![[AptChat] 3:8:16 Image Small](https://i0.wp.com/aptchat.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/AptChat-3816-Image-Small.jpg)
Your property website is your online storefront, which means it should be both visually appealing and useful.
What that translates to in terms of form and function was at the center of this week’s #AptChat; these are the highlights. (Click on the links to jump straight to a specific question.)
- Q1: What is the typical apartment hunter expecting to find on a property website? What are the absolute “must-haves” for your site?
- Q2: What actions do prospects want to take from your site? What are the best “calls to action” that increase your website leads?
- Q3: Should the website morph based on the viewing device or the traffic source? Do best practices change for mobile visitors?
- Q3A: Who can share some examples of apartment companies doing mobile websites really well today? Any links we can see?
- Q4: What are some website trends apartment marketers need to be aware of? What tools/elements are we not using enough?
What is the typical apartment hunter expecting to find on a property website? What are the absolute “must-haves” for your site?
@AptChat Current Photos, floor plans and pricing #AptChat
— Mindy Sharp (@MsMin) March 8, 2016
@AptChat #aptchat one of the biggest complaints is when prices aren’t on there.
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) March 8, 2016
@artchickhb Do you think it needs to be the exact price? Do you think it’s necessary to show all the different lease term options? #AptChat
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) March 8, 2016
@AptChat @artchickhb A price range works IMO and showing different lease term options can’t hurt–proves your sophistication
— Jerry Ascierto (@Jascierto) March 8, 2016
@AptChat @artchickhb I think a range is fine… This gives the apartment community the opportunity to showcase value. #aptchat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) March 8, 2016
@ortizwastaken @AptChat it could se you up for having to not just get past the objections, but also disappointment as well #aptchat
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) March 8, 2016
@artchickhb @AptChat This is where the sales process just disqualifies this prospect. Not everyone is a good fit, and that’s ok #aptchat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) March 8, 2016
A1: Must-haves are availability, floor plans, clear and visible contact options #AptChat
— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) March 8, 2016
@AptChat I’m amazed at the lack of responsive design out there–it has to look good on mobile too! pic.twitter.com/XF30lDzh7c
— Jerry Ascierto (@Jascierto) March 8, 2016
@Jascierto @AptChat UI is too often the last thing considered in any customer facing product in our industry, and idk why that is. #aptchat
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) March 8, 2016
@artchickhb @AptChat Our industry isn’t full of “early adopters” but responsive design should be a no-brainer, agreed.
— Jerry Ascierto (@Jascierto) March 8, 2016
@Apartmentalist Color is a big underrated factor – https://t.co/MYRgMNNcAA #aptchat
— -ortiz~ (@ortizwastaken) March 8, 2016
A1: Targeted content that conveys unique value & experience: authentic photos/videos, floor plans, online reservation, FAQs #aptchat
— Nicole Mintiens (@Nicole_Mintiens) March 8, 2016
@Nicole_Mintiens Good stuff! Can you explain what you mean by “targeted content”? #AptChat
— Apartment Chat (@AptChat) March 8, 2016
@AptChat Content should be carefully selected & tested to target ideal customers. #aptchat #cro pic.twitter.com/WejpUuFx1k
— Nicole Mintiens (@Nicole_Mintiens) March 8, 2016
Must haves for website: online leasing button, contact info prominently displayed, amazing photos A1 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
.@AptChat K.I.S.S – rental rates, photos, videos tours, testimonials & contact info. Top 5 things apartment hunters look for. #AptChat
— Places4Students (@Places4Students) March 8, 2016
What actions do prospects want to take from your site? What are the best “calls to action” that increase your website leads?
Calls to action: lease online, call now, email us now, chat now A2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
Chat will fail, though, if you don’t have enough staff to support it. A2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
I find live home pages with the video pretty impressive. Example: https://t.co/730sQpWl4l A2 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
big fan of texting/chat options b/c of the imm gratification aspect. IG is almost a call to action itself. #aptchat https://t.co/a0FD1TFUml
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) March 8, 2016
A2: Users want to view floor plans & photos. Guide them to conversion. #UX tips via @GetG5 . #aptchat pic.twitter.com/Mk8wm9pXlk
— Nicole Mintiens (@Nicole_Mintiens) March 8, 2016
A little biased here but “text us” call-to-actions have worked pretty well for my clients #AptChat pic.twitter.com/wyvMuXgIju
— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) March 8, 2016
.@AptChat CTA’s like ‘Contact Us’, ‘Apply Now’ and ‘Book a Viewing’ seem to be most common and effective. #AptChat
— Places4Students (@Places4Students) March 8, 2016
A2 #aptchat – Let them set their own appointments right on your site
— Jonathan Saar (@JonathanSaar) March 8, 2016
Should the website morph based on the viewing device or the traffic source? Do best practices change for mobile visitors?
Sites should be responsive. On mobile, menu button should be easy to find, buttons large. A3 #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
A3 #aptchat Best practices should change for mobile visitors. Test the devices, load time, CTA, make it simple.
— Jonathan Saar (@JonathanSaar) March 8, 2016
Amen load time! They won’t wait 3 seconds on a desktop – Mobile is even more demanding. Compress pics! #aptchat https://t.co/tNtKGRu11G
— Heather Blume (@artchickhb) March 8, 2016
Who can share some examples of apartment companies doing mobile websites really well today? Any links we can see?
@AptChat as always, https://t.co/gkzYQ11qyH
— Jerry Ascierto (@Jascierto) March 8, 2016
A3a: https://t.co/nY2GUtOiLU simple and easy to view from the phone #AptChat
— RokitNow (@RokitNowInc) March 8, 2016
What are some website trends apartment marketers need to be aware of? What tools/elements are we not using enough?
.@AptChat Facebook remarketing – targeting users with ads who have already been to your apartment website & website exit pop-ups #AptChat
— Places4Students (@Places4Students) March 8, 2016
Outside of websites, when AT&T wants me to pay a bill, they text me and I reply with a ‘1’. Done. Can we collect rent this way? LOL #aptchat
— Jasmine R. Brooks (@jasminemarkets) March 8, 2016
Our next #AptChat will be Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 12 pm Eastern. In the meantime, be sure to sign up for #AptChat updates to get these recaps and more delivered straight to your inbox!