Choosing Right Partner for a Government Website

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If you're a state agency responsible for managing a vendor list, you know how critical it is to choose the right web development partners. The stakes are high: you're spending taxpayer dollars, serving diverse populations, and navigating complex compliance requirements that private sector companies never have to think about.

Over years working with state agencies and city governments, we've seen excellent vendor selections lead to transformative digital services—and we've seen poor choices result in costly do-overs, accessibility lawsuits, and frustrated citizens.

We’d like to share five key factors that we’ve found separate true partners who truly understand government work from vendors who just want another project in their portfolio.

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The biggest mistake state agencies make is choosing a web vendor with little to no experience working for government clients.

Instead of selecting a vendor well-versed in government needs, they may choose a large vendor based solely on size and client list. The problem is these vendors lack a true understanding and focus on government issues, outsourcing the work to a low-cost offshore developer. As a result, agencies end up with limited, low-priority products that still carry a premium price tag.

It’s great to have a modern design with fancy animations and visual complexity. But you are designing a site for a broad, diverse citizen audience that must cater to everyone — not just niche or commercial user bases.

Of course, you want a website that is engaging. But more importantly, the site has to load quickly and be accessible to everyone, and easy to understand.

Choosing the right web vendor for state agencies hinges on finding partners deeply experienced with government-specific needs, and not just flashy presentations. Agencies need a partner who understands the importance of accessibility, security, and site performance.

This can’t be stressed enough: accessibility and security aren't nice-to-haves—they're legal requirements and fundamental responsibilities. We’ve seen too many agencies scramble to retrofit accessibility features after launch because their vendor treated WCAG compliance as an afterthought.

The same goes for security. Government sites handle sensitive citizen data and need to meet rigorous standards like NIST guidelines and state-specific security protocols. Your development partner should be talking about these requirements from day one, not when you bring them up.

They should have staff who know Section 508 compliance, understand privacy requirements, and can explain their security practices in detail. If a vendor seems uncomfortable discussing penetration testing or vulnerability assessments, that's a red flag.

You need a partner who sees accessibility and security as foundational to good government web work—not obstacles to creative vision.

When evaluating any vendor, you don't just want to hear about their capabilities, you want to see proof. Request specific examples of projects where they've delivered compliant sites, not just sites they claim are "accessible." Ask them to explain their approach to security and data privacy.

The best predictor of future performance is past performance, so dig into their portfolio with pointed questions.

How many government sites have they launched that passed third-party accessibility audits?

What's their track record with meeting tight compliance deadlines?

A vendor might talk a good game about accessibility and security, but if they can't point to concrete deliverables, you're taking an unnecessary risk. Look for vendors who can walk you through case studies showing not just beautiful end products, but the rigorous process they used to ensure those sites met every compliance requirement your agency faces.

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Your web partner should communicate proactively and not just when problems arise. They should be able to explain technical concepts in plain language that your IT team, marketing team and executive leadership can all understand.

When vetting vendors, pay close attention to how they handle initial conversations. Do they listen more than they talk? Do they ask clarifying questions about our constraints and requirements? Are they responsive to emails and clear about timelines?

Communication breakdowns are one of the fastest ways for a project to go off the rails, especially when you're juggling multiple stakeholders, tight budgets, and compliance requirements. Find a vendor who treats communication as a core competency, not an administrative afterthought.

Here's something that often gets overlooked: your website isn't a one-and-done project. It's a living platform that will need updates, security patches, content changes, and ongoing optimization.

We’ve seen agencies get burned by vendors who build a site, hand over the keys, and disappear, leaving the agency scrambling when something breaks or new accessibility standards emerge. You need a vendor who views this as the beginning of a relationship, not the end of a transaction. They should be talking about post-launch support, maintenance agreements, and how they'll help you adapt as technology and regulations evolve.

Ask potential vendors about their client retention rates and their longest client relationships. Do they have government clients they've supported for years? How do they handle urgent issues or emergency updates? The right partner understands that government work means being there for the long haul, through administration changes, budget cycles, and the inevitable challenges that come with serving the public online.

Choosing the Right Web Vendor for Government Websites Doesn't Have to Be Overwhelming

The right partner is out there—one who understands the government's unique challenges and is committed to your long-term success. When searching for a web partner, focus on these five criteria, ask tough questions, and trust your instincts when something feels off.

If you're looking for a web development partner with deep government experience and a track record of delivering accessible, secure, and effective digital services, I'd love to talk. Reach out to discuss how we can support your agency's mission.