Subsites for local governments: smarter use for greater impact
In the increasingly complex world of digital services, subsites are a smart solution for local governments that want to tailor their message to specific target groups. Whether it concerns sustainability projects, housing construction, or recreational facilities, a subsite can help you communicate your message to residents in a more targeted and effective way.
But when does a sub-site really add value, and what are the potential pitfalls? We'll walk you through the pros and cons and give you examples from other local authorities!
What is a subsite and why should you consider one?
A subsite is essentially a separate website that is independent of the main website. This gives your municipality the opportunity to highlight a specific theme or project in a unique way. Think, for example, of a housing project or sustainability campaign. Subsites can have a completely different look and feel, a different tone of voice, and even a different house style, which you would be less likely to do on the main municipal page.
A good example of this is www.duurzaamkoggenland.nl. This site, focused on sustainability and the municipality of Koggenland, has a completely new house style that better matches the theme. It gives a fresh and modern look, while the municipal home page retains a more formal tone. This kind of flexibility is an important advantage of a subsite.
Advantages of a subsite
- More creative freedom.
A subsite gives you much more freedom in terms of design and tone of voice. Government websites are often bound by strict guidelines and have a formal appearance. But for a theme such as sustainability, or encouraging local employment, for example, a subsite allows you to adopt a more modern, friendly, and even playful tone. - Focus on clarity.
Using a sub-site ensures that your main page remains clean and organized. Major themes such as housing or sustainability can be given their own space so that your main website does not become overloaded with information. This makes it easier for visitors to find what they are looking for. - Application of commercial strategies.
Subsites also give you the opportunity to apply marketing strategies that may not always be appropriate on a main website. Consider, for example, a subsite for a swimming pool, sports center, or other commercial services. - Flexibility in management.
Another major advantage is that you can give different people access to specific subsites. For example, the spatial planning department can manage the subsite for housing construction, and HR can manage the subsite about employment. They then do not need access to the main website, which you may want to be managed solely by the communications & website department.
Disadvantages of a subsite
- Costs and maintenance.
A sub-site entails additional costs. Think of hosting, certificates, and maintaining a separate accessibility statement. In addition, the content on the sub-site must be updated regularly to remain relevant. For example, if you set up a sub-site for job vacancies, but you only have two open positions, this can be an expensive and time-consuming solution without much return. - Maintain an overview.
Multiple subsites can also cause fragmentation within your organization. The more websites you manage, the greater the challenge of maintaining an overview and consistency.
Good to know: with Shift2, you can bundle both your main website and all subsites into one clear CMS. This allows you to see all the subsites that are running in a single overview.
Make smart choices with Shift2! 🎯
When it comes to technical implementation, Shift2 always guarantees a solution that meets legal accessibility requirements. Our experience in setting up user-friendly and efficient subsites, such as Duurzaam Koggenland, helps local authorities save time and money while maintaining quality.
However, it is important to always carefully consider whether a subsite is the right solution. We are happy to work with you to develop a strategy that suits your organization and together we will create a sustainable, future-proof digital solution.
We can help you with every aspect of your sub-site, from advising you on whether a sub-site could add value to your business, to implementing and maintaining it (both technically and in terms of content), and designing the website. Our consultants are also happy to help you develop a good SEO strategy for your sub-site and provide support wherever possible.
