We’re heading into 2026, which means websites can’t lag behind on delivering the ultimate experience for their users. And government web design is no exception. You’ve probably witnessed it before: users experience frustration like no other when they’re navigating through a government website to complete a task they’ve been putting off in the first place, only to get a headache trying to find what they’re looking for. This can’t possibly be a thing anymore, right?
Unfortunately, it’s easy to stick to a legacy web solution, but your users will be the main ones suffering the pain points. That’s why we’re giving you the top priorities you need to keep in mind when redesigning your government website for 2026. Let’s dig in.
#1: Design Navigation for Real Humans
It’s no surprise, navigation is one of the most important parts of a government website, but one of the easiest places to overcomplicate things. It’s common for departments, internal org structures, and legacy content to drive the layout instead of the way actual residents search for information. The result? People can’t quickly tell where to go to get help or complete a task.
Instead, think about navigation from the resident’s perspective and use plain-language labels. Group content by what people want to do, not by how your internal teams are arranged. The goal is to help someone complete their task without needing to understand how your government is structured behind the scenes.
A great example of this is the work we did with Tulare County. We redesigned their navigation to directly support the most common needs of their residents, then added an “I Need To…” task-based menu to help people match their goal (like paying a bill or requesting a marriage license) with the right page instantly. No guessing. No digging. Just clarity.
#2: Create a Seamless Journey No Matter Where Users Click
A common challenge in government web design is maintaining a consistent experience across different department sites. When someone clicks from a main county homepage into another department area, it should still feel like part of the same overall website. If it suddenly looks or behaves differently, users may start to question whether they are still in the right place. That moment of uncertainty can cause frustration and break trust.
Visual consistency helps prevent this problem. Repeating the same header design, navigation structure, typography choices, and color palette creates a familiar environment that supports the user journey. This is especially important for counties where each department has its own content and priorities, yet all of them serve the same residents who simply want a smooth and understandable experience.
However, you do not have to redesign every element in order to begin improving consistency. Sometimes, introducing shared components, such as a universal banner on every page or a standardized layout template, can make a noticeable difference. This approach is demonstrated clearly on the Tulare County website. While individual departments manage their content, the overall design system ties each section together and provides a steady sense of location and clarity for every visitor.
#3: Custom Tools Where it Makes Sense
Custom applications can either make processes more complicated or a breeze, so you have to strike a balance with them. But when done correctly, you can provide your users with tools that make it easier for them to gather information or complete certain tasks.
For example, we designed and developed an outage mapping system for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power that makes it super easy for visitors to get up-to-date information on where the latest outages are.
#4: Prioritize Accessibility Wherever Possible
Government websites serve all residents, including people with disabilities, older adults, and those using mobile devices with limited connectivity. Accessibility is no longer optional. It’s a legal and ethical requirement.
This means designing for WCAG standards, including:
Clear, readable text with proper contrast
Keyboard-friendly navigation
Screen reader compatibility
Logical page hierarchy and headings
Accessibility doesn’t just help people with disabilities; it also improves usability for everyone.
#5: Optimize for Mobile and Multi-Device Use
Already, users are interacting with government websites from their phones or tablets first, so if you’re not prioritizing this going into 2026, you’ll start falling behind. If your site isn’t responsive, or if critical tasks are difficult to complete on smaller screens, visitors will get frustrated, more support calls/tickets will occur, and both your users and staff won’t be able to work efficiently.
Focus on:
Mobile-first design principles
Touch-friendly buttons and forms
Fast-loading pages (no one waits 10 seconds for a PDF to download)
Simplified forms and processes that don’t rely on desktop-only features
A strong example is our work with San Bernardino County School Systems, where we designed and built an internal accountability tracking system that’s fully responsive across computers, tablets, and mobile devices. This allows staff to conduct on-site audits at each school effortlessly, while easily recording and tracking the resources they need.
What’s Next for Your Government Website Design?
If you’re not sure where to take your organization’s website next, don’t sweat it. Start by looking at government sites that inspire you and take an honest look at your own site to see what’s working and what’s not working. If you’d like a professional perspective, web design is our jam (if you can’t already tell). Our team can evaluate your current web infrastructure and design to make educated recommendations that will help you achieve your goals.
Grab a quick call with us, and we will help make your next web design project a little less daunting for your team.
