Spotlighting the Best of the Best Online

The Best of Web — an annual awards event sponsored by the Center for Digital Government — recognizes the most innovative and user-friendly state and local government Web portals.

First place in the State Portal Category was taken by Michigan (michigan.gov). Maine was second, and Utah third.

Seattle, Wash., won the 2006 City Portal Category (seattle.gov), with Tampa, Fla., in second and Louisville, Ky., taking the third spot.

Seminole County, Fla. (seminolecountyfl. gov), took the county portal award this year, followed by Fulton County, Ga., and King County, Wash., in second and third, respectively.

“The number one challenge is recognizing that anyone who uses any kind of a Web-based service is used to private sector Web sites. The private sector puts lots of time and money into making their sites user-friendly and utilizing the latest trends in Web-based technology,” says Michigan CIO Teri Takai.

Michigan added video streaming and blogs to keep its portal in step with those of private-sector counterparts. Michigan also implemented a 24 × 7 help-desk number that people can call to receive assistance navigating the state’s Web portal.

Michigan also ranked first in the Center for Digital Government’s Most Digitally Advanced State Government, a separate award announced in October.