Local government municipalities are responsible for providing essential services to their communities. From maintaining roads and infrastructure to delivering public safety and emergency services, they are an important part of local life. With the rapid development of technology, it has become increasingly important for municipalities to keep up with the times and leverage digital tools to enhance the services they provide. One such tool that has gained popularity in recent years is mobile apps.

You may be wondering, "Why should a local municipality get a mobile app if they already have a website and social media?" This is a great question, and one that we will explore in this blog post.

The Rise of Mobile Devices

Mobile apps are designed specifically for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This means that they can offer a more user-friendly and intuitive experience than a website or social media page that has been adapted for mobile use. With a mobile app, users can easily access the information and services they need with just a few taps on their screen. In fact, nearly 90% of mobile internet time is spent on apps. (eMarketer) - The gap between mobile app and mobile browser usage is also widening. Adult smartphone users spend about 4 hours per day using mobile internet, and 88% of that time is spent in mobile apps rather than a browser.

Mobile Apps provide more features and functionality

Mobile apps can offer a range of features and functionalities that are not available on a website or social media page. For example, a mobile app can use the device's GPS to provide location-specific information, such as the nearest park or recycling center. It can also send push notifications to users, alerting them to important news or updates, such as road closures or severe weather warnings.

Automate City Hall

Local government mobile apps can help to streamline and automate many of the processes involved in delivering municipal services. For example, an app can allow residents to report potholes or other issues directly from their mobile device, with the app automatically capturing the location and other relevant details. This can save time and resources compared to traditional methods of reporting, such as phone calls or emails.

Improved Citizen Engagement

In addition to these benefits, mobile apps can also help to enhance communication and engagement between municipalities and their residents. By providing a convenient and accessible platform for sharing information and soliciting feedback, municipalities can foster a sense of community involvement and ownership. This can lead to greater trust and satisfaction among residents, as well as improved outcomes for the municipality's initiatives. In fact, push notifications form a mobile app offer a trusted source of communication. In fact, text message and robocall scams are on the rise. While there were 72.2 billion scam calls in 2021, there were 87.8 billion scam texts. (text-em-all). Citizens receiving notifications and messages through a branded mobile app are far more likely to be trusted because Apple & Google verify the authenticity of their apps. This is a far better experience than receiving text messages from a random unknown phone number, a known channel for phishing and scams.

Mobile App and Local Government Municipalities

Of course, it's important to note that a mobile app should not be seen as a replacement for a website or social media presence. Rather, it should be viewed as a complementary tool that can enhance the overall digital strategy of a municipality. By leveraging the strengths of each platform, municipalities can create a robust and effective online presence that meets the needs of all their constituents.

In conclusion, there are many reasons why a local municipality should consider getting a mobile app. From offering a more user-friendly experience to streamlining processes and enhancing communication, mobile apps can provide a range of benefits that are not available through a website or social media page alone. By embracing this technology, municipalities can better serve their communities and stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly digital world.

Get started by contacting the GOGov team and setting up a demo so you can see how a mobile app can help your municipality.

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