.
Visit the Silverthorne.org Website
On-Point Branding: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Website
NASA and its logo feature prominently in pop culture, even showing up on t-shirts and caps. Of course, the federal agency does have some of the best and most recognizable branding around. Its site is one of the best federal government websites because it perfectly captures NASA’s identity.
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What sets this federal government website design apart:
- Easily-identifiable choice of colors and backgrounds that fit the NASA logo and brand.
- Eye-catching placement of interesting high-quality space photography.
- It makes the process of navigation to relevant news quick and easy.
Unique Iconography: The NASA Earth Science Applied Sciences Program Website
The NASA Earth Sciences Applied Sciences Program website is an offshoot looking to engage scientists and innovators on the ground. Besides colors and graphics, the government website design company thought about iconography, using a unique set to make an impact.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- Innovative use of custom-designed iconography.
- An unusual choice of colors that appeals to a younger and modern audience.
- It makes valuable information to upskill the public for free easily accessible.
Visit the NASA Applied Sciences Website
Smart Use of Buttons: The Kansas City Missouri Government Website
Kcmo.gov is one of the best government websites in terms of UX and UI. This modern website cleverly uses buttons to link to relevant topics and pages. Current affairs, such as the July 2022 heatwaves, also feature prominently on its landing page, improving user engagement and value.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Smart use of buttons and linking results in easier navigation and more engagement.
- The website content is up-to-date and relevant to current affairs.
- Exciting use of turquoise blue instead of traditional blue hues.
Visit the KCMO.gov Website
Complimentary Colors: The City of San Jose Government Website
The San Jose, California site is one of the top local government website design examples. This well-thought-out website features shades of teal alongside complementary pops of yellow. The website design itself is also aesthetically-pleasing, cohesively progressing from top to bottom.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Use of green-blue primary colors, monochromes, and complementary yellow accents.
- Limited use of white as a background color helps reduce eye strain.
- This government website design is cohesive, from the top menu to the footer.
Visit the Sanjoseca.gov Website
Responsive Design: Pflugerville Police Department Texas Website
Pflugerville, Texas boasts another of the best government websites when it comes to UX and UI design. Not only is it optimized for usability, but the responsive website design company responsible for creating it clearly prioritized mobile use. Much like popular web apps and mobile apps, it looks good on various devices, not just PC screens.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- It adapts well to mobile devices as well as laptops and PCs.
- Innovative use and layout of the buttons and menus.
- Links to the police station’s social media platform pages are easy to find.
Visit the Police.pflugerville.tx.gov Website
Eye-Catching Background: U.S. Navy Government Website
The U.S. Navy possesses one of the best federal government website designs in terms of visual appeal. Its bold photograph of a U.S. Navy Zumwalt-class destroyer transforms the design from utilitarian to eye-catching.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- The bold choice of relevant background photography.
- Visible linking to social media platforms and pages.
- Simple, clean, and easy-to-navigate website layout.
Streamlining Change: Drive Clean California Government Website
While government websites can inform and deliver services to the public, they can also successfully promote programs and initiatives, just like the Clean Drive California website. This clean and impactful site is one of the top local government website design examples for streamlining change.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- The website is solely devoted to promoting the Clean Drive initiative.
- It helps users easily learn about, search, and access Clean Drive initiatives and incentives.
- Clever and aesthetically-appealing use of iconography, color, and photography.
Visit the Drive Clean CA Website
Accent Colors: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Website
As far as the best federal government websites go, the USDA site truly stands out for its bold use of color. The website takes inspiration from food, nature, and agriculture, all subjects the site is related to, and showcases these tones perfectly. The effect is rather refreshing without being irrelevant.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- Its bright color palette takes inspiration from nature, agriculture, and produce.
- Smart use of buttons, iconography, and accent colors to highlight these elements.
- The website design flows and is cohesive from the top menu to the bottom footer.
Bold Layout: The White House Government Website
The White House is the building where some of the most important nationwide decisions get made. Its site is one of the best federal government websites because it really captures the setting and atmosphere of The White House. The government website design company in question delivered an arresting and impressive design.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- Prominent use of photographs of the White House, president, and cabinet.
- An impressive and regal website design and layout that match the site’s purpose.
- Easy-access buttons that increase text size and toggle a high-contrast background.
Convenient Service Delivery: The New York State Government Website
New York State features one of the best government websites when it comes to UX and UI design. The website makes it convenient and simple to digitally access public services or find information about these topics.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Bold use of complementary blue and yellow hues.
- Prominently features current initiatives and important public services.
- The simple layout is easy to navigate and not too busy.
