The city of Boston launched a redesigned web portal on Wednesday, aiming to steer traffic through action-oriented webpages, create a more mobile-friendly layout and provide multiple language options.

"The launch of the new website marks a meaningful step in making the city's digital services accessible for all," Mayor Martin Walsh said in a press release. "Whether you're a college student moving into a new apartment or a small business owner, our goal is to provide a website that is welcoming and user-friendly to all who visit."

The old website directed users through the city's various departments in what could often be a confusing labyrinth of steps that made the "back" button a visitor's best friend.

Now, Boston.gov features on its homepage a panel of "Common Transactions" including such icons as "Pay a Parking Ticket," "Pay Your Real Estate Tax Bill," and "Get a Resident Parking Permit" that redirect users to pages with step-by-step explanations and relevant information.

The website––which greets visitors with a blue-tinted photograph of Duck Pond at the Boston Public Garden– uses Google Translate technology to convert its written content into any of eight languages, including Haitian, Portuguese, and Vietnamese.

"Building a website that is welcoming, beautiful, and thoroughly useful has been a priority for our team from the start," Chief Digital Officer Lauren Lockwood said in a press release. "That philosophy will inform all decisions as we continue to improve the site."