Township websites have unique requirements that differ from cities, villages, and other municipal entities. Township governance structures, service delivery models, and resident expectations create specific needs that your website must address. This guide covers what makes a township website truly effective and how to create one that serves your community well.
Understanding Township Website Needs
Townships occupy a distinct place in local government. In many states, townships handle road maintenance, property assessments, general assistance, and other functions differently than incorporated municipalities. Your website must reflect these realities.
Township-Specific Considerations
Governance Structure: Most townships have elected boards with supervisors, trustees, clerks, assessors, and other officials. Your website should clearly explain this structure and help residents understand who does what.
Service Boundaries: Townships often exist alongside incorporated municipalities. Residents may be confused about which government serves them. Your website should clarify service areas and boundaries.
Part-Time Operations: Many township offices have limited hours. Your website becomes the 24/7 front door that handles inquiries when the office is closed.
Volunteer Boards: Committees and advisory bodies may have high turnover. Your website needs easy-to-update structures for these groups.
For specialized township web solutions, see our township website design services.
Essential Features for Township Websites
Every effective township website needs these core features.
Clear Governance Information
Elected Officials:
- Names and photos of all elected officials
- Roles and responsibilities explained
- Contact information (within appropriate limits)
- Term expiration dates
- Election information
Meeting Information:
- Regular meeting schedule
- Meeting locations
- How to participate
- Agendas and minutes
- Video recordings if available
Organizational Structure:
- Org chart or visual representation
- Department descriptions
- Staff directory
- Chain of command for various issues
Property and Assessment Information
Property assessment is a core township function in many states.
Assessment Resources:
- Explanation of assessment process
- Assessment calendar and deadlines
- Appeals process and forms
- Tax calculation explanations
- Links to property lookup tools
Forms and Applications:
- Homestead exemption applications
- Senior exemption forms
- Veterans exemption information
- Assessment appeal forms
- Property transfer affidavits
Road and Infrastructure
Township road districts maintain significant infrastructure.
Road Information:
- Road maintenance schedules
- Snow removal priorities and policies
- Pothole and damage reporting
- Culvert and drainage information
- Bridge weight limits
Service Requests:
- Online request submission
- Request tracking
- Contact information for emergencies
- Response time expectations
General Assistance
Townships providing general assistance need:
Program Information:
- Eligibility requirements
- Application process
- Required documentation
- Contact information
- Privacy assurance
Sensitive Presentation:
- Non-stigmatizing language
- Easy-to-find but not prominently featured
- Clear next steps for those in need
Community Services
Beyond core functions, townships often offer:
- Senior services
- Youth programs
- Recreational facilities
- Community events
- Cemetery services
Each needs clear explanation, schedules, and contact information.
Design Principles for Township Websites
Great township websites share common design approaches.
Simplicity and Clarity
Township residents include all demographics—from tech-savvy young families to seniors with limited computer experience. Design for the least comfortable user.
Principles:
- Clean, uncluttered layouts
- Large, readable text
- High contrast colors
- Clear navigation labels
- Minimal jargon
Mobile Responsiveness
Many residents access government information on phones, especially when:
- Checking meeting times from work
- Looking up phone numbers while away from home
- Reporting road issues from the location
Your site must work flawlessly on mobile devices.
Intuitive Navigation
Organize content around what residents need, not internal department structure.
Task-Based Organization:
- "Pay Taxes" not "Assessor's Office"
- "Report a Problem" not "Highway Department"
- "Find Your Officials" not "Government"
Search Functionality:
- Prominent search bar
- Effective search algorithm
- Search suggestions
- Clear results
Accessibility
Accessibility compliance isn't optional. Your website must serve residents with disabilities.
Requirements:
- Screen reader compatibility
- Keyboard navigation
- Color contrast standards
- Alternative text for images
- Captioned videos
See our guide on accessibility mistakes on government websites.
Content Best Practices
What you say matters as much as how your site looks.
Write for Your Audience
Plain Language:
- Use common words (not government jargon)
- Short sentences and paragraphs
- Active voice
- Explanation of required terms
Helpful Tone:
- Friendly but professional
- Service-oriented
- Empathetic
- Action-focused
Keep Content Current
Nothing undermines trust like outdated information.
Maintenance Practices:
- Review calendar for annual updates
- Remove event info after events pass
- Update staff changes immediately
- Check links regularly
Provide Context
Don't assume residents understand government processes.
For Every Service:
- What it is and why it matters
- Who's eligible or affected
- How to participate or apply
- When deadlines occur
- Where to get help
- What to expect next
Integration and Automation
Modern township websites should integrate with other systems.
