Worst & Best Government Websites

It's not easy, corralling and cajoling innumerable stakeholders into a decent website design. It's even harder when those stakeholders are part of a large government bureaucracy.

Here's a round-up of 2009's biggest offenders and brightest success stories.

The Worst Government Websites

Callum Chapman from Noupe.com shares the casualties of design by committee (at best) and negligence (at worst) in his round-up.

Iceland stands out as one of the worst, laden with truckloads of bureaucrat-speak and an uninspiring color palette.

See the full list of perpetrators at The Ultimate Ugly Showcase of Current Government Websites.

The Best Government Websites (U.S. focused)

To me, it's no accident that the winners of TypeSett's list of gorgeous government sites are highly targeted, audience-centric affairs. It's easier to form a focused design consensus when you know who you're targeting and why.

The U.S. Army website, for example, is a disciplined affair, well-honed on it's primary objective: recruitment.

See the full list at 10 Shockingly Beautiful Government Websites.

My Personal Favorite: Denmark

Though it suffers from an overly cutesy information architecture, the official site of Denmark is focused and soothing. With a restrained smattering of local photography and lifestyle highlights, it's inviting and warm.

 Runner Up: EPA Burn Wise program