The Take Up drive for local authorities

It typically costs 12p to support a customer completing an online transaction, compared with £2 for telephone support and £9 for face-to-face support.

Launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, the national take-up campaign focuses on fifteen key online services that will be promoted both nationally and regionally. Efficiency savings of  €1.8billion could be achieved if enough customers convert to using e-channels.

Why is the Take Up campaign so important?

During the Take Up campaign, local authorities will witness a major increase in new visitors to their websites, who will expect e-services to be a viable and preferable alternative to more traditional methods. It's estimated that up to 17.5 million citizens are ready to use online services but in order to retain this new influx of user interest, an excellent online experience is crucial. Poor website usability is at the core of the resistance to services take up.

Whilst it is recognised that the UK is leading the way in the provision of online council information and services, it is also acknowledged that some local authorities do not have any expertise or time to prepare for e-enablement.

Nomensa has the expertise to engage users in online services and foster long term adoption of e-channels.

Nomensa, the digital agency which specialises in perfecting online user experience, has a wealth of knowledge to share with local authorities. We were appointed to provide good practice advice for Local Directgov, producing the helpful Good Practice Guidance CDs and Usability Helpdesk.

Who has Nomensa worked for?

Nomensa has also successfully completed projects for a variety of key public sector clients including Haringey Council, Barnet Council, Dacorum Council, Allerdale Council, Barrow-in-Furness Council, Broads Authority, Department of Health (NHS Direct), Department of Work and Pensions, English Nature, Job Centre Plus, Cabinet Office, Office of the Rail Regulator, Health and Safety Executive and Postal Services Commission.

Nomensa services that will help drive take up of your website

Nomensa provide two usability services that will provide a significant return on investment to councils: an expert review of online services and user testing of transactional processes. These services will also help councils integrate usability good practice into their existing website design and development strategy – raising the level of internal knowledge. This good practice can then be applied across a council's entire website.

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