Preserving Heritage Through Digital Design: A Modern Website for Wells City Council

Services provided

Consultation, User Journey Mapping, Development, Ongoing Support

Sector

The Challenge

Wells City Council approached Blue Level to redevelop their website as part of a wider effort to modernise their communications and better engage with residents, visitors, and local organisations. As England’s smallest city, Wells has a unique blend of heritage, community spirit, and civic pride — but the existing website failed to capture that character. It was visually outdated, difficult to navigate, and not fully compliant with modern accessibility standards, making it hard for users to find essential council information or contact the right departments.

The Council’s goal was to create a modern, accessible, and easy-to-manage website that reflected the historic charm of Wells while providing a reliable information hub for residents. The new platform needed to make council news, agendas, and documents easier to access, improve mobile usability, and meet WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility guidelines, ensuring inclusivity for all users.

Wells City Council website featured on a smartphone

Our Approach

Blue Level began by carrying out a content and UX audit to understand how residents and visitors interacted with the existing website. Through consultation with council officers and clerks, we identified opportunities to simplify content structures, improve search functionality, and introduce clearer calls to action for key services.

We then designed a fresh, professional visual identity that honours the city’s heritage while feeling distinctly modern. Subtle design details — from typography to colour palette — drew inspiration from Wells’ architecture and civic emblems, creating a look that feels both local and timeless. The new site structure was organised around how people actually use council websites: to find information quickly, stay updated on community projects, and contact council departments.

Technically, the site was built on a secure, flexible content management system that allows council staff to publish updates, agendas, and announcements with ease. We prioritised accessibility, performance, and clarity throughout the design process, ensuring the site is fast, responsive, and compliant across all devices. SEO best practices were also implemented to help residents and local businesses find key information more easily through search.

The Results

The new Wells City Council website delivers a clean, modern, and inclusive digital experience that has significantly improved usability for both residents and staff. Information such as meeting minutes, planning details, and event updates is now organised intuitively, helping users reach their destination quickly.

The updated visual identity has helped reinforce civic pride, presenting Wells as a forward-thinking city that values transparency and accessibility. Staff can now manage the website more efficiently, updating content in real time without relying on external support. The website’s responsive layout ensures that users across devices — from smartphones to desktops — can engage with council information effortlessly.

Wells City Council Website Mockup

Long-Term Impact

Since launch, the new website has become a trusted digital gateway for the Wells community, offering clarity and connection between the council and residents. It continues to evolve as new initiatives and public consultations are added, serving as a dynamic platform for civic engagement and local news.

The project demonstrates Blue Level’s ability to design accessible, visually distinctive local government websites that combine usability with a strong sense of place. By creating a digital space that celebrates Wells’ history while supporting its modern governance needs, we helped the Council strengthen communication, improve efficiency, and uphold the city’s reputation as a welcoming and well-connected community.

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