M-Governance Provides Citizens with Much Needed Fluidity

If you consume content, purchase products, or engage with companies on your phone, then you already understand the importance of content mobility. The explosion of mobile device technology has altered the way that all brands big and small are doing business and the ways that consumers and citizens are engaging with brands and organizations.

Now more than ever, local governments and municipalities that have not already done so need to create m-governance strategies to harness the power of mobile.

What is M-Governance?

E-governance is the use of electronic communication devices, computers, and the Internet to provide public services to citizens. M-governance is more specifically the approach of ensuring that citizen self-service functionality and information is accessible using mobile device technology such as smartphones and tablets.

Aside from the convenience of allowing citizens to access information at a time and place that is convenient to them, m-governance delivers analytical organization and financial benefits to local governments. It eradicates the need for more costly physical communication systems, particularly in rural communities. It also gives an advantage in a time when very few people are choosing to leave their homes.

Support an effective m-governance strategy with clear administrative procedures, supportable information, and a m-governance plan that ensures ongoing data quality actions and software integrations.

Mobile Apps Engage Citizens with Municipalities & Local Government Entities

You can expect citizens to digest mobile content for news, information, and resources whether your city or town is upstate or downstate, rural, urban, or suburban. The average citizen spends upwards of five hours every day on a mobile device, and 92% of these people spend their time engaging within mobile apps. For digital tools that your citizens rely on in both their personal and professional lives, apps provide a streamlined experience. Send messages when they matter, provide two-way communication instead of unopened emails, and follow the attribution of communication from impression to goal-completion. The options are endless.

Social media apps offer communication with friends and loved ones. Retail and food services apps grant users access to the products and services they want. Why then, shouldn’t citizens be able to engage with their local leaders, request public services, sign up for activities or public events using a mobile app?

Municipal Mobile Application Opportunities

There are many citizens that want to engage with local municipalities but lack the time or ability to make the trip to do so. Mobile apps allow citizens to reach these entities at their own convenience, any time or place. Consider these citizen engagement touchpoints for a mobile application:

• Tracking closures and government orders during times of crisis

• Paying a water bill

• Filling out a voter registration application

• Settling public parking pay

• Researching community events

• Signing up a child for a youth league

• Submitting a public works request

• Reviewing town council meeting minutes

• Renewing and remitting payment for pet, hunting, or fishing licenses

• Watching a live recording of a public hearing

• Submitting a job application

• Paying a parking ticket

• Reserving a park pavilion for a family reunion

• Researching shelter pets for adoption

• Purchasing a monthly public transit pass

• Receiving urgent and emergency alerts

This only lists a few of the use cases for a municipal mobile application. Any service or information visible digitally benefits from mobile delivery.

Don’t Forget About Education

With mass closures of schools and education institutions, virtual learning is on the rise. Many parents are frustrated and overwhelmed with the process of receiving children’s work requirements, multiple platform usage, and how to turn work in. An app has the power to communicate directly with parents and students through push notifications, in-app messaging, and more. Provide the information that parents need when they need it to create ease and flexibility at a trying time.

Final Thoughts

Our society has accepted mobile device technology as a way of life, and it’s not expected that mobile experiences are on pace to take a back seat to other forms of digital engagement anytime soon. By understanding your citizens’ needs, 24/7 engagement, and strategically building mobile service and functionality solutions, you will earn your citizens’ trust and appreciation!