Council Platform vs Loop Municipal Websites

Council Platform is a web service for running local government CMS websites. Its drag-and-drop editor lets teams create complex pages without developer time, with a customisable front end based on the GOV.UK Design System. Features include service directories, news, event calendars, global search, CRM functions, forms, and editorial workflows. The platform supports manual and machine translation for bilingual sites, plus multi-site publishing and document management. The maker describes sites as accessible from the outset and says subscribers receive free accessibility audit scans. Listed integrations include Bartec, ModernGov, Elgin Roadworks, Council Advertising Network, Microsoft Azure Chatbots, Google Analytics, SiteImprove, and ReciteMe. Security provisions include two-factor authentication, password complexity requirements, and automatic logout. Subscriptions include production and test hosting, support, documentation, uptime monitoring, security updates, and a 99.9% uptime SLA. Pricing is based on monthly page views: the plan up to 5,000 page views costs £200 monthly licence fee (ex VAT), while the 5,001–15,000 tier costs £400 monthly licence fee (ex VAT). Plans above 100,000 monthly page views add features including microsites, cookie-less analytics, accessibility auditing, and PDF conversion.

Loop Municipal Websites provides municipal websites and resident apps, with a focus on small and medium-sized communities. Loop says it serves over 90 municipalities across North America. Administrators manage website and app content through Loop CMS in one place. Website modules include emergency notices, business directories, polls, tax calculators, online forms and payments, council meetings, waste collection, trail maps, snow removal, and problem reporting. The resident app supports push notifications, news, events, waste reminders, and problem reports, with content shared between the app and website.

Municipalities can select a pre-designed template or work with Loop on a partial or fully custom design. Loop can migrate existing site content. Pre-designed sites typically take about one month; custom projects typically take three to four months. The company says its sites are hosted in a secure private cloud and built to WCAG Level AA standards. Training and ongoing direct support are included at no extra cost. Pricing is on request, and an optional applicant-tracking feature is available for job postings. The service is listed for Android, iOS, and web.