Webcontent.gov coming soon

Uniformity of content and form across federal agency Web sites will get a boost later this month with the planned Sept. 29 unveiling of webcontent.gov, a GSA official said today.

A result of the Interagency Committee on Government Information's Web Content Standards Working Group, webcontent.gov will have information for government Web site designers, including federal requirements, laws, regulations and other information.

"While many federal Web sites are superb, others need improvement," said Beverly Godwin, director of the FirstGov Web portal at the General Services Administration and executive sponsor for the working group. "Up until now, no one has pulled together in one place all the requirements for federal Web sites." Godwin spoke today at a GSA lunch honoring the fourth anniversary of FirstGov.gov.

Each federal Web site should share some common traits to ensure that users know they are accessing a government site and can find what they are looking for, according to earlier recommendations released by the working group.

Webcontent.gov also will explain the laws and regulations Web managers should know, in addition to describing best practices. On the home page, users will be reminded of news and important dates. The site includes a discussion, a listserv and a library link.