5 Common Website Mistakes Small Municipalities Can’t Afford in 2025
For small municipalities, your website is your front desk, community bulletin board, and digital town hall. When it doesn’t work well, it affects every resident, every staff member, and every decision-maker trying to find clear information.
Unfortunately, many towns under 10,000 residents still struggle with common website issues. These problems create confusion, limit access, and cause frustration. Here are five of the most critical website mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Mobile-Friendly
Most of your residents are visiting your website on their phones. If your site is difficult to navigate or the layout breaks on smaller screens, users will stop trying.
How to fix it:
Use a responsive website framework that automatically adapts to screen size. If your current platform doesn't support this, consider switching to a mobile-first design, like Munibit’s.
2. Broken or Outdated Links
Nothing frustrates residents more than clicking on a form or resource that doesn't work. Broken links, especially to important content like permits or council meeting minutes, erode trust.
How to fix it:
Schedule regular link checks and assign a staff member to verify key links each month. When using Munibit’s CMS, you can easily manage content and assign staff to certain website pages without needing advanced technical knowledge.
3. Website Loads Too Slowly
If your website takes more than three seconds to load, visitors will often give up. A slow site is not just a bad experience, it prevents access for those on slower rural connections.
How to fix it:
Compress images, limit plugin usage, and ensure you use optimized hosting. Munibit websites are designed for high-speed performance, even on slower internet connections common in rural areas.
4. Not Accessible for People with Disabilities
Small towns are not exempt from federal accessibility requirements. A website that does not support screen readers or keyboard navigation prevents many residents from accessing services.
How to fix it:
Follow WCAG guidelines, add alt text to images, ensure high color contrast, and label forms properly. If you are unsure where to start, Munibit offers an accessible website design.
5. Navigation Is Confusing or Outdated
Residents should not have to click through five different menus to find trash pickup schedules, permit applications, or contact forms.
How to fix it:
Shift to a services-first layout that focuses on what residents are trying to do. Instead of department names, use labels like "Pay a Bill" or "Report a Problem." Learn more about this approach here.
TL;DR: 5 Website Mistakes to Avoid
Not mobile-friendly
Broken or outdated links
Slow page speed
Lack of accessibility
Confusing navigation
Avoiding these mistakes improves public trust, saves time for staff, and delivers a better digital experience.