Web Application Optimization

Focus on performance, accessibility, and best practices to deliver the best customer experience.

At OneGlobe, we build software for the U.S. Government. That software serves the public good, supporting missions like individual disaster assistance, infrastructure and preparedness grants, citizenship benefits, and national defense logistics. These solutions directly affect the lives of Americans, and we build them to that standard.

When people interact with our software they form a lasting impression of the organizations and agencies we support. As such, we can support a positive user experience with key, focused software optimizations which we describe here.

Much of the software we deliver is web applications and services, and we know that anyone who has opened a webpage has strong expectations for this kind of software. With OneGlobe software, customers should expect the same responsiveness, accessibility, and predictable interactions that they receive from private or commercial services.

We do it every day

This website was built with everything we just described in mind. We use Gatsby.js, a React-based static site generator powered by GraphQL that is excellent for building performant websites. Our website design follows United States Web Design System (USWDS) 3.0 standards, and pulls CSS classes straight from their SASS library for developers. Gatsby pulls together React components, SASS, and plugins into lightweight static production files that we serve from our AWS CloudFront distribution. This is just a single implementation representing our standards for building optimal web applications.

The Approach

Our approach to web application optimization is based on the following aspects. Each section provides further information about delivery considerations for that aspect.

• Performance. Loading times, page behaviors, transfer optimizations. Build for the users in disaster housing when the broadband has been destroyed by a hurricane. Responsive software is better than unresponsive software.
• Accessibility. Fortunately, section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is a legal requirement. We strive to go beyond basic accessibility standards, because accessible and inclusive software is quality, user-centric software.
• Best Practices. General good ideas for browser interactions, connectivity, and security.
• SEO. Search engine optimization makes services easier to find. Some people use search engines as their primary means of navigating the internet.

The Wheel

Technology works because of interoperability, standards, and conventions. A tremendous amount of work has gone into developing, maturing, and curating the solid foundations upon which modern service delivery is built.

This is not about reinventing the wheel. This is about how we incorporate these foundations into the way we do things, and how we apply these practices to deliver quality products for our customers and for the public good.

Human-Centered Design

We cannot overstate the value of human-centered design (HCD) and the role it plays in delivering a positive customer experience. We incorporate HCD and good design principles into our delivery model, and the optimization patterns covered here ensure that the outputted design is delivered effectively.

After all, having the most effective design in the world is less likely to spark joy if it takes 5 seconds to load the page or someone using assistive technology is unable to even access it.