Bringing Your HOA To The 21st Century

 

Does it seem like your homeowner's association is stuck in the dark ages? Having a community website provides instantaneous, thorough access to information. Prospective owners can learn about your community before purchasing. Existing owners can access information about the community budget, covenants, meeting minutes, and neighborhood phone book or even submit and/or receive personal data relevant to the neighborhood. It's an easy, empowering service for all.

HOA websites generally come in two flavors: homegrown and template based

Homegrown Websites

These are mostly informational in nature, typically developed using a software program such as Front Page or Dreamweaver. You will probably see a simple contact form but nothing too elaborate. These sites typically require a lot of work to update information and don't allow any member interaction.

Template-based Websites

Also known as a "fill-in-the-blank" websites, these are much easier to maintain and require no special computer programs or experience to maintain. They allow you to create a professional looking website in just minutes. Just fill in the text in the predetermined fields, load your photos and documents and you're done.

In addition, they usually offer many features such as:

Community amenities

Maps and directions to your community

Classifieds for posting homes for sale and other items

Photo gallery for neighborhood and event photos

Event calendar

Discussion forums

Member directory

Customizable templates to give your site a unique appearance

Contact form

Document sharing

Board member only areas

Facility reservations for your clubhouse, tennis courts, etc.

E-mail newsletters

Surveys and polls

Member only areas

FAQ's area

Benefits

Maintaining a community website has many benefits. Community leaders can...

Communicate information to residents quickly and efficiently

Engage members through polls and surveys

Eliminate costly printing of newsletters, covenants, and flyers

Reduce supplies, labor, and postage costs

Inform potential buyers and real estate agents

Save money