Benchmarking of Government Websites: An Approach Towards Good Governance

Abstract: Government websites play a pivotal role in modern governance by providing citizens with essential information and services. This study presents a comprehensive benchmarking framework for Indian government websites, aiming to elevate digital governance standards and improve service delivery. The framework is developed through rigorous research methodologies, including an extensive literature review, comparative analyses of global and domestic benchmarking reports, expert interviews, and surveys. A structured questionnaire and robust scoring mechanism facilitated a comprehensive evaluation process. The study identified nine important parameters for benchmarking of Indian government websites as; Security and Privacy, Performance and Technical Aspects, Integration and Services, Mobile Responsiveness, Content Quality, Interactivity and Engagement, Branding, Navigation, and Accessibility. These parameters go beyond simply assessing website performance; they serve as catalysts for transformative change with trust of public in government. The ultimate goal is to ensure that digital governance platforms align with national development goals and effectively meet citizen expectations. The outcomes derived from this benchmarking exercise offer a roadmap for policymakers and government agencies to strengthen India's digital governance ecosystem.