With all of the other responsibilities the HOA board has, how much time do you really spend working on the website? If it’s not part of your routine or at the top of a to-do list, it can be easy to overlook. But pushing the community website to the back burner can be a real loss because the site can hold a lot of potential.
Think about it: when you’re looking for information, where is one of the first places you turn? The Internet. You can be sure that potential homeowners are scoping out the web as they consider where to move. If your HOA website is bland, out of date, and not user-friendly, they’ll probably take one glance and move on. But on the other hand, if they see you take pride in your community and make your website a valuable resource, it can be an attractive selling point. There are many benefits to having a functional and engaging site:
Valuable source of information: Upload the most recent version of the CC&Rs, policies, and other governing documents so that homeowners have easy access. If they have a question, they can look for answers more easily. You can also post newsletters, notices, event invites, meeting agendas, and other pertinent information. In the digital age, people are connected all the time and like having information at their fingertips no matter where they are.
Attract new homeowners: When it comes to potential homeowners, you can use your site to showcase the community’s amenities and selling points. Show them why they should want to be a part of your community and why you want them there. Highlight safety, committee opportunities, special events, and fee information. The website may be the first impression they get of your HOA community, especially if they’re moving from out of town.
Stay on track: Regularly updating the website can help keep the HOA board focused and on track. You want to keep members in the loop and provide current and relevant information. By reviewing what has been posted, it can keep tasks from falling through the cracks or being overlooked. It can also serve as a reminder that it’s time to start planning for elections, a new budget, improvement projects, or other activities.
While you want to ensure that your website has important information current and future homeowners may be looking for, you also want to keep it simple and easy to navigate. Make sure additional pages are clearly labeled and coordinate with the information found within. Periodically check links to ensure they still work and lead to the correct file. Also maintain a clean, professional look that isn’t too overwhelming or filled with graphics or ads that can slow down navigation. Putting the time and effort into updating your HOA website can pay off.