Helping Towns Transition to Official .gov Websites
Small rural towns need official .gov websites to build trust with residents and comply with transparency requirements. We handle the entire transition process—from registration to launch.
Start Your Town's .gov TransitionOur Complete 6-Step Transition Process
We handle every aspect of the .gov transition, so your town can focus on serving residents.
Login.gov Registration
We help get a town representative registered on login.gov to begin the official .gov website request process. We can serve as your town's designated representative if needed.
.gov Domain Request
Submit the official .gov website application for your town and manage the approval process. We handle all documentation and communications with the .gov registry.
Site Development & Training
While waiting for approval, we replicate your current website for the new .gov domain and provide comprehensive training for updates. We can also handle all website management ongoing.
Hosting Setup
Once your .gov domain is approved, we launch your new website. Choose between our managed hosting services or work with your town's preferred hosting provider.
IT Integration
Coordinate with your town's IT team (or provide IT services) to ensure smooth transition of email systems and website functionality to the new .gov infrastructure.
Launch & Transition
Provide official announcements for local papers, set up automatic redirects from your old website, and monitor the transition for several months until everything runs smoothly.
Why Your Town Needs a .gov Website
Enhanced Trust
Citizens immediately recognize .gov as official government communication, building confidence in your town's online presence.
Security Standards
.gov domains come with enhanced security measures and requirements that protect your town's data and residents' information.
Professional Image
A .gov website demonstrates that your town is modern, professional, and committed to transparent communication.
Compliance Ready
Meet federal and state requirements for government transparency and digital accessibility standards.
Questions About .gov Transitions
The .gov domain approval process typically takes 30-60 days after submission to the .gov registry. During this waiting period, we build and prepare your new website so it's ready to launch as soon as the domain is approved. The full transition from start to live site usually completes within 2-3 months.
Yes. The .gov registry provides .gov domains at no cost to eligible U.S.-based government organizations, including towns, cities, counties, and tribal governments. There are no annual domain renewal fees. The primary costs are website development, hosting, and ongoing maintenance—which is where GroundWorks comes in.
To qualify for a .gov domain, your organization must be a U.S.-based government entity—federal, state, local, or tribal. For municipalities, this includes towns, cities, villages, and counties. You'll need to verify your organization's identity through login.gov and provide authorization from a government official. GroundWorks handles the documentation and application process for you.
Your old website stays live throughout the entire transition process. Once your new .gov site is ready and approved, we set up automatic redirects from your old domain to the new .gov address, so residents who visit your old URL are seamlessly forwarded. We also coordinate announcements for local media. The old site is only retired after the new one is fully operational.
No. GroundWorks designs .gov websites specifically for municipalities without dedicated IT departments. We provide comprehensive training for staff updates, and offer ongoing managed services for hosting, security, and maintenance. The system includes automated compliance documentation and self-service portals that run without technical oversight.
Start Your Town's .gov Transition
Let's discuss your town's needs and start the transition to a professional, secure .gov website that your residents can trust.
Ready to Get Your Town's Official .gov Website?
Not sure where to start? Reach out and we'll walk you through the process and answer any questions about eligibility, timelines, and costs.
Schedule Your Free .gov Consultation