Engaging Videography: The City of West Hollywood Government Website
The use of videography and web animation on websites are new web development trends. The West Hollywood site is one of the top local government website design examples showcasing this type of media. The website homepage features a timelapse of the city as nighttime sets in.
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What sets this local government website design apart:
- Clever use of videography transports website users to West Hollywood.
- Complimentary use of dusky hues that match the sunset timelapse.
- The website design is minimalistic and easy to navigate.
Easy Navigation: U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Website
The U.S. SBA site is one of the best federal government websites when it comes to layout. This website features a very clean and uncluttered design that makes it easy to navigate. Each section or button has a place, relevant imagery or icons, and features insightful descriptions.
What sets this federal government website design apart:
- A clean layout that is well thought out and executed.
- Bold use of red as an accent color.
- Clever use of relevant iconography, images, and descriptions that make navigation easy.
On-Trend Illustration: State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Website
The California DMV site is one exceptional local government website design example worth noticing. This unusually modern government website utilizes abstract illustrations that appeal to a younger audience and follows the latest design trends.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Trendy use of modern and abstract digital illustrations.
- A simple clean website design featuring complementary colors.
- All the relevant site links and information are easy to find or get to via its homepage.
Visit the California DMV Website
Prioritizing Photography: California Save Our Water Website
It’s not always necessary to use text to introduce a topic. The right image or photograph can speak a thousand words and also engage more internet users. The California Save Our Water site is one of the top local government website design examples that puts this ethos into play.
What sets this local government website design apart:
- Clever use of high-quality photographs to guide and inspire website users.
- The site perfectly illustrates how to grow a stunning garden with minimal water.
- It makes valuable water conservation information readily and freely available.
Visit the California Save Our Water Website
What Are the Best Colors for Government Website Designs?
When it comes to selecting color palettes for government website designs, blue is the top choice. Besides being a calming color, it’s also one that evokes a feeling of trust and accountability – two characteristics that all citizens appreciate in a government and its public service delivery.
Blue often gets chosen as government websites wish to remain separate from the governing parties or any brand affiliations. Blue may seem like a boring option, especially for government websites that wish to engage a younger audience. However, there are ways to modernize it. Selecting an unusual shade of blue is one way that government website design companies innovate.
Adding bright accent colors which complement the blue tone selected also makes an impact. Blue and blue-green tones are opposite oranges, red, and pink on the color chart. All warm colors that are both complementary according to color theory and eye-catching and engaging.
The Best Primary Colors for a Government Website Design
When conceptualizing a design, government website design companies decide on a color palette. The primary website colors picked are important. These are the central focus of the government website design, and all website content must match these tones.
The top primary color palette choices for government website designs are:
- Blue. Traditional navy, royal, and cobalt blue shades are a top choice for government website designs, specifically federal websites. Greenish-blue tones, such as teal, cerulean, and tiffany blues, are also popular, particularly among state and government organization website designs.
- Distinctive brand colors. If a particular government department, organization, or state possesses existing brand colors, these can also feature successfully in its website design.
The Best Secondary Colors for a Government Website Design
The secondary colors that government website design companies often choose for a website color palette also play an important role. These hues should further distinguish and differentiate the government website design while complementing its primary colors.
Some popular secondary government website design colors include:
- Monochromes. Varying shades and tones of the primary government website design colors offer diversity without looking busy, which is why monochromes find favor in website backgrounds and menus.
- Bright accent colors. Bright colors add a bit of excitement and draw the user’s eye. As such, these hues are an excellent choice for smaller elements such as buttons and icons.
- Complementary colors. Complementary colors are any hues that fall opposite the branding or primary government website design colors. If warm, complementary hues will likely be cold, or vice versa. Orange is complementary to blue, red to green, purple to yellow, red-orange to blue-green, yellow-orange to indigo blue, pink to lime, and so on.
- Neutrals. Neutrals include black, gray, white, brown, and variations of these tones and shades. These colors are ideal for backgrounds, menus, fonts, and areas of the website meant to blend into the background.
Conclusion
What makes for a successful government website design varies, but there are a few defining characteristics. Professional government website design companies know and apply these principles in their design processes.
To summarize;
- Usability through well-thought-out UI and UX design improves service delivery and user satisfaction.
- An aesthetically-appealing design is sure to help a government website rank as one of the top designs.
- Cutting-edge elements, modern touches, and an unusual layout make a website memorable.
- Mobile-first and responsive design ensures a site displays correctly on all sorts of devices.
- A color palette should not only inspire trust but also ensure that users know whose website they’re visiting.
