Web performance

We use a number of tools to measure the performance of our website.

Awards

North Devon Council won an award from the Society of IT Management (Socitm) 'Better Connected' Awards 2016 for "Best Shire District" website.

North Devon Council received a commendation for website accessibility in the 2011 Good Communication Awards.

North Devon Council ranked first in the SiteMorse survey of UK local authorities for quarter 4 2011, 3rd in quarter 3 2014, 2nd in quarter 4 2015 and first quarter 3 and quarter 4 2016.

'Better Connected'

The Society of IT Management (Socitm) surveys every UK local authority website every year. The Better Connected surveys test against specific scenarios reflecting services provided by local authorities - examples include finding information about planning; searching for car park details and charges.

Socitm's marking system has changed over the years. It currently uses a four star rating system with four being the highest rating.

Year Scoring system NDC Score
2018

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Awaiting results
2017

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Three stars
2016

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Four stars
2015

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Three stars
2014

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Three stars
2013

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Two stars
2012

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Two stars
2011

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Three stars
2010

Four stars=highest
One star=lowest

Two stars
2009

Excellent
Transactional
Standard

Transactional
2008

Excellent
Transactional
Standard

Transactional
2007

Excellent
Transactional
Standard
Unclassified

Standard
2006

Transactional
Content +
Content
Promotional
Unclassified

Content
2005

Transactional
Content +
Content
Promotional
Unclassified

Content

SiteMorse

SiteMorse provides subscribers with regular automated checks of website performance. The checks include:

  • accessibility: how the site meets the needs of all users irrespective of physical or other impairment (for example users with sight impairment or users with slow internet connection), measured against web accessibility standards 
  • code quality: measured against HMTL5 
  • functionality: how well the site navigation and web tools work
  • performance: the response speed of the website - how quickly it will load for users

SiteMorse publishes regular surveys of participating local authorities - monthly from January 2006 until December 2009, quarterly since January 2010.

See also:

web availability statistics from SiteMorse

Taken together with your comments and suggestions, the results of the surveys and audits feed into our web development programme.