Granicus

Unleashing the Potential of Inclusivity: The Granicus Culture Ambassador Program

Explore inclusivity with the Granicus Culture Ambassador Program, championing innovative workplace practices in a highly remote environment.

Latest Acquisition adds Permitting and Licensing capabilities to Granicus’ suite of government experience solutions

The Granicus family of government experience solutions is growing with the addition of SmartGov, a permitting, compliance, and licensing (PCL) technology

Creating a Successful Strategy for Website Redesign

Whether state, local, or federal, government websites live at the hub of any organization's digital strategies. Even when engaging with communities and For those looking for more detailed advice on preparing for the redesign process, here are some tips organizations should take to get the most out of this important opportunity

The Role of Digital Tools in Public Health: WA Notify Combats COVID-19 Spread in Washington State

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to public health systems around the globe. While traditional contact tracing methods and public

Increase Voter Engagement This Year for Better Turnout in 2024

The 2024 Election cycle is already underway. But municipalities across the U.S. are focused on local elections this November. While off-year election

10 Strategies to Boost Voter Turnout and Engagement in Local Elections

In this blog, we'll explore 10 effective strategies to increase engagement and participation in local elections in the Digital Age.

Digital Transformation Takes Time

Agencies need to start communicating about digital transformation now. Learn what federal leaders should consider as they develop CX improvement plans.

3 Tips for an Intuitive Government Website Experience

Learn three tips for making government websites that meet expectations while enhancing transparency, accessibility, and engagement.

Understanding/Working with Automated Website Accessibility Reports

Granicus provides detailed steps on how to best decipher and respond to automated accessibility reports to increase government website accessibility.

How Schools Can Easily Manage the Flood of Public Records Requests

Public records requests are up at schools, both in number and complexity. What is driving this surge in requests, and how can software help?

Creating a Passenger-Centric Ecosystem: Understanding and Meeting Transit Needs

An engagement ecosystem is a strategy that captures and acts on user research over time. Without it, you won’t know what works for your community.

Building Processes for Body-Worn Camera Video FOIA Requests

How small police, sheriff, and corrections departments can create effective processes for body worn camera (BWC) freedom of information (FOIA) requests.

Automated Accessibility Scanners and Their Uses

Technology allows a broader reach in engagement efforts, many communities find that a “silent majority” still struggles to have their voices heard.

Digital Communications & Engagement Gives Voice to the Silent Majority

Technology allows a broader reach in engagement efforts, many communities find that a “silent majority” still struggles to have their voices heard.

Data Helps Create Efficient, “Just Right” Government Websites

With Granicus Governments can use data to understand how customers interact with their website and adjusting to dramatically improve CX.

Why Internal Newsletters Can Help Organizational Project Awareness

Internal newsletters and communication best practices. Learn the benefits, best practices, & distribution options for internal newsletters.

Common Misconceptions Short-Term Rental Hosts Have About Regulations

Let's focus on some common STR industry misconceptions regarding regulations — from a host’s perspective. 5 host misconceptions discusssed.

Why Customer-Centric Strategy is Vital for Digital Service Adoption

Customer experience (CX) has become a driving force in digital communications. As more and more people conduct their daily business through digital

How Shifting CX Philosophy Can Empower Agencies

For almost as long as there have been governments, people have complained about how difficult, time consuming, and often confusing it can be to take the

Trust and Equity Reimagined Through CX

How government agencies can advance their equity - key areas for agencies to consider when evaluating their current CX.

Granicus’ annual Digital Government Awards now open for public sector nominations

Granicus, the leading provider of government experience cloud tools, is now accepting nominations for their annual Digital Government Awards. Starting May

Three Keys to Efficient Short-Term Rental Enforcement

If you’ve been tasked to enforce a short-term rental (STR) program, these three quick tips — shared by Pete Roque, code enforcement director at 4 Leaf,

Addressing Federal Labor Issues with Positive Digital Experiences

Federal agencies find themselves in a unique situation when it comes to employee attrition and rehiring. Many are facing personnel shortages and need to

Long term digital plans are critical to address federal workforce shortages

While the last two years have shown the resilience, adaptability and ingenuity of governments at all levels, ongoing challenges in recruitment and

The Four Most Impactful Types of SMS Messages for Government Communicators

Outreach and engagement between governments and the communities they serve have significantly changed over the last five years. Whether due to forced

Reinventing EngagementHQ: The vision behind our new redesign

We've redesigned different parts of our product many times over the years, and the evolution always starts with one thing: a clear product vision. Product

What is an engagement ecosystem and how can agencies use it to learn about users and create services that meet their needs?

An engagement ecosystem is a strategy that captures and acts on user research over time. Without it, you won’t know what works for your community.

Building Better CX Across Agencies Thanks to Biden’s Proposed 2024 Budget

The Biden Administration’s proposed 2024 budget supports agency efforts to deliver improved experiences for their customers. This budget highlights the

Paradigm-Shifting Tips to Elevate Your CX Strategy

Make the operational connection between communications and service delivery. Elevate your customer experience strategy and improve resident experience.

10 Tips for Dealing with Excessive Public Records Requesters and the Media

Cindi Mansell — veteran records manager — broke down 10 time-tested tips to help you deal with excessive public records requesters and the media.

