Government Site Builder 11 (GSB 11): The TYPO3 solution for modern government websites

Efficient, secure and modern: GSB 11 – The standardised CMS for the public sector

Government Site Builder 11 (GSB 11) is the central content management system for government websites, based on the proven open source platform TYPO3. Developed to meet the requirements of the public sector, GSB 11 enables a uniform, scalable and accessible online presence.

GSB 11 is a modern content management system that has been specially developed for the needs of public administration. It guarantees a high level of technical security, meets all accessibility requirements and is based entirely on open source technology – without licence costs. Consistent standardisation makes development and maintenance significantly more efficient, which not only saves time and resources but also leads to noticeable cost savings. Authorities benefit from the reusability of existing components and coordinated best practices, making it easier to translate individual requirements into uniform solutions.
Close coordination with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) also ensures maximum IT security. At the same time, the focus remains on the user – through simple operation, clear structure and a consistent user experience on all portals. GSB 11 is therefore not only a technical platform, but also a sustainable digitisation tool for the entire public sector.

What makes Government Site Builder 11 so special?

State of the art TYPO3 technology

Government Site Builder 11 is based on TYPO3 v12 LTS – one of the most stable and powerful versions of the leading enterprise CMS TYPO3. With priority bug fixes until October 2025 and subsequent upgrade to TYPO3 v13 LTS.

The system benefits from all the innovations of the TYPO3 community: improved backend handling, modern security features. At the same time, it retains the proven stability that is essential for use by public authorities.

Accessibility GSB 11

An important aspect of GSB 11 is accessibility. From the outset, the system was developed to ensure that everyone – regardless of their limitations – can use the website easily. It complies with the requirements of the German Accessible Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) and international standards (WCAG 2.1, Level AA). 

This includes, for example: the website can be operated using a keyboard, screen readers are supported, colours and contrasts are easy to read, and the content is clearly laid out and structured.
Not only can editors use GSB 11 to create accessible content, but the backend itself is also designed to be accessible and supports operation that is as barrier-free as possible. GSB 11 also helps with data protection (GDPR), which is particularly important for public authorities. Accessibility is therefore an integral part of the system architecture right from the start. 

Corporate design, even out-of-the-box

The responsive design of Government Site Builder 11 was developed with a mobile-first approach and tested on all common devices. From smartphones to tablets to desktops, your content will be displayed optimally. Depending on your needs, there are three design options available: 

1. Use of ‘gsb_public_frontend’ with minor visual adjustments (very cost-effective, less scope for customisation), based on the German Federal Administration's style guide
2. Use of ‘gsb_private_frontend’, which is the official style guide front end of the Federal Government and only for public authorities, therefore private and not available for everyone to use
3. The use of an individual design that we would be happy to develop together with you.

This results in professional government websites that, despite their standardised structure, can be implemented quickly, flexibly and with the desired appearance – often within a few weeks.

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Our services as a TYPO3 agency for GSB 11

Consulting & design

The successful implementation of a modern government website with GSB 11 begins with a thorough requirements analysis. We work with you to analyse the specific needs of your government agency, identify your target groups and define the functional and technical requirements. In doing so, we naturally take into account all relevant legal requirements such as accessibility according to BITV 2.0 uand data protection regulations. We pay particular attention to the migration of existing content. Your valuable information and documents are structured, prepared and securely transferred to the new TYPO3 system. At the same time, we optimise the content structure and ensure a seamless transfer without data loss. We are also happy to assist with the restructuring and redesign of the content/information architecture.

Information architecture and UX design form the foundation for an intuitive and user-friendly website. We develop a clear navigation structure that enables citizens to find the information they are looking for quickly and easily. Using modern UX methods, we create an optimal user experience that is impressive on both desktop and mobile devices.

To ensure the long-term maintenance of your website, we develop tailor-made training concepts for editors. Your employees will learn how to use the system efficiently, maintain content independently and make optimal use of the wide range of functions. The training courses are individually tailored to your needs and prior knowledge.

Implementation & customisation

Technical implementation begins with professional GSB11 setup and configuration. We install and configure the GSB11 Sitepackage Kickstarter n accordance with best practices and tailor it optimally to your infrastructure. In doing so, we ensure a high-performance and secure basic installation that meets all regulatory standards. For special requirements, we develop customised extensions that integrate seamlessly into the GSB system. Whether you need special forms, specific workflows or tailor-made modules, we realise your wishes while taking into account the dependencies of your overall system. 

Please note that the Sitepackage Kickstarter extension is primarily aimed at agencies and that it is used to set up a temporary development environment for developing and testing your own modules, templates and extensions for GSB 11. Currently, the setup requires TYPO3 expertise and can usually only be implemented with experienced service providers, as individual components (e.g. database, front end) must be configured manually. In future, however, a standardised TYPO3 installation via Composer is planned.

Support & further development

With our comprehensive maintenance and security update service, your TYPO3 website will always be up to date. We continuously monitor system health, install security updates promptly and ensure trouble-free operation. Regular backups and an emergency plan give you additional security. Through targeted performance optimisation, our team of experts ensures that your TYPO3 website functions quickly and reliably, even with high traffic volumes. We analyse bottlenecks, optimise database queries and implement efficient caching strategies for the best possible loading times.

Digital administration is constantly evolving – and your TYPO3 website should too. As part of further development according to your requirements, we implement new functions, adapt existing modules and respond flexibly to changed conditions or new legal requirements. Our SLA-based support guarantees you defined response times and professional assistance when you need it. With various service level agreements, we offer you exactly the TYPO3 support that fits your requirements and your budget – from basic support to 24/7 premium support.

 

Advantages of Government Site Builder 11

• Well-thought-out information architecture & technically advanced responsive design

• The GSB 11 is highly automated and easy to maintain.

• Accessibility enables equal participation for people with disabilities

• Visible security and data protection strengthen trust in digital administrative processes

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GSB 11: dkd helps shape Germany's digital sovereignty

The TYPO3 agency dkd has been an active member of the GSB 11 consortium from the very beginning – together with other TYPO3 partners, we are working to strengthen Germany's digital sovereignty. Our task is to migrate over 500 websites to the new system (GSB 11). Thanks to our early involvement, we can contribute our know-how and expertise in a targeted manner, help shape key decisions and thus make a significant contribution to the successful implementation of GSB 11.