5 ways to better Web Governance in Local Government

Web Governance is a system for managing an online presence in a controlled and orderly way. The principal benefit is that it delivers the stability you need to focus on digital goals.

But, let's admit it. Some have it easier than others.

I have done a lot of work in local authorities and seen the issues they are up against.

Not only are their budgets always under pressure, they also have to cater for a huge array of topics (from libraries to potholes) and accommodate diverse internal stakeholders (staff, management, unions, politicians).

To help out, this new guide describes 5 practical ways to get better at Web Governance in Local Government. Download the new guide now for free.

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How to improve Web Governance in Higher Education?

On April 9th, I hosted a webinar about "Web Governance in Higher Education" at the invitation of Siteimprove.

This is something I am eager to talk about. Indeed, I believe the challenges of governance in HigherEd are amongst the most onerous of any industry.

This was put to me pretty bluntly on a project I did few years ago. 

I was told... "Shane, if this university was a country, it would last about a week before breaking apart in civil war!"

It sounds funny, but there is a kernel of truth to it. Think about it.
  • A university has a large population. 
  • Is highly diverse. 
  • Is geographically distributed. 
  • Has lots of politicized stakeholders and special interest groups. 
So, short of calling out the troops, what can you do to get everyone acting in a unified way online? 

The answer lies in recognising that professionalism in Web Governance must keep pace with online ambition.

That is, if you want a sophisticated online presence, you must invest in sophisticated web governance. Anything else is just wishful thinking.

In the first instance, this means adopting a better top-down model of online management. And second, it means investing in better bottom-up supports for staff, to help them maintain quality.

I examined both of these approaches in more detail in my webinar presentation.

You can watch a video recording here or download the slides below.