Gone are the days when a poster in a shop window or a flyer on a bulletin board could do all the heavy lifting. In today’s world, meaningful engagement means meeting people where they are—on their phones, in real time, with content that’s interactive, personalized, and at least a little bit fun.
The good news: You don’t need to be a big city with a massive budget to make it happen. Small downtowns across the country are starting to tap into simple tech tools to spark curiosity, increase foot traffic, and build stronger connections between people and place.
This isn’t about adding more work to your plate—it’s about using the right tools to make what you’re already doing go further.
Why tech engagement matters (especially for small downtowns)
Let’s face it—small downtowns are constantly juggling limited staff, tight budgets, and an ever-shifting idea of what “engagement” even means. At the same time, there’s increasing pressure to show value to business owners, create reasons for people to visit downtown, and prove that downtown is still the heart of the community.
Here’s the thing: people want to be engaged. They want to explore, discover, and feel connected. But if we rely only on analog methods—flyers, Facebook posts, sandwich boards—we miss the opportunity to speak the digital language that most visitors are already fluent in.
Tech tools aren’t just bells and whistles. When used right, they become part of your downtown’s infrastructure—enhancing how people interact with spaces, businesses, events, and stories. They can make your streets more dynamic, your events more interactive, and your feedback loops more immediate and insightful.
And best of all, they don’t require a Silicon Valley budget or a staff of developers to implement.
What’s working: Simple tools that get results
Tech doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. In fact, the best tools are often the simplest—ones that integrate naturally into the flow of a downtown visit. They work quietly in the background, making the experience richer, smoother, and more engaging for the people walking your streets.
A simple sign with a QR code can be a powerful communication tool for your community.
Below are some of the most effective tools that towns are already using. They don’t require a ton of setup or specialized training—just a bit of creativity and the will to try something new.
Hello Lamp Post: Make street objects talk back
What if a park bench could strike up a conversation or a lamppost could ask visitors how they’re feeling about downtown? With Hello Lamp Post , they can.
This playful platform turns everyday objects into interactive touchpoints. People simply text a phone number listed on a sign (or scan a QR code) and start chatting with the object like it’s an old friend. In the background, the platform collects information like what people love about downtown, what they’d improve, or what events they’d like to see.
It’s part public engagement tool and part storytelling engine, and it makes the urban environment feel alive. Even better: People actually enjoy using it
QR codes: Still simple, still powerful
Once dismissed as a passing trend, QR codes are now one of the most versatile tools in your digital toolkit. Why? Because they’re easy to use and universally understood and do not require a download.
For small downtowns, QR codes offer a low-cost, high-impact way to connect the physical world to the digital one. Link them to:
- A hidden history walking tour
- Shop directories or coupon books
- Scavenger hunts that encourage exploration
- Business profiles or testimonials
- Behind-the-scenes videos of public art
They’re inexpensive to create, easy to update, and a great entry point into tech-based placemaking.
Chatbots: Your 24/7 digital guide
Not everyone has the resources to staff a downtown info center—or to be available around the clock answering emails and messages. That’s where chatbots shine.
These simple, automated assistants live on your website or Facebook page and can handle frequently asked questions, suggest places to eat or shop, and even offer a friendly welcome message to new visitors.
Think of them as your virtual downtown concierge: always available, always helpful, and surprisingly easy to set up with no-code platforms such as Tidio, Landbot, or Chatfuel.
AR and VR: Next-level storytelling
If you want to create something unforgettable, go immersive. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) used to be out of reach for small towns, but not anymore.
Using smartphones, tablets, or inexpensive VR headsets, you can now tell deep, layered stories about your town’s past, present, or future. Maybe it’s an AR mural that comes to life with animation or a 360-degree VR tour of historic buildings narrated by local voices.
These technologies can bring your downtown’s stories to life in ways traditional signage simply can’t—and they’re especially powerful for educational tourism and community pride.
Smart signage: Static + digital = magic
Visitors can scroll through the touch-screen digital directory in Jefferson, WI.
Sometimes all you need is a good sign—one that does a little more than usual.
Smart signage is about combining the charm of print with the power of digital. Whether it’s a digital kiosk displaying upcoming events, a printed sign with a QR code that links to business specials, or a post that launches a video via NFC (near field communication, a short-range wireless communication technology that allows devices to exchange data when you bring them close together), the goal is the same: Keep people curious and connected.
The best part: It’s totally scalable. One smart sign can make a big impression—and once you’ve got one, it’s easy to build from there.
Bandwango: Powering digital passports for downtown engagement
Bandwango is a digital experience platform that enables communities to create mobile-friendly passes, encouraging exploration of local attractions, businesses, and events. These passes can be customized to fit the unique character of a downtown district, offering incentives such as discounts, rewards, or exclusive content to users who check in at participating locations.
In Wisconsin, several communities have successfully implemented Bandwango-powered passes to enhance visitor experiences and support local economies.
- Madison’s Craft Beverage Trail: Destination Madison launched the “Madison On Tap” pass, uniting local breweries, cideries, and distilleries. In just over two months, the initiative saw more than 3,100 sign-ups and 2,200 check-ins, demonstrating the pass’s effectiveness in driving foot traffic and promoting local businesses.
- Eau Claire’s Curd Crawl: Visit Eau Claire introduced a mobile-exclusive pass featuring 18 local establishments offering cheese curds. Participants check in at each location to earn rewards, promoting local eateries and celebrating a Wisconsin culinary staple.
