TC AM 027 - Property Websites Are Broken
Discover more from Transforming Cities AM
TC AM 027 - Property Websites Are Broken
UX is making it painful for renters
Good Morning 👋 – Chris here.
Welcome to the Transforming Cities A.M. Edition.
A simple Saturday read in under 5 minutes.
Are property websites broken?
Over the last many months, I’ve observed website announcements across the multifamily industry. Each time, I see how different groups are approaching digital these days, specifically on mobile.
There’s a lot of good out there, to be sure.
But, there are also very concerning UX trends with many others.
When I pull up websites in the latter category on my mobile device, I see not one, not two, not three, but up to six "things" I'm forced to filter out.
Six!
Look at the blurred example above (used merely as a reference point for the trend I’ve seen weekly at this point).
Top of the screen banner announcements
Live chat sticky fixed to one side
Fullscreen overlays pushing promos
A widget to tour, view pictures, or again, chat
An accessibility icon
Another chat icon/bubble to... chat
Pathways to information and accessibility are essential topics, of course.
But do we need three options to chat?
You hate to see brands fall apart on the web, especially when most initial touch points are on our mobile devices today.
It’s the responsibility of a creative web partner to build a better experience - not one that ends up being frustrating to use.
In my case, I don’t have the largest phone on the market, but it’s not the smallest, either.
Why is the experience so painful?
Industry Conventions
The industry norms that have become commonplace today tend to include an over-reliance on widgets, plugins, iframes, and other cheeky ways to draw in a visitor’s attention.
But here’s the problem: when everything is vying for attention, nothing gets attention.
When I see a site like this, I’m immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. I forget I’m on a property website and find myself frustrated with the pushiness of the experience.
The buttons that pop up everywhere.
An experience that quickly feels out of balance and forced.
Most importantly, I sense the lack of care for me as a person and a future renter.
At the same time, it makes sense (high level, at least) why this is so common on property websites.
Teams are pressed to sign leases fast, and if their digital platforms offer six different ways to get a visitor’s attention, why not activate everything?
Understandably, marketers want to unleash all the bells and whistles because they think it will equal more leads.
But does it?
I would argue it does the opposite.
In an industry already trying to integrate platforms A through Z, the last thing we need is to further muddy the waters with an overindulgence of bolt-on widgets and lead-gen tactics once the renter is already there.
Design Smarter Experiences
Of course, it’s one thing to say these things and another to suggest a better way forward.
In my mind, a few fundamental north stars would help clean up this type of example to offer a more straightforward path to understanding what the property is all about while letting the renter do the driving.
Determine the property’s best promo lanes.
Stick to a single banner or popup that surfaces after a few seconds of browsing, for example, instead of various messages at once.
If I can’t read the website text or gain context from a few images before being pummeled with information, I’m lost before we’ve gotten anywhere. Get me to buy in and then sell to me!
Design the chat experience for the website.
Chat prompts, lists, and icons clutter a mobile experience, so I would never recommend pushing chat three ways – especially on mobile. Give me an option, one option, but no one needs three.
Another thought we could file under “2b” is that chat becomes useless if it’s only a contact form outside of an hour a day. If it’s not chat, take it off.
Remove duplicative CTAs that surface more than once.
Remember, when everything is vying for attention, nothing gets attention.
For example, stop showing a monthly promotion in a sticky banner, popup modal window, promotions widget, and within the website content.
Renters get it - you have promos and want to sign leases.
If a prospective renter can’t even get to the details of what you’re selling without closing out a handful of things in the way, well, there’s a major problem.
When these sites feel like Times Square billboards instead of a well-curated property website, leases will disappear. Be smart with user experience.
Give options, but don’t load up the boat.
Let your visitors row around and find their way.
Allow them to test the waters, offering a few simple nudges that let them know you’ll be there when they’re ready.
🚣
Tony Sousa of RPM Living
Live this Wednesday, August 23rd! You probably know him, and odds are you’re a fan of him, too.
Tony has led experienced teams nationwide, working on various asset types, from value-add to luxury Class-A. With a background as a TV journalist before his experience in multifamily, he’s passionate about people, operations, technology, culture, and family.
Tony’s become a respected industry thought leader, providing nuanced and experienced perspectives on today’s most relevant topics.
You won’t want to miss the next Transforming Cities episode!
Subscribe + Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
That's all for this Saturday! 🚀
If this has added value for you, the best compliment you could pay me would be to share it with one person and encourage them to join us!
Want to work together? 🤝
My team at Authentic builds the best multifamily brands and property marketing strategies in the industry. Feel free to book a hello to discuss more.