How can property managers create an effective website to stay competitive online?
Having a functioning website is integral for businesses in this day and age. Everyone has one, but not all are user friendly.
There are a number of ways that sites can function in a way that will encourage users to stay and explore the pages. Websites need to be easy to navigate — if users cannot locate the information they need readily, they will move on.
This is especially true for property management websites. Making the property search function simple and straightforward allows users to quickly search for a building with amenities that meet their specifications.
In addition, websites need to function properly in all browsers. While it may display beautifully in Chrome, those who use Internet Explorer may see nothing more than broken images and jumbled information.
The sites need to add value to the user experience by adding unique features that allows the page to become a one-stop shop for rental information. This includes a tenant portal that allows residents to pay rent online (a great selling point for potential renters) and a blog that is updated frequently with useful content about apartment living.
Finally, is the site mobile compatible? Potential renters may first find a property the old-fashioned way — by driving past the building and seeing the ‘for rent’ sign. Allowing prospective tenants to look a building up immediately on their phone with a site that is optimized for mobile viewing will give a property an edge over its competition.
Chaim Rivlin is the president and CEO of RentSeeker.ca.