Downtowns can utilize Bandwango to:
- Create themed trails: Develop passes centered around local themes—such as art walks, historical tours, or seasonal events—to encourage residents and visitors to explore different parts of downtown.
- Partner with local businesses: Collaborate with merchants to offer discounts or special deals through the pass, incentivizing shopping and dining at local establishments.
- Gamify the experience: Incorporate challenges or point systems where users earn rewards for multiple check-ins, fostering repeat visitors and deeper engagement.
- Gather valuable data: Utilize Bandwango’s analytics to track user engagement, popular locations, and overall program effectiveness, informing future downtown initiatives.
Implementing a Bandwango pass is a strategic way to modernize downtown engagement, offering a seamless and interactive experience that benefits both visitors and local businesses.
Common misconceptions about tech in small downtowns
This sign allows even a single individual to setup their smartphone camera and take a selfie.
The moment you start talking about technology in the context of a small downtown, the mental brakes tend to come on.
You might hear: “Sounds cool, but we’re not a big city.” “That stuff’s expensive.” “Our visitors are older—they don’t use tech.” “We don’t have the staff or time to manage it.”
These are real concerns, and they deserve to be addressed head-on. The truth is that tech doesn’t have to be flashy, futuristic, or overwhelming. It’s not about installing massive digital screens or launching a fancy app no one uses. It’s about using simple, approachable tools that quietly enhance what you’re already doing—and make it easier to connect with people in ways that feel natural.
Let’s break down a few of the biggest myths holding small towns back—and show why they don’t hold up anymore.
“This is just for big cities.” Not true. In fact, small towns often have a greater return on these tools because even a small bump in engagement can have a visible, measurable impact.
“We can’t afford this.” You don’t need a massive budget to try any of this. Most tools listed above are either completely free, free with paid tiers for extra features, or available at a low cost. Start with one—maybe it’s just a QR tour—and scale up as you go.
“Our crowd isn’t into tech.” That’s the beauty of today’s tools. They’re invisible in the best way. You don’t need anyone to download a new app or understand how artificial intelligence (AI) works. If they can scan a code, text a number, or click a button, they can engage.
Don’t let misconceptions keep your downtown stuck in the past.
How to start: Implementation tips
Feeling inspired but not sure where to begin? You’re not alone. It’s easy to get excited about new tools and ideas—then feel totally stuck when it comes time to actually do something with them. Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t have a tech background,” “We don’t have the budget to go all-in,” or even just “Where do we start without getting overwhelmed?”
The good news is that you don’t need to launch some massive downtown-wide initiative overnight. In fact, the best way to integrate tech into your community engagement strategy is to start small, stay scrappy, and build from real-world feedback.
Whether you’re a one-person Main Street program, a business owner looking to boost foot traffic, or a downtown committee ready to shake things up, here’s your no-fluff, real-world playbook to get started—with the resources and time you already have.
- Start small and think local. Pick one idea. Test it during an upcoming event or along a key corridor. Pilot it. Learn from it.
- Use what you’ve already got. That mural? Link to an artist interview. That alley? Turn it into a QR-powered ghost walk. That bulletin board outside City Hall? Add a Hello Lamp Post sign that answers “What’s happening downtown today?”
- Make it visible. Tech only works when people know it’s there. Use sidewalk chalk, window signage, social posts—whatever it takes to grab attention. “Scan me to uncover downtown secrets” is more fun than “Click here.”
- Track, learn, repeat. Most digital tools give you data; use it. How many people scanned that code? What did they click next? Refine based on what people actually do.
- Involve the community. You don’t need to do this alone. Local students can help design AR elements. Business owners can offer QR-linked deals. Creatives can script chatbot personalities. You’ve already got the talent; you just need a little coordination.
Funding ideas: How to pay for it
Let’s be real: Budgets are tight. But the good news is that tech-based engagement doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, it’s often cheaper than traditional marketing and event costs.
Here’s where the dollars might come from:
- Tourism and marketing grants: Look into funds from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant Program, which supports innovative tourism initiatives—including tech-forward engagement ideas.
- Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) budgets: Many BIDs allocate funds for placemaking and marketing. A chatbot or QR-linked scavenger hunt fits perfectly in that bucket.
- Local business sponsorships: Businesses might love the visibility of sponsoring a stop on a self-guided digital tour or having their shop featured in a chatbot’s “Where should I eat?” flow.
- High-school or college partnerships: Collaborate with students on AR design, 360° VR tours, or chatbot scripts. It’s experiential learning for them and it stretches your resources to go further.
- In-kind support: Graphic designers, web developers, or videographers in your community might be willing to donate time or skills for visibility—or just because they love the mission.
Connection is the goal
Downtowns succeed when people feel a sense of ownership, belonging, and curiosity. That feeling doesn’t come from the latest tech. It comes from people connecting with stories, spaces, and each other—but the right tech can open the door to that connection. So don’t think of QR codes, chatbots, or talking benches as “digital gimmicks.” Think of them as new ways to say, “Welcome. Explore. Engage.”
Imagine it’s a chilly October day in a small Wisconsin town. As a couple strolls downtown, next to a mural they see a sign that says: “Scan to hear the ghost story behind this alley.” When they scan it, their phone plays a short, narrated clip produced by the local high school drama club. Down the block, a bench invites them to text a number and answer, “What’s your favorite fall activity downtown?” They smile. They answer. And without realizing it, they’ve just engaged. That’s the kind of low-barrier magic that gets people exploring, interacting, and coming back for more.