The Unflinching Secret to Accomplishing More in Government: Process Improvement

Like a shrewd magician, Brian Elms seems to possess the ability to find time and efficiencies that weren’t apparent before. But instead of allowing you to

Leading A Digital Transformation for Civic Engagement: The City of Olathe

The City of Olathe revolutionizes its digital experience. With a system that offers citizens and staff an engaging, transparent, and accessible experience.

Honoring Granicus Colleagues and Loved Ones Who Serve

Service and sacrifice come in many forms. In honor of Veterans Day, we’re recognizing Granicus colleagues and their loved ones who have and continue to

Accessibility for All: ADA Considerations for Public Meetings

Understanding and meeting the needs of users with accessibility issues helps online public meetings increase interaction and engagement. 

Accelerating the Government Constituent Experience: A Closer Look at the Importance, Trends, and Challenges of CX

The constituent experience (CX) in government has become a priority following the 2021 Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience.

How to Build Critical Family Engagement in Title I Schools

Engagement has long been a cornerstone for crafting effective and successful policy at all levels of government. The importance of an engaged audience

Bringing together years of leadership in delivering citizen experience solutions to government

Over the past couple of years, governments have experienced challenging times as the push for digital transformation has accelerated, and citizens

FOIA 101: Demystifying Public Records Laws in Each State

From request management to automating workflows, government agencies can find efficiencies with public records software solutions. Public records laws go

Six Tips for Making Short-Term Rental Regulations Effective

Vacation and short-term rentals are nothing new. For decades, second homes and other income-generating properties in popular tourist destinations have

Jefferson County’s Innovation Programs Transform Digital Government

Innovation Program Manager Marlin McDaniel leads a team focusing on the future of digital government improvements in Jefferson County, CO.

How Building a Seamless Digital Service Experience Helps Governments

Of all the lasting impacts brought by the COVID pandemic, one that seems to have completely changed the way that people interact with businesses,

Lending Hosts a Helping Hand in Compliance

Despite the economy, people still want to travel. Economic uncertainty currently dominates the headlines, fighting for mindshare with the average

Project Hand Sanitizer

How the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Used Social Media to Combat the Widespread Misuse and Accidental Ingestion of Hand Sanitizers During the

HMPXV (Monkeypox) – What You Need to Know

With COVID infections still spreading more than two years into the pandemic, a new public health threat is on the rise. HMPXV, commonly known as

3 Ways Governments Can Combat Monkeypox Misinformation

The rapid growth of confirmed monkeypox cases in the U.S., as well as related headlines in the media, is causing greater uncertainty and fear among the

Understanding Audiences and Creating Effective Communications in Government

Brand awareness and audience engagement stand as critical factors for success in private sector businesses. But in an age where digital connectivity has

Innovation, Environmental Asset Management, and Public Engagement

City staff sought digital tools that would help them engage more effectively with all residents and maintain responsible environmental stewardship.

The Evolution and Future of Digital Government

With more of people’s daily activities conducted online, digital government has become a lifeline and an expectation in communities large and small.

Building Workforce Relationships with Hard-to-Reach Communities

One of the longest-lasting symptoms of the COVID pandemic continues plaguing communities around the country and the world: The economic impact. From

What Pride at Granicus Means to Our Community

The workplace is a collection of stories, lived experiences, identities, interactions, and beliefs that all influence how we show up for ourselves and for

What if public meetings were more accessible?

The new Ebook from granicus discusses the potential of digital public meetings to improve accessibility and increase public participation.

Not All Engagement is Created Equal: Social Listening versus Community Engagement

Citizens expect digital engagement from Government. Learn the difference between social listening and community engagement for better online consultation.

Could Your Customer Experience (CX) Project Qualify for the $100 Million Dollar Technology Modernization Fund (TMF)?

The TMF was authorized and funded by the Modernizing Government Act in 2017 as an innovation vehicle for agencies to upgrade aging technologies. Last

Creating a Community Engagement Plan

A well-designed engagement strategy helps connect a community and fortunately, there are clear steps to follow to develop an engagement plan.

The Complicated Nature of Juneteenth

My personal account as a Black woman from Texas If you’re anything like me, you roll your eyes whenever you see one of those obligatory holiday posts from

Creating a Governance Framework for Effective Records and Information Management

Learn how to develop a records and information governance framework within Government organizations and create more successful programs.

14 Catalysts for Maturing Public Records Request Processes

Approaching public records requests with technology saves public agencies time and money. Learn best practices to reduce response times and stay compliant.

Honoring Asian Pacific American Heritage in the Workplace

Granicus wanted to explore these truths across our community while also honoring Asian Pacific American heritage through the lens of diverse voices.

