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Client story City of Racine

From an unsupported website to a more connected city experience.

When its previous vendor stopped providing support, the City of Racine needed a partner to take over its existing website and help plan its next chapter.

SmartRoots first moved the existing site to WordPress and began supporting it. That relationship progressed into a complete redesign — bringing city information, departmental content and digital services into a modern, mobile-first website.

Explore the Website

  • 17 departments One city website
  • 70+ forms Converted into online forms
  • 100+ daily AI searches Approximate activity
  • Clear publishing roles Department-led, MIS-published
City of Racine

The challenge

Restore support today. Build a better city website for tomorrow.

The city’s immediate need was continuity after its previous vendor stopped supporting the website. Beyond that, its dated website needed a clearer, more intuitive experience for residents, visitors, businesses and staff.

  1. Stabilize the existing website
  2. Develop the new experience

  • An immediate support gap

    Move the existing website onto a platform SmartRoots could maintain and support.

  • Information that needed to be easier to find

    Help people reach relevant services and information through clearer navigation and search.

  • Content managed across departments

    Give departments control of their content while maintaining a consistent publishing process.

  • Disconnected forms and HR information

    Bring more tasks online and incorporate the separate HR website into the main city website.

What we delivered

One city website. Clearer paths to information and services.

  • Navigation built around people and tasks

    The new design provides pathways for residents, visitors and businesses, alongside activity-based navigation. A modern, mobile-first interface helps people explore city information across devices.

  • AI search and assistance

    Prominent AI search helps visitors find information using everyday language. An integrated chatbot provides another way to ask questions and discover relevant website content.

  • More services available online

    More than 70 forms were converted into online forms. The separate HR website was also incorporated into the city website, bringing HR information into the same experience.

  • Everyday city information in one place

    News, events, alert notifications and a staff directory help visitors stay informed and find the people and information they need.

  • Department control with a clear publishing process

    Across 17 departments, designated editors prepare content and departmental approvers review it. The MIS team controls final publication, giving departments responsibility for their information while supporting consistency across the website.

  1. Editor
  2. Department Approver
  3. MIS Publisher

Delivery & support

A phased transition, with support beyond launch.

The work ran in stages: restore a supported website first, then redesign around it.

  1. First, move and support

    SmartRoots transferred the existing website to WordPress and began supporting it, addressing the city’s immediate need for a dependable website partner.

  2. Then, redesign and consolidate

    The next phase delivered the new website, migrated existing content, added new pages and incorporated HR information into the main city site.

  3. Prepare staff to manage the website

    Staff received training and access to a dedicated help site with tutorials they can revisit as they manage content and make updates.

  4. Continue maintaining and improving

    SmartRoots has provided maintenance under an annual maintenance agreement for the past year. Accessibility work is guided by WCAG 2.1 AA, with automated reports reviewed every two weeks and identified issues addressed through code fixes.

  • Staff training
  • Ongoing help site
  • Accessibility reviews every two weeks

Results & continued partnership

Growing usage. Active search. More control for city staff.

The evidence the city tracks is counts and activity rather than a headline rate.

17

Departments connected through one city website

70+

Forms converted into online forms

100+

AI searches a day, approximately

What the city reports

  • Website usage increased year over year Google Analytics tracking showed an increase in website users compared with the previous year.
  • Approximately 100+ AI searches daily Tracking indicates that the prominently placed AI search receives approximately 100 or more searches per day, demonstrating active use of this information-discovery tool.
  • 17 departments with defined responsibilities Departmental editing and approval roles let teams manage their own information, with final publication handled by MIS.
  • 70+ forms moved online The conversion of forms gives visitors more opportunities to complete tasks digitally.
  • A relationship that continued after launch The project developed from an initial WordPress migration into a full redesign, followed by ongoing maintenance and support.

Want to hear about working with SmartRoots?

When its previous vendor stopped providing support, the City of Racine needed a partner to take over its existing website and help plan its next chapter.

SmartRoots first moved the existing site to WordPress and began supporting it. That relationship progressed into a complete redesign — bringing city information, departmental content and digital services into a modern, mobile-first website.

City of Racine client references are available on request.

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Could your city website work better for residents and staff?

Whether you need a supported platform, clearer navigation, digital forms or a better way for departments to manage content, SmartRoots can help you plan the next step. Let’s discuss your website, your existing systems and the experience you want to create for your community.

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  • Online Services
  • Department Publishing

One website. Every department.