Payment Processing
Online payment options for:
- Property taxes (if township collects)
- Water/sewer bills (if applicable)
- Permit fees
- Recreation program fees
Integration with existing payment processors reduces manual processing.
Document Management
Automated systems for:
- Meeting agenda packets
- Minutes publication
- Required notices
- Public document archives
Notification Systems
Keep residents informed:
- Email newsletters
- Meeting notices
- Emergency alerts
- Event reminders
GIS Integration
Geographic information systems help residents:
- Verify service boundaries
- Find their district
- View property information
- Check road conditions
Case Examples: What Works
Learning from successful township websites:
Example: Effective Official Directory
Good approach:
- Photo, name, and title prominently displayed
- Clear explanation of responsibilities
- Contact information with expected response times
- Office hours noted
- Committee assignments listed
Why it works: Residents can quickly find and understand who handles their issue.
Example: Meeting Portal
Good approach:
- Calendar view of all meetings
- Filter by board/committee
- Quick links to upcoming agendas
- Historical archive searchable
- Video recordings embedded
Why it works: Supports public participation and transparency with minimal staff effort.
Example: Service Request System
Good approach:
- Simple form for common requests
- Photo upload capability
- Location input (address or map pin)
- Confirmation email with tracking number
- Status updates as request progresses
Why it works: Reduces phone calls, creates accountability, improves response.
Common Township Website Mistakes
Avoid these pitfalls:
Treating It Like a Brochure
Static websites that haven't been updated in years damage credibility and frustrate residents.
Fix: Commit to regular updates, even if just refreshing meeting information and news.
Hiding Contact Information
Making it difficult to reach actual humans frustrates residents with complex issues.
Fix: Prominent contact information on every page, with clear guidance on who handles what.
Ignoring Mobile Users
Township websites designed only for desktop computers exclude a growing portion of residents.
Fix: Responsive design that works on all devices, tested regularly.
Burying Important Information
Critical information hidden in dropdown menus or deep page hierarchies.
Fix: User testing to understand how residents actually look for information, then reorganize accordingly.
Outdated Design
Websites that look like they were built in 2005 suggest a township that doesn't keep up with the times.
Fix: Modern design refresh that signals competence and care, even on limited budgets.
Planning Your Township Website Project
Ready to improve your township website? Here's how to approach it:
Assessment
Start by understanding current state:
- What works well?
- What frustrates residents and staff?
- What information is most requested?
- What's outdated or missing?
- How does your site compare to peers?
A free website audit can provide objective assessment.
Goal Setting
Define what success looks like:
- Reduced phone inquiries for routine information
- Increased meeting participation
- Online payment adoption
- Positive resident feedback
- Staff time savings
Stakeholder Input
Gather perspectives from:
- Elected officials
- Department heads
- Front-line staff
- Residents (surveys, focus groups)
- Other townships for comparison
Budget Planning
Township website projects typically range from $20,000 to $70,000 for initial development, with ongoing maintenance of $4,000 to $10,000 annually.
See our guide on municipal website costs for detailed budgeting.
Vendor Selection
Look for vendors who:
- Understand township governance
- Have relevant government experience
- Prioritize accessibility
- Provide ongoing support
- Offer training for your team
Don't choose based on price alone—a poor website costs more in the long run.
Implementation Timeline
Typical township website projects take 4-8 months:
| Phase | Duration | Activities | |-------|----------|------------| | Discovery | 4-6 weeks | Requirements, content audit, planning | | Design | 4-6 weeks | Visual design, prototypes, approval | | Development | 6-10 weeks | Building, content migration | | Testing | 2-3 weeks | QA, accessibility testing | | Launch | 1-2 weeks | Deployment, training |
For detailed planning guidance, see our municipal website redesign timeline.
After Launch: Ongoing Success
A great website launch is just the beginning.
Content Governance
- Assign content ownership by section
- Establish update schedules
- Review accuracy quarterly
- Archive outdated content
Training
- Initial CMS training for all editors
- Accessibility refreshers
- New feature rollouts
- Documentation for reference
Monitoring
- Track analytics (visits, searches, etc.)
- Monitor accessibility
- Collect resident feedback
- Benchmark against goals
Continuous Improvement
- Add features based on needs
- Refresh design periodically
- Update technology as needed
- Stay current with best practices
Getting Started
At CivicSitePro, we specialize in township website design that serves your unique governance structure and community needs.
Ready to create a township website that truly serves your residents? Request a free audit of your current site, or book a consultation to discuss your project.