Meeting Increased Public Demand for Digital Services

People aren’t just becoming more digitally savvy. They have integrated digital services into their daily routines, in many cases coming to rely on the

What to Look For in a Meeting Partner: Why Security and Reliability Remain Critical

Digital technology changed the landscape of government services significantly over the last few years. Keeping active access to public meetings was

What to Look for in a Meeting Partner: Compliance and Transparency Builds Better Experiences

Automated, secure, and reliable tools give a complete solution of modern capabilities to provide civic records quickly with less demand on staff to serve

Digital Tools Government Agencies Need to Meet Public Record Demands

Public records requests are an important facet of state and local government administrative operations even if they don’t take up a large portion of an

What To Look For in a Meeting Partner: Advances in Automation and Efficiency

Crisis often leads to innovation. And in the last three years, governments have found that old saying to be true. Growing demand for information and

Building Digital Accessibility for City Government

Digital government continues to grow, changing the way that residents and government workers interact with everything from communications to completing

Five Ways That Body-Worn Camera Footage is Impacting Public Records Requests

The relationship between law enforcement and the public has always been one that requires great nuance, care, and understanding. Transparency, trust, and

Building a Lifeline: How Governments Can Avoid Drowning in Records Requests

Public records requests, also known as FOIA requests, are on the rise around the country, and those requests are increasing in complexity. Between 2018

Are Email & Spreadsheets Leaving Agency Records Requests Exposed?

Government agencies face a constant battle against the clock when it comes to receiving public records requests and getting responses out in a timely

Clerk Spotlight: Lewisville, TX

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  Lewisville, TX, is a suburb

Clerk Spotlight: Colorado Springs, CO

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  If you drive about an hour

Clerk Spotlight: Broken Arrow, OK

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  Broken Arrow, a city in

How the Executive Order Will Change Federal Customer Experience Leadership

President Biden’s new Executive Order (E.O.) on “Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government” may be the

Is it Really a Hostile Community or is it a Community Reacting with Hostility?

In the context of community engagement, we’re sometimes asked how to deal with hostile communities. As with so many things, prevention is better than

Sparking and Growing Positive Public Engagement

In government positive public engagement can lead to growth and success. Negative engagement can lead to unrest and failure of initiatives.

Equity & Engagement: Bridging the gap between government and underserved communities.

Underserved communities were given that unfortunate little moniker because they are difficult to reach and therefore serve for a range of regrettable

Merriam, KS, Improves Digital Experience with OpenCities and OpenForms

Merriam, KS, replaced the paper processes that were bogging their HR department down. And in doing so, created new UX insights. Here's how!

Clerk Spotlight: Milwaukee, WI

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is

New State Online Permitting Bills Confirm Digital Government Future

With states passing online permitting laws, digital changes to government processes are the future and not the daunting task it might have once seemed.

Why Low-Code Solutions Provide Answers and New Challenges

The growth of low-code tech shows governments are moving toward an environment with customizable, digital answers to the problems of outdated legacy tools.

Clerk Spotlight: Orange County, FL

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  Orange County, Florida, is

Weekly Welcome: A Busy International Airport, a Thriving Public School District, and a Small Town

Highlighting three dramatically different customers who sought to improve their meeting minutes and agenda process through digitization.

Orange County’s 20 Years of Digital Government Innovation

For over two decades, support and customer service from Granicus has helped Orange County develop digital government solutions and create innovations.

Welcoming GovQA, the Newest Addition to Our Civic Engagement Platform

Announcing our acquisition of GovQA, the nation’s leading provider of public records management and compliance workflow solutions for government.

Clerk Spotlight: North Bay Village, FL

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  North Bay Village is a

Annual Benchmarking and Community Engagement Site Review Can Improve Engagement

For Bayside Council (NSW) benchmarking analysis of key performance data gives insights to further improve online engagement projects.

State of Digital Government Survey: Government workers across the country have spoken.

After surveying over 1,500 local, state, and federal government employees, we discovered a marked trend toward the continued use of technology to

Announcing the 2021 U.S. Digital Government Award Recipients

We are delighted to announce the winners of the 2021 Digital Government Awards. Over the past 12 years, this awards program has given us a chance to

Apple Devices and the Future of Open Rates

The Latest iOS Release Could Change Email Metrics Forever As exciting new features and functions are introduced, Apple iOS releases are becoming as highly

Uncovering the Pandemic’s Long-Term Effects on Digital Transformation

The State of Digital Government Report Throughout COVID-19, governments had to accelerate digital transformation to effectively engage with their

Low-Code Solutions: Taking Control, Increasing Innovation, Saving Time

In a world of “drag-and-drop” and “plug-and-play” technology, low-code solutions offer the convenience of customized software while providing ongoing

The Magic of Being Prepared: Why proactive communication is king.

The trouble with a crisis is, you rarely see it coming. And most of the time, a critical element to preventing, preparing for, managing, and learning from

Clerk Spotlight: City of Olathe, KS

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration. Located smack dab in the

How Local Governments Can Approach State Preemption When Regulating Short-term Rentals

From a 30,000-foot view, the short-term rental (STR) market has established itself as a core part of the tourism industry. But if you zoom in, it becomes

EngagementHQ + govDelivery = Connected Communities

Community leaders should strive to be in a perpetually open and honest conversation with their community. Every strong communicator knows that effective

Smart use of Technology Can Power Government Budget Recovery

The gradual reopening of the economy as vaccination rates increase will help communities recover, particularly as remote work enables more flexibility.

Public Meetings: Video Stream Simulcasting Broadens Constituent Access

New innovations often come out of crisis. For public meetings, many governments now have new ways to gain constituent input, management and issue tracking. 

Welcome to govCommunity!

Communicators grow by sharing their experiences. Our new online forum govCommunity allows you to directly share what’s been working in your communities.

