Benefits of an HOA Website

Looking for an amazing tool for your homeowners or condo association?

Today, all community associations should take the opportunity to see what a website can offer homeowners and the HOA board of directors. Sure, many communities have websites. Unfortunately, these websites fail to live up to their full potential! The first mistake of these failed HOA websites is that they don’t include the homeowners’ feedback.

The second mistake is that the website does not provide value to the community, which leads to lack of motivation and support of the website by the homeowners.

Promote the Website in the Community

There are many ways to promote and publicize your HOA website. One effective method is to send a postcard announcing the website to all homeowners. The postcard would be in addition to the promotions made in the association’s newsletter.

Although, the ultimate goal of an association website will be to scale back the expense of the distribution of the newsletter, the newsletter will provide the publicity that is needed during the early stages of the homeowners association website. Other mailings that are used by the association, such as meeting notices, assessment statements, community message boards and meeting announcements, should also be utilized for promoting the premier of the website. These methods are usually free of any additional cost to the association.

Another method to help promote the website is the association management company and their role in daily communications with homeowners. The management company can play a significant role by directing customer service personnel to promote the website. (i.e. “I will be more than happy to assist you with that, Mr. Smith, but did you know that you can also access that feature/information on your HOA website if that would be more convenient for you in the future?”)

The main key to a successful website is the ability to continually make updates – at a low cost. The failure to maintain the website could ultimately discourage homeowners from using the website. Homeowners want to be impressed and want value, if you lose them on the first visit they may never return to see improvements that have been made.

The homeowners association should only use a professional website administrator or web development company in favor of a homeowner volunteer. To keep consistency, usability, and functionality at its best, a solid relationship between an association and the web developer is critical. Although volunteers have the best intentions, this professional relationship will insure a better result in the long run.

An effective community HOA website must provide homeowners with more than information. It should provide convenience and interactive features that will keep homeowners coming back. The key features a website should have would be a secure area for residents only, the ability to place a service request, pay dues online, message board, submit an application for architectural changes, or reserve the clubhouse for a private party online.

What better tool to spread community news than an association website! Promoting and regular updates will insure your community website will reach its full potential.

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Does this sound like a tool that your board members and community could use? Contact us today for more information and get your neighborhood working together.

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