The city of Vallejo, California, has created a mapping system to list properties available in the city. In some cases, two or three different websites will claim to be the official website for a city. In this case, be sure to look for the official city seal, obvious contact information, and a professional look and feel to the site. The best way to check that the site is official is to call the city to ask for the website address. Private Web Portals.
Many city sites are limited to providing a one-way flow of information from the city to users.
Slowly but surely, however, cities are adding interactive features that enable users to transact business with public agencies. In a pilot project, the cities and their partners also are testing the use of e-signatures. The states and federal government also are continuing to move toward Web-enabled information and services. The goal is not only to save time and money but also to open the bidding process to community groups, small businesses, and citizens who may never before have participated. The growth of government websites promises a more efficient and less costly process by which companies and businesses can do business with government.