Expanding Our Civic Engagement Platform

Granicus’ latest development brings civic engagement full circle Growth is essential, from the smallest towns to the largest metroplexes, from remote

Clerk Spotlight: City of Hallandale Beach, FL 

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration. Hallandale, Florida, is a

Upcoming Event: The Tools Your Government Needs to Address the Unknowns of Tomorrow

If 2020 taught us nothing else, it taught us the importance of resilience...digital resilience, in particular. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve learned to

Website Templates Create Better Digital Experiences

Create successful online experiences thanks to effective website templates built in Granicus' Landing Page Library for govAccess.

Weekly Welcome: Highlighting Our Latest Customers

This week’s installment showcases a breadth of communities and organizations, each using Granicus solutions to meet their modernization needs. In doing

How to Gather Community Feedback for an Effective Short-Term Rental Program

As the short-term rental market continues to grow, communities are working to create policies that ensure disparate groups within the industry are

Clerk Spotlight: City of Ferndale, MI

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration. Ferndale, Michigan, is a

Weekly Welcome: Short-Term Rental Monitoring in Communities Large and Small

Highlighting Our Latest Customers In this week’s installment, we’re highlighting three vastly different communities united by a common concern: short-term

The Future of Public Meetings

Digital services have transformed the way that people interact with their government, providing access and information in areas such as public meetings.

Preparing for the Rise in Short-Term Rental Tourism

Short-term rentals (STRs) saw unique growth during the pandemic. Already gaining in popularity, this alternative lodging option moved from a niche market

Making ARPA Work for You: Funding to Increase Resident Engagement

The American Rescue Plan (ARPA) provides funding channels that allow governments to build digital solutions that generate greater resident engagement.

American Rescue Plan Funding and Short-Term Rentals: Connecting the Dots 

If you’ve been looking for funding and technology to help you solve short-term rental (STR) challenges and generate new revenue at the same time, you’ve

Weekly Welcome: Punta Gorda, FL and Weston, FL

Each week, we highlight our newest customers, including those strengthening their civic engagement tools with additional Granicus services. This week we focus on two Florida cities that have done just that: Harnessing the shared power of using multiple Granicus products as they create a more transparent, accessible, and modern government for their residents.

Making ARPA Work for You: Improving Digital Government With ARPA Funding

American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding provides the means for governments to evolve their digital solutions to further modernize the resident experience.

Virginia Department of Health Turbocharges Vaccine Communications

How Granicus Helped The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is the challenge of a lifetime for many state and local governments. With the urgency of the

Weekly Wins: Skagit County, WA and Treasure Island, FL

We’re showcasing new customers and highlighting some of their unique characteristics that led them to the Granicus civic engagement platform.

Clerk Spotlight: Saint Paul, MN

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  Saint Paul is Minnesota’s

Introducing Weekly Wins

We’re showcasing new customers and highlighting some of their unique characteristics that led them to the Granicus civic engagement platform.

10 Things You Need to Know About Short-Term Rentals and Government

Because of the success of platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Flipkey, the short-term rental (STR) market is a growing phenomenon that’s here to stay. While

Clerk Spotlight: Mendocino County, CA

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration.  Atlas Pearson is not your

Partnering with FedRAMP to Build a Strong Defense in the Cybersecurity Wars

Cybersecurity is always at the forefront of any government leader’s mind. The Russian attack on SolarWinds software products in December reminded everyone

How Homeowners Associations Ease Short Term Rental Disruption in Their Communities

Over the last year, travelers have developed a sizable preference for short-term rentals (STRs) over hotels or other more traditional lodging options.

The Challenges State Governments Face When Collecting Taxes from STRs

Taxing STRs can replenish some of the tax revenue lost during the pandemic and provide funds moving into the budgetary constraints of the coming years.

Serving the Underserved – Accessing Hard to Reach Populations

At Granicus, we remain committed to providing the tools and resources that will help governments connect with underserved and hard-to-reach populations.

Optimizing Gov’t Vaccine Communication Engagement

With COVID vaccination communications strategy, who the information is coming from can have just as much impact on engagement as the details.

Too Much of a Good Thing? Addressing Misinformation in Vaccine Enthusiasm

With vaccine enthusiasm on the rise, communicators must provide messaging that addresses hesitancy issues while keeping post-vaccine expectations realistic.

When Will the Next Crisis Hit?

Leaders know underlying problems exist and ignore them because they might not be pressing on a given day. Preparing for crises before they happen is key.

Clerk Spotlight: City of Fullerton, CA

Behind every successful government is a clerk keeping it all together through technology and cross-department collaboration. Nestled just north of

Attack Vaccine Hesitancy by Understanding Vaccine Communications Audiences

In order to overcome vaccine hesitancy, successful COVID vaccine communications will need to be agile and easily executed, but with an understanding of

Why Short-Term Rental Ordinances Fail — And a Few Ways to Ensure Success

The modern world is adapting to an economy that removes the middleman: the sharing economy. It’s one of the fastest-growing sectors of today’s world

We’re Thrilled to be a GovTech 100 Company Again

Granicus is on the GovTech 100 list for the sixth consecutive year. Our civic engagement platform has been featured every year since the list’s inception.

