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Publishing content about your service

Publishing if you're employed by another public sector organisation

mygov.scot 

Information on how to access all Scottish Government services for the people and businesses of Scotland must be published on mygov.scot. 

The team that runs mygov.scot can also advise you on how to build more of your service journey on mygov.scot and how to deliver other service components such as forms. 

Even if you have an existing website, you should make sure any services on your own sites are signposted from mygov.scot. 

Email contentupdates@gov.scot with your request. 

gov.scot 

gov.scot is the official Scottish Government website for: 

  • policy and strategy 

  • ministerial announcements and speeches 

  • consultations and publications 

  • corporate information about government directorates 

  • specialist or technical guidance that is not considered mainstream 

  • research, statistics and reporting 

If your content is about government policy or official Scottish Government communications relating to your organisation, you must publish it on gov.scot. 

To publish, work with your communications or policy team. If you’re not sure who to contact, email website@gov.scot. 

Campaign sites 

A campaign site supports a clear, time-limited goal such as a marketing push, public engagement, or behaviour change. 

Scottish Government cannot support campaign sites on our publishing platform for other public sector bodies. 

When to use a campaign site 

You must get advice from your local marketing team before planning a campaign site.

Use only if: 

  • you are running a marketing campaign across social media, print, radio or television channels and need to connect messaging and imagery to official content

  • you have a budget for the campaign and approval to spend it 

  • the content has a specific, measurable and time-limited purpose 

  • the needs cannot be met by an existing site 

  • it meets standards for branding, governance, accessibility and security 

Do not use a campaign site for: 

  • core service journeys, such as applying for a benefit  

  • service or policy content that belongs on mygov.scot or gov.scot 

Avoid using for content that needs regular updates.

Corporate sites 

A corporate site hosts organisation-specific content about an organisation, the way it works and what it plans to change. It can also hold specialist or technical guidance and any business reports. 

The corporate site for Scottish Government is gov.scot.  

Scottish Public Sector organisations can create corporate sites without Scottish Government approval if they meet governance, accessibility and security standards. 

Technology Assurance Framework (TAF) organisations can also use the Scottish Government platform, costs apply. Email digital-publishing@gov.scot to request corporate site hosting. 

Corporate sites can have specialist services content and functions, but you should make sure people can find out about and access your services from mygov.scot. Email contentupdates@gov.scot for advice. 

Governance and responsibilities 

Before launch of a campaign or corporate site, you must: 

  • agree roles and responsibilities, including content sign-off and performance metrics 

  • plan the site’s lifecycle, including when and how it will close 

  • make sure you have the right approvals 

  • agree with the supplier or your own engineering team how the site will be hosted, managed, accessible and secure 

A content designer should be involved from the start to make sure the content meets standards. The team should agree how updates will be made and, for campaigns, when the site will be closed down. 

You or your supplier can use the Scottish Government's design system. It’s catalogue of user tested, accessible and reusable styles, components, patterns and guidance will save you time and money. 

Email designsystem@gov.scot for advice. 

Any other site type 

You should avoid creating new standalone websites whenever possible. This helps to reduce costs, maintain clear routes to official information and avoids confusing your users. 

Recommended exceptions are when a new website would be: 

  • part of a time-limited marketing campaign 

  • a partnership where outside organisations are supplying content, functionality or interaction 

Some digital services require a domain or sub-domain so that part of the service can work through a browser. These should not be used to host content that should go on your main information site. If you are unsure about service domains, speak to your digital lead or email domains@gov.scot for advice. 

Your organisation’s existing website 

You can use your organisation’s existing website if: 

  • it meets accessibility standards (a legal requirement) and follows governance and security standards 

  • it follows Scottish Government branding and design guidance where required 

  • you have the people and skills to maintain it 

Your organisation is responsible for: 

  • compliance with accessibility, privacy and cookie laws 

  • security, hosting and performance 

  • keeping the content accurate and up to date 

If you’re not sure whether your site meets these standards, speak to your digital lead or email contentupdates@gov.scot for advice.

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