Steve Anderson is the co-founder and chief strategist…
Why You Should Never, Not Ever, Send Supporters to a Government-Hosted Petition or Consultation
This was a rule we had at the digital rights advocacy organization I used to run.
Why?
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Engagement is Key, and Government Websites Don’t Deliver
Government platforms are notorious for being clunky and unengaging, which discourages participation. Users are far more likely to abandon a slow, uninspiring page, which directly impacts the reach of your campaign. Your supporters deserve a user-friendly experience that energizes them to take action. -
You Can’t Measure What You Don’t Track
Tracking engagement is essential in understanding your supporters’ commitment and amplifying your impact. Government-hosted platforms do not offer metrics on who took action or how many participated, leaving campaigners in the dark. With a platform like New/Mode’s Smart Petitions, you can access detailed engagement data, empowering you to analyze and optimize your campaign strategies. -
*This one is important: Government platforms are disempowering
One of the biggest setbacks of government forms is their inability to capture contact information. Without the means to follow up, you’re missing out on building relationships with your supporters—a cornerstone of effective advocacy and power-building. A campaign isn’t just about that one action; it’s about building a community of ongoing engagement and support for long-term change.
What If You Have to Use a Government Platform?
If a government petition or consultation is essential to your strategy, you still have options to build meaningful engagement:
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Host Your Own Action First
Create a campaign action on your own site, using tools like New/Mode to collect responses. Once you’ve gathered them, you can submit these to the government body as a PDF or CSV. This way, you get people on record while still engaging them directly. -
Redirect to the Government Platform After Engagement
Start by capturing support through your own platform, then redirect participants to the government page. This way, you capture contact info and gauge initial engagement—a useful proxy for measuring impact.
In short, sending people directly to a government website can dilute the effectiveness of your campaign and undermine trust with your supporters. Keep supporters in your sphere of influence to foster lasting change.
Regardless of which approach you take, New/Mode is here to help.
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