Dedicated Housing Tenant Website
A practical guide to understanding what the buyer really wants and how to build a winning response.
Don't just think website. Think community bridge.
The biggest clue in this tender isn't just about creating a website.
Cardiff Council is looking for more than a digital solution.
They're building a bridge for their housing tenants.
A bridge to information, services and community support.
The project covers designing, building, hosting and supporting a digital platform that serves as a vital resource for housing tenants. It's about making information accessible and services approachable in both Welsh and English.
Pay attention to what they say
Cardiff Council is clear about their priorities.
Accessibility isn't just a box to tick.
It's central to the project.
The website must meet WCAG 2.2 AA standards and undergo an independent accessibility audit.
This tells me they want more than compliance.
They want genuine usability for all tenants, regardless of their abilities.
Think about the end users
If I were evaluating bids, I'd be thinking about the tenants.
What do they need?
Easy navigation, quick access to services and information in their preferred language.
Imagine being a tenant trying to find critical housing information.
Your design needs to make that process as smooth as possible.
Don't forget about bilingual requirements
The website needs to be fully bilingual.
Welsh and English.
This isn't just about translating content.
It's about ensuring both language versions offer the same experience and functionality.
I'd build my submission around how I can deliver this seamlessly.
Evidence always beats promises
Every bidder will promise a fantastic website.
Few will prove how they'll do it.
Show Cardiff Council your track record.
- Examples of past websites meeting WCAG standards
- Case studies of bilingual website projects
- Evidence of secure hosting solutions you've provided
That's what will set you apart.
Secure hosting isn't just technical
The Council needs assurance that their tenant data is safe.
Secure hosting must meet UK public sector cloud, GDPR and data residency requirements.
But there's more.
Disaster recovery and backup arrangements are crucial.
Explain how you will maintain service levels and respond to incidents swiftly.
Consistency over the entire term
A five-year contract needs sustainability.
It's not just about launching the website.
It's about supporting it consistently.
Training and handover to Council administrators are essential.
Ensure they manage content independently once you've completed your work.
Remember the human aspect of your design
One thing I'd keep reminding myself is the human element.
The website is for people.
Real people who need housing support and information.
I'd ask, "Does this design make life easier for tenants?"
If the answer is yes, you're on the right track.
Common mistakes
Avoid submissions that:
- Overlook the importance of bilingual functionality
- Fail to demonstrate past accessibility compliance
- Ignore the need for secure hosting and data protection
- Don't provide clear disaster recovery plans
- Neglect tenant-focused design principles
- Lack evidence of successful similar projects
My Final Thoughts
Cardiff Council is looking for a partner, not just a supplier.
They want a website that serves their tenants effectively and reliably.
With a value of £75,500 and a five-year term, this isn't just about price.
It's about quality and commitment.
The Council values accessibility, bilingual capability and secure hosting.
Your written submission should reflect these priorities.
Thanks for reading.
I hope this guide has helped make public procurement feel a little less daunting. If it has, then it's done its job.
P.S. Got a question?
If you've got a question about anything you've read, or you're stuck on a tender, just send me an email.
Whether it's a quick question or you simply need pointing in the right direction, I'm always happy to help if I can.
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Our guides are written using publicly available procurement information, including contract notices and published tender documents where available. They are designed to help suppliers understand the buyer's likely priorities and think more strategically about their approach. They are not based on any bidder's confidential submission, bespoke bid strategy or non-public procurement information.