During the first six months of 2003, 1,445,977 visits were made to CT.gov, an increase of 700,000, or 93 percent, from the same time period in 2002. The increase averages out to 241,000 additional site visits per month, compared to 125,000 the previous year. If current trends continue, CT.gov will receive at least 1.4 million additional visits per year.
"During these tough budget times, we must increase efficiency," Governor Rowland said. "We are using new Internet technology to improve services to citizens in a cost-effective manner and to meet citizen expectations for online, 24/7 access to government services. I am committed to expanding this technology to all state agencies as quickly as possible."
Using new technology and better navigation, CT.gov improves visitor's ability to find information and services on 312,000 separate Web pages among 60 state agencies in the executive branch simpler.
CT.gov features more intuitive categories such as Working, Doing Business, Living, Learning, and Visiting bring citizens to relevant information quickly rather than forcing them to hunt for the right agency Web site to answer their questions.
Other features include the On-Line Services section linking more than 46 electronic government services currently offered throughout state government. They include online income tax filing, business license renewal, campground reservations, complaint filing, college planning and more.
The Reading Room links to more than 1,000 online publications and fact sheets produced throughout state government. The publications cover a broad range of topics of interest to consumers, from perennial gardening and auto leasing to financial planning and playground safety.
The Subscription Center offers free, online subscriptions to state agency electronic publications, from the Garbage Gazette to the Banking Bulletin. It also provides opportunities for customers to sign up for "e-alerts" from state agencies that are using the new CT.gov portal software.
The How May We Help You Today? section features "front page" links to in-season and high-demand items, including finding legislators, a phone number, a tax form, and even a vacation.
The How Do I? section links to answers to 50 popular citizen inquiries, such as obtaining a birth certificate, getting a fishing license, voter registration forms and more. It also offers access to high-demand public lists and databases, including the top 100 tax delinquents, the state police sex offender registry, the "most wanted" escapees and "most wanted" deadbeat parents.
Chief Information Officer Rock Regan said, "This site will continue to evolve as features are added and individual agency sites are converted to the new format. Our end goal is a more user-friendly site for all citizens."
CT.gov was developed in response to Rowland's directive for a more advanced, citizen-focused Internet presence. It was designed by the state's new Portal Management Group, based at the Department of Information Technology, with input from staff across state government. More than 100 state employees have been trained in the use of the new portal software.
"CT.gov is more than a front page makeover," said Regan. "Almost 50 state agencies either have or are currently converting to the new portal format to create more consistency for our customers."
The first state agency site converted to the new portal format was the Department of Motor Vehicles. Since then, 17 state agencies have converted to the new format and 30 more are currently being converted, including the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor.
The total cost for the CT.gov project was less than $150,000. Using new technology called DSF (Dynamic Site Framework), the state conversion to the Internet portal is making it easier for state government to load more information, publications and services online and making it easier for citizens to use.
