The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) M-23-22 memo underscores the critical importance of adopting search best practices for government agencies, pinpointing it as a central pillar for delivering a digital-first public experience. This directive is not just about enabling easier access to information; it’s about transforming how the public interacts with government services, ensuring that information is not only accessible but also readily discoverable.
CivicPress, a WordPress theme designed specifically for government agencies, emerges as a solution to simplify harmonizing with the OMB’s guidelines. Among its myriad features, two aspects stand out for agencies striving to meet and surpass the search optimization criterion stipulated by the OMB: the integration with Search.gov service and the inclusion of leading SEO plugins like Yoast.
Integration with Search.gov
The memo explicitly calls for the integration with Search.gov, a service provided by the General Services Administration (GSA) that enhances the discoverability of government services online. CivicPress has taken a seamless approach by bundling a WordPress plugin that integrates directly with Search.gov. This feature not only ticks a crucial box in the compliance checklist but also significantly streamlines the search experience for users, ensuring that public queries are met with accurate, official responses.
SEO Optimization Through Premier Plugins
Acknowledging that discoverability extends beyond mere functionality, CivicPress can be bundled with SEO plugins such as Yoast. This integration facilitates the optimization of web content so that it ranks higher in search engine results, making it easier for the public to find the information they seek. By employing these tools, agencies can refine their digital content based on real-time SEO insights, ensuring their websites are not just compliant but competitive in the digital arena.
In essence, CivicPress offers a dual advantage for government agencies aiming to align with the OMB M-23-22 guidance. It not only fulfills the specific requirement for a robust on-site search function but also empowers agencies to adopt SEO best practices comprehensively. By choosing CivicPress, agencies can ensure their digital platforms are not only compliant but also at the cutting edge of public service delivery, guaranteeing that vital information is just a search away.