So … What’s Different?
Changes in the DHHS Website

“With the Website Redesign Project, we’re being more intentional and selective about how information is presented, and it’s having an impact. The numbers tell a startling story. Small changes make a difference, and big changes make a big difference. There’s a lot more in store for the site. I can’t wait to see what happens!” Linda Povlich, Senior Advisor to the Secretary

By Lois Nilsen, Project Director, DHHS Comprehensive Website Redesign Project

Notice a difference at www.ncdhhs.gov? A lot has been happening this year.

Some of the categories of information are new, and one has been retired.

• “Government” is a new section for state employees and local agencies.
• “Partners and Providers” is a new section for those we license, certify, or do business with.
• “Facts and Figures,” including news releases, statistics and high level publications for researchers, is also brand new.
• “Employees and Partners” (which had 21 links on it) has been replaced by Government and Partners and Providers. (with a combined 150 links)

Some of the categories of information were brought to the home page, such as Children and Youth, Families and Adults, Older Adults, Health, People with Disabilities, and Medicaid. These pages were one step down before, under What We Do.

In three months, the traffic to these pages has more than tripled.

The number of web pages that are two clicks away from the home page has doubled, from about 250 to about 500.

These changes are part of the DHHS Comprehensive Website Redesign Project. (How’s that for a mouthful!) The information you see on these pages is a collaborative effort of 80 people from across the department. These people sat down and hashed out such questions as … what do residents looking for health information want to see? What do researchers want to see? What about DHHS employees? And how should we organize all this information so they can find it?

So when does the look of the site start to change? Stay tuned for information about design in a future Employee Update.

The DHHS Website By the Numbers: