It’s no secret. Our society is evolving into one in which smart phones, tablets and every other digital device pretty much dominates our lives. It is also not hard to believe that, over the year, mobile marketing has advanced to the point where users can now click to call a business right in their search engine results. While this has previously been a Google mobile campaign feature for advertisers only, the mega search engine was recently found testing this “click to call” concept in organic search engine results pages as well. So, what does all of this mean for your property?

With the onset of these newer advancements, it is becoming increasingly important for properties to not only have a good, responsive website and solid SEO strategy, but to also maintain a consistent image across all mediums. This includes using captivating graphics, posting updated and thorough content and most importantly, providing exceptional customer service both in person, online and over the phone.

According to a recent Marchex report, almost $1 trillion is generated through “click to call” commerce every year in the United States. This figure equates to quite a bit of new leads, which is why it is becoming even more important to provide a positive first impression on each and every medium your property occupies—especially over the phone.

So, what can you do to ensure that you don’t miss out on your next “click to call” lead?

Be available.

Another Marchex report noted that one in five calls from mobile phones to businesses are abandoned. Don’t become a statistic! Eliminate long hold times and make it easy for your prospect to speak with a leasing agent directly. An abandoned call could be a lost lead, and that’s never good for business. Don’t leave your lead hanging. Make sure you have an agent covering the phone at all times. Pay attention to the call volume throughout the day to pick up on trends. This will help you plan for coverage more effectively. For instance, a majority of your calls may occur from 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm, so during these times, more agents should probably be in the office, and your tours could possibly be scheduled around these times.

Get help.

If your property is smaller and you just can’t afford to add additional staff to monitor the phones, you may want to consider investing in an apartment answering service, which covers your phones when you’re not able to.  Many of these companies offer 24/7 coverage as well and can also help manage service requests, respond to new prospect’s questions, set appointments and more.

Train your team.

Customer service rules the leasing industry, and mobile marketing provides no exception. While speaking with an agent may oftentimes be the first live contact one has made with a property, managers must ensure that all leasing agents have undergone some type of telephone skills and customer service training first. In addition, you’ll also need to make sure that all agents are well versed in your property’s most recent updates, vacancies, amenities and more so that they can easily relay over the phone. Remember—first impressions are key!

Rentbot can help.

In order to reap the benefits of “click to call,” you’ll first need a good website. With Rentbot, you’ll have a fully responsive, lead producing mobile website that stands out above the competition. And with SEO already incorporated, your prospects will know exactly where and how to find you.  Produce more quality leads and sign more leases with less hassle—guaranteed. Give Rentbot a try today.

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.