Why a Multi-Channel Strategy is Critical to COVID Vaccine Comms

While the number of people expressing trust in the COVID vaccine process is increasing, recent surveys show that nearly 30% of the population is hesitant

The Foundational Steps to Increase Engagement with COVID-Vaccine Communications

For many governments, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed them to develop timely and effective strategies for messaging around public health awareness. While

Granicus Sees Record-Breaking Citizen Engagement During Vaccine Rollout; Here’s How Governments Can Meet Unprecedented Demand

Granicus wanted to better understand how federal, state and local governments are engaging with communities to aid in vaccine distribution.

Customer Engagement and Trust in Government: Divergent Paths?

Governments that embrace the customer experience can unleash engagement opportunities that will build trust in our public institutions.

Granicus’ 2020 Citizen Engagement Benchmarks: Websites

How did your organization compare? As we move forward into 2021 and begin incorporating lessons and efficiencies created in the past year, metrics remain

Stimulus Relief Funding FAQ

Stimulus relief funding: how state and local governments can use these resources for vaccine preparedness, vaccine communications, and vaccine distribution.

Granicus’ 2020 Citizen Engagement Benchmarks: Video Increases Access

Technology played a major role in helping keep day-to-day activities moving in 2020. Once seen as a convenience to business travelers and remote workers,

Stimulus Funding Under the Biden Administration

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act stimulus package provides relief funding to small and local governments.

How Short-Term Rentals Can Help State and Local Governments Identify Homestead Exemption Fraud

Each year, the U.S. loses over a billion dollars to homestead exemption fraud; squandering funds that would otherwise be used to support schools, public

Combining Services to Efficiently Meet the Needs of a Growing Suburb

With a bustling town of more than 80,000 residents, Shelby Township’s leaders knew the time was right to replace their outdated website with a modern,

Granicus’ 2020 Citizen Engagement Benchmarks: Email

How did your organization compare? Let’s face it, your urge to put 2020 in the rear-view mirror is probably strong. But to do so would overlook the

Data Science Helps Cut Through Holiday Chaos for Transportation and Transit

Holidays are often seen as a chance to relax, an opportunity for reflection thanks to a day or two away from the hectic flow of the regular workplace. But

How to Audit Short-Term Rentals Efficiently and Effectively

State and local revenues are feeling the impact of a decline in consumer consumption caused by COVID-19. The longer people stay home, the more taxes and

Building Trust, Participation in the COVID Vaccine Process

The release of COVID-19 vaccines has helped begin 2021 on a hopeful note for people around the world.   But behind the headlines, officials at all levels

The Next Round of Stimulus Funding

Congress has agreed on a new relief stimulus bill! What we can do to help prepare you to take advantage of this future stimulus funding.

2021 Trends: From Crisis, Innovation

COVID forced governments to digitally adapt in 2020. Which changes will become best practices for digital government services in 2021 and beyond?

Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, and Other Digital Risks: What You Need to Know

The threat of cybercrime continues to rise, and the stakes get higher with each data breach. Nation states, organized crime groups, and individuals are

For Local Leaders, the Meaning of Digital Government Has Changed—and That’s a Good Thing

CIOs and thought leaders discuss how local governments responded to COVID and how they will continue to make digital advancements in spite of it.

Considering a Digital Transformation? Start with Civic Engagement.

One of the first questions some ask is, with all the pressure governments are under these days, why should modernizing civic engagement be a priority?

How to Build a Short-Term Rental Enforcement Program That Benefits Government’s Bottom Line

As the industry grows during and beyond the pandemic, it’s essential that governments learn how to effectively manage STRs to keep their communities safe.

Granicus Announces Lucinda Williams as 2020 Clerk of the Year

Granicus is pleased to recognize Lucinda Williams, City of Fullerton’s City Clerk / Clerk Services Manager, as 2020 Clerk of the Year

Granicus Acquires Calytera and What It Means for You

As you may have heard, we announced exciting news today with the Granicus acquisition of Calytera. With Calytera’s unparalleled experience delivering

Building Your Platform – A Bite-Sized Approach to Digital Transformation

This year has brought a number of new challenges for government agencies and, along with those challenges, a host of new buzzwords. Terms like “digital

Election Security: Important Advice and an Offer for Enhanced Support from Granicus

Cybercrime is at unprecedented levels as the USA enters the final phase of election preparations. Nation states, organized crime and individuals are all

State and Local Government Agencies: The CARES Act Can Fund Short-Term Rental Compliance—Here’s How

When the pandemic first hit the U.S., lockdowns began and markets slowed. And as stay-at-home orders went into effect, all non-essential travel was put on

Top Takeaways from Granicus Summit

Granicus hosted its first-ever Virtual Summit last week, with more than 800 federal, state, and local government leaders who attended from across the

Granicus Virtual Summit: How Government Has Reimagined What’s Possible in 2020

On October 6, Granicus hosted its first-ever Virtual Summit, with more than 800 federal, state, and local government leaders who attended from across the

Minnesota Leads the Nation in Census Self-Response: Here’s How They Did It

The difference in a few thousand census responses can lead to much-needed funding. See how Minnesota is using email to ensure every person counts.

5 Ways to Make Emails More Accessible

When you have something important to say, you want to make sure it's heard. Check out these five tips for more accessible emails.

Online Comments Give Residents a Voice During Public Meetings

Constituents are more interested in government’s decision-making process than ever. These two cities are using tech to manage public participation. See how.

govAccess Refresh: What’s Changed?

Get excited: govAccess, Granicus’ government website design software, is getting a facelift. See what you can expect when you log in next.

A Complete and Accurate Census Requires Your Attention Now

Last fall, Granicus CEO Mark Hynes wrote in US News and World Report that a complete and accurate census count is essential for the proper functioning of

New Research Shows COVID-19 Drives Government Digital Transformation 

The last few months have been challenging for government agencies, to say the least. COVID-19 put government service and communication capabilities to the

[CARES Act FAQ] 4 Steps to Secure Grants for Your Digital Transformation

What's the key to a winning CARES Act proposal? Get started with these tips to securing grants for your agency's digital transformation.

[CARES Act FAQ] What Govs Need to Know About the CARES Act

Find answers to your most frequently asked questions about the CARES Act and discover how you can secure this much-needed funding.

How to Run Remote Public Meetings

Discover time-saving tips for running a remote public meeting. These how-tos will help you citizen engagement and decrease workload.

This Metro City Handled 3,000 Short-Term Rental Applications While Working Remotely

See the software and find out how — with just 20 minutes of training — a city was able to successfully process 3,000 applications while working remotely.

Digital Public Meetings? This City Has It Figured Out

A few thousand citizens are tuning in to San Francisco’s virtual public meetings and webinars. See the software that enables their success.

COVID-19 Email Highlight of the Week #5

See a public sector email that shines, giving citizens information focused on their well-being and promoting government transparency.

COVID-19 Email Highlight of the Week #4

In this regular post, see how a public sector email engages residents to access critical information and programs.

To Manage Pandemic Unemployment, This State Agency Adopted a New Digital Service

See how Oklahoma is responding to unemployment with a new digital service where residents can file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

Short-Term Vacation Rentals After COVID-19: What Will Change?

What is the future of short-term rental regulations post COVID? The founder of Host Compliance gives his predictions.

COVID-19 Email Highlight of the Week #3

In this regular post, see how a public sector email connects businesses to critical information.

With One Email, This City Raised $11k for a Food Shelter During COVID-19

See the email and find out how — with just the click of a button — a city was able to direct community goodwill toward residents in need.

COVID-19 Email Highlight of the Week #2

In this regular post, discover an engaging public sector email connecting residents to critical information.

COVID-19 Email Highlight of the Week #1

In this regular post, discover a notable public sector communication connecting public audiences to critical information.

Responding to COVID-19, This State Agency Quickly Launched a Popular Digital Service

See how Oklahoma is responding to COVID-19 with a new online driver's licensing service that lets residents renew from the safety of their home.

[COVID-19 FAQ] How to Use govMeetings With Video Conferencing Software

Need help running public meetings with teleconferencing software? We've got your covered.

Granicus Releases Free Website Tools to Help Agencies Combat COVID-19 Misinformation

At Granicus, each one of our employees stands behind our local, state, and federal government leaders during this public health crisis as you fight this

With Digital Services, This City Is Open for Business During COVID-19

See how the City of Hoyt, Kansas, is actively promoting digital service delivery options to reduce in-person visits during the coronavirus pandemic

3 Ways Governments Can Combat Misinformation During COVID-19

The rapid growth of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is causing greater uncertainty and fear among the public. As the coronavirus spreads, so too has

Want Help With COVID-19? Join govCommunity

We at Granicus have heard from hundreds of government communicators looking for tips, use cases, and best practices on managing the COVID-19 crisis. We

Gov Communicators Need to Connect With Isolated Residents, Say Researchers

More and more Americans are in voluntary self-isolation, practicing recommended social distancing guidelines in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

[COVID-19 FAQ] What Should I Tell Short-Term Rental Operators?

While there may be less demand for short-term rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic, many hosts are still renting STRs to guests. This may be illegal in

Teamwork From Home: Pros Share 9 Tips For Govs Affected By COVID-19

COVID-19 is providing firsts for many people. While private companies have increasingly included remote workers, government agencies are sending many

[COVID-19 FAQ] How Do I Manage Public Meetings Online?

You’re working around the clock to support residents and keep your organization running during the COVID-19 crisis. Many government offices are closing,

Public Meetings + COVID-19: What to Say When Things Change

Discover how to communicate coronavirus-related changes to public meetings in order to prevent confusion an disruptions to critical civic processes.

[COVID-19 POLL] How Have You Communicated With Your Community?

Government communicators share their sense of preparedness, how they were communicating, and whether they had a formal communications playbook.

1 Case Confirmed: How City of Berkeley Mobilized With COVID-19 Communications

Discover what the comms team at the City of Berkeley did after finding out there was a confirmed case of COVID-19 in their community.

Truth vs. Coronavirus: How Gov Agencies Are Battling the Infodemic

Email. Websites. Public meetings. See how government agencies are responding to the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID:19) outbreak.

5 Pillars of the govDelivery Advanced Package

Learn about the 5 pillars of the Granicus Advanced Package

How One Local Gov Is Going Digital for Better Citizen Engagement

Here's how the CIO in Culver City, Calif., is remaining relevant to citizens during a time of rapid and perpetual change — and without increased resources.

