Project Scope
Beginning State
Bryan County entered the project maintaining two concurrently funded website platforms: an outdated legacy site that remained in public use and a newer replacement site that had been launched but was pulled following an administrative review, leaving the website project unfinished. The redesign therefore needed to solve more than an aesthetic or usability problem. It needed to establish a single, sustainable digital platform capable of replacing both systems, eliminating redundant technology costs, and restoring confidence in the County's website strategy.
Project Objectives
Select a CMS that balanced functionality, flexibility, long-term value, and cost.
Consolidate the County's web presence into a single modern platform.
Develop a resident-focused information architecture organized around services rather than departmental structure.
Design an intuitive sitemap that simplifies navigation, improves information discovery, and provides multiple pathways to key services while maintaining a single authoritative source.
Migrate and modernize more than 200 pages, forms, documents, and digital resources.
Establish a cohesive visual design system through reusable page layouts, custom graphics, photography, videography, and multimedia assets.
Improve the user experience through accessibility, readability, and intuitive content organization.
Strengthen Bryan County's digital identity with a modern, community-focused online presence.
Reduce visual clutter while increasing access to information and services.
Eliminate redundant web services and reduce ongoing operational costs.
Deliver a scalable website that supports future growth and evolving County services.
My Role
As Communication Strategist for Bryan County, I led the majority of a comprehensive redesign and migration of the County's public website. The project involved restructuring a large government information ecosystem into a resident-focused digital service platform, migrating more than 200 pages and digital resources, developing the site's visual and content systems, coordinating requirements across County departments, and implementing the completed experience within a new CMS.
My responsibilities extended from initial research and vendor evaluation through information architecture, sitemap development, page design, content strategy, migration, custom HTML/CSS, photography, video production, graphic design, CMS implementation, stakeholder coordination, quality review, and launch preparation.
The Challenge
The existing website contained valuable information, but years of growth had led to:
Inconsistent page layouts and navigation
Duplicate or outdated information
Department-specific styling with little visual continuity
Dense content that was difficult to scan
Limited accessibility and readability
A digital experience that neither fully reflected Bryan County's identity nor effectively served the diverse needs and expectations of the residents, businesses, and visitors who rely on it.
The challenge was to modernize the experience without losing the depth, accuracy, and operational value of the County's existing information.
The Process
Research & Discovery
The project began with a review of both website platforms, supported by vendor research, evaluations of digitally mature county websites, and conversations with government peers. Findings related to information architecture, accessibility, design practices, and communication strategy informed the CMS selection and overall direction of the new website.
Strategic Assessment
During the discovery process, I also evaluated the County's existing digital services and workflows to identify opportunities for greater efficiency.
This review uncovered two separate software services that duplicated functionality already available within the County's existing website platform. Eliminating those redundancies immediately reduced unnecessary expenses while simplifying the overall digital ecosystem.
The evaluation identified the need for a platform that offered:
Greater design flexibility
Modern user experience capabilities
Complete administrative control
Reduced reliance on outside developers
The ability for staff to make future updates internally without ongoing development costs
The selected solution not only provided significantly greater flexibility but also eliminated recurring expenses associated with the previous platform and overlapping third-party services.
Estimated annual cost savings exceeded $50,000 while providing substantially greater functionality and long-term sustainability.
The Process
Information Architecture
Information was reorganized around how residents naturally search for services rather than how County departments are structured internally. Related content was consolidated, duplicate information was reduced, and new navigation pathways were developed to improve usability while supporting future expansion.
User Interface & Visual Design
A cohesive design system was developed to create consistency across more than 200 pages and digital resources. Standardized layouts, reusable components, typography, iconography, color systems, and visual hierarchy established a recognizable County identity while improving accessibility and ease of use.
Testing & Continuous Improvement
Throughout the redesign, pages were reviewed for content accuracy, layout consistency, readability, navigation, and responsive behavior. Stakeholder feedback and real-world use informed iterative improvements as departmental and resident needs evolved.
Content Strategy
Existing content was reviewed, rewritten, and reorganized using plain language principles to improve readability while preserving important legal, procedural, and regulatory information. The result was clearer communication that better serves residents while reducing the effort required to find information.
Front-End Development
Custom HTML and CSS enhancements extended the capabilities of the County's CMS beyond its default functionality. Reusable interface components, interactive elements, and responsive layouts provided a more engaging user experience while remaining maintainable for future development.
Project Outcomes
The completed project:
Consolidated the County's web presence into a single modern platform.
Migrated and modernized more than 200 pages, forms, documents, and digital resources.
Eliminated redundant web services, contributing to estimated annual savings exceeding $50,000.
Expanded administrative control so staff could manage future updates internally with less reliance on outside developers.
Established reusable visual and content systems capable of supporting future growth and evolving County services.