Indiana is paving the way for more accessible and secure digital government services by offering free website hosting to local governments statewide.
The Indiana Office of Technology (IOT) is now providing free website hosting to local governments. The goal is improve cybersecurity, accessibility, and digital services across its state. Through a new agreement with Tyler Technologies, local agencies can opt-in to host their websites on IN.gov.
Jurisdictions will benefit from enhanced security, support, and ease of use. They can choose customizable, device-compatible templates, each compliant with accessibility standards. Local governments manage site content through a user-friendly content management system, while IN.gov handles the technical infrastructure.
The service offers three different website templates: informational, marketing, and adaptive. Each template is device-friendly and 508-compliant, ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities. Local agencies also get a free IN.gov subdomain, a robust support system, and a content management system that’s easy to use. Indiana’s purchasing power with Tyler Technologies offers local governments lower costs and professional security within budget.
From the article:
“We’re seeking to empower local governments to better manage their digital front doors, and improve access to all levels of local government. By removing financial barriers, we are another step closer to providing an improved, consistent digital experience no matter what level of government a citizen is interacting with,” said Indiana Chief Information Officer Tracy Barnes.
As previously covered by MACo, the federal government recently decided to offer local governments a “.gov” domains at no cost. While the domain is free, shifting to them isn’t completely so. Counties might need to update marketing materials, inform the public, and update their IT infrastructure, which can be expensive, particularly for small counties that may need to contract out IT services. Indiana’s initiative offers additional resources to alleviate burdens on local governments.
Already, 102 local governments have signed up, taking advantage of four monthly support requests, online training, access to IN.gov, and other resources. This no-cost website initiative is part of Indiana’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and improving government accessibility across the board.