Public Trust in Government: What Can Communicators Do About It?

In the first half of 2019, there were more than 50 ransomware attacks on U.S. cities. The attacks compromised public information and forced governments to

How to Apply the No Wrong Door Framework to Government Service Delivery

What does No Wrong Door mean? Find out and discover how its principles can be applied for fast, efficient, and citizen-first government service delivery.

Email Segmentation: 11 Easy Ways to Boost Email Engagement

What is email segmentation? Find out through 11 email segmentation examples that help government organizations engage citizens.

Best CMS for Government: Headless, Traditional, or Hybrid?

A hybrid approach to CMS is the best of both worlds — IT maintains flexibility while subject matter experts benefit from ease of use.  Government agencies

21st Century IDEA: How to Meet (And Beat) the Mandate

Find out what the 21st Century IDEA entails and get access to best practices for providing human-centric integrated digital experiences.

New govDelivery Feature Makes Creating Landing Pages Simple

In the past few years, email strategies have evolved to convey key messages in less space. With attention spans going down (we have about 8 seconds to

The Journey to a Unified Civic Engagement Platform

I’m excited today to reveal to our customers our multiyear journey toward integrating our products in an even more seamless and efficient way towards a

Three Reasons to Attend the Granicus National Summit

Every spring, we bring together public sector employees in Washington, D.C. for the Granicus National Summit. Last year, more than 1,000 government

Thinking Like a Marketer: How to Improve Customer Experience

If you’ve ever wondered how to get more customers or retain the ones you already have, you want to talk to Jay Baer. This New York Times bestselling

What It Takes for Granicus to be FedRAMP Authorized

Security isn't a one-time stamp of approval – it's an ongoing process. Here's what Granicus is doing to keep its FedRAMP authorization.

Olathe Turns Its Website Into a Virtual City Hall

When Olathe, Kansas turned its website into a virtual city hall, they found that citizens were better informed and cross-department collaboration improved.

Build Advanced Bulletin Templates Easier with Sections Feature

Admins of govDelivery now have more ways to create and modify their Advanced Bulletin Templates with the new Sections feature.

Use UTM Parameters to Optimize Email Communication

UTM parameters provide valuable insight into how visitors are accessing your content. Here's why you should take advantage of that in govDelivery.

Using Test-Driven Development to Achieve Agency Goals

The Granicus engineering team uses test-driven development to continually make our products better – and your team could benefit from this method too.

12 Website Accessibility Guidelines to Follow

A government website is the digital outpost of its physical offices. That mean ensuring website accessibility is crucial. Here's some tips to get started.

Transit Alerts Keep Cincinnati Commuters Informed in Real Time

Buses can get delayed, so real-time notifications are important. Learned how Cincinnati uses transit alerts via email and SMS to keep riders informed.

6 Key Trends Shaping Government Technology

Demand from citizens and the need to accomplish basic tasks is unleashing a new era of government technology where data reigns and the cloud is a necessity.

How Restricted Topics and APIs Make Internal Comms Easy

Granicus govDelivery isn't just for reaching citizens – with restricted topics, your agency has a powerful tool for internal comms.

3 Quick Facts on Why MediaManager’s Password Policy is Being Updated

We're updating our password policy for MediaManager to align with security best practices. Here's three reasons why this change is important.

Modernize Your Community Engagement Process

Improving your community engagement process requires new tools like Granicus and Nextdoor, new processes, and a shift in culture. Here are some tips.

Granicus’ Policies and Practices Related to Email Tracking

At Granicus, we take data privacy very seriously. The 4,000 organizations that use our software and services can rest assured knowing that our solutions

The Journey to a Better Citizen Experience

Building a journey map is one of the most effective ways to improve the citizen experience. Here's how to get started today.

Thank a Clerk this Holiday Season

From agenda management to counting votes to the many other hats they wear, the local clerk is the work horse of local government.

How Digital Government Modernizes the Citizen Experience

The private sector often delivers a better customer experience than the public sector. Here's how embracing digital government can help.

Is Government Ready for a Mobile First World?

With smartphones increasingly used as the primary device to access the internet, government needs to be ready for the transition to a mobile-first world.

How an Emergency Communications Plan Keeps the Calm During a Crisis

When a crisis strikes, government doesn't have the luxury of taking time to figure out next steps. An emergency communications plan needs to be in place.

Transforming Your County Website into a Digital Service Portal

A county website serves a broad group of stakeholders. Here are 5 ways to ensure all visitors are getting the most out of it.

4 Tips for Optimizing Mobile Tasks on Your City Website

Your city website is the new city hall—so it must be mobile friendly. We've identified the top tasks citizens perform on your website while on their phones.

The 6 Website Persona Types That Governments Serve

Government often struggles to create content that meets the needs of its website audience, because they aren't addressing the right website persona types.

Honoring Veterans Day: How the Yellow Ribbon Fund Supports Injured Veterans

On Veterans Day, we honor those who served and sacrificed for this country. We also applaud the Yellow Ribbon Fund's work, which helps injured veterans.

Introducing Video Anywhere: A Modern Video Experience on Any Device

With Video Anywhere, users get a modern, intuitive streaming video technology that provides a consistent modern experience across all devices.

Five Election Day Statistics About Government Comms

Election Day in the United States is on Tuesday, November 6, and government isn't letting you forget about it—they sent a record number of message in 2018.

Measuring Success is a Critical Component of Modern Government

After you put a government modernization in place, it's important to be monitoring and measuring success. Here are a few ways to do that.

How to Use Journey Mapping to Build Modern Digital Government

Journey mapping reveals the full story of a citizen's experience with government from beginning to end. Here's what you need to get it done.

10 Changes to Advanced Bulletin Editor You Should Know About

Granicus is currently in the process of rolling out changes to Advanced Bulletin Editor. Here are 10 things you need to know as we upgrade the tool.

Creating a Service-Centric Website: What We Learned from Analyzing 100 Government Websites

Website visitors are not less tolerant of poor navigation and content just because your website URL ends in a .gov. Here's what our analysis found.

Your Quick Reference Guide to Government Digital Communications Metrics

How do your digital communications metrics stack up to your government peers? The 2018 Benchmark Report infographic will help you find out today.

Tips for Embracing Modern Digital Government

A modern digital government is one that embraces changing citizen expectations about service delivery. We share our best practices for how to improve.

Benchmarking Success: Government Website Statistics You Need to Know

In the modern era, a government website is effectively the organization’s front door. Use our 2018 Benchmark Report to measure website success—and improve.

3 Questions Your Organization Needs to Ask Before a Crisis Strikes

Is your government agency ready for an emergency? How do you communicate with stakeholders when a crisis strikes? Here are 3 questions that need an answer.

3 Questions Your Organization Needs to Ask Before a Crisis Strikes

Is your government agency ready for an emergency? How do you communicate with stakeholders when a crisis strikes? Here are 3 questions that need an answer.

Is This Open Rate Good? Email Statistics the Public Sector Needs to Know

How does your agency's metrics stack up against its peers? The 2018 Granicus Benchmark Report provides the email statistics you need to know.

Change is Coming to Advanced Bulletin Editor

You told us, we listened. The message creation experience in Communications Cloud's Advanced Bulletin Editor are rolling out soon. Here's what to expect.

Q&A: How to Run an Efficient Public Meeting

Municipal clerks are the superheroes that make an efficient public meeting possible. A Q&A from our webinar on how they can save time prepping for meetings.

2018 Benchmark Report is Out Today

How does your agency's comms strategy stack up to its peers? Check out the 2018 Granicus Benchmark Report to see if your metrics are where they need to be.

Getting the Job Done: What Clerks Need to Do After a Public Meeting

The meeting is over, but the work isn't done yet. Clerks shared tips with us about how to best finish the job after a public meeting.

The Top Challenges Facing Government in a Digital World

Government faces challenges in a digital world. Here are four of them that Granicus identified in our 2018 State of Digital report.

Don’t Sweat It: How to Manage Public Meetings Like a Champ

How do you manage public meetings efficiently while also ensuring that everyone's voice is heard? We posed that question to clerks—here's what they told us.

Stop Racing the Clock: How to Prepare for a Public Meeting

Clerks are busy, so they're always looking for ways to save time. We asked for their top tips preparing for a public meeting. Here's what they said.

Not Reaching Your Target Audience? Consider These Tips.

In government comms, every message sent counts—it could even mean life or death. Follow this three step guide to better reach your target audience.

The 2018 State of Digital Report is Available Now

Government often gets accused of being behind on tech. But as our 2018 State of Digital Report shows, the public sector is leading in digital modernization.

Be Like San Jose: Save Time and Paper by Going Digital

Any city clerk knows full well the job can require lots of tedious work. San Jose reclaimed their time and saved paper by embracing digital tools.

Does Your Government Website Use SSL? Here’s Why It Should.

Google will soon downgrade webpages in search results and make them as "insecure" if they don't use SSL. Is your government website ready?

Building a Digital Audience…with a Little Help from Friends

MyHealtheVet needed to get important information to its digital audience of veterans. But it hit a plateau in email subscriptions—what could it do?

Pinellas County Cut Agenda Item Approval Time by 75 Percent—Here’s How They Did It

Paper processes can make getting things done in government difficult. Or in the case of Pinellas County, Florida, it can make it nearly impossible. But once they embraced the idea of modern digital government, they were quickly able to realize tangible results by shortening agenda item approval by a huge amount.

3 Government Orgs Using Comms to Drive Program Success

The way citizens access government services is going through a revolution - and that's changing the ways to achieve program success. The public sector can no longer rely on "build it and they'll come."

The Complete Workbook for Digital Government

In the last decade, the transformation of digital government is bringing the public sector closer to citizens than ever. But many organizations have yet to implement a strategy for using technology to spur open, engaging and innovative public sector environments—the foundation of a modern public sector.

Developing a Communications Plan with the Right Digital Tools

Just because you built it doesn't mean they'll come. Government organizations often build shiny new programs only to see them get little use. But by using the right digital tools as part of a communications plan, government can reap the rewards of their hard work.

What You Need to Know—and What Granicus is Doing—About GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation, also known as GDPR, goes into effect in the EU on May 25. Here's what you need to know about how it will affect American organizations and what Granicus is doing to ensure we are fully compliant with the law.