In today's digital age, effective communication between local governments and their residents is more critical than ever. Whether it's alerting residents about water main breaks, sharing road closure updates, or communicating emergency information, municipalities need reliable, direct channels to reach their communities quickly and effectively.

The GOGov Citizen Notifications platform and branded mobile apps are purpose-built to meet this need. Designed in collaboration with local government communications professionals, GOGov empowers municipalities of all sizes to modernize their resident communication strategies while maintaining the personal touch that makes local government unique.

As communities across the country seek better ways to keep residents informed and engaged, we've identified the top seven reasons why municipalities choose GOGov for their citizen notification and mobile app needs.

1. Reach Beyond Social Media

While social media platforms like Facebook have become common communication tools for local governments, they have significant limitations. Not all residents use social media, and those who do may not see posts due to algorithm changes or simply choosing not to engage on these platforms.

As Vanessa Vazquez, Marketing & Events Coordinator for the City of Helotes, Texas, explained:

"We had a lot of longtime residents who didn't use Facebook or check our website, and many of them felt out of the loop. Even though we were sharing information online, it wasn't reaching everyone."

GOGov provides an alternative channel that puts information directly on residents' phones without requiring them to be active on social media. For municipalities with aging populations or residents who prefer not to use Facebook, this is a game-changer.

Lisa Holder, Communications and Marketing Manager at Sanford, FL, summarized it perfectly:

"We want to reach everyone. Not everybody's on social media, but everybody has a phone."

2. Real-Time Mass Communication

When a critical event strike—whether it's a water main break, severe weather, or a public safety issue—municipalities need to communicate with residents immediately. Traditional methods like door-to-door notifications or waiting for residents to check websites simply don't work in time-sensitive situations.

Jennifer Bromeland, City Administrator at Eagle Lake, MN, recalled a critical moment that led to their decision to implement GOGov:

"I remember thinking, if we had a notification system, we could have immediately let people know what was going on and what to expect. That's really what prompted us to look into this—more for emergency situations and needing really quick communication."

During actual emergencies, GOGov has proven invaluable. Jamal Baskin, Director of Community Development at Sun 'N Lake Improvement District, shared:

"We had an issue with one of our pipes, and we had to send out a message to all of our residents. This happened before working hours, so being able to alert people to boil their water was very helpful. It kept everyone informed and safe."

For municipalities dealing with natural disasters, the impact is even more pronounced. An official from Little Flock, Arkansas, described how GOGov helped during a devastating tornado:

"Our community and surrounding areas suffered widespread damages and hundreds of downed trees, including one that tore through our City Hall. The ability to update our citizens on community relief efforts, damages and so on were imperative. Information came fast and often changed faster. Without GOGov, our ability to keep our citizens informed would have been severely crippled."

3. No Account Required – Privacy First

One of the biggest barriers to resident adoption of new technology is privacy concerns and registration fatigue. Many residents are hesitant to create yet another account or share personal information, especially older residents who may be less comfortable with technology.

GOGov addresses this by allowing residents to download the app and receive notifications without creating an account or providing personal information. Monica McAlister, Communications Coordinator for Charter Township of Fenton, MI, highlighted this as a key deciding factor:

"It is a free download for our residents, and they are not required to create an account, meaning they do not have to put their personal information into the system. This allows us to communicate with our community instantly."

This feature is particularly appreciated by older residents. Vanessa Vazquez from Helotes noted:

"Especially for our older residents, that's huge. They don't want to give out their email or register for anything—they just want to know what's going on in their city."

4. Cost-Effective Solution

Budget constraints are a reality for municipalities of all sizes. GOGov provides a professional, branded mobile app and notification system at a price point that makes sense even for small communities.

Miranda Raasch, Communications Specialist for Zumbrota, MN, compared GOGov to other options:

"I loved the demos that we got, but the price, I mean, it blew everybody else out of the water at an affordable price."

For small communities, the cost comparison goes beyond just software fees. Brian Meissen, Village President of New Haven, Michigan, explained the broader financial picture:

"For a relatively low cost, we were able to work with GOGov to have a branded mobile app for our community. When I think about all the ways we try to communicate with residents, it always comes up—why not do a mailer? But if we did a mailer every time we wanted to share information, the cost would far outweigh the investment we made with GOGov."

Greg Mytinger, Village Administrator from Minerva, Ohio, shared similar sentiments about overcoming initial hesitation:

"We kind of hesitated at first, thinking it might be too expensive or out of reach for a small village like ours. But once we jumped in and saw how affordable it was, we were extremely happy we did it—and we actually wish we had done it sooner."

