Multifamily Leasing Blog

Is It Time to Revamp Your Multifamily Apartment Community Website? Key Signs and Must-Have Features

Dec 13, 2024

Is It Time to Revamp Your Multifamily Apartment Community Website? Key Signs and Must-Have Features

In today’s competitive rental market, a multifamily apartment community’s website often serves as the first impression for prospective residents. A well-designed website isn’t just an online presence—it’s a critical tool for showcasing your community, generating leads, and converting them into residents. Yet, many property websites fall short due to outdated designs or limited functionality.

This blog explores the key signs that it’s time to revamp your apartment community’s website and highlights must-have features that can improve the leasing experience and boost conversions.

Introduction

The Role of a Website in Multifamily Leasing

For prospective residents, your website is often the first interaction they have with your property. A modern, user-friendly, and functional website sets the tone for their experience and communicates the quality of your community.

Stat Insight: According to RentCafe, over 70% of renters start their apartment search online, making your website a crucial leasing tool.¹
Impact: A poorly designed or outdated website can deter visitors and send them searching elsewhere, even if your property is the right fit.

Signs It’s Time to Revamp Your Website

1. Outdated Design or Slow Loading Times

A dated design or sluggish performance creates a negative first impression.

Visual Appeal: Clunky designs and mismatched branding can make your property appear less desirable.
Performance: Slow-loading pages frustrate users, with studies showing 53% of visitors abandon sites that take longer than 3 seconds to load.²

2. Poor Mobile Responsiveness

With a growing number of renters browsing on mobile devices, mobile responsiveness is critical.

Stat Insight: Google reports that over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices.³ If your site doesn’t adjust seamlessly to smaller screens, you risk losing leads.

3. Lack of Integration with Leasing Tools or Resident Portals

A lack of integrated features can frustrate prospects and residents:

Visitors can’t schedule tours, view availability, or apply online easily.
Current residents may lack access to portals for paying rent or submitting maintenance requests.

4. High Bounce Rates and Low Lead Conversion Metrics

If visitors leave quickly without interacting, your site may not be meeting their needs:

Bounce Rate: A high bounce rate indicates that users aren’t finding your site engaging or useful.
Low Conversions: If few visitors are scheduling tours or submitting applications, it’s time for a functionality overhaul.

Key Features to Include in Your New Design

A clear, user-friendly layout ensures visitors can find what they need quickly.

Unit Search: Add filters for unit size, price range, and amenities to help prospects find the perfect fit.
Easy-to-Use Menus: Clear navigation bars guide users to floor plans, community features, and contact options.

Example: A well-organized search tool allows visitors to view available units by preferred move-in date and budget, creating a seamless user experience.

2. Professional-Quality Photos and Virtual Tours

Showcasing your property visually is essential for capturing interest.

High-Quality Images: Include professional photos of units, amenities, and communal spaces.
Virtual Tours: Offer 360-degree walkthroughs of units and amenities to give prospects a realistic sense of your property.

Stat Insight: Listings with virtual tours receive 87% more engagement, according to Apartments.com.⁴

3. Integrated Tools for Scheduling Tours and Applications

Make it easy for prospects to take the next step:

Tour Scheduling: Allow visitors to book in-person or virtual tours directly through your website.
Online Applications: Include a secure application portal that simplifies the leasing process.
Real-Time Availability: Display up-to-date unit availability to save visitors time and frustration.

Tip: Automated follow-ups for scheduled tours and applications can help keep prospects engaged.

Adding Live Chat to Your Website

1. Providing Instant Support for Prospects

Live Chat is a game-changer for multifamily websites, enabling real-time communication.

Quick Answers: Address inquiries about pricing, availability, and lease terms without delay.
After-Hours Support: Use chatbots to handle inquiries when your leasing team is unavailable, ensuring 24/7 engagement.

2. Answering Common Questions in Real Time

Live Chat eliminates the frustration of delayed responses by providing immediate assistance.

FAQ Handling: Chatbots can answer questions about amenities, policies, and move-in procedures.
Tour Scheduling: Prospects can book tours directly through Live Chat, reducing barriers to action.

Stat Insight: Properties that implement live chat report a 20-40% increase in lead conversion rates.⁵

3. Using Live Chat to Convert Leads Faster

Live Chat helps streamline the leasing funnel:

Prospects receive tailored responses based on their preferences and needs.
Agents can nurture leads directly by sharing relevant resources or scheduling tours during chat sessions.

Example: A prospect browsing after-hours uses Live Chat to ask about pet policies. The chatbot answers their questions, provides a link to apply, and schedules a tour for the next morning.

Conclusion

A modern, user-friendly website is no longer a luxury for multifamily communities—it’s a necessity. Revamping your website ensures you’re meeting the needs of today’s tech-savvy renters while providing an engaging experience that drives conversions.

Incorporating features like intuitive navigation, high-quality visuals, and integrated leasing tools can transform your website into a powerful leasing engine. Adding Live Chat enhances this experience by offering instant communication, improving lead capture, and nurturing prospects in real time.

Investing in a revamped website with modern features and tools like Live Chat is a step toward long-term leasing success, higher occupancy rates, and stronger resident satisfaction.