When residents visit a city or municipal website, they want answers—not an impromptu scavenger hunt. Yet, too many government websites are cluttered, outdated and a chore to use. Confusing navigation, slow load times and unclear information leave residents frustrated. Which means you get more phone calls, complaints and disengagement from local government.

Instead, an effective municipal website should be easy to use. Residents should quickly find what they need, stay informed, and complete tasks like paying bills with ease. If your website is making things harder instead of easier, it’s time to fix these common mistakes.

Let’s get started.

Mistake #1: A Confusing Experience That Leaves Residents Lost

Most people visiting a city website are there for a specific reason: paying a bill, applying for a permit or finding city council meeting details. If the website structure isn’t clear, residents either waste time searching or give up entirely.

Municipal Website Tip #1: Organize Content Based on Resident Needs

• Identify the top five most visited pages and make them easy to access from the homepage.

• Use clear labels instead of jargon. Residents should instantly understand where to click.

• Place an easy-to-find search bar at the top of every page for quick access to information.

The best municipal websites are straightforward, easy to follow and free of unnecessary complexity.

Mistake #2: Not Mobile-Friendly (Even Though Most Users Are on Their Phones)

Over half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, yet many municipal websites still function as if they’re stuck in a desktop-only era. If residents have to pinch, zoom or deal with broken formatting, they’ll get frustrated fast.

Municipal Website Tip #2: Prioritize a Mobile-Responsive Design

• Make sure the site resizes automatically for different screen sizes.

• Use large, easy-to-click buttons. Tiny links are frustrating on a smartphone.

• Test the website on different devices to ensure a smooth experience across the board.

A mobile-friendly website ensures that whether residents are on their laptops or checking something on their phones, they can access what they need.

Mistake #3: Slow Load Times That Drive Visitors Away

Few things are more frustrating than a slow website. If pages take too long to load, residents will abandon the site and either call city offices or leave without getting the information they need. Optimizing your municipal website for speed while constantly testing it is non-negotiable.

Municipal Website Tip #3: Optimize for Speed

• Compress large images and avoid unnecessary graphics that slow down loading.

• Remove outdated plugins or code that might be bogging down performance.

• Use a reliable hosting service to ensure fast load times, even during high-traffic periods.

A faster website doesn’t just improve user experience, it ensures people actually get the information they came for.

Mistake #4: Hard-to-Find Public Meeting Schedules and Documents

Transparency builds trust, but if residents can’t easily find city council agendas, public meeting minutes or important announcements, they’ll be disappointed. Put yourself in their shoes and ensure the information they’re looking for is front and center across every page.

Municipal Website Tip #4: Make Government Transparency Effortless

• Place upcoming meeting schedules front and center on the homepage.

• Provide downloadable and searchable PDFs for meeting minutes and policies.

• Allow residents to sign up for email or text alerts when new reports are available.

A well-organized municipal website should make it easy for residents to stay informed and engaged.

Mistake #5: No Online Forms or Digital Service Requests

If residents have to visit city hall just to complete simple tasks, like applying for a permit, requesting public records or reporting an issue—your website isn’t doing its job. These days, people expect to be able to fulfill simple requests 100% digitally.

Municipal Website Tip #5: Move Services Online to Save Time

• Offer online forms for permit applications, business licenses and other common requests.

• Create a service request portal where residents can report potholes, streetlight issues or missed trash.

• Allow for online payments and autopay so residents can handle bills without visiting in person.

Moving essential services online not only makes life easier for residents, but it also reduces paperwork and administrative work for your staff.

A Well-Designed Municipal Website Strengthens Community Trust

A city’s website is more than an informational hub. It can be a key part of how residents interact with their local government. A website that is clear, fast and easy to use builds trust and encourages civic engagement. At Slamdot, that’s precisely what we specialize in.

For example, Lenoir City needed a website that could serve as a central hub for residents to access important community information and services. By partnering with Slamdot, they now have a well-organized, user-friendly site that makes it easier for residents to stay informed and engage with their local government.

Want to learn how we can help your city do the same? Contact us today!

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