5. Easy to Use for Staff and Residents

Municipal staff are often stretched thin, managing multiple responsibilities with limited resources. The last thing they need is complicated software that requires extensive training or IT support.

GOGov's platform is designed to be intuitive for both the administrators sending messages and the residents receiving them. Cassi Lapp, Communications Director for Bella Vista, AR, appreciated the simplicity:

"I really appreciated the process of implementation. It was very easy—everyone was helpful and the support team is super responsive. Plus, the marketing ideas you all sent were so helpful—it made it easy to get started without feeling like, 'What am I supposed to do with this?'"

For small municipalities without dedicated IT staff, this ease of use is critical. Camille Palmer, Mayoral Assistant for Midway City, UT, explained:

"It was easy for us. We don't have in-house IT, and we don't have all the bells and whistles because we are small. This was an easy way for us to get a bang for our buck."

From the resident perspective, the feedback is equally positive. Jennifer Bromeland from Eagle Lake, MN, noted:

"The feedback we've gotten from residents is that they really appreciate the app. They like the format—it's straightforward, gets to the point, and delivers information quickly in a way that catches their attention."

6. Outstanding Customer Support

When municipalities invest in new technology, responsive and helpful customer support can make the difference between success and frustration. GOGov customers consistently highlight the quality of support they receive.

Larry Grant, Mayor of Attica City, IN, praised the team's responsiveness:

"Your team has been extremely responsive whenever we've asked for anything. If I send out an e-mail this afternoon, usually by the end of the day, whatever I've asked for to be added has been done. You guys are very reactive when it comes to matters, and I appreciate that part of it."

Shannon McMahon, Communications Coordinator from Iowa City, IA, valued the consistency and personal touch after 11 years of partnership:

"We've worked with GOGov for 11 years and it's always been seamless. If we have an issue with technology (and that's rare) it gets taken care of right away and the people at GOGov are consistent. We have worked with the same people for years, which is refreshing, and they know us. I don't feel like I'm bothering anyone when I contact them with a wild question or idea, I think they're open to that creativity and then have the skills needed to pull things off."

Jennifer Bromeland from Eagle Lake, MN, appreciated both the ease of use and the quick resolution of any issues:

"From setup to support, I've been very impressed. The rollout was easy, the platform is user-friendly, and any issues we've had are usually resolved the same day or within 24 hours."

7. Builds Trust and Modernizes Communication

In an era where trust in government institutions is often challenged, transparent and consistent communication helps build credibility with residents. GOGov enables municipalities to demonstrate that they're listening, responsive, and proactively keeping the community informed.

A City of Frankfort, IN official described the impact on community relations:

"I think the biggest thing is just communication, communication, communication… This has impacted our community by letting people know their local officials are on their side. It's direct, it's easy, and it's a win-win for everyone."

For municipalities that previously struggled to reach residents, GOGov has transformed perceptions. Nicole Supp, City Recorder for Sunset City, Utah, noted:

"People would say, 'The city never tells us anything.' We needed a way to modernize our communication and reach residents where they are today."

The impact goes beyond just getting information out—it's about how residents perceive their local government. Joana McDonnell, Communications Director from Haddonfield, NJ, explained:

"GOGov has helped us connect with residents in ways that are clear, timely, and trusted. It has strengthened our communications with stakeholders and reinforced transparency across the Borough."

Lisa Holder from Sanford, FL, highlighted how GOGov represents the modernization of local government:

"First and foremost, it's innovative. While apps have been around for a long time, it's exciting to see governments embracing technology like this. For the private sector, it's a no-brainer, but for local governments, it's a game-changer."

Built for Local Government by Local Government Professionals

GOGov was built in collaboration with local government communications professionals who understand the unique challenges municipalities face. Today, the platform serves hundreds of municipalities, townships, counties, and special districts across the United States—from small villages with populations under 1,000 to major cities serving hundreds of thousands of residents.

Whether your community is managing major infrastructure projects, responding to emergencies, or simply working to keep residents better informed about day-to-day operations, GOGov provides the tools to communicate effectively, build trust, and modernize your approach to civic engagement.

As municipalities nationwide continue to seek better ways to connect with their communities, GOGov remains committed to evolving and improving based on the real-world needs of the local government professionals and residents we serve.

Want to learn more about how GOGov can help your municipality improve resident communication?

Schedule a demo with the GOGov team today to see how easy it is to launch your own branded mobile app and citizen notification system.

‍

‍