Prioritizing budgets (especially taxpayer funded ones) is never easy. One area governments of all kinds should look to when deciding where they can get the most for their money is in developing an effective mobile strategy. In fact, that should even take precedence over upgrading existing web sites.
Why? Because twenty years ago a web site was a novel way for citizens to access information. Now it’s considered standard to the point of being mandatory. The point is not that a site exists, but that it’s accessible. And the truth is people have transitioned to smart phones and mobile devices is how they access the web. According to Pew Research, 81% of Americans now own smartphones. That’s up from just 35% in 2011. Those kinds of changes in technology present challenges, but they also present opportunities. 70% of all web site traffic – including to local governments – now comes from mobile devices. And it’s not just information they are accessing, but also services. In other words, not having an effective mobile strategy creates significant obstacles for any local government.
Put simply, an effective mobile strategy immediately gives your messaging – and your ability to communicate it – an upgrade. An effective mobile strategy (aka an application) can centralize access to information and services in a way that is simply more convenient to your citizens and how they want to interact with their government and participate in their community. And if a local government doesn’t account for the reality of how their citizens access information and services, they aren’t servicing their constituents to the best of their ability.
Because at the end of the day, customer service (or citizen service, if you prefer) is exactly what mobile access is about. It’s also easier to provide than you might think. It’sMyTown can help local governments create an effective mobile strategy from scratch by giving them a way to reach their residents in the way those citizens now prefer to access information and services – via their mobile device. For governments, it’s an elegant solution that requires no IT backend, makes smart cities smarter, and increases customer satisfaction and trust. For residents, it puts information and services in one place, has no privacy concerns or social media dependency because no registration is required, and helps build a sense of community. And when you’re ready to upgrade your web site, It’sMyTown, by ITsimple can already be there with a proven mobile strategy for success in place.
