You don’t have a website? Don’t worry you’re not alone. Many property managers and rental owners have not yet made the digital plunge for a myriad of reasons—some including lack of time, not thinking it necessary, or don’t know where to start. An apartment website is an important addition to one’s overall marketing strategy and having a dedicated site for your property is almost a necessity nowadays. The apartment leasing world is forever evolving, and now, more than ever, is the time to invest in increasing your digital presence. This doesn’t change that the fact that there are certain hesitations out there, but as with any investment, education is key. We’ve addressed a few of them below and provided a bit of reassurance for those on the fence about making the full website investment. Take a look:

It costs too much!

Money seems to be a big deterrent for many property managers waiting to invest in a website. It is no secret that a website is a major investment for any business and costs can oftentimes vary based on the web designer. A custom, well designed apartment website can range anywhere from as little as $3,000 to upwards of $25,000 depending on the property. Though this is a wide range, do not let this deter you. When you consider the amount of leads, exposure and impressions received from a property site, the cost will seem quite minimal. Not to mention, unlike a print campaign that will likely expire in a year, your website is an ongoing endeavor that will likely last forever.

I don’t have the time to go through the process.

We all know how hectic and tedious the life of a property manager can oftentimes be, especially if you do not have the support of leasing agents to assist with the workload. Many have not yet even begun this process for fear of not being able to follow through. A brand new website can be a big undertaking; however, with an experienced, quality designer by your side, creating your site can be a seamless process. The key is in the designer. When searching, make sure you read the designer’s reviews, visit some of the sites he/she has created for other properties, and note what you like/don’t like about each of these sites. It will also be helpful to know which features/functions you will need to incorporate for your site as well, like floor plans, photos, contact capabilities, availability, online rental payments, etc. Keep in mind that if you don’t have one already, you’ll need to create a logo, take some high quality property photos, develop enticing copy and/or taglines before your site is created. But don’t worry, if you do not have the time, all of this can be done by the designer and his/her team so all you will have to do is review your finished product upon completion.

It’s not necessary.

This particular myth could not be further from the truth! A website is almost a necessity in this day in age. Millennials are ruling the web, with Generation Xers not too far behind, and a majority, if not all of their rental searches are happening online. Not to mention, one of the first places a prospective tenant will visit to verify a unit will be the property website. If you do not have one, this could result in a missed lead. Property websites not only increase your digital footprint, but with SEO, can truly strengthen your brand, the quality of your leads, and even perception. A website can also be your current tenants’ best friend. Through online maintenance requests, online rent payments and live chat functions, trust me, this deed will never go unnoticed. You’ll feel the love through longer lease terms and high renter satisfaction scores in no time.

Rentbot is the solution.

What if I told you that there is one website solution that is affordable, fast and effective, and guaranteed to provide you with more qualified leads—Rentbot! Worried about the cost of a quality, custom built, SEO site? Rentbot is almost half the cost of most web designers out there and offers beautifully designed pages equipped with HD photos, descriptions, floorplans and more. Don’t have a logo, floorplans or pictures? We can help with that too. Not to mention, the first 30 days are free! Are you a little hesitant to make the plunge for fear of lack of time? Rentbot has that solved as well. While designers can take months to finish building your custom site, with a Rentbot site, you will have a fully functional, high quality product that will be responsive on a mobile phone, tablet or laptop in a matter of days. Still think a website isn’t necessary? With a money back guarantee if your leads do not increase, what do you have to lose? With online payment features, maintenance requests and real time unit availability, you’ll have no regrets—in fact, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try us out sooner.

About the Author

Jonsette Calloway joined the Rentbot team in 2015. With a background in public relations, advertising and copywriting, she has helped a multitude of clients achieve their marketing and communications goals within various fields, but she particularly enjoys working with the apartment industry.