Durham County has officially rolled out their sleeker, more user-friendly website, aiming to make local government more accessible to residents. After a lengthy process spearheaded by the county's Information Services and Technology Department, along with the Public Information Office, the new site offers a more intuitive experience for users. The launch is a result of the county's multi-year Website Modernization Initiative, focused on employing best practices in web development and design, reported Durham County Government's announcement.
The upgraded platform not only presents a more contemporary look but is designed to to largely improve functionality and content accessibility. Claudia Hager, Durham County Manager, emphasized in a statement obtained by Durham County Government that the website is pivotal in engaging with residents, and aims to "motivate and involve visitors, while highlighting the services and programs we deliver on a daily basis." Durham County's website was developed in collaboration with Northwoods and is built on the Titan CMS platform, acknowledged for its extensibility and security features.
Visitors to DCONC.GOV will immediately notice changes like the AI chatbot for 24/7 assistance in multiple languages, an enhanced search feature, and a mobile version optimized for a smooth navigation experience. These improvements are part of a larger goal to welcome all users, including those with disabilities who might have encountered difficulties with the old site. "We’re proud to offer a digital experience that matches the innovation and inclusivity Durham County stands for," Greg Marrow, Chief Information Officer for Durham County, told the Durham County Government.
Behind the scenes of this digital transformation, departments across the organization tirelessly worked to inspect and to systematically update the information available to the public. Deborah Craig-Ray, Durham County Communications Chief, thanked the various departments for their creativity and dedication as quoted by Durham County Government. Moreover, the county assures that user feedback remains crucial—meaning a survey to gauge the new site's performance will eventually roll out to gather impressions.
