Maryland Guidelines for Websites

Resident-oriented

Maryland.gov is the official website for the State of Maryland and is the primary resource for connecting residents and visitors to government information and services. This includes:

Online services/content aggregated by topic, geography, business, or individual (seniors/teens/kids pages, etc.).
Consistent communication channels between agencies and DoIT to ensure information and services are current and mapped into Maryland.gov.
Content on government web sites should always be simplified and written for the web (https://www.plainlanguage.gov).

Consistent

Maryland State Government websites adhere to common naming conventions, standard design characteristics and consistent functionality. Residents recognize these web sites by use of the maryland.gov sub domain, official State of Maryland crown logo, common design elements and content layout. The use of consistent links and functionality on all pages make the State’s web sites easier to use.

URLs for agency websites should be in the format of “agency.maryland.gov”.
The use of .com, .org and .net domains are discouraged and must be approved by DOIT prior to purchase and implementation.
Contact the service.desk@maryland.gov for agency template files.
Websites must include search functionality in the agency header.

Accessible

Web site design, functionality, and content will adhere to the State’s regulations for non-visual accessibility.

See https://doit.maryland.gov/policies/Pages/nva.aspx.
All websites must include the global statewide footer, which contains a link to the state’s accessibility policy.
Employ best practices of universal usability, including mobile and tablet devices.
Perform usability testing of web sites.
Ensure that websites are W3C validated. Email accessibility.doit@maryland.gov for assistance.
Ensure that web sites are tested for color contrast.
When critical information is presented as an image, make sure that it is also presented as text.

Transparent

Web sites must provide links to policies to ensure the appropriate protections and practices of the State and its citizens, to be located within the footer of all pages. Required policies include:

Accessibility
Privacy
Terms of use (security and linking)

Accountable

All Maryland Government pages must include the following in the agency footer (which sits above the global statewide footer).

Mailing address
Main Phone number
A “contact us” link that directs to centralized, uniform agency page of Maryland.gov phone directory

Enterprise features

Maryland government websites promote interaction between people and government. Websites must provide mechanisms for residents and visitors to provide input/feedback on information/services.

Uniform Contact Us pages
Surveys/feedback forms to solicit feedback and measure progress
Centralized alert notices (statewide navigation bar; governor image/link)
Web analytics
Personalization features and viewing tools
Email newsletter and RSS subscription services
Webcom site to enable statewide developers able to share essential and related updates, enhancements, feedback, and support.

Public records

Content published on public facing websites must align with the agency’s record retention policy in accordance with guidance provided by the State Archives on the management of public records. (http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/intromsa/html/record_mgmt/homepage.html)

Multi-media

Websites will promote access to content and events via a variety of media formats (audio, video, email subscriptions).

Quality controlled

The Statewide Web Lead community will serve as a collective governance body for maryland.gov to develop, promote, and monitor Maryland’s eGov presence. The group will be used to initiate collaborative projects for the use of shared tools such as mapping services, language translation, etc. and to promote interaction between agencies with common lines of business and or process to better service the State’s residents through the use of web technology.