Basildon Borough Council – Delivering a Customer Focused, Top Task Awarded Winning Website

Plymouth, United Kingdom, May 31, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Socitm, the Society of IT Managers in the public sector, publish the annual Better Connected 2013 report into the usability and performance of 433 local authority websites. The best performing sites, like Basildon Borough Council, have taken a top task approach that “simplifies, de-clutters, reduces the number of menus, and make things easier to use.”

Basildon Borough Council, who have their websites powered by GOSS iCM (intelligent Content Management), were mentioned by the reviewers for their overall top task approach.

Andrew Pickess, Corporate Systems Manager, Basildon Borough Council delights in being presented a 3 star plaque by Rob McCarthy, CEO, GOSS Interactive.

The reviewers praised the provision of many services on the website such as applying for housing, “Very straightforward to find and identify criteria,” collecting an old bed, “The service is well explained,” and information about local swimming pools, “Very good information provision.”

Andrew Pickess, Corporate Systems Manager, Basildon Borough Council added: “We are delighted that the Council website has been recognised for its top task approach to delivering services digitally. The team have worked closely with GOSS Interactive specialists to deliver our channel shift strategy and have help identified how we can save in excess of £1M over two to three years. This channel shift strategy is also helping us to deliver a better customer focused website that can be used by the whole community, quickly and easily.”

Rob McCarthy, CEO, GOSS Interactive added, "This isn't just about rewarding nice looking sites. This is about making it as easy and accessible for UK citizens to get all the information, forms and advice that they need from their council, quickly and simply, 24/7. In the process local authorities can potentially save over £1M each, which is a huge win-win in these difficult economic times. GOSS Interactive is already helping our clients deliver their future digital strategy, including mobile websites, in preparation for Better Connected 2014.”

GOSS Interactive has been delivering GOSS iCM Web Content Management and website publishing software for over 10 years. Today it powers major corporations and public sector organisation’s website and is the market leader in use by over 60 of the 433 UK local authorities.

In the report over 76% of GOSS clients either increased or maintained their previously high scores. Additionally over 58% of clients have been rated amongst the highest in the country, receiving 4★ or 3★.