Every state in the USA has its own web site. What they’re all supposed to be is a web address is www.[state abbreviation].gov but unfortunately this doesn’t always work.

A classic example of this is Florida. www.fl.gov does not bring up the State of Florida web site (which is www.MyFlorida.com by the way).

Another example is Maine. www.me.gov doesn’t work. It’s www.maine.gov.

Other states load up without a problem, even if only a redirect.

www.tx.gov redirects to www.texasonline.com.

www.ma.gov redirects to www.mass.gov (why is the extra ’ss’ necessary? I don’t know)

And other states simply load directly from their abbreviated dot-gov domain.

www.ca.gov (California)

www.wa.gov (Washington State – a redirect but still on the wa.gov domain)

www.pa.gov (Pennsylvania)

Does your state work in its abbreviated dot-gov form? Maybe so, maybe not.

If it doesn’t, a quick Google search for “[insert state here] web site” will bring up the proper address.

Why is it important to know your state’s web site?

There are several immediate advantages.

Getting stuff done online

If there is any way you can get out of having to go to a local state office to get things done, your state web portal will show you how to do it. For example, Florida allows for vehicle registration renewals, driver’s license replacement/renewals and the like all online. You don’t even have to go to the HSMV (which is called DMV in most other states) for most of this stuff. Speaking from experience, yes it really does work.

Documentation, documentation, documentation

For activities in your state that require you to be licensed to do so (and there’s a lot of that stuff), there’s obviously forms to fill out and documentation to study. We’re talking about everything from Alcohol & Tobacco permits to operating a food cart in a theme park – not just motor vehicle operation (although that’s covered too).

Using Florida again as an example you can see there’s a license for just about anything.

Taxes on your mind?

Your state web site should have a ton of documentation on how things are taxed. All of it. It’s all public information, after all.

Everyone hates taxes, but as the old saying goes, knowledge is power. Read up so you know what to expect (and more importantly what not to expect).

In Florida, everything is plainly listed including information listing all contacts and locations.

Use it – you paid for it!

Your taxes go towards keeping the state’s web portal running. And to be blunt honest your state sincerely appreciates it when you take advantage of a paper-less environment such as the internet to get informed. It saves time from being on the phone (and usually on hold) and generally speaking you can access the information you need to get to much quicker.

Share the info with people you know

Are you web savvy and want to be helpful to your neighbor? Introduce him or her to the state’s portal. Show them how to use it. E-Mail them links to stuff they wanted to find information about.

You will notice that state web sites are never advertised (save for license plates/tags which technically isn’t advertising). So the only way one is really made aware is from a friend, family member or neighbor. Be that person. Share the knowledge.