This Guide to improving online applications was developed based on a state-by-state analysis of online SNAP applications conducted in Spring 2014. That analysis, described in detail in Appendix B, provided a baseline of the issues and opportunities present in existing online SNAP applications. This Guide is based on those findings and tailored to the unique goals and challenges of individuals designing government benefits applications. This Guide includes descriptions of best practices in web design and a Self-Assessment Checklist in Appendix C.