Is it hard to build an HOA website? Not anymore. If you can drag and drop photos, and come up with a bit of crafty copy, then you can make a website. Honestly.

After helping hundreds of HOAs set up their own professional websites, we can confidently share some tips and best practices with you.  

Our first piece of advice is to plan. The more you and your team can do before website construction begins, the easier and faster the process will be.

Read on to find out what your HOA board will require in order to successfully launch an HOA website.

Table of contents

• Why websites are great helpers for HOAs
• Before you build your website: things to discuss with your board
  • What do we want from our website?
  • How much can we afford to pay?
  • What will our domain name be and who will host the site?
  • Will we build the website ourselves or use a company?
  • Do we have quality images to post on the website?
  • How will we let owners know about the website?

Why websites are great helpers for HOAs

We’re excited that you want to create a website for your HOA.

More than just an online presence for your community, an HOA website fosters regular engagement and has the potential to streamline administrative tasks. Communities use websites to do things like:

• Centralize key documents, forms and records
• Improve communication and reduce print and mailing costs
• Build and share secure member directories and forums
• Collect payments
• Promote community events

With the right platform, an HOA can streamline operations, reduce workloads, and increase owner satisfaction. But all that doesn’t happen by chance. Owners have to want to use the website, and that means building something that caters to their needs and preferences.

Before you build your website: things to discuss with your board

Once you are certain that your community should have a website, we would advise boards to discuss the following things before they get to the publishing stage. While little hiccups might happen, the creation and execution process will be much more enjoyable for everyone if your team knows what it wants and has the correct materials readily available.

Here are the items your board should address ahead of time:

• What do we want from our website?
• How much can we afford to pay?
• What will our domain name be and who will host the site?
• Will we build the website ourselves or use a company?
• Do we have quality images to post on the website?
• How will we let owners know about the website?

What do we want from our website?

Take a bit of time to discuss this point. It will shape the entire design and construction process, so make this decision carefully.  

HOAs use websites primarily for communication and educational purposes. But many sites can also support online payments, amenity bookings, maintenance requests, and event registrations.

Determine if digitizing operations is the right move for your community. Most people will appreciate the added convenience and simplicity.

Don’t forget to create a password-protected section just for owners. This makes it easy to share information, like directories, without making it publicly available.

If you’re not sure what options are available to your HOA, ask a neighboring community that already has a website. Or, reach out to us.

How much can we afford to pay?

Price matters. We get that, which is why we are proud to offer three flexible pricing plans. While we would never recommend using free website builders, your HOA doesn’t need the most expensive option available either.

Your budget will likely dictate whether you take the DIY route or connect with a professional company. DIY sites are great, but you need to ensure someone is willing and able to complete the project.

Hiring a professional can be easier because they do all of the hard work, but you’ll need to shop around before you make a final decision. Companies charge anywhere from $500 to $10,000+, depending on what you need and how skilled the developer is.

 HOA Sites is a bit unique in that we build the foundation for our clients, and they complete the website by adding their own text, images and forms.

What will our domain name be and who will host the site?

A domain name is your website’s online address. Ideally, you will choose your HOA’s name, but be warned, it may already be claimed by another association.

To find out if it’s available, use a free domain name search tool.

Once you’ve got a domain name, you’ll want to decide who will host your website. In order for your site to appear online, you’ll need to work with a host. They ensure it is stored in a web space for visitors to access worldwide. The spaces (servers) can be rented and acquired through a website hosting provider, or built locally.

Many website-building platforms and companies take care of hosting arrangements for you.  

Will we build the website ourselves or use a company?

Decisions, decisions. If your HOA only needs a simple website, or you have someone on the board who has experience creating websites, then your HOA could save money and build the site without professional help.

However, if the thought of creating a site on your own makes you nervous, or if you require more complex functionalities, we suggest hiring help.

Whatever path you choose, you will need to select a template before you move on to the next steps. Simple is always best. Aim for a template that embodies the characteristics of your community.  

Do we have quality images to post on the website?

Someone will have to write the content for your website. That can be a bit challenging, but there are good (and free) writing tools available to help you refine your work.

Perhaps even more important than good website copy is quality photos.

If your photos look distorted, dated, or both, it’s going to have a negative impact on traffic. Plus, you won’t attract any new buyers will low-resolution photos.

If necessary, hire a photographer to capture you’re HOA’s good side.

Once everything comes together and your site is ready to launch, test all links and forms before you make it available to the public.

How will we let owners know about the website?

Once the HOA website is up and running, you’ll need to inform owners about it, and get them to create an account if there is a portal or password-protected section.

Create a small promotional strategy using more than one communication channel. Add a note in the quarterly newsletter, bring it up at the next member meeting, and send out paper letters.

Once early adopters become familiar with the website, you can ask them to share the news with other members via the HOA’s unofficial social media group page.

It’s in your best interest to get owners to sign up because the more they use it, the less information they’ll request from the board or manager.   

Conclusion

By following this website checklist, even HOA boards without much technical expertise can create an amazing platform for their community. An HOA website is a valuable resource that helps connect owners and reduce the workload for management.