Is your website giving you the professional online presence that you need or holding you back? Property managers we work with use their website as one of the primary tools to deliver information to existing and future customers. But the thought of creating a new website on top of everything else.....can seem overwhelming. We've created this helpful checklist of important criteria to consider when you're evaluating your current website and planning for the future.

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DESIGN & BRANDING
q Modern & Professional Design
Will the website look professional?
Is it going to work on all browsers, and on both Macs and PCs?
Are the images and graphics appropriate and rendering properly?
Is the design clean and simple, not cluttered and busy?
Is the text easily readable?
q Usability
Can visitors easily search properties using the criteria that are important to them?
Is the navigation organized in a logical, thoughtful way?
Will it be easy for visitors to get in touch with me, using a form or contact information?
Is it, or can it be, integrated with the software I use to manage my residents and properties?
q Your Company Branding
Is my logo prominently featured?
Does the site design match my company colors / branding?
Does the site use my company URL/domain name?
Company websites are vital in today’s business
world, and it’s rare for a company to overlook
this essential tool to provide information to
current and potential customers. But, as with
most things, some companies create great
websites, and others miss the mark completely.
When creating a website for your property management
company you have two primary options:
1. Hire a web developer to design your website from scratch
2. Utilize property management software that integrates with or includes a website package within
their comprehensive list of services.
To help with your decision process, here’s a checklist of important criteria to consider during the
planning stages, no matter which road you decide to take:
Keys To A Successful Website:
A Checklist For Property Managers

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AFFORDABILITY
q Monthly Costs
What is included in the monthly costs?
What is included in the set-up fees?
Are there any additional consulting / hidden fees?
ADVERTISING VACANCIES
q Easy to Update / Post Vacancies
Can I easily post vacancies?
Can I easily update, delete and add property or unit information?
Will I get training on how to use and update my site?
Will my listings be updated in real-time?
Can I add floorplans and video tours for my properties?
q Social Sharing Features
Is it easy for visitors to find a way to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other
social media?
Is it easy for visitors to share properties information they find on my site on their own social
media channels?
Is the blog set up to take comments, and can I approve them first?
FEATURES FOR RESIDENTS AND OWNERS
q Features For Residents
Will prospective tenants be able to apply for vacant units and pay their application fee online
through the website?
Will my residents be able to use the site to contact me about maintenance or other resident
issues?
Will my residents be able to pay rent online, and safely?
q Features For Owners
Is my content interesting to the owners and does it showcase the company as professional?
Are there calls to action to get visitors to contact me?
ANALYTICS & TRACKING
q Tracking
Will I have to create a Google Analytics account to track my visitors?
Will the developer install Google Analytics?
Will there be any tutorials on how to read the analytics reports?
MOBILE
q Mobile
Will potential residents be able to navigate the site easily on a smartphone and tablet?
Will it be compatible across all types of smartphones and tablets?
Will the mobile site be updated when the main site is updated?

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How Do I Get Started?
Before choosing which track you’d like to take in building your website, consider these pros and
cons below:
Hiring A Web Developer
If you decide to hire a website designer, they are easy to find on the Internet—but it’s not easy to find
one that’s reputable. It’s a sad fact that many companies have been swindled by unscrupulous or
unskilled web designers, which can lead to the loss of valuable resources, namely time and money.
The best way to find a reputable web development company is to ask for referrals. Don’t restrict
yourself to colleagues—find peer websites that you like and check the bottom of the site (also know
as the Footer). Often the web developer who designed the site will identify themselves in the Footer,
even provide a link to their own website. If not, give the site’s business owner a call and ask them for
a referral and the contact information of their web developer.
Integrated With Your Property Management Software
Pros
• Fixed cost of the website
• High quality design and features
• Functionality designed specifically for
the Property Management industry
• Extra benefits to easily and quickly
offer your residents
• Faster timeline to get your website live.
• You can easily manage it on your own.
Cons
• Fewer design options than when using a
developer
• You’ll only be able to add features that are
offered by the company
Pros
• Complete creative control
• Add all the features you desire
• Professional developer who can
continue to help manage your site
Cons
• More expensive
• Manage your developer and make sure they
create the site you want
• You have to learn how to use your website
and upload property information yourself
Examples Of Great Property Management Websites
Visit SiteVisit SiteVisit Site

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About The Author
Nat Kunes is the Director of Product Management at AppFolio and is tasked with ensuring the effective
development, communication, and execution of the AppFolio Property Manager product line.
About AppFolio
AppFolio provides web-based property management software that helps you grow your business. Our customers
find and retain better residents faster, increase profitability and love the ability to work from anywhere. AppFolio also
provides educational resources for property managers including free webinars and articles on our PropertyManager.
com online magazine. You can learn more about AppFolio at www.AppFolio.com.
Property management software providers (like AppFolio, web-based property management
software with website) are a great place to start – it’s often very cost-effective and quick to build a
professional website that is totally integrated with your property management business operations. If
you’re already using a property management software you should investigate their website offerings
and see if it will work for your business.
Conclusion
A great website can do more than just improve your online presence, it can boost your business
productivity and profit. By doing some due diligence before you start the project, you’ll save yourself
time and money, and have a website that fulfills both your needs and the needs of your customers.