Most people agree that a website is a critical part of any community group or organization’s outreach. But in today’s world, with so many choices of online tools and services, it can be easy to overlook the importance of finding the right way to build a community website.

If you’ve lived in a small town or a close-knit neighborhood, you know that community is everything. And today, even if you don’t live in a small town, it’s still important to feel like you’re part of a community. You can find plenty of ways to identify and join communities online, but one of the best ways is through a community website.

A community website is created and maintained by a community group or organization to give members a destination to find information about the group, learn about upcoming events, and connect with other members. It’s also an ideal way for prospective members to learn more about the group and decide to join.

Community websites, HOA websites, or condo websites—whatever you want to call them—are here to stay. Let’s take a look at why—and how you can miss out if you don’t have one.

Why build a community website?

Community websites quickly have become a staple of homeowner associations and neighborhoods all over the country. These websites are popular for many reasons, but mostly for the convenience and communication options they offer.

Convenience is key for community websites. Homeowners want to access information about their community quickly and easily, and community websites make that possible.

Whether they’re looking for contact information for their HOA board or want to know what kinds of events are coming up, homeowners can find everything they need on community websites.

Communication also is essential for community websites. In the past, many homeowners had trouble communicating with their HOA board members.

A community website gives homeowners an easy way to get in touch with their HOA board and voice concerns or suggestions. Additionally, community websites provide an excellent way for neighbors to stay in touch with each other.

Community website benefits

Imagine living in a community without a website. How would you find out about upcoming events or get in touch with your HOA board? You’d probably have to rely on word of mouth, e-mail, phone calls, or, worse yet, knocking on doors.

Fortunately, those old-time options no longer are necessary. Community websites provide numerous benefits that make life easier for homeowners and HOA boards alike. Here are just a few of the benefits of having a community website:

• 24/7 access to information: Homeowners can view and download information about their community any time, day or night.
• Increased communication: Community websites make it easy for homeowners to get in touch with their HOA board and voice concerns or suggestions.
• Improved transparency: Community websites provide a great way for homeowners to stay informed about what’s going on in their community.
• Better morale: A well-designed community website can help increase pride among homeowners and elevate neighborhood spirit.
• Cost savings: Community websites can eliminate the need for paper newsletters and other printed materials, which saves your HOA or community group money.
• Increase property values: An active and well-designed website can improve community relations, which helps increase property values.

What you risk if you don’t have a community website

Despite the clear benefits of community websites, far too many community associations and neighborhoods still don’t have one. If your community is one of these stragglers, you could miss out on all the benefits listed above.

Additionally, not having a community website can put you at a disadvantage when you’re trying to attract new homeowners.

In today’s always-on, always-online world, people have grown accustomed to finding information about anything they want on their phones or computers. When they’re looking for a new place to live, they expect to be able to find information about the community—including photos, videos, and detailed descriptions—online.

If your community doesn’t have a website, you could be missing out on potential homeowners who would love to live in your community but can’t find any information about it online.

Don’t risk your community’s growth—Build a website today

Community websites are essential for any HOA or neighborhood. If your community doesn’t have a website, you’re putting yourselves at a disadvantage and missing out on all the benefits that a website can provide.

Building a community website is easier than you might think—and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Many platforms and service options can help you get started without breaking the bank.

Make sure to invest in a community or HOA website software that offers the features and functionality you need to meet your community’s specific needs. Most importantly, choose a platform that’s easy to use so you can keep your website updated with the latest information.

With a little bit of effort, you can have a website up and running in no time—and start reaping all the benefits that a community website has to offer.