Every homeowner’s association could use a website. Simply put, a website sets the difference between a thriving community and a bunch of residents who merely happen to be in the same organization. And the good news is that you don’t need deep pockets to have a site — you could even put it up yourself with the right tools. On that note, here are the key factors to keep in mind as you look for the right HOA website builder.
Easy to Use
The point of building a website is to save yourself time and stress, so it only makes sense to pick a user-friendly platform. While most solutions can be used with a little-to-no programming background, you don’t want to have to rely on customer support either. Instead, you want to be able to put up the site on your own in the least possible time. Everyone else in the administration committee should also be able to use the platform; this way, your presence won’t be needed when updating and maintaining the site.
Lots of Templates
A template provides a framework from which you can establish the design and structure of your site. And the more templates a platform has, the higher the chances of finding one that matches (or at least comes close to) your requirements. Such a template will allow you to build your site without having to start from scratch.
CMS
You don’t really need a fully-fledged content management system for a HOA website builder, but there’s one feature you don’t want to miss out on. Specifically, look out for a platform with a basic CMS so you’re able to distribute newsletters and other communications with ease. It’ll also come in handy when publishing articles, moderating discussion forums, and other tasks that involve working with large blocks of information.
Payment Processing
Now that you’re digitizing your communications, it’s the high time you put an end to mail-in checks. Having an integrated payment portal on your site will allow you to collect fees, rent, and penalties much more conveniently. With that in mind, you should figure out which particular gateway(s) you’re going to utilize, and choose a platform that will let you integrate with ease.
Security
Security is of utmost importance when you’re dealing with payments — not to forget that there’s a load of information you’ll want to keep confidential. These considerations should be your topmost priorities when comparing HOA web solutions. Choose a tool that will let you install SSL certificates and set up password protection for sensitive pages. Most importantly, your platform should be updated regularly to keep up with threats as they evolve.
