5 January 2006

Local authorities should be set new standards for website performance, according to a new report.

The Society of IT Management (Socitm) has recommended that a new level of attainment should be added to the existing ranks of website achievement.

The current ranking system starts from P (promotional), C (content), C + (content plus) and T (transactional).

The latest addition to the ranks will only be awarded for the highest possible achievement in website performance and will be represented by E for excellence and efficiency.

Commenting on the planned changes, Martin Greenwood from Socitm said: "We also needed a way to deal an emerging phenomenon we have called the 'patchwork' site, one which is great in some areas - let us say online forms - but dire in others, maybe its A to Z navigation or its accessibility.

"The new system of assessment will make clear where each site is doing well and equally where it needs to do better."

It is expected that these revised website performance ranks will come into effect after March 2006, following the completion of Socitm's report, "Better connected: aiming higher".

© Adfero Ltd

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