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Consideration for pursuing a website redesign
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Submitted by:
Ashlyn Weber, Communications Specialist
Department:
Administration
A. Issue
The City of Wauwatosa’s website, www.wauwatosa.net, has reached its useful shelf life. Our last website redesign was completed in 2017, leaving the city with almost 8 years of the same website functionality and customization options. To accommodate the changing landscape of website environments, including important accessibility standards and mobile-first optimization, it’s in the city’s best interest to pursue a website redesign.
Additionally, we were just notified that our website’s current platform, “Vision” by Granicus, will no longer be supported starting in July 2025.
B. Background/Options
We completed a website redesign with Granicus in 2017. Since then, the websites have evolved in best practices and standards, especially related to mobile-first optimization and accessibility.
To better understand current pricing for a project of this scope, the city has contacted vendors that offer content management systems tailored to government entities and municipalities. These vendors supplied an estimate of costs for their services. The city would need to go through the competitive RFP process to obtain services from any vendor. Pursuing this project is a forthcoming request in the 2026 budget.
Option 1: Granicus
Granicus is our current website provider. Over five years, the total cost of ownership of a newly designed website would be an estimated $153,117.89. This includes one-time setup and design fees, as well as annual costs. While Granicus is our current provider and can offer a newly designed website in its platform that will have support, we continue to face customer service challenges and concerns.
Option 2: GovStack
Over five years, the total cost of ownership of a newly designed website would be an estimated $92,500. This includes one-time setup and design fees, as well as annual costs. GovStack offers customizable website design templates, leading to a longer shelf life for a website.
Option 3: Local agency
The city could also explore working with a local agency to develop a newly designed website. While we haven’t obtained recent quotes from any local agencies, we are confident that a local partner could meet our needs and provide a cost-effective option worth considering. It’s possible that working with a local agency may involve more cost on the front end of this project, but the annual hosting fees could be significantly lower compared to other content management system vendors.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
This project could overlap many areas of our strategic plan, including transportation, safe community, healthy community, public spaces, and well-maintained infrastructure.
D. Fiscal Impact
For informational purposes only. This would be a 2026 proposed budget request.
E. Recommendation
For informational purposes only.