Proposal: Add native sharing to GOV.UK pages

[edent]

As a user, I want an easy way to share information from GOV.UK with other people, without having to download a PDF or print off a document.

The Web Share API allows users to easily share a website. This means that a site doesn't need to have a dozen social media logos, app icons, and external links on a site.

Click the share button and the user's device prompts them to share the URL with the apps they have on their own device.

Native web share is supported on all major mobile browsers - the majority of users on the site.

Because it is powered by JavaScript, it can use progressive enhancement. If navigator.canShare() returns true then the share button can be displayed on screen.

There is already a print button at the bottom of most HTML pages.

The current crop of share buttons (see below) were implemented 7 years ago/

[edent]

Interestingly, the Parliamentary Petitions website has a couple of social media icons. The WhatsApp icon only shows up to mobile users.

[edent]

Some consultation pages have links to share to Facebook and Twitter.

[edent]

Blog posts also have Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Email.

[edent]

And other! This one with a WhatsApp URI.

[DeanWanless]

This will be a useful feature on the Energy Performance of Buildings Register. Some of the feedback that we're hearing from UR is that people are more likely to engage with their EPC certificate when they receive a link than if they receive a PDF attachment. Will be a helpful tool as we try to wean the industry off of dependency on PDF sharing. We're exploring sharing by email and maybe "copy URL to clipboard" as our options. Social sharing less of an issue around Energy Assessment.