Launching your municipality-branded mobile app is a big milestone—but it’s only the beginning. To truly maximize the impact of your investment in local government mobile software, continuous promotion is essential. Residents can't benefit from your app's powerful features if they don't know it exists, or if they're not reminded of its usefulness throughout the year.
Local government mobile apps do more than provide convenience—they build trust, enhance transparency, and streamline service delivery. With the right ongoing marketing strategy, your community can keep engagement high, reduce resident confusion, and encourage widespread adoption of your digital tools.
This blog will walk through why ongoing promotion is critical and provide examples of opportunities that make it easy to spotlight your app all year long.
Why Continued Promotion of Your Municipal Mobile App Matters
Many municipalities work hard on their mobile app launch but stop actively marketing it just weeks later. Here’s why that’s a missed opportunity:
- Awareness Takes Time: Residents don’t all discover the app immediately after launch. Ongoing visibility ensures new residents and slower adopters still hear about it.
- Behavioral Habits Form With Repetition: The more you highlight the app, the more likely it becomes a trusted, go-to tool for residents.
- Features Evolve Over Time: Your app isn’t static. New tools, integrations, and department participation mean there’s always something fresh to promote.
- Emergencies Happen: When a crisis occurs, like a snowstorm or flood, your app can be the most reliable way to reach residents. But they need to have it already downloaded.
- Increased ROI: The more people who use your app, the greater the return on your investment in local government software.
Key Opportunities to Promote Your Local Government App Year-Round
Here are proven moments and milestones to spotlight your app to the public:
1. Celebrate Major Milestones
Residents respond to social proof. When your community hits a milestone, promote it!
Examples:
- 1,000+ downloads of the app
- 10,000 service requests submitted
- 500 potholes filled
Sample Message:
🌟 We just hit 1,000 downloads of [Munciapality App Name] Join your neighbors and get important updates, report concerns, and access city info right from your phone.
2. Announce New App Features
When new applets or functionality go live, it’s the perfect time to remind residents about the app and encourage them to check out what's new.
Examples:
- Geo-targeted notifications (residents receive alerts based on their location)
- SMS/Text and Voice Notifications
- Integration with 311/Citizen Requests for service issues
- New event calendar or permit forms
Sample Message:
📂 NEW: Get text and voice alerts from the city! Update your [Munciapality App Name] app preferences today to make sure you’re always in the loop.
3. Departmental Expansion of App Use
As more departments start using your app, promote the benefits.
Examples:
- Fire Department sharing burn bans or fire safety tips
- Public Works posting road closures
- Parks & Rec using it for event announcements
- Police Department issuing community safety notices
Sample Message:
🚒 [CityName] PD is now sharing crime alerts and safety tips via our official app! Stay informed, stay safe. Download [App Name] today.
4. Use Seasonal and Emergency Events to Reinforce the App
Every region has its challenges—make the app part of your readiness toolkit.
Examples:
- Hurricane prep and evacuation alerts
- Snow emergencies and plow schedules
- Heatwave safety updates
- Flash flooding alerts
Example Push Notification:
Subject: Snow Emergency Declared
Tagline: App users get early alerts
Message: [CityName] has declared a snow emergency. Download [App Name] for real-time updates, plow routes, and parking instructions.
5. Tie Into National and Local Government Social Media Campaigns
Capitalize on national observances and hashtags to keep your app top of mind.
Examples:
- #CityHallSelfie Day
- #PublicWorksWeek
- #LocalGovMonth
- National Preparedness Month
Sample Message:
It’s #PublicWorksWeek! Did you know you can report potholes and track fixes with [Municipality App Name]? 🚗 Tap the app. Help us help you!
6. Re-Introduce the App to New Residents
Every city or town has a steady stream of new residents. Include your app in onboarding materials:
- Welcome packets
- Utility sign-up emails
- New voter registration forms
- Local library or recreation center brochures
Sample Message:
Just moved in? Stay connected with [Municipality App Name]—your one-stop app for trash schedules, event alerts, and reporting issues.
7. Include the App in All Public Communications
The easiest way to keep app promotion going is to bake it into everything you do:
- City newsletters
- Mayor updates
- Utility bill inserts
- Event flyers
- Government website homepage
Use QR codes and short links to make it easy to download. Encourage staff to promote it at every public-facing interaction.
8. Partner with Local Influencers and Institutions
Engage community groups, schools, and local businesses to help spread the word. Ideas include:
- PTA newsletters
- HOA bulletins
- Partnering with popular farmers market vendors
- Co-branding with local festivals
Examples of Citizen Notification Alerts You Can Send (Especially in Summer or Hurricane Season)
⛈ Hurricane Watch Alert
- Subject: Tropical Storm Watch Issued
- Tagline: Prepare now to stay safe
- Message: The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for our area. Follow evacuation instructions and sign up for alerts on [App Name].
☕ Sandbag Pickup Information
- Subject: Sandbags Available at DPW Lot
- Tagline: Limit 10 per household
- Message: Sandbags for flood protection are available at 123 Main St, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Bring proof of residency.
🏠 Office Closure
- Subject: City Offices Closed Monday
- Tagline: Due to incoming weather
- Message: [CityName] City Hall and all public buildings will be closed on Monday. Emergency services will remain open.
❄️ Snow Emergency
- Subject: Plow Routes Begin at Midnight
- Tagline: Move your vehicles now
- Message: Parking ban in effect. Check your plow route and updates through the [App Name] app.
Make App Promotion Part of Your Long-Term Strategy
You invested in a local government mobile app to improve operations, engage residents, and reduce strain on staff. To unlock the full value of this powerful local government software, promotion must be ongoing.
GOGov Can Help. Our team provides launch toolkits, marketing templates, QR code designs, press release support, and custom content to help keep your app in the spotlight.
Whether your town has 2,000 or 200,000 residents, it’s never too early—or too late—to re-engage your community with your municipality mobile app.
Want Help Reigniting App Promotion in Your Community?
Schedule a demo or consultation with GOGov’s marketing team today. Let’s make your app the most trusted connection between you and your citizens.
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