This is the first post in our series on "building a better website."

After the initial excitement of the Mouse Award announcement wears off, congressional offices (even the award winners!) have one question: How do we make our website better?

For award winners to stay on top, they need stay on the cutting edge. Many award winners have already launched new sites and unveiled new features in an effort to continually improve their presence on the web and the way they connect with constituents.

For the rest of you, improvement is more straightforward (but not necessarily easier). Steal from the best! Look to the award winners for ideas and inspiration. The number and variety of award winners is a testament to the fact that there is not one single path to a successful website. It's all about what serves your office and your constituents best. You can pick and choose. If you like the way the press section works at a Bronze Mouse award winner's site, but the issues section of a Gold winner, use both!

There's no need to re-create the wheel - just mold existing sites and structures to fit your particular circumstances and goals.

Here are some links to get you started:

• Browse the list of winners to see what they did well: List of award winners

• You can also follow this links to browse the live sites of Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze Mouse Award winners.