Service start pages

A service is anything that helps users complete a task or achieve a goal, usually involving some kind of interaction or transaction. A service start page is the information displayed before starting a service.

General contact forms and enquiry pages aren’t services themselves – they’re support channels. They help users when something isn’t working or when they need guidance navigating an actual service.

Every service hosted on projectdelivery.gov.uk should start with a service start page.

Service start pages should sit one level below the home page in the site structure, giving them URLs like projectdelivery.gov.uk/service-name.

Services should use the flexible layout page template, to make it consistent with the layout of forms.

The page should:

• give users just enough information to help them understand what the service does and whether it will meet their needs
• include a button to begin using the service with text that’s consistent with the action you’re asking users to take. For example, ‘Start’ (if you need a secondary call to action, use a standard link next to the button).
• include any other information that most users are likely to need before they start using the service
• contact details to help with using the service

Eligibility

Avoid using the start point to provide complex eligibility information. Instead, ask questions inside the service to find out whether the user is eligible.