THE BIG PROBLEMTHE BIG PROBLEMWITH PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SITES

Websites are a critical meeting point between property managers and residents. Maintaining an optimized site is crucial to acquiring new residents, building credibility and nurturing client relationships. Yet, today, most property managers maintain their websites themselves, neglecting key site functions that consumers want, such as mobile optimization, social network integration, and user-friendly design. Here, we look at the costly mistakes property managers make when trying to maintain their websites themselves.

C O S T L Y M I S T A K E S

By trying to maintain their own websites, property managers face many obstacles.

NO FEATURES SPECIFIC TO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Without metrics, businesses are unable to track their progress, their reach, or their customers’ habits and needs. Make sure that potential and current

residents can easily find vacancies and other information online.

Most people today view websites on their mobile devices. Without the technology to engage this group, property managers are missing out on key consumers.

of business owners consider the time necessary to update their websites a major challenge.

64%say the cost of maintaining their sites is a big hurdle.25%

do not use analytics tools to measure their websites’ performance.

75%

do not feel they have the tools necessary to make sense of their site analytics or take action to resolve issues.

60%

?Make sure prospective residents can process their needs online.

Appling for vacant units and paying application fees online.

Contacting managers about maintenance issues.

Paying rent securely online.

Poor Design By taking design into their own hands, property managers cause themselves headaches and risk having poorly designed sites.

of small-business owners who plan to improve their websites, say design/aesthetic is the top choice of action.41%

List vacancies with nice photographs.

Add floorplans and video tours.

Allow visitors to search for vacancies using various keywords.

0 100%

do not have mobile websites or know if their websites are mobile-optimized.60%

0 100%

�me-Consuming UpdatesWhen personally maintaining your site, you risk wasting time that could otherwise be used to cultivate your business.

No MetricsNo Metrics Poor USABILITY

By allowing your residents to share their experiences with your properites via social channels, you’re enabling information about your business to reach people you might not have otherwise targeted.

LackFacebook widgets 91%

94%LackTwitter widgets

83%LackTwitter links

NO MOBILE OPTIMIZATIONSORRY! This website isn’t

optimized formobile devices.

P R O P E R T Y M A N A G E R S ’ C O M M O N W E B S I T E M I S T A K E S

Give your current and prospective residents the tools they need to interact with your business and ensure you don’t make these same website mistakes. Focus on what matters, and leave the website to the professionals.

Check out AppFolio’s newest ebook, Keys to a Successful Website, to learn more.

SOURCES: YODLE | NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION | SITEAPPS | VSPLASH

A Checklist For Property Management Professionals

Keys To A Successful Website: