REPLI | Apartment Marketing Blog | Tips and Insights for Multifamily

Google just changed how renters find apartments. Is your property ready?

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 16:19:16 GMT

Ask Maps is live. Here's what it means for your visibility — and exactly what to do about it.

On March 12, 2026, Google quietly shipped one of the most significant changes to local search in years. It's called Ask Maps — and if you're a multifamily marketer, it changes the rules for how renters discover your community.

Instead of typing "apartments near me" and scrolling a list, renters can now open Google Maps and ask something like: "What are the best pet-friendly apartments near downtown Austin with a rooftop?" Google's Gemini AI synthesizes an answer on the spot — pulling from your Google Business Profile, your website content, and community reviews — and surfaces a curated shortlist. No links to click through. No comparison shopping. Just a direct recommendation.

That's not a small UI update. That's a funda mental shift in how discovery works. And it rewards the properties that have been doing local SEO right.

How Ask Maps actually works

Ask Maps uses four primary data sources to generate its recommendations. Understanding these is the key to knowing where to focus your energy.

Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most important signal. Ask Maps crawls your categories, attributes, amenities, photos, hours, and how complete your profile is. If your GBP is sparse or outdated, you're invisible before the conversation even starts.

Customer reviews are the second — and increasingly critical — layer. The AI analyzes the language inside your reviews to answer specific renter questions. A review that says "great place to live" doesn't help. A review that says "the dog park is huge and well-maintained, and the staff fixed my leaking faucet within 24 hours" is gold. That's the kind of descriptive content Ask Maps can actually use to surface your property when a renter asks about pet-friendly communities or responsive maintenance.

Your website and trusted external sources form the third pillar. Ask Maps checks for consistency between what your GBP says, what your website says, and what reviewers say. Properties with thin, generic website content — or FAQ pages that don't actually answer real renter questions — get skipped.

Insider tips from real people are a fourth — and often overlooked — layer. In its official announcement, Google specifically called out that Ask Maps delivers "insider tips from real people, powered by Maps' community of contributors." This means locally contributed knowledge — neighborhood intel, hidden gems, tips about what's nearby — is actively surfaced alongside your property recommendations.

A renter asking about apartments near a walkable coffe e district or a specific transit corridor isn't just seeing your listing data; they're seeing the community conversation around your neighborhood. If that conversation is rich, local, and authentic, it works in your favor. If it's thin or absent, a competitor with stronger neighborhood context wins the recommendation.

6 things you can do right now to optimize for AskMaps

1. Audit and complete your Google Business Profile

Log in to your GBP and treat it like your most important listing. Because it is. Fill in every attribute: pet policy, parking type, amenities, on-site staff, laundry, fitness center, pool, and more. Add recent, high-quality photos. Make sure your description reads like a real conversation with a prospective renter, not a brochure headline. Ask Maps prioritizes fully completed and up-to-date profiles. Anything missing is a gap a competitor can fill.

2.Upgrade how you ask for reviews — get specific

Generic review requests produce generic reviews. Instead of "Would you mind leaving us a review?", guide your residents toward the details that matter. Try something like: "We'd love it if you'd mention what you enjoy about the neighborhood, a specific amenity you use, or how our team has supported you."

Reviews that name specific features — the dog run, the proximity to the rail station, fast maintenance response — are exactly what Ask Maps uses to answer renter questions. The more descriptive your reviews, the more searchable your property becomes.

3. Respond to every review, and make your responses count

Your review responses are data, too. When you respond to a review mentioning your rooftop lounge, you're reinforcing that signal for Google's AI. Be specific in your responses — reference the amenity, the neighborhood, the feature the resident called out. Avoid boilerplate. A response that mirrors and expands on the reviewer's language helps Ask Maps build a richer understanding of what your community offers.

Bonus: it builds trust with every future renter who reads the thread.

4. Build website content that answers real renter questions

If your website has thin amenity pages or a generic "Our Location" blurb, now is the time to fix it. Ask Maps reads your site for structured, specific content. That means FAQ pages that answer questions renters actually ask ("Is the parking covered?" "How close is the nearest bus stop?").

It means location pages that connect your property to the neighborhood — nearby grocery stores, parks, transit lines, restaurants. It means amenity descriptions that go beyond a bullet list and actually tell a story. If your content reads like a brochure, rewrite it to read like a conversation.

5. Ensure your local data is consistent everywhere

Ask Maps cross-references your GBP against your website and third-party sources. Inconsistent NAP data (name, address, phone), different amenity descriptions, or conflicting information across platforms creates confusion for AI systems — and that confusion typically results in your property being deprioritized. Do a consistency audit across your GBP, website, ILS listings, and any local directories where your property appears. Align your messaging and make sure the most important attributes are stated clearly and consistently everywhere.

6. Invest in your neighborhood story. Not just your property story.

Google explicitly designed Ask Maps to surface insider tips from real community contributors alongside place recommendations. That means renters aren't just asking about your amenities — they're asking about your neighborhood. "Apartments near walkable coffee shops in Midtown." "Communities close to Piedmont Park." "Pet-friendly buildings near the best dog-friendly trails."

If your website, GBP, and hyperlocal content connect your property to the surrounding neighborhood in specific, substantive ways, Ask Maps has the material it needs to recommend you in those moments. This is where Repli's hyperlocal dynamic pages do real work — they're built to establish your property as a genuine part of its local ecosystem, not just a pin on a map. The insider tips layer rewards properties that have invested in local context.

The bigger picture.

Ask Maps isn't an isolated feature — it's the latest signal in a clear directional shift. Google has been integrating Gemini into more and more of its surfaces, and the pattern is consistent: AI Overviews, AI Mode, and now Ask Maps all favor properties and businesses with rich, specific, consistent local content over those relying on keyword stuffing and thin pages.

Properties that invest in genuine local SEO , complete GBPs, descriptive reviews, hyperlocal website content, aren't just prepared for Ask Maps. They're building the kind of presence that earns discovery across every platform, today and the next time Google ships something new.

The question isn't whether AI is changing how renters find apartments. It already has. The question is whether your property shows up when they ask.

Let's make sure your properties are visible.

Talk to our team about hyperlocal strategies, GBP optimization, and the content architecture that drives AI-era discovery.

The Cost of Fake Resident Reviews

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:25:53 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Great pictures? Check!

Awesome product descriptions? Check!

A healthy mix of positive and negative reviews, with consistent responses that demonstrate customer service and a willingness to address and resolve concerns quickly and professionally?

Well… That might be a bit more of a challenge.

It’s no secret that reviews drive revenue. It’s why 98% of consumers read reviews before they make a purchase. A higher volume of reviews (demonstrating consistent purchases and trust) with a good score (indicating consumer satisfaction) is what prompts people to buy.

But how do you know if you can trust the reviews you’re reading?

Genuine reviews are critical for local SEO and are a major ranking factor, but there is a growing rise of fake reviews that is harming both consumers (preventing them from making informed buying decisions) and businesses (costing them millions in lost revenue).

So, let’s talk about fake reviews - what they are, how to spot them, and how major platforms are combating them.

What Are Fake Reviews?

Fake reviews are misleading and manipulative, and often written by bots, paid individuals, or even competitors looking to cause a business harm. Now heavily amplified by AI, these fake reviews are creating a lot of convincing feedback.

Here are just a few examples of how fake reviews are used:

Ratings Boost: Purchasing 5-star reviews to bump up ratings.
Competitor Disruption: Posting fake one-star reviews about a competitor to lower their reputation scores.
AI-Generated Spam: Using ChatGPT to generate hundreds of fake reviews that seem different/detailed to fill their product pages.
Employee Generated: Employees leave great reviews about their business and their products while pretending to be unbiased customers.
Paying For Reviews: Providing influencers or individuals with money in exchange for reviews that don’t reflect their experience.

The Real Cost

The incentive to get positive reviews is intense because good reviews mean more revenue. Positive reviews also build up a brand’s reputation and presence online, which is a big deal when you’re in a competitive market.

And as with most things, fake reviews are a bit of a double-edged sword.

Sure, they can increase a brand’s sales by 5-9%, and when it comes to visibility, those reviews on Google can mean the difference between being found on page 1 or on page 3.

However, the World Economic Forum estimates that reviews cost businesses and consumers approximately $152 billion annually and cost $300 billion in consumer harm, with the average household losing almost $2,400 annually due to purchases influenced by fake reviews.

How to Spot Them

Content created by Generative AI has grown at a staggering rate, and reviews on major platforms like Yelp, Amazon, Tripadvisor, and Google are becoming increasingly unreliable.

With over 80% of consumers encountering fake reviews , it can be quite challenging to make a well-informed decision when it comes to making any type of purchase.

While fake reviews are removed in droves (hundreds of millions annually), AI is becoming even more sophisticated at evading detection. In the last year alone, Amazon saw about a 43% fake review rate of the 33.5 million reviews of its bestselling products on the website.

There are many ways to identify fake reviews, and we recommend listening to the FTC’s means of spotting them, including:

Reviews that are very similar to each other
Hundreds or thousands of 5-star Google Reviews (no negative ones)

Reputation also reports some additional ways of identifying fake reviews and suggests checking dates, certain words/phrases, user profiles, and other reviews posted by the user.

How Platforms Are Combatting Them

Major platforms are cracking down on incoming ratings/reviews and implementing new policies to combat the influx of fake ones.

Google, for example, has guidelines regarding Fake Engagement and Rating Manipulation, and a process for submitting appeals for reviews that might’ve mistakenly been marked as fake.

Yelp, which has some of the strictest review policies, has automated systems in place that flag and filter suspicious reviews, and all reviews must go through advanced software that checks them for reliability and authenticity.

Even the FTC has introduced its very own guidelines for reviews . They also published Trade Regulation Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials , and placed bans on the sale and purchase of fake reviews.

Violations can result in substantial fines, including penalties of more than $50,000 per fake review, plus up to 10% of revenue gotten from those deceptive reviews.

The Bottom Line

Fake reviews suck.

They hurt consumers and businesses alike, causing financial loss, promoting unsafe products, and even destroying honest businesses. Customers are being deceived into spending money on substandard products, and damaged business reputations ultimately lead to lost revenue and reduced trust in online marketplaces.

The good news? Buyers are savvy. Businesses are spotting the trolls. Regulators are stepping in and dishing out real consequences. AI may be making it harder to spot, but businesses and consumers are determined not to be fooled (again).

So, what can you do?

As a business, earn authentic reviews the right way. Encourage customers to share their experience, positive or negative, and respond to that feedback professionally. Show you care by actually addressing and resolving customer concerns.

And as a consumer? Leave an honest review. Also, do your homework. A few extra minutes spent vetting reviews could save you hundreds of dollars and a whole lot of frustration.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracy is an Organic Media Specialist at Repli, where she helps multifamily marketers turn visibility into velocity. With a background in sales, multifamily, and reputation management, she specializes in connecting SEO strategy, online reputation, and renter behavior to uncover insights that fuel smarter marketing decisions and stronger leasing performance. When she’s not optimizing digital presence, she’s spending time with her family, binge-watching TV, or diving into a good book.

Rebrand Your GBP The Right Way

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:22:06 GMT

Congratulations, you’ve just gotten access to your Google Business Profile (GBP). Now that the previous owner has handed you the keys to the kingdom, you need to make some updates that align with your branding.

Just as you think you’ve gotten everything updated to the new brand and are ready to let the leads roll in, Google smacks you with a dreaded “your edits have been rejected” message.

Or even worse, you get a request for re-verification.

Well, sh*t.

It may take a couple of weeks (or longe r…), but you get everything straightened out and the updates eventually go live.

But what if you could have avoided that delay and frustration in the first place?

1. Update Your Website First

Believe it or not, there is a proper way to update a GBP listing after an ownership transition that will greatly reduce the likelihood of rejected edits and reverification requests.

And the first step has nothing to do with your GBP – it begins by updating the rest of the web.

If you’re changing all the important information on your GBP (name, address, phone, website) and everything else on the internet says something different, Google will give you the bombastic side-eye and flag this behavior as extremely suspicious.

Before you even touch the GBP, make sure the name, address, and phone number on your website are updated. Then, when you update your GBP, and Google crawls the website to verify, the information will match.

This is where a partnership with a Listings Management company like Reputation can be super handy! Their dashboard allows you to make those updates in one central place, and their tech takes care of the rest!

Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to update the website schema! The schema tells Google exactly what your website is about, and boosts visibility in local searches.

Now that you’ve updated the web, the next step is to wait. It takes some time for Google to index the changes, and we recommend waiting two weeks before updating the GBP.

2. Don’t Rush It

Let’s be honest - Google can be a bit weird.

When first making updates to your GBP, we recommend making them as an Owner if you can. Sometimes, Google doesn’t like it when Managers make those first crucial changes.

Also, making too many changes too quickly can trigger a re-verification or suspension . This is because Google is sensitive to any rapid updates, especially if the core information of the GBP listing hasn’t been changed in a long time.

These are the most sensitive fields that Google monitors:

Primary Category
Business Name
Address
Phone Number
Website URL

Spacing out these changes is recommended.

Additionally, old logos, signage, and photos should be removed from your GBP and replaced with new media, and you should be able to update the photos without concerns.

3. Google’s Recommendations

Can you create a new listing with your branding and mark the other one as “permanently closed?” Yes, of course you can.

In fact, Google suggests it, but not in every instance.

It is common for apartment communities to undergo rebrands - especially if there’s new management on board or major renovations taking place. If that is the case, Google is okay with you updating the business name, as long as everything else remains the same .

Additionally, creating a new GBP means you lose all the ranking benefits and reviews of the existing one. Remember, the existing GBP has been on the web a long time, and the ranking and reviews have been increasing local visibility, building trust, and driving conversions.

That’s precious stuff, and you want to hang onto it!

Key Takeaways

Update your website and other directories first (Google, Facebook, BBB, Yelp) before touching your GBP, so the information matches when Google crawls it.

Wait about two weeks after updating the web before making changes to your GBP, giving Google time to index the new information.

Make changes as an Owner, not a Manager , and space out updates to avoid triggering re-verification or suspension — especially for sensitive fields like business name, category, address, phone, and website URL.

Don't forget schema markup on your website – it signals to Google what your business is about and boosts local search visibility.

Avoid creating a new listing when possible, as the existing GBP carries valuable ranking history, reviews, and local visibility that you don't want to lose.

Updating photos and removing old logos/signage is generally safe to do without triggering flags, so new media can be swapped in with less concern.

You Got This!

Rebranding a GBP doesn't have to be a stressful, rejection-riddled experience.

By taking a patient, strategic approach, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth transition that protects everything the previous listing worked hard to build.

Think of it less like a mad dash and more like a quiet stroll. The reviews, the rankings, the local visibility – they're all yours now - and you don't want to risk losing them by rushing the process.

Do it right, and your rebranded GBP will be working for you in no time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Difference Between Using AI... and Actually Being Good At It

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:55:51 GMT

The 4D Framework for AI Fluency

Using AI is one thing. Knowing how to work with it is another.

Let's be honest for a second...

Most multifamily marketers are already using AI.

But very few are actually good at it.

But, if we're being real, it still feels a little inconsistent.

Sometimes it's helpful.

Sometimes it's generic.

Sometimes it just... misses the point.

And that's not an AI problem.

It's a how you're using it problem.

That's where this framework comes into play.

The 4D Framework for AI Fluency breaks down what actually makes someone good at working with AI, not just using it casually.

It comes down to four main things:

→ Delegation
→ Description

→ Discernment

→ Diligence

And once you start thinking this way, AI stops feeling random... and starts feeling useful.

What AI should do — and what you shouldn’t give it?

1. Delegation

AI is great at speed.

It can write, summarize, analyze, and generate ideas... very FAST.

But in multifamily marketing, not everything should be automated.

For example:

✅ AI can draft apartment descriptions, social captions, or email campaigns

✅ AI can summarize renter reviews or identify common themes

❌ AI shouldn’t decide your positioning, pricing strategy, or brand voice

A real scenario:

You ask AI to write a listing description. It gives you something plished... but pretty generic.

It mentions "luxury finished," "prime location," "modern living" -- the same phrases every property uses.

Now this is where you step in, bringing:

What actually makes your property different
What renters in your marketing care about
What's happening in your competitions

AI handles the first draft. You make it real.

That's good delegation.

Why your prompts are holding you back.

2. Description

This is probably the biggest unlock.

AI isn't a mind reader, especially when it comes to multifamily.

If you say, "Write an apartment ad."

You'll get something that could apply to literally any property in the country.

But if you say: "Write a fun, slightly playful apartment description for a Class B property in Tampa targeting young renters. Highlight affordability, proximity to downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, and pet-friendly amenities. Keep it under 100 words."

Now you're getting somewhere.

Same AI. Completely different outcomes.

This matters even more as AI begins to influence search and discovery.

If your inputs are generic, your outputs are generic, which means your visibility becomes generic.

The marketers who stand out are the ones who know how to guide AI tools.

Why “good sounding” content fails.

3. Discernment

This is where a lot of teams get tripped up.

AI can produce something that reads really well... but doesn't actually perform.

For example, let's say you generate a blog post about "Top Neighborhoods in Austin."

It sounds polished, structured, and clean.

But when you look closer at the content:

❌ It's missing local nuance

❌ It doesn't reflect what renters are actually asking

❌ It's not optimized for how AI search is pulling information

Or worse... It's just saying the same thing that every other property is saying.

That's where discernment comes in.

You have to ask:

Would a renter actually care about this?
Does this answer a real question?
Is this something AI would pull into a response?

Because the goal isn't just to create content anymore.

It's to create content that shows up in the ways people discover apartments.

Where AI still needs a human.

4. Diligence

AI makes it really easy to move fast.

But fast doesn't always mean accurate or appropriate.

In multifamily, especially, this matters a lot.

When you're working with AI tools, think about how small mistakes can impact trust.

Listing descriptions with incorrect details
AI-generated responses to reviews that feel robotic or off-tone
Content that accidentally misrepresents amenities or pricing

In multifamily, diligence looks like:

Reviewing before publishing
Making sure details are accurate
Keeping your brand voice consistent
Being intentional about where AI is used vs. where it shouldn't be

AI can support the work, but it most definitely does not replace accountability.

Why this matters (more than it use to).

AI isn't just helping multifamily marketers anymore.

It’s already shaping renter decisions.

People are starting to:

Ask AI where they should live
Compare apartments without clicking through multiple sites
Get recommendations before they ever visit a property website

This all means...

A lot of decisions are happening before someone lands on your property website.

So it's not just about "are you using AI to create content?"

It's now "Are you using AI in a way that actually helps you show up in ways renters are discovering apartments?"

Takeaway

Being "good at AI" in multifamily marketing isn't about using it more.

And right now, that gap is getting wider.

→ Knowing what to hand off vs. what to own (Delegation)
→ Knowing how to guide it clearly (Description)
→ Knowing what’s actually worth using (Discernment)
→ And making sure what goes out is accurate and intentional (Diligence)

That's the difference. Because right now, a lot of people are using AI.

But not a lot of people are using it well.

How Repli is Approaching AI Search

A t Repli, we don't see AI as replacing marketing; we see it reshaping where and how discovery happens.

And everything we just talked about -- delegation, description, discernment, diligence -- plays directly into that.

Because AI isn't just changing how marketers work.

It's changing how renters search.

In this new landscape, ranking isn't the only goal anymore.

It's about being recognized, referenced, and recommended.

Because that's how decisions are starting to happen. AI search isn't coming; it's already here.

And platforms like Bing, Google, etc., are playing a bigger role than most realize.

Renters are asking AI where they should live.

They're comparing options before even jumping on a property site.

They're forming options earlier than ever.

Renters are already using AI to find apartments.

The question is, will your property show up when they ask?

Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tool & AI Search

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:01:37 GMT

What Multifamily Marketers Need to Know.

Search is evolving- fast.

And while much of the conversation around AI search has centered on Google, there’s another major player quietly (and strategically) reshaping how renters discover apartments: Microsoft Bing.

With deep integration into tools like Microsoft Copilot, an AI platform assistant from Microsoft that combines conversational chat with productivity tools, and partnerships with AI platforms, Bing is positioning itself as a key gateway for AI-driven discovery.

For multifamily marketers, this isn’t something to watch later—it’s something to understand now.

The Shift: From Search Engine to Answer Engine

Traditional search was built around keywords and rankings.

AI search is built around context, intent, and answers.

Bing’s AI-powered experience is designed to:
Summarize information instead of listing links
Pull insights from multiple sources
Provide direct recommendations within the search experience

This means your website isn’t just competing for rankings anymore—it’s competing to be understood, trusted, and selected by AI.

Where Bing Fits in the AI Discovery Landscape

Bing plays a unique role in AI search because it powers and influences multiple ecosystems.

It is deeply connected to:

Microsoft Copilot
OpenAI ChatGPT (via integrations and browsing experiences)
Microsoft’s broader enterprise and browser ecosystem

For renters, this means:

Apartment searches may start in AI tools—not Google
Recommendations may be generated instantly
Website content may be summarized before a user ever clicks

What is the Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tool?

Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools is Bing’s version of Google Search Console—but in the AI era, it’s becoming even more important.

It allows marketers to:

Monitor how their website appears in Bing search
Submit and manage sitemaps
Track indexing and crawl performance
Identify technical SEO issues
Understand keyword performance within Bing

But beyond the basics, it gives insight into how your content is being interpreted by an AI-influenced search engine.

Why This Matters for Multifamily Marketing

Renters are no longer just “searching”—they’re asking.

Instead of: “Apartments in St. Petersburg under $2,000.”

They’re asking: “What are the best apartments near downtown St. Pete with walkability and good reviews?”

AI tools, powered in part by Bing, are generating answers to these questions using:

Your website content
Your reviews
Your structure and metadata
Your authority across the web

If your content isn’t optimized for this shift, you risk becoming invisible in AI-generated recommendations.

How to Optimize for Bing AI Search

1. Focus on Clarity Over Keywords

AI prioritizes clear, structured, and helpful content.

Instead of keyword stuffing, focus on:

Answering real renter questions
Writing in natural language
Structuring content with headings and sections

2. Strengthen Your Technical Foundation

Bing still relies on strong technical SEO signals.

Make sure you:

Submit your sitemap in Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tools
Fix crawl errors and indexing issues
Maintain fast page speed and mobile usability

3. Build Content That AI Can Pull From

AI tools extract and summarize content.

Create pages that:

Clearly explain amenities, location, and pricing
Include FAQs that mirror renter questions
Provide detailed, accurate property descriptions

4. Prioritize Trust & Authority
AI doesn’t just look for content—it looks for credible content.
This includes:

Consistent business information across platforms
Strong, recent reviews
Authoritative content (blogs, guides, insights)

5. Think Beyond the Click
In AI search, users may never visit your website.
Your goal becomes:

Being cited
Being summarized
Being recommended

That means your content needs to be:

Accurate
Easy to interpret
Valuable at a glance

The Opportunity: Early Adoption = Competitive Advantage

Most multifamily marketers are still focused solely on Google.

Very few are actively optimizing for Bing’s role in AI discovery.

That creates an opportunity:

Less competition
Higher visibility in AI-generated answers
Early positioning as a trusted source

How Repli is Approaching AI Search

At Repli, we don’t see AI as replacing marketing; we see it as reshaping where and how discovery happens.

Our approach focuses on:

Structuring property data so AI can understand it
Building content aligned with real renter intent
Ensuring websites are optimized across both traditional and AI-driven search ecosystems

Because in this new landscape, success isn’t just about ranking.

It’s about being recognized, referenced, and recommended.

AI search isn’t coming—it’s already here. And platforms like Bing are playing a bigger role than most realize.

The question isn’t whether renters will use AI to find apartments.

It’s whether your property will show up when they do.

Why Most Apartment Websites Aren't Ready for AI Search

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:39:54 GMT

The gap between how websites are built and how AI evaluates them.

The Shift Is Already Happening

Apartment search behavior is changing. Renters are no longer relying only on Google search results, listing sites, and property websites.

Instead, they’re increasingly using AI tools to ask specific questions, compare options, and get recommendations before clicking into the website.

This changes where and how decisions are made by renters.

Fact 1: AI Generates Answers, Not Just Links

Traditional search engines return a list of links. AI-powered search tools generate summarized responses, curated recommendations, and comparisons across multiple properties.

Instead of navigating multiple sources, renters are receiving a pre-filtered shortlist.

This means properties are often evaluated before a renter visits their website.

Fact 2: AI Relies on Signals Across the Internet

AI systems do not rely on a single source. They evaluate a combination of signals, including:

Website content
Reviews and ratings
Property data and amenities
Authority across third-party platforms
Consistency of information

If these signals are incomplete or inconsistent, AI confidence decreases.

Fact 3: Most Apartment Websites Were Built for a Different Model

Most property websites were designed to:

Rank in search results
Present information visually
Guide users through a leasing funnel

They were not designed to:

Be interpreted by AI systems
Provide structured, machine-readable information
Answer complex conversation queries

This creates a mismatch between how websites are built and how AI evaluates them.

Fact 4: Incomplete or Unstructured Data Limits Visibility

Even when information exists on a website, it is often:

Buried in long-form content
Spread across multiple pages
Inconsistent across platforms
Not structured in a way AI can easily interpret

Without structured, clearly defined data, AI systems may not confidently include a property in recommendations.

Fact 5: AI Must Be Confident to Recommend

AI systems are designed to minimize uncertainty. When evaluating properties, they are effectively asking:

Do I have enough clear, consistent, trustworthy information to recommend this property?

If the answer is unclear, the property may not be surfaced, and competing properties with stronger signals may be prioritized. Visibility is increasingly tied to confidence, not just presence.

The Core Gap

The issue is not that the apartment websites are ineffective; it’s that they were built for search engines and human navigation.

AI systems require clear, structured, and consistent information across the internet on all channels.

Understanding the gap is the first step. The next is addressing it by improving content clarity, strengthening data consistency, and structuring information for AI interpretation.

Explore how structured data helps AI understand your website with our AI Discovery Lab!

How Structured Data Helps AI Understand Apartment Websites

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:38:45 GMT

Today, you're helping Monica find an apartment.

Monica is a working professional with two kids and two dogs. Monica wants to be near good schools and needs something practical, not flashy.

Take a look at the following three apartment options:

Now, which one would you choose for Monica?

Most people pick Property B.

Not because it sounds better, but because it actually answers what that renter cares about.

The Shift

Now here’s the important part.

AI is doing this exact same thing.

AI is evaluating options based on how clearly a property matches what someone is looking for.

And if your website doesn’t clearly communicate that? AI won’t guess, it’ll skip you.

The trickiest part is that most apartment websites do have the right information, it’s usually just buried in paragraphs, spread across multiple pages, written for marketing- not clarity, or inconsistent across platforms and channels.

So even if everything is technically there, AI may not feel confident using it.

Structured Data

Unlike a renter, AI isn’t interpreting design, picking up on tone, or reading between the lines.

AI is trying to answer one simple question:

“Do I clearly understand what this property offers, and who it’s for?”

If the answer is unclear, it moves on.

Structured data is what helps AI actually understand your website.

Think of it like building labels behind the scenes as a translation layer, and a way of saying: “here’s exactly what this is.”

Why This Matters

Let’s go back to Monica for a second.

If AI can clearly understand that your property:

is family-friendly
is near schools
allows dogs
has the right unit types

You have a higher chance of being recommended.

If it can’t clearly understand that? You might never even show up.

Remember that “invisible step” in the renter journey? The moment when AI scans, compares, and recommends? Structured data plays a huge role in that step.

Structured data helps AI:

Connect information across sources
Validate what’s accurate
Build confidence in its recommendations

Instead of asking: Do we have this information on our website?

Start asking: Is our information structured in a way AI can clearly understand?

Most Properties Aren’t Planning for AI Tools

Although most multifamily properties aren’t planning for AI search tools, which means there’s a huge opportunity for those who are.

The ones planning for AI search tools are standing out fast.

Not because they’re better properties, but because they’re easier to understand.

What’s Next

Now that you understand how AI reads your website…

The next step is making sure your content, reviews, and signals all work together.

Explore how AI evaluates your full online presence inside the AI Discovery Lab!

What AI Discovery Actually Means for Multifamily Marketing

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:34:22 GMT

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What actually happens when someone asks AI for apartments?

�� Meet the New Renter: Alex

Alex opened the AI search engine, ChatGPT and had the following conversation:

And somehow… AI gave a pretty solid answer.

A shortlist of apartments, insights, and very clear recommendations for apartments.

Let’s Talk About How AI Got There

It’s easy to assume that AI just knows things, but we know that’s not what's really happening.

AI isn’t just pulling apartments out of thin air; it’s not just guessing, nor is it randomly picking properties to show.

What it is doing is this:

Scanning information across the internet
Interpreting the information
Connecting the dots
And assembling an answer that feels helpful and trustworthy

AI discovery is not search or rankings, it’s simply discovery.

What most marketers miss is how the shift from traditional search to AI discovery works. Both are completely different experiences.

Traditional search works like this:

“Here are 10 links. Now you go figure it out.”

AI discovery works like this:

“Here’s what you’re probably looking for… and why.”

So What is AI Actually Looking At?

When AI tools generate recommendations, they’re evaluating a mix of signals.

Not just one thing, the full picture.

⭐ Reviews & Reputation

This is one of the strongest trust signals.

What are renters actually saying?
Are reviews recent and consistent?
Do they mention real experiences?

�� Website Content

AI is looking for answers, not descriptions.

Does your site clearly explain what it’s like to live there?
Does it answer real renter questions?
Or is it just amenities + square footage?

�� Property Information

AI is asking if online information is accurate, complete, and consistent across all platforms.

If details aren’t consistent, AI loses confidence.

�� Authority & Trust Signals

AI is constantly asking, “Can I trust this?”

Ensuring your property shows up across credible sources and your information is aligned everywhere is huge in building trust signals with AI tools.

�� Structured Data (The Hidden Layer)

This one’s less visible, but really important.

Is your backend data organized in a way AI can interpret? Can systems clearly understand your property details? This is what helps AI connect everything.

So What Isn’t AI Looking At?

Most apartment websites were built for keywords, rankings, and basic information.

But AI isn’t asking if the page ranks well, it’s asking:

“Do I understand this property well enough to recommend it?”

And “Does this property deserve to be recommended?”

And a lot of the time, the answer is unclear.

What This Means for Multifamily Marketing Strategy

To show up in AI-driven discovery, it’s not one tactic. It’s the full signal ecosystem.

It’s about a combination of things working together:

Strong, consistent reviews
Content that answers real questions
Accurate and aligned property data
Presence across trusted sources
Structured information that AI can interpret

This matters because renters aren’t waiting for your property to be up-to-date.

Renters are already asking more specific questions, expecting better answers, and trusting AI to guide decisions.

This means AI is already filtering options, highlighting certain properties, and shaping decisions before clicks happen.

�� What Comes Next?

Now that you understand how AI evaluates properties, the next step is:

�� How do you actually improve your visibility in this new discovery layer?

Explore the tools, strategies, and signals inside the AI Discovery Lab!

The Renter Journey is Changing

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:28:52 GMT

The renter journey is changing, and most marketers haven’t noticed yet.

Let’s play a quick game. Think about the last time you searched for an apartment.

You probably did something like:

Google → “apartments near me”

You probably clicked a few listing sites.

Oopened 7 tabs (minimum).

Compared photos, prices, and amenities.

And forgot which tab had the gym you liked.

Sound familiar? Yup.

Now here’s the problem most marketers are missing… That’s not how a lot of renters are doing it anymore.

�� Meet the New Renter: Jenna

Jenna is moving in 60 days. New job, new city, and slightly overwhelmed.

Jenna is ready to look for apartments, but instead of opening Google… they open an AI search engine like ChatGPT or Gemini:

In just seconds, Jenna gets:

A shortlist of apartments
Real insights pulled from reviews
Mentions of vibe, location, and lifestyle
A few clear ‘top picks’

All that without scrolling through 10 websites, wasting hours of research, and at the end of the day, Alex doesn’t have to guess which property is actually good.

�� Let’s Pause for a Second

Something really important just happened.

Jenna didn’t search.

Jenna didn’t browse.

Jenna didn’t compare 15 apartment options.

Jenna skipped straight to a curated list.

The shortlist used to come at the end of the journey. Now it happens at the beginning.

This is the shift. The middle chaos of browsing and comparing is basically gone.

AI Discovery, the “Invisible Step”

Most marketing strategies aren’t built for the new renter journey; they’re focused on getting renters to click on the website.

But renters are now making decisions before they click anything, trusting summaries over website sources, and narrowing options earlier than ever.

So the truth is, by the time a renter lands on your site, you’re not competing with everyone anymore. You’re confirming a decision.

Or worse… You were never considered at all. And you’ll never know you were missed.

This new step in the renter journey happens before clicks. Before tours. Before your website.

We call this ‘invisible step’ AI Discovery.

It’s when AI tools:

scan reviews
interpret content
compare properties
decide what’s worth recommending.

Before AI Discovery, your site would be optimized for search engines. Now, you’re being evaluated before you’re seen, you’re competing to be recommended, and you don’t control the shortlist.

You’ve probably started to notice it:

more specific questions, fewer clicks but more informed leads…

and renters referencing things you never actually said on your website.

⚠️ So… What Happens If You Ignore These Changes?

Nothing dramatic overnight. But overtime is when it gets tricky.

By ignoring this new renter journey, you’re going to start showing up less in recommendations, competitors with stronger signals get surfaced first, and your visibility slowly… quietly… drops.

This is going to happen, not because you disappeared. But because you weren’t clearly understood.

�� The Opportunity

This shift in the renter journey doesn’t mean traditional marketing is dead. Marketing rules and practices are just expanding and changing, as they always have.

The properties that will continue to succeed in this new world of AI will be the ones that:

Clearly communicate who they are
Have strong, consistent signals across the internet
Actually answer what renters care about

Not just exist online.

�� One Simple Reframe

You can start doing this now.

Instead of asking: “How do we get more traffic?”

Start asking: “Would an AI confidently recommend us?”

So, if AI is now shaping the renter journey… the next question is:

How does it decide what to recommend?

Let’s break that down �� Back to the Basics of AI - Video Lessons

ChatGPT Just Started Running Ads

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:26:41 GMT

ChatGPT Running Ads?
Here's What It Means for Your Properties.

We’ve heard a lot of conversation since early 2026 about ChatGPT in the multifamily advertising world. Multifamily marketers are asking what’s actually happening, what it means for leasing, how it connects to fair housing, whether they should spend money on it, and so much more.

It’s honestly a lot to sort through, and most of what’s out there is either too technical or too vague to be useful. So here’s Repli’s version of merging those gaps.

Today, we’re talking about how ChatGPT started running ads inside its platform in early 2026. This is a huge shift and matters for apartment marketing. Here’s what you need to know.

What happened, exactly?

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has begun testing ads inside ChatGPT conversations. Currently, these ads don’t appear on a search result page; they show up inside the chat, right after ChatGPT answers a user’s question.

Google captures renters who already know what they want and are searching for.

Meta reaches people who aren’t in research mode at all.

ChatGPT ads hit the moment in between, when someone is still figuring out where they want to live. It’s earlier in the process, but the intent is high.

The facts: who, what, and how much

Who sees the ads:

Free users and the new $8/month ‘Go’ tier will see ads.
Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise subscribers - no ads.
Free users can opt out of ads in exchange for stricter message limits.

What the ads look like:

Format 1: An Instagram-style carousel - brand logo, image, short headline.
Format 2: A conversational ad - the renter can tap and start a chat with your brand directly inside ChatGPT. This one is interesting for apartment marketing.

What it costs:

The current pilot requires a minimum $200,000 ad spend.
CPM pricing is around $60 - more than 3x what you’d pay on Meta.
No self-service platform yet. Most operators cannot buy these ads today.

FAQ: Should I be spending money on ChatGPT ads right now?

Answer: No - and not because of the cost. The platform is too early. There’s no self-serve buying, measurement is limited to basic views and clicks, and fair housing guardrails haven’t been defined yet. Watch it closely, but hold your budget for now.

The fair housing question

This is the most important unknown right now and the one we hear about most.

OpenAI has said they’ll prevent overly narrow targeting, restrict ads in sensitive categories, and build protections against harmful ads. But they have not specifically addressed how housing advertising will be treated under fair housing laws.

Meta and Google both had to develop housing-specific ad guardrails after significant regulatory pressure. ChatGPT hasn’t gotten there yet.

FAQ: Do I need to worry about fair housing compliance with ChatGPT ads?

Answer: You should be aware, not panicked. The same rules that apply to your Meta and Google housing ads apply here: no targeting by protected class, no exclusionary language, no discriminatory omissions. The concern right now is that OpenAI hasn’t built those guardrails yet. That’s actually the reason to wait rather than rush in. When you do eventually advertise here, apply your existing fair housing practices from day one.

Where this fits into your marketing mix now and in the future

ChatGPT ads are a top-of-funnel marketing tool. These ads focus on influencing renters who are still forming their preferences, at the top of the funnel.

Keep spending on Google to drive those leases. ChatGPT is an addition to the top of your funnel, not a replacement for anything that's already converting.

FAQ: In what cases would I want to reallocate budget from Google or Meta to ChatGPT?

Answer: Right now, ChatGPT should not be part of your marketing stack. ChatGPT's end goal is to be an addition to your marketing strategy as an additional add-on to Google and/or Meta. Do not shift anything yet.

What to do right now.

You can’t buy these ads today, but here’s what you can do to get ready:

Make sure AI can find and understand your properties.
Write content that answers real renter questions.
Know which properties you’d test first.

ChatGPT ads are real, but the timing right now isn’t right for operators just yet. Renters are starting to use AI to research where to live, and brands that show up in those conversations early will have an advantage.

The Repli team has created a library of AI resources to help answer questions you may have or assist in strengthening your current marketing strategy.

Dive into The Birth of Native-AI Advertising or jump into our AI Discovery Lab.

Back to the Basics: AI 101

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:25:43 GMT

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people search for information online, and apartment discovery is beginning to change with it. In this guide, we'll walk through the fundamentals of AI discovery in multifamily.

Understanding the Basics of AI Discovery in Multifamily Marketing

R enters are increasingly turning to AI tools to ask questions, compare options, and receive personalized recommendations before they ever visit a property website.

For multifamily marketers, this shift introduces new questions:

What even is AI, and how does this change affect the multifamily industry?
How are AI tools deciding which apartments to recommend?
What data and information are these systems evaluating?
And how can properties make sure they remain visible as renter discovery evolves?

This guide walks through the fundamentals of AI discovery in multifamily marketing, how renters' search behavior is changing, how AI systems evaluate apartment information, and what this means for property websites and marketing strategies moving forward.

LESSON 1

The Way Renters Discover Apartments is Changing.

F or years, apartment discovery followed a familiar path.

A renter searched Google, browsed listing sites, and visited property websites.

But today, something new is happening.

Renters are increasingly turning to AI tools to ask questions and receive personalized recommendations, often before they ever click on a traditional search result.

AI is beginning to act as a new discovery layer, helping renters filter options and identify properties that match what they are actually searching for.

Supporting Resources:

Blog: The Renter Journey is Changing

LESSON 2

Renter Discovery is Becoming Conversational.

Apartment search is shifting from simple keywords to natural questions.

Instead of typing something like: “apartments near downtown.”

Renters are now asking questions like:

“best apartments near downtown with coworking spaces”
“pet-friendly apartments near parks”
“apartments with great reviews near transit”

Instead of simply displaying a list of links, AI tools now generate answers by pulling together information from across the internet.

This discovery layer is what we call A I discovery — systems that analyze information from across the internet to recommend apartments.

These systems evaluate signals like:

Reviews
Website content
Authority signals
Images & amenities
Structured property information

When these signals are strong and consistent, it becomes easier for AI systems to understand and recommend a property.

Supporting Resources:

Blog: What AI Discovery Actually Means

Video: How Renters are Using AI to Find Apartments

eBook: AI Referrals During Leasing Season

LESSON 3

How AI Chooses What to Recommend.

AI tools don’t randomly suggest properties.

They evaluate discovery signals across the internet to determine which apartments are trustworthy, relevant, and helpful for renters’ questions.

Some of the most important signals include:

Reviews and renter feedback
Authority and credibility across websites
Depth and quality of website content
Accurate property information and media
Structured website data that helps systems interpret details

The clearer and more consistent these signals are, the easier it is for AI systems to evaluate a property and surface it in recommendations.

Supporting Resources:

Blog: Reviews and SEO

Blog: AI Just Changed SEO Again—But You’re More Prepared Than You Think

LESSON 4

Most Apartment Websites Aren't Ready for the AI Shift.

Many property websites were built for traditional search engines , not AI-driven discovery.

They were designed to rank for keywords, display basic property information, and guide renters toward scheduling a tour. But AI systems evaluate information differently.

Instead of simply ranking pages, these systems analyze whether a property’s online presence clearly answers renter questions.

As a result, several common issues can limit a property’s visibility in AI-driven discovery environments, including:

Thin or limited content
Weak authority signals
Incomplete property information
Missing structured data

When these gaps exist, AI systems may struggle to confidently recommend the property.

Supporting Resources:

Blog: Why Most Apartment Websites Aren’t Ready

Video: What AI Search Looks For

LESSON 5

The Future of Apartment Marketing

The rise of AI discovery doesn’t replace traditional marketing; it expands it.

Properties that strengthen their discovery signals today will be better positioned as AI-powered search continues to evolve.

Forward-thinking marketing teams are beginning to focus on:

Strengthening discovery signals across the internet
Creating content that answers renter questions
Implementing GEO strategies alongside traditional SEO
Ensuring property information is structured and complete

These strategies help ensure that AI systems can clearly interpret, evaluate, and recommend properties when renters ask questions.

Supporting Resources:

Blog: What SEO Success Looks Like for Multifamily in the AI Era

Blog: GEO for Apartments

Blog: How Structured Data Helps AI Understand Apartment Websites

LESSON 6

Ready to Explore the AI Discovery Lab?

Now that you undersatnd how AI is changing renter discovery, the next step is exploring the tools, strategies, and insights shaping the future of apartment marketing.

Inside the AI Discovery Lab, you can give deeper into the resources that help marketers strengthen discovery signals, adapt their strategy, and prepare for the evolving world of AI-powered search.

Continue your Journey!

Google is Removing Floor Plans from Business Profiles

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:21:53 GMT

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We’ve heard a lot of conversation around AI and what it means for multifamily marketing. But recently, a different kind of shift is happening – a quieter, more immediate, and honestly more disruptive for day-to-day operations.

Google is removing the ability to publish floor plans to Google Business Profiles via the Product Editor. New uploads are already failing for many operators. If your team has been using this to show floor plans in Google’s knowledge platform, that visibility is going away, and you need a plan.

What happened, exactly?

Google Business Profile (GBP) has a feature called the Product Editor: a tool that lets businesses upload products with images, descriptions, and prices.

Property managers figured out that floor plans fit neatly into this format. Upload a floor plan image, label it with the unit type and bedroom count, and it shows up prominently in the Google knowledge panel when someone searches for your community.

It was a clever workaround that worked really well – until it didn’t.

Google has started disallowing floor plan uploads through the Product Editor. New uploads are failing, and the feature is disappearing from some profiles entirely, particularly for listings that never had product setups before.

Industry chatter confirms this isn’t isolated: multiple operators and vendors are seeing the same thing.

FAQ: Why is Google doing this?

Answer: Google’s Product Editor support page has always stated the feature is intended for "a local store which sells physical goods."

Apartments aren’t physical goods.

Google has been tightening GBP policy enforcement across the board lately, and floor plans were always technically outside what the product section was designed for.

Why this matters for you and your GBP visibility.

Floor plans in the knowledge panel weren’t just a nice-to-have. For many communities, they were one of the most clicked elements on the entire Google profile. A prospective renter searching for your community could immediately see unit layouts, bedroom options, and visual sense of the space, before even clicking on your website.

Losing that means losing a key touchpoint in the zero-click search experience. Renters get less information upfront, your profile looks less complete, and you lose one of the few ways to visually differentiate your community directly in Google Search.

FAQ: Will my existing floor plan products disappear, too?

Answer: Possibly, over time. Right now, enforcement seems to be hitting new uploads hardest so existing products on some profiles are still showing.

But given Google’s pattern of rolling out policy enforcement in waves, it’s reasonable to expect that existing floor plan products will eventually be removed as well. Don’t count on them sticking around.

What to do instead.

The good news: there are real alternatives. The product section isn’t the only place Google gives you visibility, and some of these options may actually perform better for certain use cases.

Use Google Posts to share floor plans to update your GBP.
Optimize your photo gallery on your GBP.
Making sure your website does the heavy lifting with clear and concise information.
Explore the Services section as an alternative.

FAQ: Is there any chance Google will reverse this?

Answer: It’s unlikely in any meaningful way. Google’s enforcement of GBP policies has been trending stricter, not looser.

The bigger picture.

This floor plan change isn’t happening in isolation. Google has been steadily tightening policy enforcement across Google Business Profile, cracking down on keyword stuffing in business names, removing profiles that don’t meet location requirements, and now enforcing product section guidelines more strictly.

The pattern is consistent: features that marketers found creative uses for are being brought back in line with their originally intended purpose. This extends beyond apartments.

FAQ: Should I audit the rest of my GBP setup for compliance?

Answer: Yes, and now is a good time to do it. Review your business name too (no keyword stuffing), your category selections, your service areas, and anything in the product or services sections.

If something feels like a workaround rather than a legitimate use of the feature, it’s probably at risk.

Better to clean it up proactively than get a suspension note.

The bottom line.

Floor plans in the Google Product Editor were a great tactic while they lasted, but it was always a workaround. The operators who adapt fastest – shifting to Google Posts, strengthening their photo galleries, and investing in their website floor plan experience – will feel the impact least.

This is also a good reminder that GBP visibility is earned, not hacked. The profiles that perform best long-term are the ones that use the platform as intended, keep information current, and give renters what they’re looking for without relying on policy gaps.

For now: keep investing in what drives leases. Optimize your digital presence for AI and stay close to how it’s all developing.

Multifamily Media Network Brand and Website Redesign

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 18:48:17 GMT

Building the digital home for multifamily industry voices.

Repli’s brand and website redesign for Multifamily Media Network.

THE BACKGROUND

Powering the future of multifamily media.

Client: Multifamily Media Network

Industry: Multifamily and Broadtcast Media

Scope: Brand Redesign and Website Design

Timeline: December 2025 through March 2026

Multifamily Media Network (MMN) is a growing media platform dedicated to amplifying the voices shaping the apartment industry through podcasts, interviews, and industry conversations.

As they expanded its lineup of shows and industry voices, the team needed a cohesive brand identity and website experience that could support that growth and make it easier for audiences to explore content, discover hosts, and engage with the broader multifamily media ecosystem.

That’s where Repli came in.

Repli partnered with MMN to transform a growing collection of podcasts and industry conversations into a brand and digital platform designed for audience discovery, engagement, and long-term growth.

THE CHALLENGE

Scaling to support growth.

As the network's influence was expanding, the digital brand did not yet reflect the scale of the platform. Content lived across multiple platforms and industry conversations began to outpace the structure of its existing brand and website.

The MMN team needed a brand identity and website experience that could:

Establish a recognizable media brand
Make podcast and media discovery easier for listeners
Highlight the hosts and voices behind the shows

The goal: create a digital experience that positioned Multifamily Media Network as the central hub for multifamily media and industry conversation.

THE PARTNERSHIP

Designing for discovery.

Repli worked closely with Jennifer Carter, MBA, VP of Marketing & Sales at Multifamily Media Network , and the broader MMN team to translate the network’s mission into a modern brand system and intuitive website built for discovery.

The collaboration focused on building a platform that could grow alongside the network as new podcasts, hosts, and contributors joined the conversation.

Every design and development decision focused on helping listeners explore podcasts, learn about hosts, and engage with the broader community around the network.

01

Brand and identity.

Repli developed a complete visual identity for MMN that reflects the energy and creativity behind the network’s programming.

A brand that feels bold, modern, and media-forward while capturing the spirit of conversation and connection that defines the network’s podcasts.

Key elements of this project included a new logo, a dynamic color palette, and flexible design elements that could be used across digital media, marketing materials, and podcast promotion.

Typography was also selected to balance clarity with personality, ensuring the brand would remain recognizable across multiple formats.

To ensure long-term consistency, Repli also created a comprehensive brand guideline and templates outlining how the visual system should be used across the website, social media, promotional assets, and future network initiatives.

02

User interface and site architecture.

Multifamily Media Network's user interface was designed around how audiences naturally discover and engage with media .

Rather than presenting content as static pages, the site structure emphasizes exploration. Visitors can quickly navigate between podcasts, hosts, and articles while discovering new content across the platform.

Simple navigation patterns, structured content sections, and strong visual hierarchy also help guide users toward key areas of the website, from podcast discovery to host profiles and network updates.

The result is an experience that feels intuitive and immersive, encouraging visitors to spend more time exploring the MMN’s content.

03

Interactive features.

Dedicated podcast pages and individual host profiles, all seamlessly connected
Media category filters for shows and written content
Streamlined and intuitive contact forms

To support podcast discovery and engagement, each podcast page includes direct listening links to major platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube), allowing users to easily tune in from their preferred channel while learning more about the show and its focus.

Individual host profiles even highlight the people behind the conversations and link to the podcasts they contribute to, making it simple for visitors to explore more content from voices they already enjoy. This interconnected structure helps audiences move naturally between hosts, shows, and episodes.

Additionally, podcasts are organized by category filters, helping users quickly sort and discover shows based on topics relevant to their interests within the multifamily industry.

The site’s blog follows a similar structure: articles are grouped by category and connected to the hosts who wrote them, creating clear pathways between written insights and podcast content.

Finally, streamlined custom-contact forms and submission pathways make it easier for potential collaborators, podcast guests, and partners to connect with the network, reinforcing MMN’s role as an open platform for industry conversation.

Together, these features transform the website from a simple information hub into a dynamic platform for interaction.

04

Website development.

Designed to function as a true media hub, encouraging exploration and making it easy for audiences to discover content across the network.

Repli implemented a user-first design system built with modular content blocks for the MMN team. This allows the MMN team to easily update pages, highlight new podcasts, and add future content without requiring extensive development work.

Additionally, the site was integrated with the MultiHub platform, providing flexible content management and built-in SEO and AI optimization to help the network reach a wider audience. Streamlining contact forms, dynamic pages, and merchandise store integration were just a few additional features this site includes.

Accessibility standards and site performance optimization were also prioritized throughout the build, ensuring the site remains lightning fast, intuitive, and usable for a wide range of visitors and devices.

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

A new space for industry conversation.

With its refreshed brand and digital platform, Multifamily Media Network now has a foundation that reflects the scale and ambition of the network.

The redesigned experience positions MMN as a recognizable destination for multifamily media, making it easier for industry professionals to participate in the conversations shaping the future of the industry. The platform now provides MMN with a scalable digital foundation that supports the continued expansion of podcasts, hosts, partnerships, and industry conversations across the network.

Most importantly, the new brand and site gives the Multifamily Media Network team the tools to continue doing what it does best: amplifying the voices and ideas that move multifamily forward.

MEET THE TEAM

The team behind the creative direction.

The Birth of AI-Native Advertising

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 19:24:05 GMT

What ChatGPT Ads Signal for the Future of Digital Marketing

On February 9, 2026, OpenAI officially began testing advertising inside ChatGPT.

At face value, this is a monetization move. Infrastructure at this scale isn’t cheap.

But zoom out, and this may represent something much bigger: the first truly new digital advertising marketplace since the rise of paid search.

We’re starting to see the emergence of AI-native advertising ecosystems, ad platforms built directly into conversational AI assistants powered by language models (LLMs).

And that matters.

Search Behavior Is Already Shifting

This isn’t happening in a vacuum.

Recent research shows:

If attention shifts from search engine results pages (SERPs) to conversational AI, advertising will follow. That’s historically how digital markets evolve.

This Isn’t Just “Google Ads" in a Chatbot

Traditional paid search (like Google Ads) is built on things like keywords, auctions, and click-based attribution.

AI assistant advertising introduces something different:

Conversational intent modeling
Context-aware responses
Multi-step reasoning
Potential first-party data integration

Instead of bidding on a keyword, brands may eventually engage with dynamic conversations. That’s where we’d notice a structural shift, not just a new placement of ads.

Diverging AI Monetization Models

It’s also worth noting that Anthropic, creator of Claude, has publicly emphasized that it does not plan to monetize through advertising.

We may see fragmentation across:

Ad-supported AI platforms
Subscription-only AI models
Hybrid ecosystems

That divergence will influence how brands approach AI visibility moving forward.

What This Means for Marketers

It’s too early for tactical playbooks. Performance benchmarks don’t exist yet.

But it’s not too early for strategic preparation.

Brands should begin thinking about:

First-party data readiness
Structured content for AI discoverability
Conversational creative formats
Attribution models beyond clicks

At Repli, we’re closely monitoring how AI assistants evolve into media channels — and how that shift may impact discoverability, performance, and digital strategy overall.

When Google first introduced ads into search results, few predicted how transformative they would become.

AI assistants may now be standing at a similar threshold.

It’s early. But the marketplace is forming.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With over a decade in multifamily marketing, Tony Griego specializes in paid media strategy and digital performance – helping property management teams build smarter advertising strategies that convert prospects into residents. Drawing on experience in SEO, digital advertising, account management, and hands-on work with leading adtech and proptech platforms, he brings a practical perspective to the evolving digital landscape. When he’s not behind a screen, he’s usually on the road for regional travel ball tournaments or country music concerts with family.

More Traffic Doesn’t Mean Better Rankings

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:00:12 GMT

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Every spring, leasing season kicks into gear and your traffic numbers start climbing.

More searches. More clicks. More competition.

So if the numbers are going up, you’re winning right?

Not exactly.

Here’s something a lot of property managers don’t realize: more traffic does not automatically mean better rankings. Google isn’t just counting clicks. It’s watching what happens after the click.

That’s where engagement comes in. And during leasing season, it’s one of the most underestimated factors in your entire SEO strategy.

What Does Google Actually See?

Think about the last time you Googled something and clicked a result, only to leave immediately because the page wasn’t what you expected. You went right back to Google and tried the next one.

Google noticed that. And it remembers.

Now apply that to your property. Let’s say two communities are ranking side by side.

Both might start on page one. But over time, Google picks up on the pattern. Which result kept people engaged? Which one sent them running? That back-and-forth behavior even has a name: pogo-sticking . And it’s a signal Google takes seriously.

The property that earns the stay, earns the ranking.

The Engagement Signals That Move the Needle

While Google doesn’t hand over a checklist, the SEO community has a pretty good read on the behaviors that matter most.

DWELL TIME

How long does someone stay on your page before going back to search results? The longer they stay, the more Google trusts that your content is worth finding.

BOUNCE RATE

A quick exit is one thing. A quick exit followed by a click on your competitor is another. That pattern tells Google your page didn’t deliver.

PAGES PER SESSION

When a renter digs into your floor plans, checks your pet policy, and reads about the neighborhood, that’s a win. Multiple page visits signal a genuinely interested user, and Google sees it.

CLICK-THROUGH-RATE (CTR)

If your listing keeps showing up in search but people keep skipping it, that’s a problem. Your title tag and meta description are your first impression. Make them count.

What You Can Do About It

You can’t control how many people are searching for apartments in your market. But you have a lot of control over what they find when they get to your site.

Ask yourself a few honest questions:

Does your site load in under 3 seconds?

If not, you’re losing people before they even see your property.

Are your floor plans easy to find and actually worth browsing once someone gets there?

Is your pricing and availability up to date?

Stale information is one of the fastest ways to lose a renter’s trust.

Are “Schedule a Tour” and “Check Availability” easy to find on every page?

If a renter has to hunt for next steps, they won’t.

Is your site built for mobile?

More than 60% of apartment searches happen on a phone. A clunky mobile experience will cost you.

When you build a better experience for renters, you’re sending better signals to Google too.

Leasing season is going to bring you traffic whether you’re ready or not . The question is what that traffic does once it arrives.

Rankings follow relevance. Relevance is proven by behavior. And behavior is shaped by the experience renters have the moment they land on your site.

If your numbers spike every spring but your rankings don’t hold, engagement is where the gap is. And more ads won’t fix it – a better website will.

So don't just compete for the click; compete for what happens after it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamie is a Senior Organic Media Specialist at Repli, where he helps multifamily properties turn clicks into conversions. With a background spanning eCommerce, Web Development, and SEO, he specializes in building organic strategies that do more than rank. From improving site performance to increasing conversions, he delivers measurable results for the audiences that matter most. When he’s not optimizing, you’ll find him at the beach, on a hiking trail, or chasing the next adventure.

How E-E-A-T Impacts SEO

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:00:09 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

When it comes to your website content, you should always ask yourself three questions:

Is it helpful?
Is it reliable?
Is it people-first?

If your answer to any of the above is “no,” then you’ll probably struggle to make your content matter to either your prospects or the almighty Google.

E-E-A-T

You might be asking yourself - what the heck is E-E-A-T?

Google uses many different factors to rank content. From there, it’s prioritized by another mix of factors that demonstrate aspects of experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness (aka: E-E-A-T).

Trust, of course, is the most important.

But it’s also important to note that not all content has to demonstrate all portions of E-E-A-T to be considered “valuable.”

And while E-E-A-T itself isn’t a ranking factor , Google does give more weight to content that aligns with E-E-A-T (especially on high-impact topics, like health, finance, safety, or societal welfare). It's essentially a framework that Google uses to evaluate content quality and rank webpages.

E-E-A-T and SEO

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), E-E-A-T matters because using this framework helps ensure the creation of high-quality content that performs well in Google results and with your prospects.

The better the E-E-A-T, the happier Google is.

Now, let’s break down E-E-A-T and dig deeper into why it matters.

Experience

How often do you look at reviews before making a purchase? All the time, right?

Well, that’s what experience is. It’s first-hand knowledge of whatever it is you’re writing about. It’s your unique perspective, insight, advice, and opinions.

Let’s take this review of a Kong toy from the Chewy website. Annie, the author, talks about having two dogs who love the toy ( experience ), and also provides an adorable picture ( social proof ).

It’s helpful and insightful. It also talks about additional products they use with their dogs. Also, that Bernadoodle is clearly a reliable source.

Expertise

When you’re looking for advice, who do you go to?

Most likely, you’re going to seek out someone who has the expertise and know-how to help you.

For example, this article about the flu features a doctor’s expert advice.

Getting information directly from a doctor means readers are more likely to trust the answers provided. Additionally, Google may be more apt to rank the content higher.

However, expertise may not be required to create quality content.

For example, if you’re looking for ways to deal with flu symptoms, you may not seek out a doctor ( expert ). You might want to read a blog from a peer who has home remedies that have worked (e xperience ).

This is how pages like Reddit can rank very highly, while not necessarily having “experts” giving the instructions/advice.

Authoritativeness

Wikipedia was once seen as an “unreliable source.” Now, it’s nearly at the top of every Google search. Why?

Because Wikipedia has an immense number of backlinks .

The more high-quality, relevant backlinks a website has, the more authoritative the website appears to be. And with over 8 million of them, including those from reputable sources, it’s clear Wikipedia has authoritativeness in spades.

Trustworthiness

How does Google determine the trustworthiness of a website?

Experience, expertise, and authoritativeness, of course.

Additionally, the website’s content should protect its visitors (security and privacy) and inspire confidence (trustworthiness).

This means the website:

Needs to be secure
Provides accurate, truthful, and relevant content
Allows users to get help (if needed)
Has relevant certifications, credentials, etc.

For example, Huntington Bank has a Privacy and Security Center that discusses its commitment to security and provides tips to users on how to protect themselves from fraud.

Bottom Line

Let’s be clear: E-E-A-T is the difference between ranking and disappearing.

Experience. Expertise. Authoritativeness. Trust. That’s the bar now.

Google doesn’t just want content — it wants proof that you know what you’re talking about. If your content could live on any competitor’s site without anyone noticing, you don’t have E-E-A-T. You have filler.

Because here’s the reality: rankings follow authority. Authority follows trust. And trust is built through experience-backed content that actually helps people.

If you want traffic that converts, not just traffic that spikes and disappears, E-E-A-T isn’t optional. It needs to become part of your long-term SEO strategy.

Don’t publish content just to check a box – build content that proves you deserve to rank.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Why Apartment Reviews Matter More for SEO Than You Think

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:00:01 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

When it comes to SEO optimization, reputation management is often overlooked. Or downright ignored.

In fact, most SEO strategies tend to hyper-focus on what the industry calls The Three Pillars of SEO: Technical, Onsite, and Offsite.

But when it comes to creating an SEO strategy , there’s little mention of reputation management or what part it has to play in strengthening SEO efforts.

So, let’s talk about it.

It Begins With Search . . .

Okay, let’s say you’re looking for an apartment home.

You’re on Google. You’ve done your “near me” search. Now, what?

Well, if you’re anything like most people, you’ll check out the reviews.

According to the 2024-2025 Property Management Trends Report from Reputation , 81% of people say reviews matter during the search, and 71% of renters can be deterred from touring due to negative reviews.

The star rating, number of reviews, the most recent reviews, and what people are actually complaining about – all these factors contribute to the next step.

And what is the next step?

Visiting the website and exploring the qualification funnel further.

And if the reviews are bad or outdated?

Well, you’re probably not going to rent there, are you?

Trust Goes Both Ways

If the renter trusts you, then Google trusts you.

Sounds weird, but stick with us…

Reviews influence local rankings and are a confirmed local ranking factor .

What Matters:

Strong reputation = better odds of appearing in the local pack, map results, and “apartments near me” searches.

Even if you have two properties that rank side-by-side, the one with the higher star rating and more Google reviews will (most likely) get the click.

Those clicks send a positive engagement signal to Google, showing Google that renters are choosing you more often and actually sticking around to spend time on your website.

This all supports continued and sustainable organic performance over time.

A Tailored Response Shows You Care

It’s not enough just to get the reviews; you’ve got to respond to them.

Especially the negative ones.

Responding to reviews signals strong customer experience, improves trust with renters, and shows activity (and feeds into Google’s EEAT criteria).

Whatever approach you take toward reputation management, SEO will be indirectly impacted. Positive reviews and responding to reviews often correlate with longer time spent on the website, more tour requests, and lower bounce rates.

Additionally, a strong reputation:

Improves engagement
Strengthens branded searches (one of the strongest long-term SEO stabilizers!)
Increases conversion signals
Often results in more direct traffic and repeat visitors
Reinforces that your website satisfies the search

All of which Google notices.

What's the Impact?

Before a renter ever clicks your website, Google is already judging your reputation.

Reviews, ratings, sentiment, and responses - they all directly influence search visibility, clicks, and conversions.

More reviews → Better rankings
Google trusts demand. No reviews, no visibility.

Consistent reviews → Stable rankings
Fresh reviews keep you relevant. Stale profiles slide.

Recent reviews → More local impressions
Old reviews don’t disappear, but new ones win “near me.”

Higher ratings → More clicks
4.5 stars get the click. 3.9 gets ignored.

Positive sentiment → Better engagement
Good reviews warm users up. Bad ones send them running.

Keywords in reviews → Stronger relevance
Renters do your SEO for you—amenities, location, lifestyle.

Responding to reviews → More trust
Silence looks sloppy. Responses signal legitimacy.

Handling bad reviews well → More conversions
Fixing problems publicly builds confidence before the tour.

Brand mentions → Stronger SEO foundation
Branded search is an algorithm update armor.

These aren’t “vanity metrics.” These KPIs are about how demand, trust, and engagement signals feed your SEO performance .

Remember: if these reputation levers aren’t moving, rankings, traffic, and leases won’t either.

The Real Takeaway

Reputation KPIs like review volume, recency, ratings, and responses aren’t just leasing metrics - they’re SEO signals.

They influence whether your property shows up, gets clicked, and earns trust before a renter ever visits your site. Strong reviews drive visibility, clicks, and engagement; weak or outdated ones quietly kill performance at the top of the funnel.

Google follows renter behavior, and renters follow reviews. If reputation isn’t part of your SEO strategy, it's time to start today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GEO for Apartments: AI Tips Every Multifamily Marketer Needs

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:32:31 GMT

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) isn’t just the next buzzword—it’s basically how AI-driven search is picking winners in 2026 . Sure, traditional search engines still matter, but AI-powered engines are changing how renters find apartments and which properties get recommended.

Most multifamily marketers are still leaning on old SEO tactics or generic content strategies. That’s a mistake. If you want to outshine competitor properties, boost click-through rates, and actually reach renters, it’s time to embrace GEO strategies that work in the real world.

Here are 10 tips for apartment marketers who want their property website AI-ready—and if you want the full roadmap, our SEO vs GEO ebook has the ultimate AI overview and content strategy guide.

10 GEO Tips Every Apartment Marketer Should Be Using Going Into 2026 (But Probably Isn’t)

1. Optimize for Questions, Not Keywords

AI-driven search doesn’t care about old-school keywords—it wants answers. Stop writing “2-bedroom apartments in Atlanta” and start answering real renter questions , like:

“Which apartments are pet-friendly near Piedmont Park?”
“What’s the fastest commute from Midtown to downtown?”
“How much does a luxury 1-bedroom cost near Buckhead?”

Pro tip: Grab these questions from Google’s People Also Ask, social posts, or reviews. Using structured data and schema markup helps AI engines see your answers more clearly.

2. Turn Every Floor Plan Into AI-Ready Content

Floor plans aren’t just pictures—they’re content gold . Add details AI can read, like:

Layout flow and room dimensions
Ideal lifestyles (“perfect for roommates or remote workers”)
Natural light, storage, and unique features
Amenity highlights

This helps your property website stand out over competitor properties.

3. Build Hyper-Local ‘Renter Intent’ Pages

GEO loves specificity. Hyper-local pages target exactly what renters are searching for, for example:

“Pet-friendly apartments near Piedmont Park”
“1-bedroom units near [local university]”
“Luxury apartments within walking distance of the subway”

Bonus: Pair these with schema markup and structured data. This isn’t just content—it’s how AI decides which property to recommend.

4. Add Mini-Stories, Not Marketing Copy

AI-driven search rewards context. Forget boring copy like “Spacious 2-bedroom available.” Instead, tell stories your renters can picture:

“The A3 layout is perfect for remote workers—the kitchen nook fits a full desk without taking over the living room, and the balcony overlooks the park for weekend coffee breaks.”

This improves click-through rates and positions your property website as a go-to resource over competitor properties.

5. Fix Your Property Data Everywhere

Inconsistent data kills GEO. AI compares:

Website listings
Google Business Profile
ILS listings
Social profiles

If pricing, amenities, or floor plan names don’t match, AI loses confidence in your property. Structured data and schema markup can fix this and boost your AI visibility.

6. Make Content Skimmable

AI reads structure better than paragraphs of fluff. Use:

Clear headers (H2/H3)
Bullets and numbered lists
FAQ sections
Comparison tables

Pro tip: Make headers answer questions directly , like “Why Choose Our 2-Bedroom Layout?” Skimmable content = higher click-through rates and smarter content strategy.

7. Refresh Old Pages for GEO, Not SEO

GEO cares about context and freshness, not just keywords. Update old pages with:

FAQs that actually answer renter questions
Context about who the apartment works for (and who it doesn’t)
Neighborhood insights (“5-minute walk to the closest coffee shop”)

This keeps your property website relevant for AI-driven search and ahead of competitor properties.

8. Publish Neighborhood Content, Not Just Property Info

Targeting renters isn’t just about your building—it’s about the neighborhood. Include:

Parks, trails, and transit options
Restaurants, gyms, and coffee shops
Hidden gems and lifestyle tips

AI rewards local authority, so you look like the expert renters rely on.

9. Explain Why This Matters

AI loves reasoning. Every feature should answer why it matters to renters :

“Private garages reduce break-ins by 35%.”

“Walkable neighborhoods save residents 20+ minutes a day.”

This boosts click-through rates and strengthens your overall digital marketing strategy.

10. Be the Page AI Actually Cites

Your goal isn’t just SEO—it’s being the answer AI pulls. Ask yourself:

Would AI pick this as the best answer for renters?
Does it give a full AI overview of the property, neighborhood, and amenities?
Does it outshine competitor properties in clarity and relevance?

Think of GEO as part of your digital marketing strategy . The better your content strategy , structured data, and property website work together, the more AI-driven search favors your listings.

The Bottom Line

GEO isn’t going away. AI-driven search is how renters will find apartments in 2026. Most marketers are still stuck in 2018. Don’t be that marketer.

Get ahead. Stay ahead.

Multifamily Breakfast Club Brand Identity and Website Design

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:34:57 GMT

Real conversations. Real connections. Real brand.

We gave Multifamily Breakfast Club the brand it deserves – complete with a new logo, identity system, and website that radiates the same warmth and authenticity the community is

built on.

THE BACKGROUND

A digital home for a growing community.

Client: Multifamily Breakfast Club

Founder: Tara Samuels, CAS

Industry: Multifamily Community and Events

Scope: Brand Identity and Website Design

Timeline: August 2025 through November 2025

Tara Samuels is known in the multifamily industry as a connector and relationship‑building architect. She founded Multifamily Breakfast Club (MBC) to create a space where industry peers could meet in-person, drop the sales pitch, and have meaningful conversations over coffee.

From its roots in Chicago to its growing events across the country, MBC has become a movement that celebrates realness. Each gathering is intentionally intimate, inviting professionals to share stories, ideas, and sometimes even struggles – because that’s where the true connection happens.

When she first shared her vision with Siobhan Park, Repli’s Head of Marketing, the idea instantly clicked. Repli doesn’t usually take on one-off projects, but this one felt different. Beyond a branding project, this was an opportunity to help a growing community look and feel as genuine as the people behind it.

THE PARTNERSHIP

Design and experience built on community, creativity, and purpose.

The Repli team worked hand‑in‑hand with Tara to design a brand system and website that honored what Multifamily Breakfast Club already was: inclusive and bold in its simplicity.

01

Visual identity.

Warm greens, gold accents, and soft neutrals echo the feeling of MBC’s in‑person gatherings – inviting, comfortable, and full of life.

Circular shapes reinforce the idea of connection and inclusivity , while modern sans‑serif typography keeps things fresh and confident .

02

User interface and site architecture.

We built the site around simplicity and flow , with navigation focusing on discovery (Events, Traditions, and Our Story) and clear CTAs for joining or hosting.

The design maintains the brand’s casual, people‑first tone while staying clean and scalable .

03

Interactive features.

RSVP and Google Calendar integration for event sign ups
Dynamic gallery page and events archive
Scroll‑based animations and layered circular imagery
Join The Club forms designed for quick, friendly onboarding

04

Technical SEO and performance.

Built on the MultiHub platform for flexibility and content control
Core Web Vitals optimized for performance
Structured data for SEO visibility
Privacy compliance and analytics setup

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

A unified identity across all touchpoints.

What emerged is a brand and digital platform that effortlessly mirrors MBC’s warmth and spirit of genuine connection.

The brand now feels consistent and flows seamlessly online and in real life, while the new website provides an intuitive RSVP flow that has boosted both engagement and event attendance.

MEET THE TEAM

The team behind the creative direction.

From Hours to Seconds: MultiHub Generators Automate Property Data Collection

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:50:11 GMT

Onboarding a new community has always meant hours of chasing down property details, uploading photos, and piecing together data from multiple sources. That era is over.

With MultiHub Generators, all it takes is a property name and address—and in less than 60 seconds, you’ll have a fully built property profile.

Why This Changes Everything

The old way of onboarding was slow and tedious. Our implementation team had to spend hours pulling together information, while property teams were stuck responding to endless requests. Now? MultiHub Generators flip the process on its head.

For our implementation team: No more manual data collection. Generators cut hours of work down to seconds.
For our customers: No more scrambling to provide every detail—we handle it for you.
For your marketing: We can now create complete property websites, even without a live PMS connection.

What’s Inside a Generated Profile

In less than a minute, Generators pull in rich property data from ILS listings, Google Places, existing websites, and more. That means you’ll get:

Property hours
Amenities
Pet policies
Local points of interest
Photos and media
And much more

Built for Speed. Designed for Scale.

This isn’t just a time-saver. It’s a glimpse into the future of how marketing gets done. Generators are the foundation for everything that comes next—helping us create not only property profiles, but soon ads, social content, and entire campaigns at scale.

See It in Action

We put together a quick video so you can watch Generators at work. Spoiler: it’s fast, smart, and a total game-changer.

What’s Next

Property profiles are just the beginning. Our vision is bigger:

Ads, built automatically with the right messaging and creative
Social content, tailored to each community and ready to publish
Campaigns that scale effortlessly , powered by the same smart data foundation

With Generators, we’re laying the groundwork for a marketing ecosystem that’s faster, smarter, and designed to grow with you.

At Repli, this is more than just a product release—it’s a revolution in how multifamily marketing gets built. Faster onboarding, less busywork, and infinitely more scale. With Generators, we’re not just keeping up with the industry—we’re rewriting the playbook.

New in MultiHub: Smarter, Simpler Media Management

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 17:09:44 GMT

Managing property photos just got a whole lot easier. With our latest MultiHub update , you can now choose and configure the exact media source you want to sync with your property or corporate websites . ��

What’s new?

✅ Custom Media Uploads – Add photos directly from your computer or Google Drive, or pull from other connected sources.
✅ AI-Powered Editing – Automatically classify images, generate alt text, and write descriptions with one click.
✅ Cleaner Experience – We’ve removed the old property-level Media page and unified everything into one easy-to-manage view. Any images you previously uploaded are already migrated into your new “Custom” collection.
✅ Smarter Image Handling – Get warnings for low-resolution photos, see improved image previews, enjoy auto-downsizing of large files, and rest easy knowing duplicates won’t take up extra storage.

Organizing Your Media in MultiHub

MultiHub now brings all your media together in one place:

Your PMS - Yardi, Entrata, RealPage, MRI, and more
Google Places
Generator – assets pulled from your property website
Custom (NEW!) – upload or select your own photos
And Many More!

Every image can be organized into categories like Community, Apartment, Lifestyle, Floorplan, Logo, or Other. These categories sync directly to your property websites, so it’s simple to display the right photos in your galleries.

After uploading, you can quickly assign photos to the correct group, add alt text, and write descriptions—or let AI handle it for you. Just click the Classify Missing Fields button and alt text, descriptions, and groupings will be generated automatically—making photo management take just seconds.

Why You’ll Love It

With more control, smarter automation, and less clutter, this update helps you showcase your community with speed and consistency—without getting bogged down in manual uploads and edits.

5 Talking Points to Use When Your Owner Asks Why Traffic Is Down

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 13:49:23 GMT

You open your inbox. The subject line stops you cold:

Traffic is down — what’s going on???

If you’re a multifamily marketer, you’ve probably been here before. Owners and operators want answers — fast — and they’re often looking at traffic like it’s the only measure of marketing success.

But the truth is, in 2025’s zero-click, AI-personalized search world , traffic alone is no longer the whole story. Here’s how to respond with confidence — and reframe the conversation toward metrics that actually matter.

1. “Why is our traffic dropping — shouldn’t we rank #1 for everything?”

�� What to say:

“Ranking #1 for a keyword isn’t the ultimate goal anymore. Google and AI-driven search results often give renters answers directly, without a click. Even if traffic dips, our property is being seen in map packs, local overviews, and AI-generated answers — building awareness early in the renter journey.”

�� An example:

A renter searches for “apartments near [employer name].” Instead of clicking, they see a map pack with your property, a short AI summary, and your review snippet. Even though your site didn’t get the click, the renter now recognizes your property and is more likely to call, submit a form, or search your brand directly later.

✨ Why it matters:

Owners often panic when traffic drops, but presence in AI-powered answers is still valuable — you’re capturing the intent of renters even if the click doesn’t happen immediately.

2. “Are we losing out because people aren’t clicking our site?”

�� What to say:

" Not necessarily. Search results are personalized for each renter based on location, search history, and intent. Two renters typing the same keyword may see completely different results. The click isn’t the only measure of success — our visibility wherever AI and search algorithms surface relevant information matters most.”

�� An example:

One renter sees us in a neighborhood guide snippet; another sees our reviews highlighted in AI results. Both interactions increase awareness and trust, even if one renter doesn’t click.

✨ Why it matters:

This helps owners understand why a drop in traffic isn’t automatically a failure. Visibility is now fragmented across multiple touchpoints.

3. “Is our traffic even bringing quality leads?”

�� What to say:

"We’re focused on attracting high-intent renters — people ready to tour or apply — instead of just boosting overall visits. Lead-to-lease conversion rate is a better measure of marketing success than total traffic.”

�� An example:

Last month, organic visits decreased slightly, but tour requests from organic sources went up 20%, showing that the traffic we did get was higher quality.

✨ Why it matters:

Owners care about occupancy and NOI, not vanity metrics. Highlighting intent-driven traffic connects SEO performance directly to bottom-line results.

4. “If traffic is down, does that mean we’re losing leases?”

�� What to say:

"No. Even with lower traffic, organic search is still driving leases. We can track exactly how many leases originated from organic leads, showing that SEO is contributing directly to signed leases.”

�� An example:

A renter finds our property via a blog post about “walkable apartments downtown” and eventually signs a lease. The initial click was just one touchpoint, but it directly contributed to revenue.

✨ Why it matters:

It reinforces that SEO success is about outcomes (leases), not just site visits.

5. “Why isn’t our website the only place people find us?”

 �� What to say:

"Renters today find information across multiple platforms — Google Business Profiles, review sites, ILS listings, and social channels. We optimize our presence everywhere to ensure our property is visible and trusted at every touchpoint.”

�� An example:

A renter might search Google, check Apartments.com, read reviews on Yelp, and watch a video tour on YouTube. Because all information is accurate and consistent, we’re more likely to be chosen over competitors.

✨ Why it matters:

Visibility alone isn’t enough. Marketing today is about trust and accessibility across all renter touchpoints .

Extra Guidance for Marketers:

When preparing for the “traffic is down” question, come armed with:

Organic lead counts: Show exactly how many inquiries came from SEO.
Lead-to-lease rates: Demonstrate that the traffic you did get is high quality.
AI/local pack examples: Screenshots illustrate new forms of search success.
Brand search trends: Highlight direct searches as proof of awareness.

�� Did you know that MultiHub offers an AI Traffic Report?

The Bottom Line:

Traffic dips in 2025 don’t automatically signal SEO failure. The real measure of success is:

Being findable in AI-powered, personalized search results
Being trusted across all renter touchpoints
Being chosen by high-intent renters who become residents

With these talking points, marketers can turn a heated traffic conversation into a strategic discussion about lead quality, occupancy, and real ROI — the metrics owners actually care about.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Siobhan is the Head of Marketing at Repli. With over 10 years of digital marketing experience, Siobhan is dedicated to pushing boundaries and disrupting the industry by sharing insights on trends, technology, and best practices to help multifamily marketers thrive. When she's not creating content, she's often traveling with her family, filming k-pop dance covers, or exploring her favorite restaurants.

What SEO Success Looks Like for Multifamily in the AI Era

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 15:10:14 GMT

Picture this: You’re in a performance review with an owner or operator.
They lean back, cross their arms, and ask, “Why isn’t our traffic higher? We used to rank #1 for ‘apartments in [city].’ What happened?”

And you take a deep breath, because you know the truth:
We’re not in the same search world we were even two years ago.

The SEO Game Has Changed and Multifamily Needs to Catch Up

Once upon a time, “winning” SEO meant watching your keyword rankings climb and your Google Analytics traffic chart spike upward. Owners loved it. Operators loved it. You loved it.

But now?

We’re living in a zero-click, AI-personalized search world.

Zero-click searches: Google, Bing, and AI tools increasingly give renters the answer without them ever clicking to your site.
AI-powered SERPs: Search engines now use generative AI to build customized results pages for each searcher, pulling information from multiple sources (and often… not your site).
Hyper-personalization: Two renters searching the exact same keyword may now see completely different results based on their location, browsing history, and intent signals.

This means the old “keyword + rank = success” formula is broken.

The New Reality for Multifamily Marketers

Your website might never get the click for “apartments in Atlanta,” because Google has already shown:

A map pack with 3 nearby competitors
A “People Also Ask” section answering their leasing questions
AI-generated overviews pulling details from review sites, ILS listings, and neighborhood guides

That doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means the way we measure success must evolve.

Owners and Operators Still Want Simple Metrics, But…

Let’s be real: most owners and operators don’t live in the marketing trenches. They see traffic go down and panic. They hear you’re not ranking #1 for “apartments in [city]” and want to know why.

The challenge for multifamily marketers is educating stakeholders that:

Ranking for one keyword doesn’t mean the phone rings more
Traffic is meaningless if it’s not the right traffic
AI-powered SERPs mean clicks are only part of the story

So, What Does SEO Success Look Like Now?

In this new world, SEO isn’t just about being found. It’s about being chosen — wherever and however a renter is searching. Here’s what that means for multifamily:

1. Being Present in Every Renter Touchpoint

Your property’s information must be accurate, complete, and compelling everywhere renters look — not just your website. That includes:

Google Business Profiles (with updated hours, photos, and offers)
Apartment listing sites (ILS)
Review platforms
Neighborhood blogs
Social channels that AI might pull into results

✨ Success metric: Brand visibility across all renter discovery points, not just organic clicks.

2. Optimizing for Zero-Click Visibility

If Google or Bing’s AI pulls your content into an instant answer, that’s still a win — it builds brand awareness and can lead to later direct searches or calls.

✨ Success metric: Presence in AI-generated overviews, “People Also Ask,” and local map packs.

3. Owning Hyperlocal, Intent-Driven Content

Generic “best apartments in [city]” content is oversaturated. AI favors content that is specific, useful, and context-rich .

✨ Success metric: Ranking (or appearing in AI summaries) for neighborhood-specific searches like:

“Dog-friendly apartments near [employer]”
“Walkable apartments by [transit stop]”
“Apartments with EV charging in [neighborhood]”

4. Tracking Engagement Over Clicks

If someone lands on your site, what they do next matters far more than how they got there.

✨ Success metrics:

Form fills from organic traffic
Click-to-call actions
Tour bookings and lease applications traced to organic sources

5. Reporting on Leasing Outcomes, Not Just Traffic

Owners ultimately care about occupancy and NOI, not impressions. SEO should be tied to the metrics that matter to them

✨ Success metrics:

Lead-to-lease conversion rate from organic
Organic-assisted leases (leases where SEO played a touchpoint role)
Occupancy trend % supported by organic marketing

Shifting the Conversation With Stakeholders

To survive in this new era, multifamily marketers must reframe the conversation with owners and operators:

❌ Instead of: “We rank #3 for ‘apartments in Dallas.’”
�� Say: “Organic search drove 27 qualified tour requests last month — 9 turned into leases.”
❌ Instead of: “Traffic dropped 10%.”
�� Say: “Traffic dropped slightly because Google is answering renter questions directly, but our organic lead-to-lease rate improved by 15%.”
❌ Instead of: “We lost a ranking to a competitor.”
�� Say: “Our property is now in Google’s AI-generated local overview for renters searching near [neighborhood], putting us in front of high-intent renters earlier.”

The Bottom Line:

SEO success for multifamily in 2025 isn’t a #1 keyword rank or a bigger traffic chart. It’s being:

Findable in AI-powered search results
Trusted through consistent, accurate, and compelling property info
Chosen by high-intent renters who become residents

In a zero-click, AI-personalized search world, the best SEO strategy isn’t about chasing the algorithm — it’s about making sure that when the renter is ready to click, call, or tour, you’re the obvious choice.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A Guide to UTMs for Apartment Marketing

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 18:21:34 GMT

If you're in multifamily marketing and you're not using UTMs, you're flying blind.

UTMs—short for Urchin Tracking Modules —might sound like something out of a marine biology textbook, but in reality, they’re your best friend when it comes to tracking what’s actually driving leads, tours, and leases .

In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about UTMs in apartment marketing—without the jargon, and with a free tool to help you get started fast.

What is a UTM?

A UTM is a snippet of text you add to the end of a URL to track where your website traffic is coming from. It tells platforms like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) exactly how someone landed on your website.

Here’s an example:

https://yourpropertywebsite.com?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_campaign=fall-lease-up

When someone clicks that link, you’ll be able to see in GA4 that they came from your Facebook Paid Ad , tied to your Fall Lease-Up campaign . No more guessing. Just clean data.

Why UTMs Matter in Multifamily Marketing

When used consistently, UTMs transform GA4 into a source of clear, actionable insights. You’ll be able to track which campaigns drive the most website leads, which sources convert to scheduled tours, and—most importantly—which channels actually lead to signed leases. No more “we think this ad worked.” You’ll know.

With the right UTM structure in place, you can:

�� Compare ILS performance head-to-head (e.g. Apartments.com vs Zillow)
�� Identify which ad creative is driving actual results
�� Prove ROI to regional teams and ownership
�� Optimize campaigns in real-time based on data, not assumptions

Whether you're launching a new property, filling your last few units, or building reports for stakeholders, UTMs help you make smarter marketing decisions every step of the way.

What Do UTMs Actually Track?

To get the most out of UTMs, it’s important to understand what each piece means and how it works. Every UTM parameter plays a specific role in helping you track and attribute your marketing efforts more effectively. Here’s a quick breakdown of the core (and optional) UTM parameters you'll use most in apartment marketing:

How This Looks in Real Life (Multifamily Examples)

Not sure where UTMs fit into your day-to-day campaigns? Here are a few real-world examples of how apartment marketers can use them to track performance across different channels:

Facebook Ad
You’re running a carousel ad for your latest lease-up. Your UTM might look like this:
?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=paid_social&utm_campaign=leaseup-summer2025&utm_content=carousel1
Email Newsletter
You’re sending a special offer to your prospect list. Your UTM could be:
?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=movein-specials&utm_content=cta-button
QR Code on a Flyer
You’re launching a local signage or direct mail campaign. Your UTM might be:
?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=offline&utm_campaign=neighborhood-signs&utm_content=qr-code
Apartments.com Listing
You want to track performance by ILS. For Apartments.com, your UTM could be:
? utm_source=apartmentscom&utm_medium=ils&utm_campaign=listing-2025

These links plug directly into your analytics platform so you can easily compare which sources are driving results, which creative performs best, and how each channel contributes to tours and leases.

Common Mistakes to Avoid & Hot Tips

�� Common UTM Mistakes:

Ignoring case sensitivity: “Facebook” and “facebook” can be treated as two different sources, so stick to one consistent case (usually lowercase).
Overcomplicating UTMs: Adding too many parameters or overly long names can make URLs unwieldy and confusing. Keep it simple and focused.
Not aligning UTM parameters with your internal reporting: If your internal naming or campaign codes don’t match UTMs, it’s hard to connect the dots later.

�� Hot Tips for UTM Success:

Document your UTM strategy: A clear process prevents inconsistent naming across teams or agencies.
Always test your UTM links before launching: This helps avoid broken or missing tracking.
Use lowercase and consistent separators: Stick to hyphens or underscores to keep your UTMs clean and easy to read.
UTMs aren’t just for GA4: UTM parameters work across most analytics and ad platforms—like HubSpot, Meta Ads, and more—making them essential for tracking performance everywhere, not just in Google Analytics.

TL;DR: Start Using UTMs Today

UTMs aren’t just for e-commerce giants. They’re critical for apartment marketers who want to scale smarter, spend better, and finally tie marketing efforts to real leasing outcomes.

Whether you're running a new campaign, A/B testing your ad creative, or reporting results to stakeholders, UTMs give you the power of clarity.

So if you’re ready to ditch the guesswork and start tracking what really works…

�� Grab Our Free GA4 UTM Builder

Your future self (and your marketing team) will thank you.

Collaborate Faster, Smarter, Better: Why Site Comments in MultiHub Are a Game-Changer

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:33:25 GMT

Website feedback shouldn't feel like a game of email tag or a 45-minute Zoom with 8 tabs open. With MultiHub ’s Site Comments , you can ditch the back-and-forth and collaborate in real time, directly on the site itself.

Whether you're a marketing manager giving feedback to your internal team, or a customer success rep reviewing changes with a client, Site Comments streamline the entire process. Here’s why they’re one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools in MultiHub—and how to get the most out of them.

�� Why Site Comments Matter

MultiHub was built to simplify apartment marketing, and Site Comments are no exception. Here’s what makes them such a valuable feature:

1. Faster Feedback = Faster Launches

Instead of tracking feedback through emails, Slack threads, or random notes, comments can be pinned directly to elements on the page—copy, images, layouts, and more. Everyone involved sees exactly what’s being discussed and where. Less guesswork. More clarity. Faster timelines.

2. Clear, Visual Collaboration

Ever received feedback like, “Can we change that thing near the header?” That’s over. Site Comments let you click on the exact spot you're referencing so your team or your client knows what you're talking about—instantly. No confusion, no time wasted interpreting vague direction.

3. Better Alignment Across Teams

From marketing and operations to regional managers and leasing teams, everyone can participate in the feedback loop without needing technical skills. If you can click and type, you can leave a comment. It's that easy.

4. Transparent Version Control

You can mark conversations as resolved, respond to comments, and keep a record of who requested what. This is especially helpful when reviewing final approvals or retracing past decisions. It keeps everyone on the same page—literally.

�� How to Use Site Comments Effectively

Want to maximize the value of Site Comments in your MultiHub workflow? Here are some best practices to follow:

✅ Set Clear Expectations

Before sharing the site for review, let your team or stakeholders know what kind of feedback you're looking for (design tweaks? final copy? functional issues?) and what the deadline is . This helps prioritize input and prevents last-minute surprises.

✅ Assign Comments to the Right People

Make feedback actionable by @mentioning team members in comments. For example:
“@Tyler Can you swap this hero image for the one in the Spring promo folder?”

This keeps the workflow organized and ensures nothing slips through the cracks.

✅ Use Comments as a Staging Checklist

Think of Site Comments as a built-in QA tool. Before launch, you can run through final checks and note things like:

“Need to update hours here”
“Add tracking links to CTAs”
“Double-check mobile spacing on this section”

You can resolve each item as it’s completed to ensure everything is buttoned up before go-live.

✅ Keep It Collaborative (Not Critical)

Site Comments make it easier to give and receive feedback, but tone still matters. Frame your feedback constructively:

Instead of: “This copy doesn’t work.”
Try: “Can we try something more amenity-focused here?”

�� Where to Find Site Comments in MultiHub

When previewing a site in MultiHub, you’ll see a “Comments” tab—just click it to enter feedback mode. You can toggle between viewing the site normally and adding comments, so it’s easy to review and collaborate without disrupting your design flow.

Once comments are left, they’re visible to anyone with access to the site and permission to collaborate. As updates are made, comments can be marked “resolved” for a clean, trackable workflow.

�� The Bottom Line

Site Comments are more than a cool add-on—they're a powerful collaboration tool that saves time, eliminates confusion, and makes your MultiHub experience even more efficient.

By keeping feedback in context and on the site, your team works faster, smarter, and more aligned. So the next time you’re reviewing a landing page, microsite, or property site—ditch the support ticket, skip the screenshot, and drop a Site Comment instead.

New MultiHub Reports: Google Ads Change History + Top Cities for New Website Visitors

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:31:26 GMT

At Repli, we’re always working to give you more clarity, insight, and control over your marketing data. That’s why we’re excited to announce two new reports now available in your Cross-Channel reporting dashboard in MultiHub .

These updates are designed to make your performance data even more actionable—helping you stay informed, make faster decisions, and get the most from your campaigns. Let’s take a closer look ��

Google Ads Change History Report

Understand exactly what’s happening in your Google Ads account—without leaving MultiHub.

Whether you manage your own Google Ads or work with a partner agency, it’s critical to know what changes are being made, when they happen, and how they could be impacting your results. Our new Google Ads Change History Report gives you exactly that.

�� What it includes:

This report pulls in detailed logs from your connected Google Ads account, showing changes made to:

Campaigns
Ad Groups
Ads
Keywords

Each table is filterable by Company , Property , and Date Range , making it easy to find the data that matters most to you.

✅ Why it matters:

Easily audit performance changes
Identify the cause of sudden fluctuations in traffic or conversions
Keep internal teams and external partners accountable
Reduce time spent digging through Google Ads manually

�� Heads up: Google’s change data can be delayed by up to 24–36 hours , so if you’re checking today’s changes, give it some time to populate.

Top 3 Cities for New Users (from Google Analytics)

Get a snapshot of where your newest prospects are coming from.

Knowing who’s visiting your website is valuable—but knowing where they’re coming from is even better. This new report surfaces the top 3 cities driving new users for each of your properties, using data from Google Analytics.

�� What it includes:

Your top 3 cities by "New Users" (first-time visitors)
A breakdown of visitor count per city
Property-specific views

✅ Why it matters:

Identify emerging interest in new markets
Tailor messaging or promotions by region
Spot trends in geographic engagement
Inform geo-targeted ad strategies or local events

This is especially useful for marketing teams looking to drive regional impact or for operators exploring expansion into high-interest areas.

How to Access These Reports

Both reports are now live in the Cross-Channel Report found in the PerformanceHub. Just log in, select the the cross-channel report, and start uncovering insights.

Final Thoughts

These reports are part of our ongoing mission to simplify complex marketing data and give multifamily marketers the tools they need to act faster and smarter. Whether you're fine-tuning campaigns or analyzing trends across your portfolio, MultiHub keeps everything connected, visible, and easy to navigate.

Have questions or feedback? Reach out to your Customer Success Representative or drop us a note—we’re here to help.

�� Log in to MultiHub today and check out the new reports!

3 Ridiculously Easy Ways to Save Hours Each Week with MultiHub

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:21:23 GMT

Let’s face it: multifamily marketing moves fast—and you don’t have time to waste on clunky tools, messy spreadsheets, or endless email threads with vendors.

That’s exactly why we built MultiHub —to help marketers like you streamline the day-to-day, eliminate the busywork, and take back your time.

1. Instantly Onboard and Sync All of Your Properties

New vendors usually mean long implementation spreadsheets, form fills, and back-and-forth emails for every single property. MultiHub makes that a thing of the past.

With our platform, you can instantly sync all your properties —no manual setup, no data duplication, and no delays.

Why this saves you time:

Say goodbye to lengthy onboarding checklists.
Easily connect all your properties at once—whether it’s 5 or 500.
Launch faster, with fewer bottlenecks and less admin work.

�� Time saved: Hours (or even days) during implementation—and every time you add a new property.

2. Build, Edit, and Optimize Your Website in One Place

Managing your property websites shouldn’t require a developer, a list of logins, and a degree in coding.

With MultiHub, you can build, edit, and optimize your site —all from a single, user-friendly platform.

Here’s what makes it a game changer:

Make real-time updates without touching a line of code.
Manage your entire portfolio without juggling platforms or agencies.
Keep branding consistent, SEO strong, and updates lightning-fast.

�� Time saved: 3–5 hours per week across site edits, updates, and approvals.

3. Centralize All Your Marketing Data (So You Don’t Have To)

Tired of pulling reports from six different platforms just to figure out what’s working?

MultiHub brings all your marketing data—ads, website traffic, SEO, and more—into one clean, easy-to-read dashboard.

Here’s why this matters:

Instantly see performance across your entire portfolio.
Make smarter decisions without digging for insights.
Cut down on manual reporting and avoid data silos.

�� Time saved: 1–2 hours per report, per property.

The Takeaway?

MultiHub wasn’t built to add more to your plate—it was built to take the weight off.

Whether you're onboarding new properties, managing your websites, or trying to make sense of marketing performance, MultiHub saves you time , simplifies your workflow, and helps you get back to what really matters: driving results.

How Repli’s Making Your Site Smarter for AI Search

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 14:40:46 GMT

We’ve automatically rolled out llms.txt to all published sites on MultiHub . That means your property websites are now optimized for the next era of AI search—no extra work required.

So…what is llms.txt and why should marketers care?

Think of it as your site’s hype file for AI.

Just like robots.txt tells Google what to crawl, llms.txt gives large language models (like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity) a clean, structured summary of what your site is all about—so they don’t have to guess.

It’s SEO for AI. Instead of scraping through messy code, AI tools now get a curated view of your content—your blog posts, floor plan pages pages, meta info, and more—served up exactly how you want it seen.

Here’s what it includes:

Every time you hit publish in MultiHub, Repli auto-generates an llms.txt file with:

All your live URLs (yes, including your blog, hyperlocal pages , and multilingual pages)
Meta descriptions for every page (or titles if descriptions don’t exist)
Only the polished stuff—no drafts, no “no-index” mess

And yes—it happens automatically with every single update.

Why it matters:

Most websites haven’t caught up. But you have.

With llms.txt baked into your site, AI tools are more likely to:

Accurately talk about your property or brand
Pull the right info (straight from your actual content)
Represent your property like a pro

This one little file helps your site show up smarter in an AI-powered world.

Want to see it in action?

Just add /llms.txt to the end of your website URL and you’ll see your AI-optimized content map.

Go ahead—give it a look ��

Why Are All Apartment Reviews So Negative? (And What to Do About It)

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 16:17:00 GMT

If you've ever read through your community's online reviews and thought, “Why does it feel like everyone hates us?” — you're not alone.

The truth is: negative reviews are loud, and happy residents are often silent.

Most people don’t think to write a glowing review when everything’s going smoothly — but if their package goes missing or they hear a dog barking at 3am, they’re on it. That doesn't mean you're doing a bad job. It means the system is a little skewed.

And here’s the kicker: you can’t just delete bad reviews. Review platforms (rightfully) protect consumer opinions, which means your best strategy isn’t about erasing the bad — it’s about balancing the story.

So, how can communities generate more positive reviews — and manage the negative ones that sneak in? Let’s break it down.

1. Ask for Reviews While the Experience is Still Fresh

Happy residents are all around you — they just need a little nudge.

Did someone thank your team for helping them move in smoothly?
Did maintenance get a shoutout for fixing an issue fast?
Did a resident compliment the vibe at your pool party?

That’s your moment.

Make it easy for residents to leave a review when they’re in a good mood. Text it. Email it. Include a QR code at events. The more convenient it is, the more likely they’ll do it. But don't just ask for a positive review, ask for an honest one. It build trust.

�� Want to go deeper? Check out our guide on Mastering the Art of Resident Reviews for practical ideas and proven tactics that get results.

2. Turn Negative Reviews into Public Relationship-Building Moments

A negative review isn’t a failure — it’s an opportunity.

How you respond shows future residents how you handle problems. A thoughtful, respectful reply can do more for your reputation than a dozen five-stars.

✅ Thank them for their feedback
✅ Acknowledge their concern (even if you disagree)

✅ Offer a way to resolve it offline

✨ Need help crafting the perfect response? Don’t miss our blog: How to Respond to Negative Apartment Reviews — it’s packed with real examples and response templates your team can use right away.

3. Make Review Generation Part of Your Resident Journey

The best time to ask for a review isn't just once — it’s at every high point.

Here are a few review-worthy touchpoints:

After move-in (if it went smoothly)
After a service request is resolved
After a community event
Upon renewal
After a kind compliment in person or via email

Build review requests into your standard communications. Use automation where you can. Just make sure the ask feels personal and well-timed.

4. Celebrate the Positives Publicly

When you get a great review, don’t just screenshot it and move on — shout it from the rooftops!

Share it on social
Feature it on your website
Print and post it in the leasing office
Let your team know — especially if they were mentioned

This creates a culture where good service is recognized and residents see that their feedback matters.

The Bottom Line

Online reviews matter — but they’re only one part of the story. The key is not to fear negative reviews, but to drown them out with truth.

When you focus on building strong resident relationships and consistently ask for feedback, you’ll start to see your reputation reflect the real work your team is doing every day. Because we know your team isn’t perfect — but you care, and that matters.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

How Repli Unified MSC’s Digital Portfolio and Elevated Their Multifamily Marketing Strategy

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 18:38:49 GMT

When Management Services Corporation (MSC) , a respected property management firm with a diverse range of communities across Virginia, partnered with Repli, the objective was clear: consolidate dozens of property websites into one cohesive, scalable platform; without sacrificing the individuality of each location.

The Repli team didn’t just deliver; we anticipated challenges, took initiative, and brought long-term vision to life.

The Challenge: Fragmented Infrastructure and Time-Consuming Manual Work

MSC was managing a large and growing portfolio, but their digital foundation was holding them back. Their websites were hosted across multiple providers, updates had to be done manually, and many properties weren’t integrated with their core property management software. This resulted in inefficiencies, inconsistent branding, and a digital experience that didn’t reflect MSC’s forward-thinking approach.

One location in particular posed a significant challenge: MSC’s Charlottesville office manages over 50 properties around the University of Virginia, all from a single leasing center. No previous partner had been willing to take it on. Repli said yes immediately—and got to work.

The Repli Solution: Strategic Partnership + Purpose-Built Technology

At Repli, we believe great partnerships start with listening—and acting. We didn’t wait for a roadmap from MSC. Instead, our team proactively analyzed their needs and identified how to build a multifamily website platform that would scale with them , not just solve short-term problems.

We introduced Dynamic Microsite Pages , modular templates connected to MSC’s property management software that automate real-time content updates like pricing, availability, promotions, and more. No more manual data entry. No more disconnected experiences.

But we didn’t stop at automation. Repli created a solution that maintained individual property identity while reinforcing a consistent, modern MSC brand presence across all communities.

The Results: A Unified Portfolio and a Competitive Edge

The results went beyond aesthetics. Repli delivered a system that empowered MSC’s team and delighted prospective residents. Property pages are now easier to manage, updates are faster, and the brand is stronger and more consistent across the board.

Repli’s proactive approach led to:

A fully integrated, branded digital ecosystem
A significant reduction in manual website updates
Real-time content syncing across 50+ properties
Streamlined workflows for marketing teams
Faster leasing processes for residents
A foundation for future digital advertising and lead generation

“The volume of inventory and the ability to easily search for a new home, review options, and begin the leasing process will really help us stand out from the competition.”

And this is just the beginning. With a scalable digital infrastructure in place, MSC is now partnering with Repli to explore t argeted digital advertising strategies to boost visibility and performance well into 2026 and beyond.

Why It Worked: Repli’s Initiative Makes the Difference

Technology is only as good as the team behind it. What sets Repli apart is our proactive, people-first approach to multifamily marketing solutions. We don’t just build websites—we build strategic systems that empower property management companies to grow with confidence.

For MSC, we didn’t wait to be told what was possible—we showed them what was next . From day one, our team embraced the complexity of their portfolio, delivered on every challenge, and created a digital foundation built for scale.

Want to Future-Proof Your Property Marketing?

Whether you manage a dozen communities or hundreds, Repli has the platform—and the people—to help you unify your digital presence, streamline operations, and stand out in a crowded market.

�� Let’s Talk. Get in touch with our team and see what Repli can build for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emma Mae Sheedy is the Marketing Manager at Repli, where she leads with creativity, strategy, and a passion for building scalable systems that drive results. With a background in brand and demand generation, Emma thrives at the intersection of storytelling and data, creating campaigns that engage, educate, and convert. She’s passionate about empowering multifamily marketers with actionable insights and fresh ideas that challenge the status quo. Outside of work, you’ll find Emma running the Florida coast or sipping coffee with a book in hand.

How to Optimize Your Apartment Website for Voice Search in 2025

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:29:00 GMT

“Hey Siri, what’s the best apartment near me with a pool?”

If you’ve ever asked your phone something like this out loud, congrats — you’re officially part of the voice search era.

Voice search isn’t just the future — it’s part of everyday life. With tools like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant in many homes and pockets, more people are now speaking their searches.

In fact, over 40% of U.S. internet users use voice search every month in 2025 ( PWC ). So if your apartment website isn’t already voice-friendly, now’s the time to catch up.

Let's look at what makes voice search different from regular search. We will also discuss how to improve your site to stay ahead.

Apartment Marketing: Traditional Search vs. Voice Search

When people type in a search, they usually keep it short and to the point — something like “apartments in Denver.”

But with voice search? People tend to speak in full, natural questions when using voice assistants. It feels more like talking to a friend. You’ll hear full questions like "What are the best pet-friendly apartments near downtown Denver with parking?"

That shift matters.

Voice search is built around intent and natural conversation — not just keywords. So if you want to show up in results, your content needs to match how people actually speak.

6 Easy Ways to Make Your Apartment Website Voice-Search Ready

1. Dial in Your Apartment Local Listings

Most voice searches are hyper-local. That means Google (and other assistants) are looking for apartment communities that are close, relevant, and easy to find.

Keep your Google Business Profile up to date
Claim your listings on Apple Maps , Yelp , Bing Places , etc.
Double-check that your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP) are consistent everywhere
Embed a Google Map on your website

According to LocaliQ , 58% of people use voice search to find local info every week — don’t sleep on it!

2. Add a Voice Search-Friendly FAQ Page

People ask questions and your site should have the answers. Literally.

Create or refresh your FAQ page with the kind of real-life questions renters are actually asking:

“How much is rent at [Apartment Name]?”
“Do you allow pets?”
“Is there a gym on-site?”

Keep your answers short, clear, and direct — voice search results usually average just 29 words . The easier it is for voice assistants to read your content, the better your chances of getting picked.

To improve your chances of showing up in voice results and rich snippets, add FAQ schema to your page. It helps search engines understand your content and match it to common voice questions. It can also improve visibility in LLM-powered AI search results by providing structured, easy-to-parse answers that AI tools can quickly surface.

Pro-Tip: New to schema? We created a mini guide for Everything You Need to Know About Schema for Apartment Websites (including a free schema template) – download your copy for free here !

3. Speed Up + Lock Down Your Apartment Site

Nobody’s waiting around for a slow-loading site, especially on mobile or voice devices. Google’s still prioritizing fast, secure websites in 2025, so make sure yours:

Loads in under 3 seconds
Uses HTTPS with a valid SSL certificate
Compresses large images or files

Tools like PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix can help you see where you stand.

4. Make Your Apartment Website Mobile-First

More than 65% of voice searches happen on mobile so your apartment website needs to look and function perfectly on a phone.

Responsive design
Big, tappable buttons (Apply Now, Schedule a Tour)
Easy-to-fill forms
Simple, legible layouts
Quick load times

Run Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test to see how your site stacks up.

5. Target Featured Snippets (aka Prime Voice Real Estate)

When someone uses voice search, their assistant often gets answers from a featured snippet. This is the handy box at the top of Google results.

To show up there:

Use question-style headers (H2s and H3s)
Keep answers short (30–50 words)
Use bullet points or numbered lists

If you’re not sure where to start, try answering the most common questions you hear from prospects.

6. Use Conversational Keywords

Traditional SEO: “Luxury apartments Dallas”

Voice SEO: “Where can I find a luxury apartment in Dallas with a pool?”

Big difference, right?

Use tools like AnswerThePublic , AlsoAsked , or even Google’s “ People Also Ask ” box to find real voice-style queries. Then, write your content like you’re chatting with a friend — clear, natural, and at a 9th-grade reading level or below.

Final Thoughts

Voice search isn’t the future, it’s already here.

To help people find your apartment community, connect with them in the right places. This means being on mobile, in the moment, and part of the conversation.

If you want to find out more about apartment voice search keywords, check our blog on Apartment Marketing Target Keywords for Voice Search .

Ready to give your apartment website a voice search glow-up? Reach out to the Repli team — we’ll help your property stand out in all the right ways.

AI Just Changed SEO Again—But You’re More Prepared Than You Think

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:58:53 GMT

First it was social. Then video. Voice search. TikTok. Reels. Now? AI ��

AI is changing the way people search—again. Not just a little tweak. We’re talking “the entire search experience is being rewritten” levels of change.

If you're a multifamily marketer, chances are you’re already juggling a dozen channels, platforms, and campaign types. So when someone says, “You need to optimize your website for AI now,” your gut reaction might be:

“Seriously? Another thing to worry about?”

The truth is: if you’ve been investing in SEO—even a little—you’re already in the game.

This blog will show you how AI is reshaping search and how to turn your existing content into a performance-boosting engine across Google SGE, ChatGPT, Bing, and beyond.

AI Is Reshaping the Search Experience—And It’s Happening Fast

Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), Bing Copilot, ChatGPT’s browsing capabilities—they’re all shifting how search engines deliver answers. Instead of displaying a traditional list of blue links, AI-generated results now appear above everything else, often summarizing information directly in the search results.

That means your beautifully optimized apartment website might never even get a click—unless AI pulls from it to answer a user’s question.

For multifamily, this matters more than most industries. Renters are often looking for hyper-specific answers like:

“Best apartments near UCF with dog parks”
“Do any properties near downtown Charlotte offer furnished short-term leases?”
“Which apartment communities have EV charging stations in Kansas City?”

And if your content isn’t optimized for those kinds of questions, AI might skip right over you—and feature your competitor instead.

AI Loves Helpful, Hyperlocal, Well-Structured Content

AI tools rely on clean, structured, and specific content to provide accurate answers. That’s great news if you’ve been creating pages or sections of your site that address unique property features, floor plans, and local area benefits.

Renters aren’t just searching for “1-bedroom apartment.” They’re searching for very specific things like:

Apartments walkable to coffee shops and dog parks
Units with balconies and downtown views
Properties with on-site coworking spaces near major employers

AI can’t guess that information. It needs to find it—clearly written, in plain language, and ideally broken out in a format that’s easy to pull from.

So if you’ve already created things like:

Hyperlocal landing pages for each neighborhood
Detailed amenity descriptions
Custom floor plan pages with real benefits and FAQs

…you’re already aligned with what AI is prioritizing.

�� Bonus: Repli’s Hyperlocal Dynamic Pages are specifically designed to feed AI platforms the kind of structured, localized content they love.

Your SEO Foundation Can Fuel AI—With a Few Key Adjustments

You don’t need to throw away your current strategy. But you do need to make sure your existing SEO content is ready to be read and understood by machines.

Here’s how to make your website more AI-friendly:

Use clear headlines and subheaders that indicate the topic of each section
Break content into digestible sections with lists, FAQs, and bullet points
Implement schema markup (structured data) so search engines and AI tools can understand page context
Include location-specific keywords tied to renter intent

Example: Instead of just listing “Fitness Center” as an amenity, write something like:

“Our 24-hour fitness center includes Peloton bikes, free weights, and a yoga studio—just a 3-minute walk from the Silver Comet Trail.”

That kind of detail helps AI know your content is specific, helpful, and relevant.

Google Business Profile (GBP) Is Feeding AI Too—So Keep It Sharp

Your Google Business Profile is no longer just for maps and directions. It’s now one of the key data sources AI tools are pulling from when summarizing local options.

This means things like business hours, reviews, service categories, and photos are now more than nice-to-haves. They’re visibility tools.

Here’s how to make your GBP listings AI-ready:

Keep property names, addresses, and categories consistent across all listings
Regularly update photos (interiors, amenities, local attractions)
Complete all available sections: accessibility, amenities, Q&A, etc.
Monitor and respond to reviews, both good and bad

If your GBP is inaccurate or incomplete, you’re handing an advantage to properties that have theirs dialed in.

Use AI Tools to Scale—But Don’t Let Them Replace Your Voice

AI can be a time-saving assistant. Use it to help draft content outlines, brainstorm social media post ideas , or repurpose leasing FAQs into SEO content—but always apply your brand voice and local knowledge.

Because while AI can mimic, it can’t replace the authenticity and nuance your team brings to the table. That voice is what makes renters trust you. And it’s what makes your content resonate.

So yes, let AI speed things up. But let you keep things real.

Apartment SEO Is No Longer Just for Google—It’s for Everywhere

This is the big mindset shift: SEO isn’t about ranking #1 on a search results page anymore. It’s about building content that can show up anywhere renters are asking questions.

That means:

Google traditional search
Google SGE AI summaries
ChatGPT or Gemini-generated answers
Bing’s AI-powered results
Voice search (Siri, Alexa)
Apartment listing platforms with their own AI ranking algorithms

The better your content is—structured, helpful, hyperlocal—the more likely it is to show up in all of those channels. You’re not just writing for Google anymore. You’re writing for AI.

Final Thoughts: You’re Closer Than You Think

Yes, AI is changing the game. Yes, it’s one more thing to keep up with. But no, you’re not starting over.

If you’ve invested in apartment SEO, local content, and thoughtful user experiences—you’re already laying the groundwork for AI-driven search success. Now’s the time to fine-tune it, not reinvent it.

And if you need help turning your existing content into an AI-friendly powerhouse?

We’ve got you. Repli’s SEO tools, dynamic pages, and apartment marketing strategies are built for this exact moment—giving you everything you need to show up, stand out, and sign more leases in the age of AI.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

How to Generate Leads for Apartments on a Budget

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 08 May 2025 17:57:46 GMT

Attracting qualified leads for your apartment community doesn’t have to drain your marketing budget. With smart digital marketing strategies and a little creativity, you can increase your online presence and drive more interest in your property without overspending. Here’s how property managers can implement high-impact, low-cost marketing strategies to boost occupancy faster.

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful (and free) tools for local SEO. Make sure your profile is fully optimized with high-quality photos, up-to-date contact information, and positive reviews. This increases your chances of ranking in local searches and appearing in front of potential renters actively looking for apartments in your area.

Encourage current residents to leave reviews highlighting their experiences. The more positive reviews your property has, the higher it will rank in search engine results, making it easier for prospects to find you. Additionally, regularly updating your profile with posts about community events, leasing specials, and new amenities keeps your listing fresh and engaging.

�� Click here for 15 Google Profile Post ideas for your properties!

2. Leverage Free and Low-Cost Social Media Marketing

A strong social media presence is essential for engaging potential renters. Use platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to highlight your community’s best features through virtual tours, resident testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content. Engaging video content and interactive live sessions help build relationships with prospects while maximizing your marketing efforts without heavy ad spend.

For example, hosting live Q&A sessions with your leasing agents can help answer common renter questions in real time. Short-form videos showcasing apartment interiors, amenities, and even “day in the life” content of a resident can boost engagement and drive inquiries. Take advantage of trending hashtags and challenges to increase visibility and make your content shareable.

�� Click here for 5 social media strategies we're loving for 2025!

3. Start a Resident Referral Program

Turn your happy residents into your best marketers. Offer small incentives like rent discounts, gift cards, or community perks in exchange for referrals. Word-of-mouth marketing is incredibly powerful, increasing the chances of securing new leases while keeping acquisition costs low.

To make your referral program more enticing, promote it across multiple channels—emails, flyers, social media posts, and even community events. Consider tiered incentives, where residents who refer multiple friends receive bigger rewards. This approach keeps renters engaged and encourages ongoing participation.

4. Build a Robust Property Website

Your property website should do more than list floor plans and pricing—it should be a dynamic resource that adds value for potential renters. Create additional pages such as FAQs, neighborhood guides, resident testimonials, and special community incentives. This not only enhances user experience but also strengthens your search engine rankings through strategic content marketing.

A well-structured website with interactive elements like 3D virtual tours and chatbots improves visitor engagement. Adding SEO-friendly content like blog posts about apartment living tips, local events, and moving checklists helps your website rank higher in search engine results. The longer visitors stay on your site, the more likely they are to convert into leads.

5. Partner with Local Businesses

Collaboration is key to expanding your reach. Build relationships with local businesses like coffee shops, gyms, and restaurants to create cross-promotional opportunities. Offering exclusive discounts or hosting joint events can introduce your property to a wider audience and drive more foot traffic to your leasing office.

For example, partnering with a local gym to provide free trial memberships to new residents can be a huge selling point. Cross-promoting with businesses on social media, such as running a giveaway or tagging each other in posts, extends your visibility to potential renters already engaged with those businesses.

6. Utilize Video Content and Live Streaming

Video marketing is one of the most effective ways to showcase your community and engage potential renters. Use live streams on social media to host virtual tours, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes looks at your property. High-quality, authentic video content builds trust and drives more engagement than static images alone.

Consider creating a weekly or monthly video series featuring different aspects of your property, such as highlighting resident events, interviewing staff members, or showcasing newly renovated units. Testimonials from current residents in video form can also have a significant impact on prospective renters' decision-making process.

7. Optimize Your Website for SEO

A well-optimized website is your best long-term lead generation asset. Use relevant keywords, fast-loading pages, and clear CTAs (Call-to-Actions) to guide visitors toward scheduling a tour or contacting your leasing team. Strong SEO practices ensure your property ranks higher in search engine results, bringing in more organic traffic.

To improve SEO , regularly update your website with fresh content, optimize images to load quickly, and ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Most renters browse for apartments on their phones, so a seamless mobile experience is crucial. Additionally, linking to reputable sources and using local SEO strategies—such as including neighborhood names in content—can further boost rankings.

8. Use Retargeting Ads for Cost-Effective Lead Generation

Paid advertising doesn’t have to be expensive to be effective. Retargeting ads on social media and search engines allow you to re-engage visitors who have already interacted with your website. Since these ads specifically target users already familiar with your community, they often deliver higher conversion rates at a lower cost than traditional search ads.

For example, if a prospect visits your website but doesn’t fill out a contact form, retargeting ads can remind them about your property as they browse other sites or social media. Dynamic retargeting ads can even show them the specific floor plans they previously viewed, making it more likely they’ll return and take action.

9. Engage in Local Community Events

Get your property in front of potential renters by participating in local events. Sponsor or set up a booth at farmers' markets, festivals, or business networking events to build awareness and connect with prospects in person. Face-to-face engagement is an excellent way to build credibility and make a lasting impression.

Hosting events within your community, such as open houses, pet adoption days, or food truck nights, can also attract new prospects while strengthening relationships with current residents. The more visible and active your property is in the local scene, the more likely people are to remember it when searching for a new home.

10. Encourage User-Generated Content

User-generated content (UGC) can be a powerful marketing tool. Encourage current residents to share photos and videos of their apartments and tag your property on social media. Create a branded hashtag for your community and feature the best posts on your social channels.

This not only increases engagement but also provides authentic social proof for potential renters. Seeing real people enjoying their lives at your community builds trust and makes your property more appealing. To incentivize participation, run a monthly contest where residents who post with your hashtag have a chance to win a prize.

Ready to Jump Start Your Property's Lead Generation?

With the right marketing strategies in place, generating qualified leads doesn’t have to be expensive. By focusing on digital marketing, SEO, video content, and local partnerships, your property can attract more renters without overspending.

Want to streamline your apartment marketing even further? Let’s make it happen with smart, budget-friendly lead generation strategies that work!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

How to Outstory Your Comps (Instead of Just Outspending Them)

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 08 May 2025 16:15:52 GMT

At a recent AI-focused workshop I attended, we walked through how to build a brand-consistent, AI-powered marketing campaign from start to finish. It was hands-on, practical, and honestly one of the best sessions of the day.

But the part that stuck with me most had nothing to do with AI. It was this:

“Look for opportunities to outstory your competitors—not just outspend them.”

That hit hard—because it’s exactly what multifamily marketing needs right now.

Why Most Apartment Marketing Falls Flat

If you lined up ten apartment ads today, most would sound identical:

“Luxury finishes.”
“Resort-style pool.”
“Modern amenities.”

All true. All boring.

We’ve trained ourselves to focus on features and budgets. But we’ve lost what makes marketing memorable—emotion, identity, and storytelling.

We’re optimizing for impressions when we should be optimizing for impact.

What Does It Mean to “Outstory” a Competitor?

To "outstory" someone means crafting a message that connects emotionally , not just logically. It means going beyond a bullet list of features and instead painting a picture of what life looks and feels like at your property.

Here’s an example shared in the workshop:

�� Standard copy: “Shared workspace with Wi-Fi.”
�� Outstoried version: “Where creators start, build, and launch.”

That one sentence reframes the space. It’s no longer just a desk—it’s a launchpad. It speaks directly to a specific kind of resident. It inspires. It connects.

And best of all? It differentiates.

5 Ways to Outstory Your Comps

You don’t need the biggest marketing budget on the block to stand out—you just need the clearest, boldest story. While your competitors throw money at more ads, more impressions, and more of the same, you can win hearts (and leases) by making your message resonate on a deeper level.

These five strategies will help you turn everyday apartment marketing into meaningful, memorable moments—so your property doesn’t just get noticed, it gets chosen.

Here’s how to make your property’s story hit harder than your competitor’s budget:

1. Reframe Amenities as Experiences

People don't care that you have something—they care how it makes their life better.

�� Standard copy: “Pet spa with grooming station.”
�� Outstoried version: “Because your pup deserves luxury, too.”

�� Standard copy: “Resort-style pool.”
�� Outstoried version: “Your weekend oasis, just steps from your door.”

These small shifts turn features into emotional moments.

2. Show Use, Not Just Availability

Instead of stating facts, give context. Help the prospect imagine themselves in the space.

�� Standard copy: “24/7 fitness center.”
�� Outstoried version: “Crush a 6am lift or unwind after work—your grind, your schedule.”

You’re not just offering access. You’re offering freedom and flexibility.

Show how people use the space, not just that it exists.

3. Describe Your Community Like a Person

Ask yourself: if your property were a person, how would they show up?

The social butterfly with rooftop vibes?
The calm introvert who loves slow mornings and cozy corners?
The rising founder who just needs a place to focus and recharge?

Let that persona influence your tone, visuals, and copy.

4. Write for Identity, Not Just Information

People want to feel like they belong somewhere. Your copy should help them see themselves living there.

�� Standard copy: “Studios, 1-, and 2-bedrooms available.”
�� Outstoried version: “For the solo dreamers, the power couples, and the roommates launching life together.”

Paint the people, not the floor plans.

5. Use Headlines That Spark Emotion

Boring headlines kill great websites. Swap safe and generic for emotional and aspirational.

�� Standard copy: “Modern. Convenient. Affordable.”
�� Outstoried version:
“Live boldly in the heart of the city.”
“A home for what’s next.”
“Where Sundays feel slower—and better.”

These phrases make your brand feel like something, not just say something.

Quick Win: Do a Story Audit

Pick one marketing piece—your homepage, a brochure, or a paid ad—and ask:

✅ Is this just listing features?
✅ Could any of our competitors copy and paste this?
✅ Where could I add a moment, an identity, or a feeling?

Often, just rewriting a few key lines can transform how your brand resonates.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to outspend your competitors. You just need to outstory them.

And the best part? You can start that today, without spending another dollar—just by choosing a better story to tell.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Resident Retention Is a Marketing Problem: How Your Brand Is Costing You Renewals

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 12:48:36 GMT

Resident retention isn’t just an operations checklist. It’s not solved with cupcakes in the lobby or a generic "Thanks for being a resident!" email. If we’re being real, retaining residents is a brand problem—and most communities are flunking the test.

Let’s break it down.

You Don’t Have a Resident Retention Problem—You Have a Brand Problem

Most property managers spend hours worrying about resident turnover, yet treat current residents like an afterthought once the lease is signed. But the truth is, your existing residents are your most valuable marketing asset—and if your brand disappears after move-in, so will they.

Why is resident retention important?

Because it’s way more expensive to replace a resident than to keep one. And because long-term residents don’t just pay rent—they tell your story, shape your community culture, and keep your bottom line stable.

So why are most marketing efforts 100% focused on getting people in the door, and 0% focused on getting them to renew their leases?

Residents Feel the Brand—Or the Lack of It

If the resident experience feels transactional, disjointed, or impersonal, you can bet they’re already eyeing the exit. The living experience should be a continuation of your brand promise, not the end of it.

Think about it:

Do your community events feel like check-the-box tasks or genuine value-adds?
Is your social media showing real resident stories, or just stock photos?
Are your communications consistent and human, or robotic auto-texts?
Do your maintenance requests get handled like a customer service opportunity or a burden?

If your answer to any of the above makes you squirm a little—you’re not alone. But that’s exactly where the opportunity lies.

Want a Higher Retention Rate? Think Like a Marketer

Good communication doesn’t stop once the lease is signed. In fact, resident expectations are higher than ever. People want a sense of belonging. They want fast, responsive service. They want to feel seen and valued.

Here’s where marketing comes in:

Personalized onboarding: Don’t just hand over keys—deliver a branded welcome experience.
Emotional storytelling: Use email, social, and even signage to reinforce community pride.
Resident-first content: Highlight resident events, local partnerships, and real feedback.
Data-driven insights: Track resident satisfaction metrics like NPS or feedback from surveys and actually act on them.

All of this builds brand loyalty. And loyalty is what moves the needle on your resident retention rates.

Great Branding = Happy Residents = Renewals

The best resident retention strategies aren’t bribery (“$200 off if you stay!”). They’re identity-driven. They make people want to stay because they feel connected to something bigger.

When happy residents feel like they’re part of a well-run, consistent, and emotionally intelligent community, they don’t need to be convinced to stay. They choose to.

This doesn’t mean skipping over operations. Quite the opposite—property managers play a huge role in creating that day-to-day magic. But they need backup from marketing to amplify it and systematize it.

Retention Is a Revenue Strategy—Start Acting Like It

Let’s call it what it is: Your retention rate is a metric that should be sitting next to your lead-to-lease conversion rates and cost-per-lead. Keeping great residents is just as impactful (and often more profitable) than landing new ones.

Stop thinking of retention as a warm-and-fuzzy initiative. Start thinking of it as a revenue accelerator.

TL;DR:

If your resident retention strategy starts and ends with a renewal notice, you’re doing it wrong. Brand is everything. And if residents don’t feel something meaningful while they’re living in your community, no discount or gift card is going to change their mind when it’s time to renew.

Looking for tactical ways to boost renewals? Check out our list of apartment resident retention ideas you can start using today.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Repli's Web Services Team is Building the Future of Multifamily

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:02:49 GMT

Hi there – it's Darian, Repli's Manager of Web Services !

If you caught our latest Rebel Report Extra Content newsletter , you already got a sneak peek into how we’re shaking sh*t up in multifamily web design. But if you’re ready for the full behind-the-scenes look, including the stuff we didn’t squeeze into the email, you’re in the right place.

Our Web Services team has been on a mission to deliver smarter, faster, award-winning websites for apartment communities and property management companies. And this year? We’ve leveled up in a big way.

The Shift from “Pretty Websites” to Lead-Generating Performance Machines

When I first started at Repli as an intern almost 5 years ago, the industry focus was (understandably) all about aesthetics: clean design, modern layouts, and mobile responsiveness. But now? That’s just the baseline for our team.

At Repli, we're obsessed with performance and that means every website we develop has to do more than look good on the surface. It needs to:

Rank well across traditional and Generative-AI search engines on a hyperlocal level
Provide a seamless and intuitive user experience
Scale across portfolios no matter how big or small
Convert high-intent prospects into leases, with the data to prove it

That mindset led us to a full overhaul of our quality assurance and website build processes when I began to lead the Web Services Team. Now, our workflow is complete with enhanced UX/UI audits, updated accessibility benchmarks, and innovative web development tools.

New Things That Are Changing the Game

Now here’s what’s really changing how we work:

1. Repli x MultiHub Partnership ��

As one of the first partners of MultiHub (including our customers), we’ve fully integrated this game-changing property marketing software into our web build process, which lets us connect to PMS systems, ILS tools, and industry favorite integrations with just a few clicks .

Floor plans, pricing, availability, specials, unit-level virtual tours , and more – it all flows directly into each new property site.

2. Repli Web Services and Engineering Team Collaboration ��

One of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to scale our web creation with such precision is the power of cross-team collaboration between our Web Services team and Repli’s in-house Engineering team.

Together, we’ve developed custom tools and processes to allow direct data flows that sync property info with just a few buttons. Even more impressive? Our teams worked together to implement internal systems that allow us to build, customize, and launch websites at scale without sacrificing technical standards or content quality. That’s how we recently achieved launching 48 individually crafted websites in just 8 days – a project that normally would’ve taken 18-24 days.

This kind of synergy is what makes Repli different. We're all about innovating workflows that help multifamily teams move faster, market smarter, and lease with confidence.

3. Brand New Site Templates on the Horizon ��

We like to push the boundaries of what multifamily websites can do, and our upcoming releases are no exception.

Right now, our Web Services team is hard at work developing new corporate website templates tailored specifically for portfolio-level branding. These designs are made to scale, with flexible frameworks that support multiple property showcases, investor sections, and robust “About” pages that help property management companies elevate their brand presence across the board.

Additionally, we’ve got a brand-new property turn-key theme coming soon that’s all about strategic design. It’s developed to balance cohesive branding with the functionality needed to convert early prospects. Think modern layouts, real-time availability integrations, and flexible content modules that evolve as your community does.

A Few Web Truths We’ve Learned This Year

Hyperlocal personalization is the new wave.

Renters expect websites to cater to their specific needs quickly. This could look like our Hyperlocal Dynamic Pages , which target specific users based on location and amenity searches.

Video = conversion power.

Our best-performing sites incorporate video tours front and center (bonus points if they’re unit-level ).

If you’ve made it this far, you clearly love multifamily web design as much as I do! So whether you’re a property manager, marketing lead, or just a curious strategist, let’s connect. I’m always down to chat about ideas, share insights, or brainstorm what your next website could look like.

You can find me here on LinkedIn , and if you haven’t seen the email version of this update, check it out here too . ��

Why You Can’t See Your Own Google Ads (And Why That’s a Good Thing!)

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 13:28:26 GMT

If you’re running Google Ads for your property, it’s natural to want to check in and see how they look in search results. But then—nothing. You search for your own ads, and they don’t show up. You might start wondering: Are my ads even running? Is there something wrong?

Don’t worry—this is actually a good thing! Here’s why you can’t (and shouldn’t) see your own ads on Google, and how to properly check their performance.

1. Google’s Smart Targeting Works Against You

Google Ads operates on a sophisticated algorithm that determines who sees which ads based on a variety of factors, including location, search history, device type, and user behavior. If Google detects that you’ve searched for your ad’s keywords multiple times but never clicked, it assumes you’re not interested and stops showing the ad to you.

This is a feature, not a flaw—it helps Google prioritize showing ads to users who are more likely to engage rather than wasting impressions on someone who isn’t going to convert.

2. Searching for Your Ads Can Hurt Performance

Each time you search for your own ads but don’t click on them, Google records that behavior. Over time, Google might decide that your ad isn’t relevant to your searches and may reduce its visibility overall. Plus, unnecessary searches can impact your Quality Score, which affects ad placement and cost.

Instead of manually searching, use Google’s Ad Preview and Diagnosis Tool to see if your ads are running without hurting performance.

3. Your Ads Are Designed for the Right Audience—Not You

Your Google Ads are targeted toward potential renters based on specific demographics, interests, and search behavior. As a property owner or manager, you likely don’t fit the target audience profile—so it’s a good thing you’re not seeing them! This means Google is correctly filtering your ads to show them to the most qualified prospects.

4. Budget and Competition Play a Role

Google Ads operate within a daily budget. If your campaign has already spent its allocated budget for the day, your ads may pause until the next cycle. Additionally, ad placement is determined by bidding competition. If competitors are bidding higher or if Google determines another ad is more relevant at that moment, your ad may not show every time.

How to Properly Check If Your Ads Are Running

Instead of searching for your ads manually, use these methods to ensure they are active:

Google Ads Dashboard : Check your impressions, clicks, and performance metrics in your Google Ads account. If impressions are being recorded, your ads are running!
Google Ad Preview & Diagnosis Tool : This tool allows you to see whether your ad is eligible to show for a given search term without affecting performance.
Performance Reports : Regular reports from your marketing team will provide a clearer picture of how your ads are performing, who is seeing them, and how many leads they are generating. (Psst...Repli customers can see previews of their ads directly in MultiHub )

Keyword Rankings Don’t Define SEO Success

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:57:33 GMT

Let’s get real—if you’re still obsessing over keyword rankings as your main SEO metric, you’re measuring success all wrong.

I get it. Watching your apartment website climb to the top of Google feels like winning. But here’s the truth: rankings alone don’t sign leases. They don’t pay the bills. And if you’re making strategic decisions based purely on keyword tracking, you’re likely missing the bigger picture.

The Problem With Keyword Rankings

SEO isn’t just about stuffing your website with “luxury apartments near me” and hoping Google rewards you. But for years, marketers have treated rankings as the holy grail of SEO. And it’s hurting more than helping.

1. Rankings Fluctuate Like Crazy

Google’s algorithm updates thousands of times a year. Search results are now hyper-personalized, meaning the same keyword can rank differently for two people standing in the same city. And don’t get me started on local packs, featured snippets, and paid ads pushing organic results further down the page.

Translation? Your rankings are never stable—so why stress over them?

2. High Rankings ≠ More Leases

So, your property ranks #1 for “apartments in [city].” Great! But is it driving applications? Or are people bouncing from your site faster than a bad Tinder date?

Rankings don’t matter if they’re not turning into real business results.

3. Keyword Obsession Misses the Bigger Picture

If your SEO strategy starts and ends with keyword tracking, you’re ignoring the entire customer journey. Renters don’t just type one phrase into Google and immediately sign a lease. They search, research, compare, and explore.

Instead of fixating on whether “luxury apartments in Dallas” is ranking #1, ask yourself:

Is my content actually answering what renters want to know?
Am I providing value beyond basic listings?
Is my site turning visitors into real leads?

What You Should Be Tracking Instead

So, if keywords aren’t the end-all, be-all, what should you be measuring?

1. Organic Traffic Growth

Rather than tracking individual keyword rankings, look at overall organic traffic trends. Is your website getting more visitors from search engines over time? If yes, that’s a good sign your SEO strategy is working.

2. Engagement Metrics That Matter

Time on Page: Are people actually reading your content, or do they leave immediately?
Pages Per Session: Are they exploring multiple pages (floor plans, pricing, contact info), or do they drop off?
Bounce Rate: If visitors land on your site and leave instantly, you’ve got a problem.

These tell you if your content is valuable —not just rankable.

3. Lead Conversions (The Real Goal)

At the end of the day, you’re not in the business of “getting clicks.” You’re in the business of getting leases.

Here's what you should track:
✅ Contact form submissions
✅ Virtual tour bookings
✅ Calls from your Google Business Profile
✅ Chatbot interactions
✅ Applications started

Because if your website isn’t generating real leads, who cares if you’re ranking #1?

4. Local SEO Visibility

Google’s local results drive apartment leads more than traditional rankings. If your Google Business Profile isn’t showing up in Maps, “Near Me” searches, and the local pack , you’re losing out.

Key local SEO metrics to track:
�� Website clicks from Google Maps
�� Phone calls from your Google listing
�� Driving directions requests
�� Photo and post engagement

5. SEO-Assisted Conversions

Want to know how powerful your SEO actually is? Look at how many of your leads FIRST found you through organic search before converting.

Dig into Google Analytics and whatever CRM you use to see:

Did that lease application start with a Google search?
How many leads visited multiple times before filling out a form?
Did they discover you through a blog, a Google Business Profile, or a long-tail search?

This is how you connect SEO to real revenue —not just rankings.

The Bottom Line: Stop Chasing Keywords, Start Chasing Conversions

I’m not saying keywords don’t matter at all. They do. But obsessing over where you rank for a single phrase is outdated thinking.

Instead, focus on what actually moves the needle:
�� More organic traffic
�� Higher engagement
�� Strong local SEO presence
�� More leads, applications, and signed leases

That’s how you measure real SEO success.

So, next time someone asks, “What’s our ranking for ‘apartments near me’?” hit them with this:

“Who cares? Let’s talk about how many leads we got from SEO this month instead.”

Now that’s a conversation worth having.

�� Want help optimizing your apartment SEO? Let’s talk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

15 Google Business Profile Post Ideas for Apartments

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:38:20 GMT

Your Google Business Profile isn’t just another listing—it’s a powerful tool to capture renter interest, boost visibility, and keep residents engaged. But if your posts are few and far between (or, let’s be real, nonexistent), you’re missing out on easy wins.

Want to turn your GBP into a leasing machine? We’ve got you covered with 15 post ideas to keep your community front and center.

1. The Special Offers Post

Highlight move-in deals, waived fees, or referral incentives to attract prospects. Urgency and exclusivity can push prospects to act fast.

Example:
Move-in Special! Sign a lease by [date] and get your first month FREE! Contact us today to schedule a tour. ��✨

2. The Pet-Friendly Post

Pet owners are always looking for places that welcome their furry friends. Show off your pet-friendly amenities to make your community stand out.

Example:
Got pets? We’ve got perks! Our dog park, pet spa, and walking trails make this the purr-fect place for you and your furry friend. ��

3. The Resident Testimonial Post

Social proof builds trust. Sharing real resident experiences helps future renters feel confident about choosing your community.

Example:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 'I moved in six months ago, and it’s been the best decision! Amazing staff, quiet community, and the pool is a dream. Highly recommend!' – [Resident Name]

4. The Upcoming Events Post

Events create a sense of community and show potential renters that your property is more than just a place to live—it’s a place to belong.

Example:
�� Free pizza? Yes, please! Join us this Friday at 6 PM in the clubhouse for a resident pizza night. Meet your neighbors and grab a slice!

5. The Community Spotlight Post

A great location is a major selling point. Highlight nearby dining, shopping, and recreation to show off the perks of living at your community.

Example:
Craving the best tacos in town? �� Good news – you’re just 5 minutes from [Local Restaurant]! Living here means easy access to all the best dining, shopping, and entertainment.

6. The Seasonal or Holiday Post

Tie your posts to the time of year! Holiday cheer and seasonal themes make your community feel inviting and active.

Example:
The holidays are here, and our clubhouse is all decked out! Stop by for hot cocoa and a holiday movie night this Saturday at 7 PM! ��

7. The Apartment Feature Highlight Post

Showcase what makes your apartments unique. The right feature can be the deciding factor for potential renters.

Example:
Love a modern kitchen? Our [floor plan name] has sleek stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, and an open layout that’s perfect for entertaining. ✨ Schedule a tour today!

8. The Move-In Tips & FAQs Post

Moving can be stressful—help ease the transition for new residents with helpful tips and reminders.

Example:
Moving in soon? �� Here’s a quick checklist: Set up utilities, register for parking, and don’t forget to grab your resident portal login. Need help? Stop by the leasing office!

9. The Meet the Team Post

People want to know who they’ll be interacting with. A friendly introduction to your team helps personalize the leasing experience.

Example:
�� Say hi to Lisa, our Leasing Manager! Whether you're looking for a new home or have questions about your lease, she’s got you covered. Stop by and say hello!

10. The Resident Appreciation Post

Happy residents lead to great reviews and referrals. Show your appreciation with shoutouts and small perks.

Example:
We love our residents! To show our appreciation, grab a free coffee and pastry in the leasing office this Friday morning. ☕️��

11. The Maintenance Tips & Reminders Post

Preventative maintenance helps keep things running smoothly. Share seasonal reminders to keep residents informed.

Example:
Cold weather tip! Keep your heat above 55°F and let your faucets drip overnight to prevent frozen pipes. ❄️ Questions? Our maintenance team is here to help!

12. The Before & After Post

People love a transformation! Show off your latest renovations or community upgrades to get potential renters excited.

Example:
Check out the glow-up! �� Our newly renovated units feature modern finishes, upgraded lighting, and brand-new appliances. Book a tour to see the difference!

13. The Safety & Security Post

Reassure current and future residents that your community is a safe place to call home.

Example:
Your safety is our priority! Remember to lock your doors, use your key fob at all access points, and report any concerns via the resident portal. ��

14. The Local Job & Career Opportunities Post

Short commutes are a big deal! Highlight nearby employers and job opportunities for prospects looking for convenience.

Example:
�� Looking for work close to home? [Local Business] is hiring just minutes away! Living here means shorter commutes and more work-life balance.

15. The Social Media Engagement Post

Encourage residents to engage with your property online, creating organic social proof and boosting visibility.

Example:
�� We want to see your favorite spots around the community! Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured on our page.

Keeping your Google Business Profile active with fresh, engaging content can make all the difference in attracting renters and building a connected community. The key? Consistency. Test out these post ideas, see what gets the most engagement, and refine your strategy from there.

Need help leveling up your apartment marketing? We’re here for it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Ultimate Guide to Google Ad Campaigns for Apartment Communities

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 19:18:07 GMT

Google Ads can be a game-changer for apartment communities, but with so many options, how do you choose the right one? Whether you're filling vacancies fast, building brand awareness, or keeping your community top-of-mind, the right campaign can make all the difference. Google’s advertising platform offers a variety of campaign types, each tailored to different marketing goals.

But not all campaigns are created equal—some are better for driving immediate leads, while others help establish long-term brand recognition. In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of Google Ads that Repli loves and trusts the most, their strengths, and when you should use them to maximize your marketing budget and leasing success.

1. Search Campaigns: The Leasing Powerhouse

Search campaigns are those text ads you see at the top of Google’s search results when you type in something like "apartments for rent near me." These campaigns are gold for capturing renters who are actively searching for a new place to live.

Best For:

Driving conversions – Perfect for filling vacancies quickly.
Competitive markets – If your competitors are running search ads, you should be too.
Branded searches – Ensure prospects find your website, not someone else’s ad.
Lease-Up Periods – When you need to quickly generate leads and fill vacancies.

Budget Considerations:

Expect higher cost-per-click (CPC) since you're bidding on high-intent keywords.
Works best when you have a moderate to high budget for optimal visibility.
ROI is strong because clicks often turn into leads.

Expected Results:

�� High conversions, strong lead generation, and great for bottom-of-the-funnel prospects ready to lease.

Pro Tip:

Use highly targeted keywords like "luxury apartments in [City]" or "pet-friendly apartments near [Landmark]" to attract renters actively searching for a new home.

2. Display Campaigns: The Awareness Machine

Display ads are those visually engaging banners you see on websites, apps, and even YouTube. They’re ideal for building brand awareness and retargeting prospects who have visited your website but haven’t converted yet.

Best For:

Brand awareness – Keep your community top-of-mind.
Retargeting – Remind website visitors to come back and schedule a tour.
Promotions – Show off move-in specials and limited-time offers.

Budget Considerations:

Lower CPC than search ads, making it a budget-friendly option.
Works well with a moderate or lower budget to sustain brand presence.
Best when paired with search campaigns for a full-funnel strategy.

Expected Results:

�� High impressions, low conversions (but when combined with search ads, they help nurture leads into leases).

Pro Tip:

Use high-quality images of your property, amenities, and interiors to make your ads visually appealing and engaging.

3. Performance Max: AI-Driven Leasing Automation

Performance Max campaigns use Google’s AI to serve ads across Search, Display, YouTube, Gmail, and Maps—all while optimizing in real time based on user behavior.

Best For:

Multi-channel marketing – Get in front of renters across multiple platforms.
Automation lovers – Let Google’s AI do the heavy lifting.
Maximizing conversions – Great for lease-ups that need to drive traffic fast.

Budget Considerations:

Requires a larger budget to allow Google’s AI to test and optimize.
Ideal for communities willing to invest in data-driven automation .
Works well alongside Search and Display for full-funnel marketing.

Expected Results:

�� Balanced lead generation with high efficiency , though it takes time for Google’s AI to optimize.

Pro Tip:

Use a variety of high-quality assets (images, videos, and text) so Google’s AI can test and optimize different combinations.

4. Video Campaigns: Show, Don’t Just Tell

Video ads appear on YouTube and other video-friendly Google platforms. They’re perfect for showcasing your community’s lifestyle, amenities, and resident experiences.

Best For:

Engaging storytelling – Highlight resident testimonials or community events.
Brand trust – Video builds stronger emotional connections than static ads.
Retargeting – Keep prospects engaged with visually compelling content.

Budget Considerations:

More affordable than Search ads but requires quality video production.
Works well for mid-range budgets looking to drive engagement.
Best when combined with Display or Performance Max.

Expected Results:

�� High engagement, strong brand recall, and improved conversion rates when paired with other campaigns.

Pro Tip:

Virtual tours, floor plan walkthroughs, and amenity highlights make fantastic video ads! Keep your videos short (15-30 seconds) and include a strong call to action like “Schedule a Tour Today!”

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right Google ad campaign depends on your leasing goals, budget, and target audience. The best strategy? A mix of campaigns! Combining Search and Display or Performance Max and Video can deliver the best results and optimize your ROI.

Remember, no single campaign does it all. A well-balanced strategy ensures you capture renters at every stage—from brand awareness to final leasing decisions. Keep testing, refining, and optimizing to get the best ROI.

�� Need Help Choosing Your Google Campaigns?

At Repli, we specialize in advertising for multifamily communities. Connect with us today to create a Google Ads strategy that get you more leads and leases fast!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Build Your Lead Pipeline. Try These 10 Apartment Marketing Ideas (That Actually Work)

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:34:49 GMT

Pssst . . . came from the Rebel Report newsletter ! Check out the correct answer in #7 ��

This post is so packed with apartment marketing genius, your leads may just start showing up on your doorstep asking for a tour. ��

But seriously, when you're in the fast-paced, "Get me those leads now!" world of apartment marketing, you don’t have time for fluff. You need strategies that actually work—and fast. And guess what? We’ve got your back.

At Repli, we’ve worked with plenty of multifamily marketers who’ve been there, done that, and found ways to bring in the leads that make their bosses (and their leasing teams) do a happy dance. So buckle up, because here comes the ultimate list of apartment marketing ideas that will kickstart your lead gen.

1. Hyperlocal Dynamic Pages (Wait, What’s That?)

Okay, so you might’ve heard of this one— Hyperlocal Dynamic Pages . These are not just any web pages; they’re superpowers for your apartment community website. Imagine having personalized landing pages that adapt to the needs of the person viewing them. Now, we're not talking about magic tricks (well, kind of). These pages pull in neighborhood-specific data like nearby restaurants, shops, parks, and even employers, making your prospects feel more informed than ever about your property.

The result? Higher engagement and more leads. It's like sending your website visitors a digital bouquet of “you belong here” vibes.

2. Leverage Social Proof (Because Who Doesn’t Love a Good Review?)

Five-star reviews? Yes, please! When it comes to apartment marketing, your future residents want to know how the place actually feels to live in. Reviews, testimonials, and user-generated content are the secret sauce to building trust. So get on it—encourage happy residents to leave glowing reviews (especially on platforms like Google, Yelp, and ApartmentRatings).

Pro tip : Feature these reviews in your email campaigns and on social media. People trust their peers more than your sales pitch. So let your current residents do the heavy lifting.

3. Virtual Tours (You Had Me at ‘Virtual’)

Nobody wants to sit through a stuffy tour when they could be watching your property’s magic unfold on a screen. Enter virtual tours—easy to create, and even easier for your potential renters to experience. 360-degree views, interactive floor plans, and video walkthroughs are essential.

Bonus tip : Make your virtual tours super immersive by embedding them on your website, sharing them via social media, and sending them to interested prospects in your email follow-ups.

4. Content That Speaks to Their Dreams (Not Just Their Needs)

Think your marketing should only talk about "2-bedroom, 2-bath apartments"? Think again. Yes, people need a place to live, but they also want to live their best life. So, how about highlighting local activities, community events, or lifestyle perks that come with living at your apartment? Write blog posts (or create social media posts) about the coolest new coffee shops nearby, secret spots for weekend brunch, or how your community is pet-friendly and perfect for a doggie date night.

People want more than just four walls—they want a life that’s even better with your apartment as their base camp. Market that lifestyle and watch your leads pour in.

5. Video Marketing (Bring Your Apartments to Life)

This one’s non-negotiable. Your future tenants are scrolling through Instagram and TikTok like it’s their job (who can blame them?), so why not meet them where they’re at with quick, snappy videos? You can show off amenities, the vibe of your community, or even some behind-the-scenes of your leasing office (bonus: make it funny!).

Remember, video content is highly shareable. If your video is funny or inspiring, your prospects could share it with friends, and voilà—you’ve got a referral lead before you even knew it.

6. Targeted Email Campaigns (Your Inbox Just Got Way More Fun)

We know, we know—email campaigns are so 2008. But when done right, they still have some serious marketing muscle. Segmented and personalized emails can boost engagement and conversions. You’ve got to send the right message to the right person at the right time.

For example, send a special offer to people who’ve visited your site but never booked a tour, or send a "Hey, your lease is up soon—here's something cool!" email to residents nearing their renewal date.

And remember: Subject lines are everything. If you can make it irresistible, you’ll get way more opens.

7. Create an FAQ Page (The Ultimate Time Saver)

Your FAQ page on your property website is a game-changer. It’s your chance to tackle common questions upfront—rent prices, pet policies, parking, application steps, and more—without fielding the same inquiries over and over.

Not only does it save you time, but it also builds trust by being transparent. Plus, when optimized for SEO , it can drive organic traffic straight to your site, helping potential renters find your answers (and hopefully your apartments) faster. So, get one up there and watch your leads roll in—less work, more conversions.

8. Ask Your Residents Directly (Stop Guessing, Start Asking)

Want to know what truly resonates with your residents? Stop assuming and start asking! Create surveys or just have casual chats with your residents to learn what they love most about living at your property. Once you know, shout it from the rooftops!

Promote those features—whether it’s your pet-friendly policy, spacious layouts, or community events—across your marketing channels. Your residents’ voices are your best marketing tool, so let them help you sell the dream.

9. Retargeting Campaigns (Stay Top of Mind, Even When They're Shopping Around)

A lot of marketers shy away from retargeting because it’s top-of-funnel—think awareness, not conversions. But here's the thing: most prospects will visit multiple websites before scheduling a tour. Staying visible—even if they’ve already checked out other properties—keeps you in the game.

It’s all about staying top of mind. By gently nudging them back to your site with well-timed ads, you increase your chances of being the property they eventually choose. So don’t ignore retargeting—it’s your secret weapon to convert those prospects into tours!

10. Change Up Your CTAs (Testing for Better Conversions)

If your call-to-action (CTA) buttons feel stale, it might be time for a change. Testing different CTA phrases, colors, or placements can significantly impact your conversion rates. In fact, studies show that testing new CTAs can increase conversions by up to 161% .

By experimenting with different versions, you can find what resonates best with your audience and push them further down the funnel—whether it's scheduling a tour or applying for an apartment. Stay dynamic, stay ahead.

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to apartment marketing, so don’t be afraid to mix it up! Whether it’s testing new CTAs, tapping into the power of video, or getting direct feedback from your residents, the goal is to stay flexible and keep your strategies fresh. After all, in a competitive market, the more innovative and engaging your approach, the better your chances of attracting and converting potential renters. Keep experimenting, keep improving, and watch your leasing skyrocket!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

How to Create Apartment Ads Prospects Actually Want to Click

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:22:50 GMT

Let’s face it: Most apartment ads are about as exciting as a blank wall. Sure, they list amenities, provide floor plans, and mention rent prices, but how often do you feel like your ad actually grabs someone’s attention? These days, prospects are inundated with ads—so much so that they’re becoming experts at ignoring the boring ones. And trust us, your cookie-cutter apartment ad is likely blending right in.

But don't worry, it's not too late to make your ads stand out. Here’s how to stop boring your prospects and create apartment ads they'll actually want to click.

1. Forget the ‘Same Old, Same Old’ Copy

Here’s the truth: no one cares if your property has "spacious apartments" and "high-end amenities" anymore. These phrases are so overused they’ve lost all impact. Instead, focus on emotion-driven copy that connects with what your prospect really cares about—whether it's luxury, convenience, or being part of a vibrant community.

Instead of: "Luxury apartments with high-end finishes."
Try: "Ready to live in a place that feels like home the moment you walk through the door?"

See the difference? It’s all about sparking curiosity and making people imagine themselves in the space.

2. Ditch the Stale Photos, Embrace Real Life

Stop using stock photos of people who are clearly in a staged photo shoot and never actually lived in an apartment. Prospects aren’t just looking for pretty pictures; they want to feel what it would be like to live in your property. Use real photos of your actual space, and if you have happy residents, feature them too. Bonus points if you capture them enjoying the amenities you’ve been boasting about!

Instead of: A stock photo of a model sitting in a designer chair.
Try: A resident sipping coffee in a sunlit corner, showing off your spacious apartment.

Authenticity speaks volumes, and it helps potential renters envision their lives in your property.

3. Use Video to Bring the Space to Life

Here’s a stat that might surprise you: video ads receive 1200% more shares than images and text combined. So why not harness the power of video to showcase your property? Whether it’s a short walk-through tour or a "day in the life" at your complex, a video helps bring your apartment to life and gives prospects a real sense of what it would feel like to live there.

Pro Tip: Focus on the lifestyle. Don’t just show the apartment; show what makes the community amazing. Is there a popular coffee shop next door? Is the gym always packed? What are your pet-friendly amenities? Highlight these lifestyle perks that make your complex the place to be.

4. Personalize the Ad for Your Target Audience

Not all renters are the same. Some are looking for a quiet retreat, while others want a social vibe with plenty of events. The trick is to personalize your ads to target different types of renters based on what they're seeking. This will make your ads feel more relevant, compelling, and relatable.

Example 1: For young professionals, you might highlight proximity to trendy coffee shops, coworking spaces, and transportation.
Example 2: For families, focus on parks, schools, and family-friendly amenities.

Get specific about who you're speaking to, and your prospective renters will feel like you're reading their minds.

5. Incorporate Urgency with a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)

Without a clear and compelling CTA, even the most beautifully designed apartment ad will fall flat. Your prospect needs to know what to do next, and urgency is key to nudging them towards action. Whether it’s booking a tour, applying now, or asking for more information, make it clear, concise, and urgent.

Instead of: "Contact us for more info."
Try: "Don’t miss out—schedule your tour today before it’s gone!"

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is real. Use it to your advantage and create a sense of urgency that drives clicks.

6. Highlight What Makes You Different

Every apartment complex has some cool factor—it’s up to you to showcase it. Maybe your rooftop deck has killer views, or your pet policy is more flexible than the competition. Don’t be shy about it. If you’ve got something unique, shout it from the rooftops (literally).

Example: "Bored of the same old apartment views? Our rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the city, perfect for unwinding after a long day."

When prospects see what makes your place different, they'll be more likely to engage with your ad and consider your property.

7. A/B Test Your Ads for Maximum Impact

You wouldn’t wear the same outfit every day, right? So why use the same ad over and over without testing it? A/B testing helps you figure out what’s working and what’s not. Test different headlines, images, and CTAs to see which one resonates most with your audience.

Pro Tip: Change one variable at a time (e.g., image vs. text, CTA vs. CTA) to pinpoint what’s driving the best results.

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Be Bold

The bottom line? Prospects are bored with the same-old social and Google ads. If you want them to click, you need to stop blending in and start standing out. Bring the personality, get creative, and make them feel something. Show them what life could look like in your apartment, not just what the space looks like.

By making your apartment ads and marketing strategies more engaging, personalized, and authentic, you’ll start seeing a difference in both engagement and conversions. So stop being boring. Start being bold.

Be sure to check out our other blog articles for tons of fresh apartment marketing ideas!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Google is Retiring Enhanced CPC—Here’s What Apartment Marketers Need to Know

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:26:14 GMT

If you’re running Search or Display campaigns, big changes are coming to Google Ads. As of March 15, 2025, Google will officially end the Enhanced CPC (ECPC) bid strategy. While this might seem like a big shift, it presents an opportunity to optimize your bidding strategies for better performance and efficiency.

What’s Changing?

Starting in October 2024, advertisers could no longer be able to opt into the ECPC bid strategy for Search or Display campaigns.

Additionally:

ECPC has removed from any campaigns that have already switched out of it.
Existing campaigns still using ECPC can continue running until March 15, 2025.
After that date, all remaining ECPC campaigns will be automatically migrated to Manual CPC.

How to Prepare for the Transition

With ECPC going away, now is the time to explore alternative bidding strategies that align with your goals. To ensure a smooth transition:

Closely monitor campaign performance as you adjust your bidding strategy to avoid major fluctuations.
Manage spend and performance by tweaking budgets and targets where necessary.

Choosing the Right Bidding Strategy for Apartment Marketing

For multifamily marketers, choosing the right bidding strategy can make all the difference in driving high-quality leads and increasing occupancy efficiently. Here are some recommended approaches:

✅ Maximize Conversions or Target CPA: If your goal is to generate more lease applications or schedule more tours within your budget, these strategies are ideal. Target CPA helps ensure you're paying the right amount per conversion, optimizing your ad spend for the best return.

✅ Maximize Conversion Value or Target ROAS: If you're focused on increasing ROI, these strategies can help ensure every dollar spent delivers maximum value. This is especially useful for communities with different unit types and pricing tiers, allowing you to prioritize high-value leads.

✅ Maximize Clicks or Target Impression Share: If brand awareness is key—such as for a new lease-up—these bidding options help drive traffic to your website or increase visibility on search results, ensuring potential renters see your community first.

✅ Pay-Per-Conversion (Display Only): If eligible, this strategy ensures you only pay when someone takes a valuable action, such as submitting a guest card or scheduling a tour. This can be a cost-effective way to increase engagement while minimizing wasted ad spend.

Don’t Leave Your Campaigns to Chance—We Can Help!

With Google making major changes to its ad platform, ensuring your campaigns are optimized for performance is more critical than ever. At Repli, our digital advertising experts specialize in building high-converting, data-driven campaigns that help you achieve your marketing goals.

Need help navigating the transition? Let’s talk! Reach out to our team today and make sure your Google Ads strategy is set up for success in 2025 and beyond.

�� Get in touch with us today!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Surprise! Suburban Keywords Are More Expensive Than Downtown—Here’s What You Need to Know

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:34:11 GMT

For years, digital advertisers have treated suburban keywords as the underdog—cheaper, easier to rank for, and a great alternative to ultra-competitive downtown markets. But here’s the kicker: that strategy is officially outdated .

Across the country, suburban keywords are no longer the budget-friendly hack they once were. In fact, in many cases, they’re outpacing downtown CPCs.

At Repli, we first noticed this shift in Austin, TX. As a growing tech hub with skyrocketing rents, Austin became a prime example of what’s happening nationwide: renters seeking affordability are driving up demand—and advertising costs—across suburban markets.

�� The Surprising Cost of Suburban Keywords

Repli’s latest research reveals that cost-per-click (CPC) rates in Austin’s suburbs are climbing at an unprecedented pace. Just take a look at the numbers:

�� Cedar Park (25 minutes from downtown): CPCs shot up to $9.14 for local, non-branded keywords.
�� Avery Ranch (24 minutes from downtown): CPCs hit $9.07 locally and $7.56 for non-local.
�� The Domain (16-20 minutes from downtown): CPCs ranged from $4.51 to $5.61 —still competitive, but significantly more affordable than Cedar Park or Avery Ranch.

These numbers aren’t just an Austin anomaly. The same pattern is emerging in markets across the country as suburban living becomes the go-to option for renters escaping downtown costs.

�� Why Are Suburban CPCs Skyrocketing?

It all comes down to shifting renter behavior:

�� Downtown Rents are Becoming More Expensive: By 2025, Downtown Austin rents are projected to increase by 26% , pushing more renters to nearby suburbs like The Domain and Cedar Park.

�� Demand Drives Digital Competition: More renters searching in suburban areas means more advertisers bidding on those same keywords—driving up costs.

�� Developers are Investing in Suburban Markets: As renters shift, multifamily developers follow. This surge in new developments means more competition for ad space.

�� What This Means for Your Digital Strategy

If your apartment marketing strategy is still centered on downtown properties, it’s time to pivot. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the curve:

�� Rethink Your Keyword Strategy—Suburbs Are No Longer “Cheap”

Don’t assume suburban CPCs will stay low. Monitor keyword costs regularly and adjust your bidding strategy based on real-time data.

�� Craft Hyper-Localized Ad Copy

Renters searching for suburban options have different priorities—highlight affordability, green spaces, top-rated schools, and commuter convenience. Test messaging like:

“Luxury apartments 20 minutes from downtown—without the downtown price tag.”
“Pet-friendly homes in Cedar Park with easy access to Austin tech hubs.”

⭐️ Expand Your Geo-Targeting to Nearby Hotspots

Instead of focusing on one suburb, broaden your targeting. Look at trending areas where renters are searching and test different markets.

�� Keep an Eye on the Bigger Picture

This trend isn’t just about CPCs—it’s about migration patterns, shifting renter preferences, and market economics. Staying informed will help you make data-backed marketing decisions.

�� Want More Insider Trends?

This is just one of the major digital marketing shifts we uncovered in our latest research. Download our 2025 Digital Marketing Trends ebook to get exclusive insights on where the industry is heading—and how you can stay ahead.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

9 Ways to Reach Student Renters on Social Media

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 20:35:36 GMT

College students live on their phones, and many spend their free time in between classes watching videos and scrolling through social media.

Student housing communities have a variety of options when it comes to marketing their brand on popular social media platforms, but each platform has its own purpose and communication style.

In this blog post, we’ll share 9 ways to successfully reach your student renters using Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and YouTube.

Instagram

Turning Social Media Into a Currency

If students can “buy” a coffee from giving your Instagram account a follow, liking a post, or tagging your account on a post, they probably would!

You can partner with a local coffee shop that agrees to provide a certain amount of free drinks. For example, after a student makes a story post on their Instagram account that tags your apartment community’s account and the local coffee shop’s account, they can receive one free regular sized drink.

When people tag your student housing social media account to receive their free drink, you’ll turn your social media presence into a currency that pays for more engagement with students and more traffic.

Using The School Mascot

Who doesn’t love a guest appearance of the school mascot on an Instagram post? If your school has a prominent mascot that everyone loves, use that to your advantage!

Featuring the school mascot on your property’s Instagram is a fun way to relate to student renters that can ultimately create a stronger community connection.

Invite the school mascot over to social events to take pictures and have a good time with everyone; afterwards you can share these photos on Instagram when highlighting a fun resident event.

Sharing Photos From Social Events

For many students, school and assignments aren’t the only thing they want to think about during their time at college.

Your apartment property’s Instagram account is a great way to convey the message that your community can provide a space where students can socialize but also study and relax when it’s needed.

Share photos of community events like movie nights or painting sessions to capture memorable moments and highlight the fun, vibrant atmosphere. These snapshots give potential student renters a clear picture of the lively, supportive environment waiting for them.

Facebook

Posting Essential Apartment Information

While student renters may not frequently engage with their housing community’s Facebook page, it remains a valuable platform for sharing essential apartment information.

Posts showcasing floor plans, interior photos, and amenities can be incredibly helpful for potential renters researching your property on social media. Additionally, Facebook’s “About” section offers a convenient way to display key details like your property’s address, phone number, and office hours, ensuring important information is easily accessible.

Even with limited interaction from student users, sharing content such as floor plans and interior features plays an important role in providing clear and digestible information to prospective renters.

Posting For Parents

Parents are often involved in the search for the best off-campus apartment and sometimes also the ones to make the final decision.

Even after leases are signed, parents may want to be reassured they made the right decision to let their child live on your property, so showing off your apartment community on Facebook where parents are the more active users is the perfect way to reach them.

Your Facebook account can appeal to parents by showcasing posts about your community’s security features, parking spaces, or plentiful study spaces. You could also create announcement posts like renovation updates or reminders about an upcoming day off school because of a holiday.

Tik Tok

Participating in Tik Tok Trends

Tik Tok stands out because of its interactive content that combines fast paced visuals with trending audio. They’re fun, easy to watch, and can even be informative.

To join in on this booming social media platform as an off-campus community, all you need to do is participate in one of the hundreds of trends created by regular users that surface each week!

Popular songs on Tik Tok usually have a dance or trending video format that goes along with it. You can ask some members of the leasing office team or community tour guides to participate in a fun dance for a “meet the staff” video. Or, you can incorporate information about floor plans, amenities, and community culture in a way that follows a video format for a popular song to show off your property.

Tik Tok videos don’t have to be perfect – the unique appeal of Tik Tok is its authenticity! All you need is about 15 seconds of content and some creativity. When you’re done filming, remember to add some relevant hashtags in the caption.

Creating Short Tour Videos

While Tik Tok videos are recommended for around 15 seconds in length, there’s still the option to create longer video lengths such as 60 seconds.

This is particularly useful for making short tour videos that highlight the best features of your community in a quick and enjoyable way.

Take viewers around model floor plans or show off popular community amenities like the coffee bar, study areas, or fitness center. Make sure the clips are stable and filmed in good lighting, then add a song and some text pointing out what each area is.

Thanks to Tik Tok’s “For You” page that curates videos based on user activity, there’s also a higher chance of discoverability for your apartment property. If student users have been browsing for videos relating to college room tours or college living, they may see your community’s tour video on their For You page without even following your account.

YouTube

Giving Floor Plan Tours

Sometimes, the floor plan information on your website and interior photos on Instagram or Facebook just aren’t enough for potential student renters to get a clear idea of what your student housing apartment is like.

This is where YouTube becomes your best friend. With the ability to upload longer and high-quality videos, you can create tours of specific floor plans (empty or furnished) that virtually take students around the inside of your property.

Use these videos to highlight spacious rooms, unique features like walk-in closets, and sought-after apartment amenities like modern kitchen appliances.

YouTube videos also allow you to provide links in the video description, so you can increase traffic to your apartment website if potential student renters become interested in leasing after watching your floor plan tours.

Meet The Staff and Community Videos

Uploading a yearly “meet the staff” video helps put faces to the names of the wonderful people working at your student housing community.

Introduce the leasing office team, say hello to the maintenance team, and even bring viewers around the different areas of the apartment community like the fitness center, study areas, or resident lounge.

Videos like these can let potential student renters get an idea of what the atmosphere is like at your community and develop a closer relationship with the people at your property before even moving in!

If you’re looking for more help with creating the best social media posts for your apartment community check out our blog post on What Makes a Good Social Media Post .

Need more help with marketing your apartment community? Our team of multifamily experts at Repli can help – contact us today!

Top 5 Social Media Strategies for Multifamily Communities to Attract Renters in 2025

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 17:07:28 GMT

Apartment communities have one shot to make a lasting impression on social media, and this Repli checklist shares the five essentials to a successful multifamily social media strategy. Whether it's using eye-catching visuals or fostering meaningful conversations, we'll guide you through the essentials of crafting successful social media content that will draw in your target audience and make your community unforgettable.

1. Tailor Content for Your Target Renter

To stand out on social media, it's important to create content that speaks directly to your target audience. Understand who your renters are and what they want. Use this insight to craft personalized, relevant content that speaks directly to them. Here's how you can incorporate tailored content:

Create Detailed Renter Personas : Identify key demographics, interests, and pain points of your audience.
Highlight What Sets Your Community Apart: Emphasize unique features like eco-friendly amenities, pet-friendly spaces, or proximity to popular locations.
Share Real-Life Stories: Showcase testimonials or resident spotlights to build emotional connections.

2. Elevate Your Visual Game

When creating social media posts for your multifamily apartment community, it's important to focus on eye-catching visuals that will grab your audience's attention and tell your community's story. After all, even the best-written caption can fall flat if it's paired with a low-quality or irrelevant visual. In 2025, renters expect high-quality, eye-catching imagery. The best ways to incorporate visuals is to:

Leverage New Formats: Incorporate video tours, AR elements, or interactive posts.
Showcase Authenticity: Use lifestyle-focused content that reflects the true experience of living in your community.
Use High-Quality Assets: Ensure your visuals are crisp, engaging, and optimized for each platform.

3. Capitalize on User-Generated Content (UGC)

The truth is, people, want to see how they would genuinely connect, engage with, and experience an apartment community. Potential residents are more willing to trust current residents than to trust your promotional content of it. User-generated content builds trust and creates authenticity, which are crucial for connecting with today’s renters. Here's how to easily embrace UGC:

Encourage Residents to Share: Run campaigns where residents post photos or stories with branded hashtags.
Showcase Events and Amenities: Feature UGC from community events, such as yoga classes or pool parties.
Utilize Reviews: Highlight positive reviews and testimonials across platforms for added credibility.

4. Maximize Engagement with Interactive Strategies

Maximizing engagement on social media channels not only helps the algorithm connect you to your target audience but also expands your reach to potential audiences. It is important to create content that resonates with the audience, while also encouraging them to interact with the post whether it’s through likes, comments, or shares. We've found these to be the most effective ways to boost engagement:

Ask Questions: Pose fun or thought-provoking questions in your captions to encourage comments.
Use Platform Tools: Create polls, quizzes, and Q&A sessions on Instagram Stories or LinkedIn posts.
Respond Promptly: Engage with comments, shares, and direct messages to keep conversations going.

5. Incorporate Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)

Finally, include call-to-actions (CTAs) in your social media posts. This is a crucial part of successful content. You may have a beautifully crafted post that appeals to your audience and engages them in conversation, but what is the next step you would like them to take?

By creating content showcasing the unique features and benefits of the community without incorporating CTAs, followers are unlikely to visit the community's website or schedule a tour. You have to guide them in taking the next step - an action. Here's what you'll need to keep in mind when writing CTAs:

Make CTAs Clear and Actionable: Examples include “Schedule a Virtual Tour Today!” or “Explore Available Units.”
Match CTAs to Content Goals: Use CTAs that align with the purpose of each post—e.g., “Tag a friend looking for a new home!” for engagement-focused posts.
Use Links and Buttons: Ensure CTAs are linked to specific landing pages to simplify the user journey.

Your Social Media Glow-Up Starts Now! ��

Congrats, you’ve just unlocked the secrets to creating social media magic for your apartment community! Whether you’re snapping scroll-stopping visuals, starting meaningful conversations, or getting creative with user-generated content, these tips are your golden ticket to standing out and wowing potential renters.

Now it’s time to take your strategy to the next level. Ready to audit your current efforts and find out what’s working (and what’s not)? Download our How to Conduct a Social Media Audit ebook—it’s your ultimate guide to refining your approach and building a social media strategy that shines!

Here’s to making your community unforgettable—one post at a time. ��

What Makes the Best Apartment Landing Page?

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 20:03:37 GMT

*This blog post has been updated for 2025 best practices

n 2025, landing pages are more important than ever for apartment marketing. They’re the bridge between your digital advertising strategy and your leasing goals. It’s the final stop in the renter’s journey—from Google search to PPC ad to landing page—where you capture contact information and drive conversions. But not all landing pages are created equal. So, what makes an apartment landing page truly exceptional in 2025?

1. The Perfect Headline

Your landing page’s headline is like a handshake—it’s the first impression. It should immediately communicate what your community offers while sparking interest. In 2025, renters expect clarity and relevance. Your headline should:

Be bold and attention-grabbing.
Highlight your community name or key selling point.

For example: *"Welcome to Oakwood Heights: Luxury Living in Downtown Atlanta."

�� Repli Tip: Keep it concise. Renters want to know they’re in the right place within seconds of landing on your page.

2. A Subheading That Converts

The subheading supports your headline by providing a snapshot of what your community offers. Use this space to highlight floor plan options, location, or amenities. For example:

"Spacious 1, 2, & 3 Bedroom Apartments | Minutes from Uptown Charlotte."

�� Repli Tip: The subheading should be easy to skim—think quick, compelling, and packed with value.

3. High-Quality Images & Video

Visuals remain king in 2025. Renters make snap judgments based on what they see, so your images and videos need to wow them.

Use professionally shot, high-resolution images that showcase your community’s best features—from stunning interiors to resort-style amenities.
Include a video walkthrough or virtual tour to give renters an immersive experience of your property.

�� Repli Pro Tip: Make your hero image or video banner irresistible. It should grab attention immediately, showcasing your most photogenic space or a unique amenity. For instance, a rooftop pool with skyline views or a cozy, well-staged living room.

4. Compelling CTAs (Call to Action)

Your CTA is where the magic happens. It’s how you turn an interested visitor into a solid lead. Best practices for 2025 include:

Strategic Placement: Place a bold, easy-to-see CTA at the top of your page.
Keep It Simple: Stick to one or two key actions. For example: "Schedule a Tour" or "Check Availability."
Make It Pop: Use contrasting colors for your buttons and action items to ensure they stand out.

�� Repli’s Gold Standard: Use action-oriented language that conveys urgency, like "Lease Now and Save!" or "Limited Availability—Schedule a Tour Today!"

5. Spotlight Your Community Features

Renters want to know what sets your property apart. Highlight your most popular amenities and features, focusing on what matters most to today’s renters, such as:

High-speed internet and smart home technology.
Wellness-focused amenities like fitness centers, yoga rooms, or outdoor spaces.
Proximity to transportation, dining, and entertainment.

Make sure you have pictures of those amenities and features on your landing page to build trust with prospects.

6. Optimize for Mobile

With over 70% of renters browsing on their phones, your landing page must look and perform flawlessly on mobile devices. Ensure:

Quick load times.
Easy navigation with thumb-friendly buttons.
Seamless forms that don’t frustrate users.

�� Repli Tip: Test your landing page on multiple devices to guarantee a smooth experience across all screens.

7. Smart Data Integration

In 2025, the best landing pages work smarter, not harder. By integrating tools like Repli’s Hyperlocal Dynamic Pages , you can serve personalized content based on a visitor’s location or search behavior. This approach not only boosts engagement but also improves your conversion rates.

Let's Wrap It Up

A great apartment landing page combines stunning visuals, concise messaging, and powerful CTAs with a seamless user experience.

Don’t forget to:

Regularly test and tweak your landing page for performance.
Use analytics to see what’s working and what needs improvement.
Always keep the renter’s journey front and center.

If you’re ready to elevate your landing pages to the next level, Repli’s team of experts is here to help. Let’s create a landing page that not only looks amazing but also drives results. Contact us to learn more!

13 of the Best Apartment Resident Retention Ideas

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:12:59 GMT

Keeping a satisfied resident at your apartment community is just as important as getting a new one. Resident retention builds long-term relationships with your community and also adds incredible value to the apartment property itself.

It’s great to see new faces, but recurring residents are an invaluable asset to any apartment community because they’re the ones who understand what day-to-day living is like in your community, so their testimonies speak volumes.

Even with the evolving needs of residents, resident retention is still very attainable. There’s massive potential in spending just as much time and effort in retaining current residents as there is in looking for prospective renters, so we came up with a helpful list of 13 attainable apartment retention ideas!

1. Keep Open Lines of Communication

Communication is key in so many situations, and the same holds true for the relationship between a resident and their property management team.

Make it clear to residents that they have various ways of contacting you easily by giving them the option to call, email, send a text message, or stop by the leasing office to talk face-to-face.

When residents do reach out, be responsive and open to what they have to say! An uncommunicative leasing agent or property manager can quickly sour a resident’s attitude about their apartment community and greatly influence their decision to renew at the end of their leasing contract.

2. Seamless Move-In

Positive move-in experiences can boost residents’ first impressions at their new home and increase resident retention.

Anticipate your resident’s every need during stressful move-in times and offer them a moving checklist to help them stay organized. Even small gestures like welcome gifts containing a gift card to a popular local restaurant or a nearby grocery store can let your residents know you’re making an effort to help them settle into their new home.

By showing your sincerity and making a good first impression at the start of your resident’s life at your apartment community, you’ll be on track to earning long-term trust and loyalty.

3. Build Genuine Relationships and a Community

Kindness and simple gestures can go a long way in providing great customer service and increasing resident retention rates, so treat everyone in your apartment community like a big family.

Building strong relationships and a community starts with things like remembering residents’ names (and maybe even their pet’s name) or stopping by common areas to chat with residents in passing. Ask them how they’re doing or if there’s any issues that need to be addressed, and they’ll greatly appreciate you for going out of your way to say hello or lend them a hand.

4. Transform the Lobby

The lobby is the first thing residents see when they come in and the last thing they see as they go, so it’s smart to turn it into a place of convenience.

Offer complimentary coffee for residents rushing off to work in the morning and sometimes breakfast-on-the-go, which can be as easy as bagels, muffins, or bananas. There could also be a basket of umbrellas by the door in case residents are caught in the rain, and even a charging station for their electronics if they’re waiting for a ride.

Little perks like those listed above add up to a large value when it comes to resident retention. The key is to make daily routines for residents easy and enjoyable so that your apartment amenities and experiences become an essential part of their lives.

5. Provide Community Spaces

Along the same lines of building relationships, it’s important to provide spaces where residents can connect and get to know one another.

A stronger community leads to stronger retention rates and for this reason, it’s critical that apartment communities provide amenities that people can bond over.

A fitness center can allow future workout buddies to meet, a media room can draw in a crowd to watch a Friday night movie, and an outdoor tennis court can spark some fun competition between neighbors. Those same community spaces can then be turned into places that host community events for residents, which we’ll talk more about in number 6.

6. Host Community Events

Resident relationships can also be facilitated by hosting fun community events to foster engagement and build a more social community. Not only are you creating an enjoyable time for residents, you’re giving them an experience and fun culture that will be hard to let go of when it’s renewal time.

From trivia/game nights, to movie nights, to holiday parties, to karaoke nights, to complimentary fitness classes, the possibilities for engaging community events are endless.

By building a true apartment community for your residents, you’re creating a warm and friendly place to live that they won’t want to leave.

7. Create a Social Media Community

From Facebook, to Instagram, to Twitter, there are various social platforms you can use to connect with your residents on another level . Residents may miss updates and upcoming community events, but social media can be used to keep them in the loop and remind them why where they live is the best.

If there was a recent community event, highlight the best moments and post it to your community’s social platforms. If your property recently won an award or refreshed amenity spaces, you should absolutely be sharing the news!

There’s also the opportunity to do a little bragging about your property, whether it’s showing off apartment interiors or highlighting modern amenities. Current residents can take greater pride in living at your property and potential renters can be attracted to what you share about your community online as well.

8. Send Resident Newsletters

Newsletters are another great way to encourage engagement and keep your property’s brand at the front of residents’ minds.

They can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly reminders of all the amazing things taking place in your community. Send them out via email, post them on your website and social platforms, or place copies of them in community spaces where people can easily see them and grab a copy to read.

They should also be as fun as they are informative so include things like upcoming community events, amenity updates, or special deals at local businesses. Just remember that the content in your newsletter should always be providing value to your residents in order to drive resident retention!

9. Be on Top of Maintenance Requests

Maintenance requests can be a huge pain point for both property managers and residents, so handling maintenance requests should be done efficiently and in a timely manner.

For example, give residents clear directions on what to do if they have a leaky faucet or a refrigerator that needs repair, and be responsive when they put in maintenance requests. No one likes having to deal with appliances and features that are making their lives more difficult.

Digitalizing maintenance requests can also simplify communication between residents and maintenance workers. Not only will streamlining this process make your maintenance team happier, it will also increase resident satisfaction and resident satisfaction = resident retention!

10. Conduct Amenity & Feature Check-ups

It’s always smart to be looking ahead. Technology is constantly shaping each and every industry, so make sure your apartment property is staying on top of trends that can boost residents’ experiences.

If it’s been a while since laundry machines were installed, give them a check-up and see if they need to be upgraded to newer models. If your community has a fitness center, survey how the gym hours are working for everyone and look if any machines are broken or need to be upgraded. Even the seat cushions in the lobby and community lounges can be checked once in a while to see if they need to be refreshed.

No matter how big or small, luxuries are becoming necessities to residents, so don’t wait too long to adapt!

11. Focus on Security

Community safety remains a top concern for residents, and if residents don’t feel safe in their apartment at all times, they likely won’t stay as residents for long.

To combat this, implement security cameras for community monitoring, install fobs or key cards to help monitor entrances, or consider using smart technology like apartment doorbell cameras.

Another helpful resource is to create a message board for residents to post and share concerns with their neighbors and the property management team.

12. Ask for Feedback

There’s always room for improvement, and direct feedback from residents is the best way to drive improvements.

Custom surveys on your website or physical comment cards in the lobby are just a couple ways you can gain valuable feedback and opinions of current residents.

Regardless of how you receive feedback though, make sure you’re clear in putting effort to make improvements. Most people only care about surveys when they feel they’ll get a value out of it, so follow up feedback surveys through emails, social posts, or newsletters on the progress of any improvements taking place.

13. Easy Renewal Process = Easy Retention

As leases near the end of their contracts, make it an easy choice for residents to stay and renew their lease.

Provide easy lease renewals by offering an efficient process with electronic signatures and helpful resident portals. Digitalizing the process keeps documents organized and also frees up time that residents would otherwise be spending in leasing offices during lease renewal time.

Additionally, make sure your website is easy to navigate and focuses on good user experience . Don’t compromise a resident’s renewal experience with a slow loading page, hard to read text, and poor layout!

Retention rates are dependent on a lot of factors, but a continuous effort from the property management team can definitely help increase resident satisfaction and retention.

If you need help with marketing for renewals or maximizing your apartment marketing, our team at REPLI can help - contact us today!

For more apartment marketing resources, check out our other blogs here .

Is Your Apartment Website Helping or Hurting Your Leasing Efforts?

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:42:26 GMT

Your apartment website is the digital front door to your community. If it's not your top source of leads and leases, it might be hurting your marketing efforts more than you realize. In today’s competitive rental market, your website needs to work as hard as you do to attract and convert renters. If it's falling short, you're missing out on valuable opportunities to fill vacancies and boost your property's bottom line.

So, how can you tell if your website is helping or hurting your leasing efforts? Let’s dive into the must-haves for a high-converting apartment website and what to do if yours isn’t delivering the results you need.

Why Your Apartment Website Should Be Your Marketing MVP?

Think of your apartment website as your #1 leasing agent, available 24/7 to potential renters. A well-optimized website can drive a steady stream of qualified leads, convert them into tours, and ultimately turn those tours into leases — all without adding extra work for your leasing team.

But if your website isn’t generating consistent leads and leases, it’s not just underperforming; it’s actively working against your marketing goals. Here’s why:

Lost Traffic : If your website doesn’t appear on the first page of search engine results, you’re losing potential renters to competitors.
Poor User Experience : A slow, confusing, or outdated website drives visitors away, causing you to miss out on valuable leads.
Low Conversion Rates : If visitors aren’t scheduling tours, applying online, or contacting your leasing office, your website isn’t doing its job.

The Essentials of a High-Converting Apartment Website

If you want your apartment website to be your top source of leads and leases, it needs to excel in these key areas:

SEO Optimization ��: Your website should be optimized for relevant keywords like “apartments in [your city]” and include local SEO strategies to attract renters in your area.
Mobile-First Design ��: With the majority of apartment searches happening on mobile devices, a responsive design is critical to capturing leads on the go.
Fast Load Times ⚡: A slow website can lose you visitors in seconds. Aim for load times of 3 seconds or less to keep potential renters engaged.
Compelling Calls-to-Action (CTAs) ��️: Make it easy for visitors to take the next step by including strong CTAs like “Schedule a Tour,” “Apply Now,” or “Contact Us.”
Engaging Visuals and Content ��: High-quality photos, virtual tours, and engaging property descriptions help showcase your community and convince prospects to choose your apartments.
Easy Navigation ��: A user-friendly layout guides visitors through your site, helping them find floor plans, amenities, and contact information quickly.

How to Optimize Your Apartment Website for Maximum Leads and Leases

If your apartment website isn’t driving the results you need, it’s time to take action. Here’s how you can turn your site into a lead-generating machine:

Conduct a Comprehensive Website Audit ��️: Evaluate your site’s performance, from technical SEO to user experience. Tools like Google Analytics, PageSpeed Insights, and SEMrush can help identify areas for improvement.
Refresh Your Content ✍️: Update outdated content, optimize for current keywords, and add fresh images or videos that reflect your property’s best features.
Optimize for Local Search ��: Make sure your Google Business Profile is up-to-date and your website includes location-based keywords to attract local renters.
Improve Site Speed and Mobile Responsiveness ��: Compress images, leverage browser caching, and ensure your site is fully responsive to enhance user experience on all devices.
Leverage Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) ��: Test different CTAs, forms, and landing pages to see what converts best. Small tweaks can make a big difference in your lead-to-lease conversion rates.

How to Evaluate Your Apartment Website's Performance

To ensure your apartment website is performing optimally, consider these best practices:

Conduct a Technical SEO Audit ��️: This involves checking your site's speed, mobile responsiveness, and backend code. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and SEMrush can help you identify areas for improvement.
Review On-Page SEO Elements ��: Optimize your content with relevant keywords, high-quality images, and engaging calls-to-action (CTAs).
Analyze User Behavior ��: Use analytics tools to track how users interact with your site. This data can reveal what's working and what needs adjustment.
Perform Regular Updates ��: Just like your physical property, your website needs regular maintenance. Schedule audits at least quarterly to stay on top of potential issues.

Don’t Let Your Apartment Website Hurt Your Marketing — Partner with Repli!

If your apartment website isn’t your top source of leads and leases, it’s time to make a change. �� At Repli, we specialize in building high-converting apartment websites that drive real results. From SEO optimization to mobile-friendly designs, our team can transform your website into your most powerful leasing tool.

Ready to turn your apartment website into a lead-generating machine? Contact Repli today to get started! Book a discovery call to learn more about how we can help you achieve your leasing goals.

Your Guide to Apartment Hashtags That Get Results

Sun, 10 Nov 2024 14:38:00 GMT

Hashtags. You’ve heard of them, you know you should use them, but you’re not quite sure how to make them work for your apartment community. Don’t worry — you’re not alone! Even in 2025, hashtags can still be a bit of a mystery. But here’s the good news: we’re here to help you master them on Instagram and TikTok.

Hashtags have been around for over a decade, yet many marketers still struggle to use them effectively to boost engagement, grow followers, and get discovered by the right audience. But when done right, hashtags are a powerful tool to organically increase your reach and connect with potential renters on social media.

Ready to dive in? Let’s break down how you can use apartment hashtags to drive real results on Instagram and TikTok.

�� How to Use Hashtags That Drive Results

1. Research

Before you start using hashtags, it’s essential to do some research. Randomly adding hashtags won’t get you the engagement you’re looking for. Instead, focus on finding hashtags that align with your content and resonate with your target audience.

Here are 3 key areas to explore when researching hashtags:

Audience: Understand what hashtags your ideal renters are engaging with. Browse their posts and comments to see which hashtags they’re using. Incorporating relevant hashtags can increase your chances of showing up in their feeds.
Competitors: Keep an eye on what hashtags your competitors are using. Analyzing their strategies can spark fresh ideas and help you discover new, effective hashtags for your content.
Industry Influencers: Follow multifamily industry influencers on Instagram and TikTok to see which hashtags they use. These pros already know what resonates with renters, so learn from their experience and add those hashtags to your list.

2. Relevance

Once you’ve compiled your list, it’s crucial to ensure each hashtag is relevant to your content. Misusing hashtags can hurt your credibility and even reduce your reach due to platform algorithms.

For example, if you’re showcasing a luxury one-bedroom apartment, don’t use hashtags like #TravelGoals or #Foodie, which have nothing to do with your post. Instead, focus on local and niche tags like #DallasApartments, #LuxuryLiving, or #PetFriendlyDallas if your property is located in Dallas, TX.

3. Strategize

Mindlessly dumping hashtags at the end of your posts won’t cut it in 2025. A smart hashtag strategy can significantly improve your engagement on Instagram and TikTok.

Instead of overloading your content with tags, aim for a balanced approach. Here’s an example of strategic hashtagging:

“Thinking about making the move to #LuxuryLiving? ��✨ Book a tour today and explore our spacious one-bedroom apartments in #UptownDallas. #PetFriendlyLiving #ApartmentTour”

On TikTok, mix trending hashtags with niche-specific ones to reach a broader audience. For instance:

�� Video idea: Post a tour of your amenities with the hashtags:

#ApartmentLiving
#LuxuryApartments
#TikTokMadeMeTour
#DallasRentals
#ApartmentHacks

4. Quantify

When it comes to hashtags, quality is more important than quantity . While Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, research suggests using just 5-8 highly relevant hashtags to avoid looking spammy and boost engagement. TikTok, on the other hand, favors fewer but more targeted hashtags, often 3-5.

⭐️ Best Practices for Each Platform:

Instagram: Use a mix of niche, local, and trending hashtags (5-8 is ideal).
TikTok: Focus on 3-5 specific hashtags to optimize the algorithm, including one trending hashtag for visibility.

�� Always ask yourself before adding a hashtag:

Does this hashtag relate to my content?
Will it attract my target audience?

Types of Hashtags to Use on Instagram & TikTok

#Branded Hashtags

Creating a unique branded hashtag for your apartment community is a great way to increase your visibility on both platforms. Encourage residents to use your branded hashtag when posting about their living experience. This generates user-generated content and builds a sense of community.

Run a TikTok challenge or Instagram contest using your branded hashtag. For example: “Show us your favorite spot in our community using #LiveAtCommunityName for a chance to win a gift card!”

#Industry Hashtags

Leverage industry-specific hashtags to attract renters actively searching for new apartments. These hashtags help you reach potential renters and increase exposure in the multifamily niche.

Examples of popular multifamily hashtags:

Instagram: #ApartmentGoals, #RentersParadise, #ApartmentStyle
TikTok: #ApartmentHacks, #ApartmentTour, #Renting101

Using these hashtags will help you gain exposure among renters and increase your chances of appearing in search results.

#Trending Hashtags

Staying on top of trends is key for TikTok, where trending hashtags can significantly boost your reach. On Instagram, leveraging trending hashtags can help you stay relevant and increase visibility.

For instance, capitalize on trends like:

Instagram: #TransformationTuesday (before and after apartment makeovers)
TikTok: #SmallSpaceLiving (highlighting storage hacks and small apartment tours)

You can also tap into seasonal trends, like using #SpringLeasing or #NewYearNewHome to boost engagement around key rental seasons.

�� Dominate Instagram & TikTok with Confidence

By now, your hashtag anxiety should have turned into excitement. Use these updated strategies to confidently incorporate hashtags into your content and watch your engagement and leads grow.

And remember, we’re here to help! Repli is your go-to digital marketing partner, guiding you from lead to fully leased. Our social media experts are ready to elevate your hashtag strategy. Contact us today!

For more apartment marketing inspiration, follow us on Instagram & TikTok !

30 Attention-Grabbing CTAs for Your Property Website

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 14:07:00 GMT

Hey multifamily pros, let’s get real for a second. We all know the end game when it comes to online advertising—LEADS. But let’s face it, even with your trusty ILS listings and platforms like Facebook or Google Ads, you might still feel like you’re not quite hitting the mark on lead volume or quality. Sound familiar?

Well, here’s a little secret: if you’re raking in the clicks but not seeing those turn into solid leads, you’re missing a major piece of the puzzle. And guess what? It’s all about conversions .

�� Don’t Just Chase Clicks—Capture Conversions

Sure, clicks and click-through rates are great, but if those clicks aren’t converting, you’re basically letting prime leads slip through your fingers. If you’re seeing high click-through rates but only a trickle of conversions, it’s time to shift gears and optimize for conversions.

There are tons of ways to do this, but one of the fastest and most effective strategies is mastering the art of the Call-to-Action (CTA). ��

What’s a CTA, Anyway? ��

A Call-to-Action (CTA) is that magic button or phrase that nudges your website visitors to take the next step. Whether you want them to schedule a tour, fill out a form, or pick up the phone, a strong CTA can make all the difference.

But here’s the kicker: the old “click here” just doesn’t cut it anymore. Your CTA needs to stand out, create urgency, and offer clear value to get your potential renters to act NOW.

�� Nailing Your CTA: Tips to Turn Clicks into Leases

Ready to level up your CTAs? Here’s how to do it:

1. Know Your Audience & What You Want Them to Do

Got a bunch of leases expiring soon? Or maybe you’re just looking to keep your pipeline flowing? Tailor your CTA to match the specific action you want from your ideal audience.

�� Pro Tip: If you’re in a lease-up crunch, try something like “Apply Today and Get a $20 Starbucks Gift Card!” ��

2. Use Action-Packed Verbs

“Click here” is so last decade. Instead, spice things up with verbs that inspire action. Think: “Schedule a Tour Now”, “Secure Your Spot”, or “Claim Your Move-In Special”. These not only engage but also excite!

3. Show the Value Upfront

Let’s be honest—nobody likes clicking a button without knowing what they’re getting in return. Whether it’s an exclusive offer, access to pricing, or a VIP tour, make it clear what’s in it for them. Keep it transparent, keep it honest, and watch your conversion rates soar. ��

4. Align Your CTA with the Page Content

Your CTA needs to fit seamlessly into the context of your page. If you’re showcasing stunning amenities, then your CTA should match that vibe—like “See Floor Plans & Amenities Now”.

5. Design Matters: Make Your CTA Pop!

We get it—brand guidelines are important. But when it comes to your CTA button, it’s okay to break the mold a little. Use bright, contrasting colors that catch the eye and draw attention. Remember, if they can’t find the button, they’re not clicking it!

Steal These High-Impact CTAs to Boost Your Conversions Today ��

Here are some of our all-time favorite CTAs that get results. Use these on your website, landing pages, and ads to drive more traffic and turn clicks into leases:

Apply Today
Call Now for Exclusive Rates
Check Availability
Get First Month Free
Join Our VIP List
Lease Now – Limited Availability
Schedule a Tour Today
See Current Specials
Request a Quote
Reserve Your Unit Now
Pick Your Perfect Floor Plan
See The Virtual Tour
Speak with a Leasing Specialist
Take a Self-Guided Tour
This Deal Ends Tonight
View Pricing & Specials

Test, Tweak, Repeat

The best part? You don’t have to guess which CTA will hit the sweet spot. Try out different options, analyze what’s working, and double down on the winners. It’s all about finding what resonates with your audience and drives the highest quality leads.

So, ready to see your conversion rates take off? �� It’s time to give those CTAs the upgrade they deserve!

Rebel Meets Visionary: Repli Welcomes Chris Vlessis as Chief Technology Officer

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:33:27 GMT

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Atlanta, GA – September 30, 2024 – Repli, the multifamily marketing rebels shaking up the industry, is fired up to announce Vance Exstrom as our new VP of Sales. With a track record of obliterating quotas and a vision that matches our ambition, Vance is set to turbocharge the growth of our MultiHub platform and cement our position as the #1 marketing solution in the multifamily space.

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Amplifying MultiHub's Market Domination

Vance joins Repli at a pivotal moment, ready to accelerate the adoption of our MultiHub platform across its full spectrum of game-changing products: Multifamily Websites, SEO, Digital Advertising, Social Media, and more. His mission? To ensure every property management company realizes that MultiHub isn't just another marketing tool – it's the all-in-one powerhouse that's driving their online success.

Corbin Wrights, CEO of Repli, shared his excitement: "Vance isn't just a sales guru – he's a strategic mastermind. His ability to develop and execute go-to-market strategies is exactly what we need to launch MultiHub into the stratosphere. We're not just aiming to be a great marketing platform; we're gunning to be the undisputed champion of the industry. With Vance leading our sales charge, that vision is not just possible – it's inevitable."

Crafting the Future of Mulifamily Marketing

Vance's impressive journey through the proptech sales landscape has prepared him for this moment. From crushing it at Entrata to dominating at Flex and Zego, he's consistently proven his ability to drive growth and foster innovation. Now, he's set to apply that expertise to developing and executing go-to-market strategies for future MultiHub products that will empower our customers to do more and perform better than they ever thought possible.

Vance expressed his vision for the role: "Joining Repli feels like strapping a rocket to an already speeding train. The MultiHub platform is revolutionary, but we're not stopping there. I'm here to ensure that every new product we roll out doesn't just meet the market – it creates new markets. We're going to empower our customers to achieve things they never even dreamed were possible."

Setting the Gold Standard in Customer Relationship

"In this industry, relationships are everything," Vance added. "We're not just selling a platform; we're partnering with our clients to transform their businesses. My goal is to make Repli synonymous with unparalleled customer support, product knowledge and partnership. When our industry thinks of marketing success, I want Repli and MultiHub to be the first and only names that come to mind."

Driving Towards Undisputed Leadership

With Vance at the helm of our sales efforts, Repli is poised to accelerate its journey towards becoming the most powerful and number one marketing platform in the multifamily industry. His expertise in scaling sales operations and his commitment to customer success align perfectly with our ambitious vision.

Wrights concluded, "Vance's addition to our team isn't just a win – it's a game-changer. His leadership will be instrumental in driving MultiHub's growth, expanding our product offerings, and solidifying our position as the go-to marketing solution in the multifamily space. We're not just aiming for the top; we're redefining what the top looks like."

ABOUT REPLI

Born out of a rebellion against inefficient marketing processes and fragmented data, Repli is on a mission to revolutionize multifamily marketing. Our MultiHub platform empowers property management companies to centralize and supercharge their online marketing efforts with unrivaled simplicity and effectiveness. We're not just talking a big game – over 5,000 properties are already leveraging Repli and MultiHub to power their online digital marketing, proving that our revolution isn't just coming, it's already here.

For more information, visit https://www.repli360.com .

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Repli Accelerates Its Marketing Revolution: Vance Exstrom Joins as VP of Sales

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 15:34:29 GMT

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Amplifying MultiHub's Market Domination

Crafting the Future of Mulifamily Marketing

Setting the Gold Standard in Customer Relationship

Driving Towards Undisputed Leadership

ABOUT REPLI

For more information, visit https://www.repli360.com .

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Top Tips to Reduce Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) and Enhance User Experience

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 14:28:48 GMT

Welcome to our comprehensive conversation on Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS). In this blog, you'll learn what CLS is, why it matters for your website's user experience and SEO, and how to measure and improve it effectively. We'll explore the common causes of layout shifts, such as dimensionless images, custom fonts, and embedded content, and provide practical tips and tricks to minimize these disruptions. Additionally, we'll introduce you to essential tools and resources to help you monitor and enhance your CLS score, ensuring your website delivers a smooth and stable experience for all users. Let's dive in and optimize your website for better performance and higher search engine rankings!

What is Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)?

Have you ever been just about to click a link on a website, when everything on the page shifts and you click on an ad instead? This is called a layout shift, which occurs when an element on your page changes its position or size, affecting the content around it. Let’s delve into how these shifts impact the user experience, and how we can improve them!

The Rundown.

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a metric used to quantify how often webpage users experience layout shifts as a page loads or is interacted with. Google introduced CLS as one of the three Core Web Vitals to enhance user experiences. Layout shifts can happen for various reasons, such as asynchronous content loading or third-party widgets resizing themselves as the page loads. The lower your CLS score, the better the user experience is.

Aim for a CLS score of 0.1 or less. Scores above 0.25 are considered poor, necessitating optimization of these underperforming web pages.

For mobile users, layout shifts on smaller screens cause bigger movements. Hence, there are separate CLS scores for both mobile and desktop views to ensure both perform at high levels.

How Do We Measure CLS?

The formula for a layout shift score is:

Layout Shift Score = Impact Fraction x Distance Fraction

Instead of calculating these elements yourself, diagnose your site using Google’s Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console. This tool allows you to see which mobile and desktop URLs need improvement or are performing well.

How Can We Improve CLS?

Now that you understand the basics of CLS, let’s explore factors that can drastically affect your score and tips to improve them.

1. Dimensionless Images

Dimensionless images have no specific width or height, so the browser does not hold any space for these images on the page. After the images load, they can disrupt the page layout, causing unwanted shifts.

Tip: Always use images with specified width and height attributes to reserve space for them on the page.

2. Fonts

Websites often use custom fonts instead of default browser fonts, which can cause significant layout shifts as the custom fonts load.

Tip: Preload your fonts to give font assets higher priority in page rendering. Hosting fonts from your own domain can also reduce delays from third-party domains. While custom fonts are essential for branding, these methods can help minimize shifts.

3. Embedded Content

Embedding content like Instagram posts or YouTube videos can cause layout shifts similar to dimensionless images and ads.

Tip: Reserve space for embedded content by inspecting it to determine its final height and width, and allocate space accordingly.

Additional Tips and Tricks.

Minimize Third-Party Scripts: Third-party scripts can introduce unexpected layout shifts. Use them sparingly and ensure they are optimized.

Avoid Late Loading Elements: Elements that load late can push existing content down. Make sure all essential content loads early.

Use Transform Properties for Animations: When animating elements, use CSS transform properties instead of changing width or height to avoid layout shifts.

Tools and Resources.

Google Search Console: Use the Core Web Vitals report to monitor CLS and other performance metrics.

Lighthouse: Google Lighthouse provides detailed insights into page performance, including CLS.

WebPageTest: This tool allows you to test your website's performance and provides specific recommendations to improve CLS.

What Does This Mean for SEO?

CLS impacts SEO because Google prioritizes websites with good user experiences. A poor CLS score can negatively affect keyword rankings and overall SEO performance. High CLS scores are correlated with higher bounce rates and shorter session lengths, reducing the likelihood of users returning to your site.

CLS accounts for 5% of the weighted metrics in Google Lighthouse scoring. While not the most critical factor, creating pages that promote a positive, stable, and smooth user experience is essential. Keep this key metric in mind as you develop and reconfigure your website for optimal SEO performance.

Conclusion.

Improving CLS is crucial for enhancing user experience and maintaining strong SEO performance. By addressing dimensionless images, preloading fonts, reserving space for embedded content, and utilizing various tools, you can significantly reduce layout shifts and create a more stable and enjoyable browsing experience for your users.

Structured Data for Apartments: Improve Your Local SEO and Drive More Leads

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 13:55:53 GMT

In today's competitive digital landscape, ensuring that your apartment website stands out in all search engine results is crucial. This blog will delve into the world of structured data—what it is, why it’s important, and how it can significantly enhance your local SEO strategy. You'll learn how to implement structured data effectively, explore various types of schema markups relevant to apartment marketers, and discover practical tips and tools to help you get started. Let’s unlock the potential of structured data to improve your website’s visibility, increase click-through rates, and attract more quality leads.

What Is Structured Data?

Structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page, helping search engines like Google understand its content better. Often referred to as schema or schema markup, this special code format enhances the rich snippets displayed under the page title on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

For example, a “feta pasta recipe” search on Google may show two results. The first result might include a rich snippet displaying a rating, number of reviews, and total preparation time, thanks to structured data markup for recipes. The second result, lacking structured data, will appear less informative.

Structured data isn’t limited to recipes. It can be used for reviews, restaurants, products, services, local businesses, books, movies, and more. You can refer to schema.org, a collaborative effort between major search engines, to find the specific code format or markup required for successful implementation.

Why Is Structured Data Necessary for My Apartment’s Website?

While many marketers understand the crucial ranking factors in a strong local SEO strategy, fewer are aware of the growing importance of structured data. Structured data helps Google deliver the most relevant information about your website to users, increasing the likelihood of clicks. More clicks boost your rankings, leading to even more clicks and leads.

Apartment marketers should focus on two types of structured data: Local Business data and ApartmentComplex data. These ensure Google displays the correct information about your apartment community.

Local Business Markup.

Local Business markup lets Google know you’re a local business serving a specific area, enhancing your local search ranking.

Example of Local Business Schema Markup:

This markup provides essential information such as:

Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)
Price Range
Reviews
Email Address
Social Media Links
Google My Business Page Link
Photos
Website URL
URL to Map of Property

ApartmentComplex Markup.

ApartmentComplex markup provides similar information but explicitly identifies your site as an apartment complex, ensuring your traffic comes from apartment searches.

Example of ApartmentComplex Schema Markup:

This markup provides apartment-specific data points such as:

Amenity Features
Alternate Names (useful for rebranded properties)
Photos of Floor Plans or Amenities

How Do I Start Using Structured Data?

Implementing structured data may seem daunting initially, but it’s achievable with the right approach. Utilize these tips and tools.

Use Plugins: Plugins can generate basic structured data markup, though they might offer minimal information.

Hire a Developer: For more robust code, consider hiring a web developer or consulting a property tech company like Repli.

Test Your Markup: Use the Google Structured Data Testing Tool to validate your markup.

Implement via Google Tag Manager: Embed the markup into your website's HTML using a custom HTML tag in Google Tag Manager.

Additional Resources.

Schema.or g : Comprehensive resource for schema markups.

Google Search Console: Monitor your site's performance and structured data implementation.

Yoast SEO Plugin: Helps with structured data for WordPress sites.

Google Structured Data Markup Helper: Tool for generating structured data markup.

Conclusion.

Structured data is essential for enhancing your apartment website’s SEO, improving local search rankings, and driving more qualified leads. By understanding and implementing structured data, you can ensure that Google accurately represents your website’s information, leading to higher visibility and better user engagement. If you need further assistance, our team of multifamily marketing professionals is here to help. Contact us today to optimize your apartment marketing strategy with structured data.

Maximizing the Influence of Online Reviews for Your Multifamily Community

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 17:45:51 GMT

In today's competitive multifamily housing market, the influence of online reviews must be appreciated. Online reviews serve as powerful social proof, influencing potential residents' decisions and significantly impacting your community's reputation and visibility. Understanding how to strategically leverage online reviews and receive positive reviews to elevate your multifamily marketing efforts is key to a successful community.

Why Online Reviews Hold Weight.

Online reviews act as digital word-of-mouth recommendations that potential residents heavily rely on when considering their housing options. Positive reviews not only validate your community's offerings but also contribute to improving your search engine rankings, thereby increasing your community's visibility to prospective tenants.

Conversely, negative reviews offer invaluable insights into areas needing improvement, allowing you to refine your services and operational practices. Online reviews look like several things like, Google Business reviews or social media posts/comments. Understanding the importance of these reviews will assist in not only receiving positive reviews but also developing a strategy.

Social Proof and Trustworthiness.

Positive reviews serve as social proof that your multifamily community provides a positive living experience. Potential residents are more likely to trust the opinions of current residents than traditional marketing messages. This trustworthiness can significantly influence their decision-making process when choosing a place to live.

Enhanced Reputation and Credibility.

Accumulating positive reviews builds a strong reputation for your multifamily community. A higher volume of positive reviews boosts credibility and distinguishes your community from competitors in the eyes of prospective residents. Conversely, actively addressing negative reviews demonstrates transparency and a commitment to resident satisfaction, further enhancing your community's reputation.

Increased Visibility and SEO Benefits.

Online reviews contribute to your community's online visibility. Search engines like Google consider reviews as a ranking factor, especially in local search results. A community with a greater number of positive reviews is likely to rank higher, making it more visible to potential residents searching for housing options in your area.

Feedback for Continuous Improvement.

Reviews provide valuable feedback on various aspects of your multifamily community, such as amenities, maintenance responsiveness, leasing process, and overall resident experience. This feedback helps you identify strengths to maintain and weaknesses to address, guiding continuous improvement efforts to better meet resident expectations.

Marketing and Lead Generation.

Positive reviews act as user-generated content that can be leveraged in your marketing efforts. Testimonials and quotes from satisfied residents can be prominently featured on your website, social media channels, and marketing materials to attract new residents. Potential residents are more likely to convert into leads and ultimately tenants when they see positive reviews from their peers.

Community Engagement and Resident Satisfaction.

Actively soliciting reviews demonstrates that you value resident feedback and are committed to creating a positive living environment. It encourages community engagement and fosters a sense of community pride among residents who are eager to share their experiences and recommend your community to others.

Crafting an Effective Online Reviews Strategy.

Online reviews play a crucial role in shaping perceptions, driving leasing decisions, improving operational efficiency, and ultimately contributing to the long-term success of your multifamily community. Embrace the power of online reviews as a strategic asset in your marketing toolkit to attract, retain, and delight residents while differentiating your community in a competitive market.

Automated Review Requests: Implement automated email or messaging systems to solicit reviews from satisfied residents. Timing is crucial – send requests shortly after positive interactions, successful lease signings, or notable community events. For instance, after a successful maintenance request resolution or a community event that garnered positive feedback, follow up with personalized requests for reviews.

Direct Engagement: Don’t shy away from direct requests for reviews. Engage with residents during lease renewals or move-ins, and ask for their feedback on their experience so far. Direct interaction can often lead to more detailed and genuine reviews.

Clear Instructions and Incentives: Provide clear, straightforward instructions on how to leave reviews on popular platforms like Google, Facebook, Yelp, or specific industry directories. Include direct links and step-by-step guides to simplify the process for residents. Consider offering incentives like gift cards or discounts on rent for residents who leave reviews, further motivating them to share their positive experiences.

Highlighting Positive Interactions: Monitor resident interactions across various touch-points, such as website inquiries, virtual tours, or community events. When positive interactions occur, promptly follow up with residents to encourage them to share their experiences through reviews. For example, after a successful virtual tour where a prospective tenant expressed interest, send a follow-up email encouraging them to leave a review based on their positive impression.

Active Review Management: Actively engage with reviews by responding promptly and professionally to positive and negative feedback. Acknowledge positive reviews with gratitude and address concerns raised in negative reviews with empathy and a proactive approach to resolution. Demonstrate your commitment to resident satisfaction and continuous improvement.

Conclusion.

Incorporating a robust online reviews strategy into your multifamily marketing efforts is essential for building trust, enhancing visibility, and attracting new residents. By strategically soliciting, managing, and leveraging reviews, you not only gain valuable insights into resident satisfaction but also establish your community as a reputable and desirable place to live. Embrace the power of online reviews as a cornerstone of your multifamily marketing strategy and watch as positive feedback propels your community to new heights.

Ready to harness the full potential of online reviews for your multifamily community? Start implementing these strategies today and witness the positive impact on your community's reputation and resident engagement.

Multifamily Marketing Success Stories| Capital Square Living x Repli | Navigating Corporate Website Transformations

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:31:52 GMT

Explore a comprehensive customer success story featuring a dialogue between Emma Mae Sheedy, Marketing Manager at Repli, and Ryan Perez from Capital Square Living. Ryan shares the genesis of their partnership, key projects, and outcomes, particularly focusing on a demanding website launch completed within an aggressive 90-day timeline.

Introduction: Partnership Between Capital Square Living x Repli

These narratives not only reflect the successful outcomes of specific projects but also illustrate the ongoing, strategic partnership that helps both entities thrive in the multifamily industry. This blog is a must-read for industry peers looking to understand the impact of a strong client-vendor relationship and the power of advanced digital solutions in overcoming business challenges.

In the fast-paced world of multifamily real estate, a digital presence is more than just a convenience—it's a necessity. Recognizing the urgent need to expand their online identity, Capital Square Living embarked on an ambitious journey to create a corporate website. Faced with a formidable deadline of just 90 days and after several rejections from other potential partners, Ryan Perez found the solution in Repli, known not only for their technical skills but also for their capability to deliver under pressure.

The Challenge: A Tight Timeline.

The project kicked off with a clear yet daunting goal: to launch a fully functional, aesthetically pleasing, and user-friendly corporate website within a three-month timeframe. This initiative was not just about aesthetic redesign but also about enhancing functionality, improving user experience, and integrating advanced features that cater to both potential and existing clients and stockholders.

"[Repli] could do anything A to Z, whatever you could imagine they could bring to life. That's really what set them apart. You know, they did caution about the timeline and we walked through that very carefully. But never once did they say no., they were game. They were amped up, they were ready to meet the challenge. And Repli did more than that. They absolutely 100% delivered on it."

| Ryan Perez, Executive Vice President at Capital Square Living

Strategic Planning and Execution.

From the onset, Repli and Capital Square Living committed to open communication and meticulous planning. Weekly check-ins and real-time updates ensured that every milestone was rigorously monitored and any deviations from the plan were promptly addressed.

Over the three months, seven major milestones marked the project's progress from conception to launch. Each milestone represented a significant phase of the project, showcasing the dedication and hard work of all teams involved and underscoring their commitment to meeting the deadline.

Overcoming Obstacles.

While the journey of redesigning the website was filled with just a few technical challenges and edits, a significant focus was also placed on optimizing the site for search engines. The Repli and Capital Square Living teams worked diligently on SEO strategies, from alt-text image optimization to meta descriptions and keyword integration, ensuring that the site was not only functional but also visible and competitive in search engine rankings.

The integration of a custom content management system (CMS) tailored to the specific needs of Capital Square Living was another hurdle. This CMS was crucial for enabling non-technical staff to effectively manage website content post-launch, but integrating it posed its challenges.

Effective communication was the find bit that held the project together. Regular updates and honest dialogues ensured that both teams were aligned at every step. Each party held the other accountable, creating a dynamic where delays and issues were addressed promptly, preventing small setbacks from derailing the project timeline. By maintaining a commitment to transparency and accountability, both teams were able to navigate these obstacles successfully, demonstrating that effective collaboration is as much about communication as it is about technical expertise.

The Launch: Triumph Under Pressure.

The culmination of intense collaboration, expert management, and relentless dedication was a successful launch, on time and to specification. The new website not only reflected Capital Square Living's brand identity but also offered enhanced functionality with faster load times, improved security features, and a mobile-responsive design.

"The Capital Square Living team was incredibly helpful and great to work with. They were very good at getting us what we needed to ensure we stuck to our strict timeline. The relationship our teams have built continues to stay strong."

| Darian McCoy, Manager of Web Services at Repli

Looking Forward.

As we continue to support Capital Square Living, we look forward to further enhancing their digital capabilities and supporting their growth in the multifamily industry. An integral part of our ongoing support is the efficient and user-friendly support system that Ryan Perez highlighted.

"I think that Repli has streamlined the support process, and they've made it easy in a way that I simply go to a website, input a support ticket. Then get a copy of that ticket so I know that they've received it. I know when it's been assigned to a support person, and I also know oftentimes within 24 hours when that ticket has been completed."

| Ryan Perez, Executive Vice President at Capital Square Living

This system not only ensures quick and effective resolution of any issues but also exemplifies our commitment to providing continuous support and developing long-term relationships with our clients. By maintaining this robust support system, we aim to ensure that Capital Square Living's website remains dynamic, secure, and aligned with their evolving business needs.

Strong Endorsement: Ryan Perez Recommends Repli as a True Partner.

The 90-day website turnaround project by Repli for Capital Square Living stands as a testament to what can be achieved with a clear vision, strong partnership, and an unyielding commitment to goals. It’s a clear demonstration of how agile methodologies and customer-centric approaches can transform digital challenges into remarkable successes. This strong testimonial reflects the successful and dynamic partnership between Capital Square Living and Repli, showcasing how essential a reliable vendor partnership is to thriving in the multifamily landscape.

Repli Achieves 2024 Premier Partner Status in Google Partners Program

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:08:25 GMT

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ATLANTA, GA - March 15, 2024 - Repli, a leading digital agency based in Atlanta, proudly announces its achievement of 2024 Premier Partner status in the prestigious Google Partners program. Specializing in digital marketing services tailored for multifamily portfolios nationwide, Repli's dedication to excellence and innovation has earned them this esteemed recognition.

"Receiving the Google Premier Partner Badge is a huge milestone for our team,” says Mariana Duarte, Paid Media Specialist II at Repli. “I’m honored to work alongside such dedicated and exceptional individuals. Their hard work and commitment are integral to this achievement.”

As a Google Premier Partner, Repli joins an elite group, comprising the top 3% of Google Partners participants in their respective countries. This distinction underscores Repli's exceptional expertise in Google Ads, as well as its demonstrated ability to cultivate strong customer relationships and drive growth for its clients.

Ashley Groeneveld, Head of Agency Services at Repli says, “The commitment to adhering to Google's best practices in every aspect, from account management to crafting compelling ad creatives and refining overall campaign strategy, is deeply ingrained in our approach. Furthermore, our history of client growth and success in Google Ads campaigns truly solidifies our standing as a Premier Google Partner,” says Ashley Groeneveld.

Premier Partner status grants Repli access to exclusive benefits, including specialized training, advanced tools, and dedicated support from Google. Repli is also featured on the Google Partners directory, providing potential clients with easy access to their services and expertise.

Ashley Groeneveld says, “We've showcased a commendable level of proficiency in managing Google Ads campaigns, consistently meeting and surpassing Google's performance standards. Handling a substantial amount of Google Ads spend is not just a statistic for us; it's a testament to our experience and unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional results on the platform. Our team members have diligently earned various Google Ads certifications, showcasing our dedication to staying at the forefront of industry knowledge and expertise.”

To stay connected and hear what the latest is with Repli’s success at: http://repli360.com/

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ABOUT GOOGLE PARTNERS

The Google Partners program is designed to support advertising agencies and third-party partners managing Google Ads accounts on behalf of businesses. By providing access to innovative tools, resources, and support, Google Partners aims to empower companies to achieve their online marketing goals and drive business growth.

ABOUT REPLI

Founded in 2018, Repli saw a problem: multifamily is plagued with inefficient systems, dated technology, and fragmented data leading to spinning wheels, wasted money, and countless missed opportunities. Knowing there had to be a better way to bring these touch-points together, Repli built it. We are obsessed with solving for inefficiencies and clearing the way with simplicity.

Repli is a global prop-tech company with an all-in-one marketing platform built by rebels at heart. We work with multifamily properties and organizations around the world to help them own their online presence. Repli is here to simplify the prospect-to-resident experience, creating and connecting the dots wherever you show up online – from websites and SEO to ads and beyond. We’re not an agency… we’re a class of our own, and we're here to shake it up!

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Celebrating Team Culture and Growth: Inside Repli’s 2024 Rebellion Retreat

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:10:09 GMT

A symbol of Repli’s culture and promise to rebel against the status quo, the 2024 Rebellion Retreat was certainly one to remember. For Repli’s second annual company retreat, team members from across the country came together in the headquarters city of Atlanta, GA for 4 exciting days of career development, personal growth, and team bonding.

Now let’s start the recap of this year’s Rebellion Retreat!

Revealing Our Brand New Office Space: Repli’s Creative Studio
One of the big highlights and anticipations of the Rebellion was the grand reveal of Repli’s brand new office space, also known as our Creative Studio,

Enter the Creative Studio through a lever on a bookshelf that doubles as a hidden door and you’ll find yourself inside the Repli speakeasy (or workeasy). Inside is where the magic really happens.

Complete with a decked-out office gym, modern conference rooms, and an open layout that encourages collaboration, the brand new office space is a reflection of Repli’s evolution as a company. Corbin Wrights, Founder and CEO at Repli, says that it was always his goal to create a space that makes everyone at Repli proud to call their own, and to one day bring the company together from coast to coast to celebrate the grand reveal.

Located right next door to the main office, Repli’s Creative Studio is just a part of the bigger picture Repli is building and working hard towards every day. Every detail was meticulously designed to inspire creativity and fuel our culture of shaking sh*t up, and we’re excited for you to stop by one day and experience it for yourself!

Team-Led Workshops

Led by our talented team members, we kicked off our first day with a series of workshops that provided valuable insights and skills development opportunities.

These interactive sessions were thoughtfully curated to address a diverse range of topics, catering to the varied interests of each person. From deep dives into productivity mastery to insights on optimal work from home desk setups, each workshop offered actionable strategies and techniques to enhance our day-to-day working toolkit.

As we dived into these enriching discussions and hands-on activities, the collaborative spirit and collective enthusiasm was electric, creating an inspiring environment for learning and growth.

Team-Building Games and Activities

And no Repli Rebellion would be complete without a bit of friendly competition! When we weren’t participating in career or personal growth workshops, we engaged in a variety of fun office games and challenges that helped create a greater sense of camaraderie among team members. From spirited rounds of Repli trivia crosswords to adrenaline-pumping relay races, each activity encouraged us to work together, communicate effectively, and build lasting team relationships.

Beyond the games, we also participated in a volunteering activity in partnership with My Sister’s House , an Atlanta-based overnight shelter for women and children in need. By working together to assemble over 1000 snack bags for children at the shelter, we were able to give a small part back to the Atlanta community and make a positive impact together.

Throughout it all, we cherished the opportunity to connect with each other beyond the screen, creating memories that will last a lifetime in Repli’s history books.

Shaking Things Up with Passion and Purpose

The Rebellion Retreat was more than just a remote company bringing together its team members – it was a celebration of our shared drive for innovation, collaboration, and pushing boundaries.

As we departed Atlanta and returned to our respective locations, we carried with us the memories of laughter-filled workshops, energetic team-building activities, and insightful discussions that fueled our passion for shaking sh*t up in the multifamily marketing industry. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose, we are more determined than ever to keep leveling up and making 2024 a year of unprecedented success.

At Repli, we believe in the power of togetherness, creativity, and rebellion against the status quo. If you're passionate about making an impact and being part of a team that thrives on making things better and easier, we want to hear from you! Check out the open positions we have available and join us in shaping the gold standard of multifamily digital marketing.

Harnessing Social Media for Multifamily Marketing: Insights from Industry Experts

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 20:30:44 GMT

Repli is gearing up for an exhilarating adventure at the 2024 Social Media Summit in beautiful Napa Valley, CA, and we couldn't be more pumped! This event promises to be a powerhouse of insights, innovations, and networking opportunities that we simply can't afford to miss. We are thrilled at the prospect of diving deep into all things social media alongside industry leaders.

In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Social Media Summit, Emma Mae Sheedy , Marketing Manager at Repli, recently engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Jennifer Carter from JMC Multifamily Advisor. The conversation surrounds the dynamic realm of multifamily marketing, specifically on some of the most popular social media platforms that have become indispensable tools for reaching and engaging potential renters.

Listen to the conversation and get a glimpse into what we are ready to share and discuss at the 2024 Social Media Summit!

Multifamily Social Media Marketing Interview Intro

In this conversation, we're plunging headfirst into the dynamic realm of social media and its game-changing influence on the multifamily industry. We're talking about all the big hitters – from how influencers are strategically shaping campaigns to the meteoric rise of TikTok's role in our marketing strategies. But it doesn't stop there. We're also peering into the crystal ball, discussing what's on the horizon for social media marketing in our sector. And let's not forget the buzz around AI content creation and tapping into the goldmine of on-site talent. It's a full-spectrum exploration, giving us a bird's-eye view of the ever-evolving landscape of multifamily marketing.

Influencers & Influential Residents in Multifamily

In the multifamily landscape, the role of influencers and influential residents is evolving into a pivotal force shaping the industry's marketing dynamics. These individuals wield considerable influence by authentically showcasing their experiences within a community, offering prospective renters a genuine glimpse into life on-site. From highlighting amenities to sharing personal anecdotes, their content paints a vivid picture that resonates with our target audience, fostering a sense of belonging and aspiration. This authenticity not only enhances the credibility of our marketing efforts but also establishes a strong foundation of trust and relatability among potential residents.

As the multifamily sector continues its rapid evolution, the strategic integration of influencers and influential residents is emerging as a cornerstone of our marketing strategy. By harnessing their storytelling prowess and leveraging their social reach, we can effectively amplify our brand message and connect with audiences on a deeper level. As such, we're committed to nurturing these partnerships and exploring innovative ways to leverage their influence to drive engagement, loyalty, and ultimately, occupancy rates.

Mutlifamily Utilizing TikTok Ads & Campaigns

The emergence of TikTok as a cornerstone platform for multifamily marketing initiatives is a testament to its growing influence and efficacy in reaching modern audiences. During the discussion, Emma and Jennifer shed light on TikTok's remarkable potential to drive higher conversion rates compared to conventional advertising channels. They emphasized how TikTok's format, centered around short yet captivating video content, perfectly aligns with the preferences and behaviors of today's consumers. This emphasis on visual storytelling offers multifamily marketers a powerful tool to showcase properties, amenities, and community vibes in a compelling and engaging manner.

As TikTok continues to skyrocket in popularity across diverse demographics, its role in multifamily marketing is evolving beyond expectation. The platform's vast reach and viral nature provide unparalleled opportunities to connect with potential renters on a deeper level, fostering authentic engagement and brand loyalty. With its innovative features and creative possibilities, TikTok enables multifamily marketers to push boundaries, experiment with new approaches, and craft impactful narratives that resonate with audiences on a profound emotional level.

In essence, TikTok's meteoric rise signifies a paradigm shift in multifamily marketing, ushering in an era of creativity, authenticity, and unparalleled connection with prospects. As multifamily professionals embrace this transformative platform, they stand poised to unlock untapped potential, drive meaningful engagement, and propel their marketing strategies to unprecedented heights of success.

Predictions for 2024 Social Media Marketing in Multifamily

As we peer into the horizon of the multifamily sector, it's evident that the future holds a plethora of exciting opportunities for innovative and authentic social media strategies. Video content, in particular, is poised to maintain its dominance, serving as a powerful medium to not just inform but deeply engage with audiences, allowing them to immerse themselves in the unique essence of each community.

Yet, the true essence of success lies in forging genuine connections – moving beyond the transactional to foster a sense of belonging and community spirit among renters and residents alike. As our industry navigates through these transformative changes, the landscape of multifamily marketing is set to undergo a profound metamorphosis, emphasizing the paramount importance of creativity, authenticity, and meaningful interaction in shaping vibrant and thriving communities of the future.

Conclusion

The perspectives shared by Emma Mae Sheedy and Jennifer Carter offer a compelling glimpse into the forthcoming trajectory of multifamily marketing. As social media assumes an increasingly central role in engaging potential renters, it becomes imperative for the industry to wholeheartedly embrace the influence of influencers, harness the potential of platforms like TikTok, and prioritize the art of authentic storytelling. The burgeoning landscape of innovative social media strategies ushers in a realm of fresh possibilities, presenting marketers in the multifamily sector with an exhilarating juncture of exploration and creativity.

With the highly anticipated Social Media Summit just around the corner, these invaluable insights are poised to ignite a wave of inspiration and spark transformative conversations within our industry. Let's seize this opportune moment to dive deeper into the multifaceted world of social media marketing in multifamily, and together, chart a course toward unparalleled success. Reach out, and let's embark on this exhilarating journey together, fueled by passion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to excellence!

Common Multifamily Marketing Mishaps and How to Avoid Them

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:15:45 GMT

In the multifamily world, the cornerstone of success lies in effective digital marketing strategies because they determine the vitality and growth potential of your community, directly correlating to generating qualified leads and lease agreements.

Yet, amidst the hustle and bustle, it's all too easy to fall prey to common marketing mishaps that can impede your community's growth and success.

In this blog, we'll share six common mishaps that multifamily marketers often encounter and, more importantly, how to proactively avoid them. From the importance of regularly updating your content to incorrect resident personas that may cause you to target the wrong demographic, let's explore these strategies to ensure your marketing efforts thrive in today's digital landscape.

1. Forgetting to Update Your Content

Your website and social media platforms are often the first touchpoints for potential residents. Regularly update these channels with fresh content, including photos, videos, blog posts, and community news and events to boost your online visibility and credibility.

Keep these tips in mind to prevent your content from getting stale:

Stay Relevant to Your Audience: Focus on hyperlocal SEO keywords that resonate with your target renters. Instead of broad terms like "apartments in Atlanta," opt for specific phrases like "Buckhead Atlanta apartments for rent" or “apartments near GSU” within your on-page copy and metadata. This targeted approach ensures you attract high-quality leads interested in what your community has to offer.

Match Local and Community Updates: When a trendy new coffee shop emerges in the neighborhood or your property is getting a clubhouse amenities upgrade, it's the perfect chance to incorporate these exciting developments into your website's neighborhood page or social media posts. Mentioning these new attractions demonstrates that your community is in tune with the pulse of the neighborhood, reinforcing the idea that living there means being part of a vibrant and ever-evolving community.

Avoid Generic Content: AI tools that churn out generic content may seem convenient, but they do little to showcase your community's unique offerings if you don’t make it more personalized. For instance, rather than posting a summer cocktail recipe on a blog or social media post, share photos from a recent resident event where the cocktail was served. This approach not only engages prospective renters but also gives them a glimpse into the vibrant community life you offer.

2. Not Keeping Specials Consistent

If you feature specials on your website, ensure they are promptly removed when they expire. An outdated website can lead to frustration and confusion among potential renters, ultimately driving them away from your community.

Moreover, maintaining an updated website reflects positively on your community's overall professionalism and attention to detail. It instills confidence in prospective tenants, assuring them that they can rely on your community to provide accurate and reliable information throughout their leasing journey.

In today's competitive multifamily market where renters have countless options at their fingertips, ensuring your website is current and accurate is a small but significant step towards creating a positive impression and ultimately securing leases for your community.

3. Failing to Optimize the Property Website

First impressions matter, and professional photographs are your community's first introduction to potential renters. Ensure that your website features plenty of high-quality images that showcase your community's amenities, interiors, and exteriors, but be mindful to not to slow down the page speeds of your website. Tagging these images correctly and adjusting image sizing across all views not only enhances their visibility but also improves your website's overall SEO performance.

High-quality video content can be another powerful tool for showcasing your community, whether that’s virtual walkthroughs or promotional videos of the community. However, improperly formatted videos can slow down your website's load time and cause prospects to click off very quickly so make sure these video specs are optimized for web and mobile viewing to provide a seamless user experience.

Finally, prospective renters should also be able to easily access information about amenities without having to dig through multiple menus and pages. Keep amenities prominently displayed on your home and amenities page to provide potential renters with a comprehensive overview of the vibrant lifestyle your community offers.

4. Separating Multifamily Marketing and Sales Teams

Did you know that keeping your community’s marketing and sales team divided can lead to missed opportunities and inconsistencies throughout the property, potentially causing confusion amongst renters?

From website content to social media posts, these discrepancies can erode the community's brand image and undermine its credibility in the eyes of prospective residents.

Whether it be lease-renewal campaigns for younger renters at student apartment communities or a mid-rise new development looking to attract young professionals and small families, bringing both teams together allows for better communication and alignment of goals, leading to better targeted and more effective campaigns built on shared data insights and feedback.

5. Ignoring Low-Hanging Fruit

In the fast-paced world of multifamily marketing, overlooking simple yet effective strategies can be a common mistake.

Take, for example, the often neglected task of completing your Google Business Profile. It may seem like a small detail, but it holds significant potential for enhancing your community's online presence.

By investing just five minutes to ensure your profile is up-to-date with essential information like floor plans, location, and hours, you can maximize your visibility in the digital landscape with relevant information about your community that’s readily available. This way, when potential renters search for properties in your area, you make it easier for prospects to find and engage with your community. It's like putting up a bright neon sign that says, "Look no further, your dream apartment is right here!"

Moreover, an optimized Google Business Profile lays the groundwork for more effective advertising campaigns. Whether you're investing in Google Ads or relying on organic search traffic, a complete profile enhances the performance of your marketing efforts where every component works in harmony to attract and convert leads.

6. Creating Incorrect Resident Personas

Multifamily marketing is all about targeting a specific audience and if your team's efforts are focused on renter demographics that aren't aligned with your property's offerings, the returns from your campaigns may be minimal.

The foundation of effective targeting lies in the creation of well thought out resident personas. By conducting research on your current and potential residents, you can gain insights into their demographics, goals, and challenges – all of which will enable you to identify commonalities and craft targeted personas that resonate with your ideal audience.

We’ve got a newly updated Renter Personas eBook free for marketers, property managers, and multifamily professionals to download and use, so check it out here and get started on refining your ideal renter persona.

Filled with impactful data and insights from Gen Z to Baby Boomers, learn how to take generation characteristics such as age, lifestyle, hobbies, shopping preferences, and more, and use them to create detailed personas that can inform and revolutionize your digital marketing strategy.

Turning Insights into Action

As we've explored throughout this blog, every detail plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining residents. At Repli, we understand the importance of these elements, which is why our digital marketing services are designed to address your community's unique needs.

Whether it's optimizing your website for maximum visibility or creating targeted social media campaigns, we're here to help you navigate the complexities of multifamily marketing.

Connect with us today to discover how our comprehensive services can help you achieve your leasing goals and stand out in a competitive market!

Mastering the Art of Resident Reviews

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 15:00:01 GMT

Resident reviews are a dynamic force that can shape the narrative of your community, so there’s no better time than now to leverage this tool to build trust with potential residents and elevate your apartment community to new heights.

From managing reviews to turning negative feedback into opportunities, let's explore how to harness the full potential of resident reviews for your apartment community.

1. Why Reviews Create Leads Online: The Trust Factor

Imagine your community as a story where each resident contributes a chapter to its narrative. In this tale, resident reviews are the blueprint that shapes your community's identity.

Positive reviews build trust and credibility, acting as endorsements from real people who have experienced life in your community. In the digital age, prospective residents rely heavily on online reviews to make informed decisions so by showcasing a positive online reputation, you increase the likelihood of converting online leads into actual residents.

Suppose your community utilizes various social media platforms. In that case, these success stories can be highlighted there to reach different age groups who may be more prevalent on one platform than another while positioning your apartment community as a sought-after living destination.

Pro-tip: download our free Renters Persona eBook to learn more about optimizing your social media channels to reach different generations of renters.

Incorporating reviews into your website and marketing materials also provide an element of authenticity that may resonate with your target renters, and these testimonials can even be used to create targeted online campaigns to reach untapped potential tenants and earn their trust early in the renter’s journey.

2. Managing Resident Reviews: A Strategic Approach

Effectively handling resident reviews requires a proactive and strategic approach.

We recommend implementing a robust review management system that allows you to monitor, respond to, and analyze reviews across various platforms. For instance:

Utilize software tools for real-time notifications, ensuring you stay informed about new reviews as they come in.
Regularly check review sites, social media platforms, and your website to maintain an up-to-date understanding of your community's online reputation.
Respond promptly to both positive and negative reviews to demonstrate your commitment to resident satisfaction and community engagement.

Additionally, carve out some time to conduct periodic surveys to gather specific feedback from current residents on amenities, services, and community events because engaging with residents through personalized interactions not only addresses concerns but also strengthens the sense of community and loyalty.

Then, use these insights gained to fine-tune areas for improvement and further enhance the resident experience.

3. Dealing with Negative Reviews: Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Negative reviews are inevitable, but they present an opportunity to showcase your community’s commitment to first-class customer service.

Promptly and professionally address negative feedback, whether in person or through an online platform, while expressing empathy and a willingness to resolve the issue. Additionally, encourage residents to reach out directly to discuss concerns, demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving and a positive environment for making changes.

By using dissatisfied reviews as constructive feedback to identify areas for improvement within your community, you also turn something negative into a positive showcase of your community's dedication to resident happiness.

Moreover, consider implementing a follow-up process to ensure that resolved issues are communicated back to the resident. This not only closes the feedback loop but also demonstrates to other potential residents that you are responsive and committed to continuous improvement.

4. Collecting Positive Reviews: Nurturing a Culture of Appreciation

Fostering a culture of appreciation within your community can lead to a steady stream of glowing reviews, and that is one powerful marketing tool that can significantly influence potential residents’ decisions between your apartment community and your competitors.

Leverage your community's strengths, such as outstanding amenities or a responsive maintenance team, to inspire residents to share their positive experiences. When you encourage satisfied residents to share their experiences online through incentives, such as referral programs or community events, remember to make the review process simple for residents by providing direct links and easy access to popular review platforms.

To go an even step further, feature resident spotlights on your website and incorporate authentic content on social media channels, where individuals share their personal success stories and positive experiences within the community to build a sense of pride among residents.

Resident Reviews: A Comprehensive Impact

Reviews are not just about building an online presence; they play a crucial role in shaping your community's identity. Positive reviews highlight your community's strengths, acting as testimonials that attract like-minded residents. Addressing negative reviews demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and resident satisfaction.

Overall, a well-managed review strategy contributes to a positive online reputation, increased resident retention, and a competitive edge in the multifamily real estate market.

At Repli, our goal is to support your journey in mastering the art of resident reviews and ensuring your multifamily community thrives in the digital landscape. For more of our free guides and apartment marketing resources check out our website here –> https://www.repli360.com/apartment-marketing-resources

The Power of Video Marketing in Multifamily

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:30:02 GMT

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In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, one thing is always clear and that is staying ahead of the game. While traditional methods still have their place, the growing influence of video marketing is impossible to overlook.

Dynamic and engaging videos open the door to creatively showcase multifamily properties, build trust with potential renters, and boost your online presence. In this blog, we'll dive into four compelling aspects of video marketing and show how these strategies can transform your multifamily marketing efforts.

1. Property Tours: Step Inside Your Next Home

One of the most impactful ways to leverage video marketing in the multifamily industry is through immersive property tours. With each click, potential renters can virtually step inside their next home, explore the layout, and wander through the spaces at their own pace. It's like having an open house at your fingertips 24/7 – without ever leaving the comfort of your current residence.

But it's not just about convenience; it's about depth and detail. By showcasing key interior features, unique community amenities, and the overall ambiance of the property, you provide a more comprehensive view than static images or text descriptions ever could.

Take a look at one video property tour we did for 2Bayshore, featuring breathtaking arial drone views and detailed community walk-throughs: https://www.2bayshore.com/

These videos ultimately become the digital doorway for interested renters and allow them to evaluate their potential next home before even considering scheduling an in-person community tour.

2. Resident Testimonials: Building Trust Through Authenticity

Trust is a crucial factor in the decision-making process for prospective renters and resident testimonials captured on video can be a game-changer.

Whether it’s the heartfelt gratitude of a resident who has found their ideal home, the excitement of someone who enjoys the amenities, or the genuine appreciation for the responsive maintenance team, resident testimonials captured on video showcase the voices of those who matter most: your residents.

When people hear firsthand experiences from satisfied residents, it adds authenticity and credibility to your apartment community. It's not just the management or marketing team making claims about the property's excellence; it's your current residents, sharing their living experience and expressing their satisfaction.

Remember that residents who genuinely enjoy living in your multifamily community will often be willing to share their positive experiences. Be transparent about your intentions of the testimonials and consider offering incentives like gift cards as a token of appreciation for residents who volunteer their time and effort to help you.

3. Video Ads for Online Promotion: Captivate Your Audience

Carefully crafted video advertisements can captivate audiences, draw them in, and convey your property's unique appeal. When it comes to video ads, placement is key and platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok open up an expansive landscape to reach a diverse and far-reaching audience.

YouTube

As one of the largest search engines in the world, YouTube is a powerhouse for video marketing. Here, your video ads can appear both as pre-roll ads before videos or as suggested content alongside relevant videos. This provides a great opportunity to engage with individuals seeking their next home by showcasing breathtaking property tours, resident testimonials, or highlighting the community's lifestyle.

Facebook

With its massive user base, Facebook is a treasure trove of potential renters. Video ads on this platform can seamlessly integrate into users' newsfeeds, capturing their attention as they scroll through updates from friends and family. Facebook's advanced targeting options also allow you to tailor your video ads to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, ensuring that your content resonates with the right audience.

TikTok

TikTok is another video-centric platform with a massive user base and a constant stream of content optimized for mobile, short-form videos. It’s the perfect place to tap into cultural trends of the moment and connect with a younger, more tech-savvy audience who are making decisions about their living spaces. Here at Repli, we’re already making waves through our phase 1 of testing TikTok ads and discovering how this tool can open new doors for multifamily marketing.

4. Social Media Presence: Connect and Engage

A solid social media presence is vital in today's digital landscape and the true magic lies in its ability to boost engagement and foster genuine connections.

Tap into the visual-centric platform of Instagram, where video content in the form of Instagram Reels allows you to spotlight the aesthetics and lifestyle offered by your apartment community. These moving frames are often more engaging than regular pictures and they have a better chance of receiving engagement from multiple touchpoints throughout the app, such as users' stories, feeds, and the Explore section where potential renters can discover your community for the first time.

These videos can be posted organically, and over time they will help build your social media presence and provide immersive visuals for potential renters hoping to get a different perspective of your community.

Elevate Your Multifamily Marketing with Video

Nearly every industry is experiencing a video marketing revolution, and the multifamily industry is no different.

Property tours, resident testimonials, video ads, and social media presence are all powerful tools in your marketing arsenal and Repli is already utilizing some of these strategies to enhance the digital presence of apartment communities all across the country.

So, what are you waiting for? It's time to bring your multifamily marketing to life through the growing power of video content. Take a look at our videography services here —> https://www.repli360.com/creative-services

Unlock the Power of Storytelling: Elevate Your Multifamily Brand with Rebel Tips

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:30:21 GMT

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Storytelling isn't a domain reserved solely for creative minds; it's a dynamic tool that resides within every individual, including you! Let's take a moment to reflect: does your multifamily property narrate a story that stirs emotions and strikes a chord with your audience? Is your marketing, social media, website, advertisements, and messaging effectively amplifying your business's core essence?

"Embracing the enchanting magic of storytelling can transform your brand into an unforgettable presence." Here at Repli, we're seasoned puzzle solvers, poised to piece together a captivating narrative exclusively for you.

We recently delved into the insights of Rebel Julia Sharrock, Web and Graphic Designer at Repli, to explore the finest strategies for elevating your Multifamily Brand.

Rebel Tips to Elevate Your Multifamily Brand ��

1. Defying the Status Quo - Crafting Lasting Impressions

"Break free from the ordinary and embrace the dynamic landscape of innovation with unwavering confidence!" Flourishing in the multifamily industry entails embracing the latest trends and consistently striving for industry leadership. Instead of tackling everything at once, let Repli serve as your guide. "Our expertise lies in transforming websites, ads, and messaging into outstanding examples that shine amid the competition." In a world brimming with videos, articles, news, and social media content, your business must assert its distinctive voice. How? "By masterfully crafting a compelling narrative that satiates the thirst for uniqueness, you can seize your audience's attention and etch an indelible mark."

2. The Evolving Marketing Landscape

"The marketing game is an ever-shifting landscape, offering an opportunity for us to innovate and redefine boundaries." Staying ahead of the industry requires embracing the latest trends and consistently delivering excellence. At Repli, we're here to help you navigate challenges with finesse. "We specialize in transforming websites, messaging, ads, and more into standout assets." In a content-saturated world, your multifamily business requires a distinct voice to stand out.

3. Sharing Your Uniqueness through Context

"Effective communication thrives on context." Utilize intelligent comparisons, such as "before and after" scenarios, to enhance comprehension and communication. "Highlight what sets your property apart from others, leveraging sources of truth like glowing reviews and captivating 'before and after' apartment transformations." This approach showcases your dedication to residents and their living experience.

4. Displaying Excellence through Visual Storytelling

"Tap into the power of captivating images and videos to convey excellence." Craft a breathtaking video for your hero header to instantly captivate your audience. "Videos offer an accessible format to convey information and provide an authentic experience of your property's distinctive features."

5. Beyond Rebranding - Rethinking the Problem

"Consider moving beyond mere rebranding and explore reshaping the issue itself." Whether it's social ads, website redesign, or messaging refinement, your branding endeavors can uncover exciting possibilities that extend far beyond your product.

6. Crafting Branded Multifamily Websites

"In the realm of design, evoking emotions is paramount." A compelling user experience hinges on colors, imagery, animation, interactive tools, and engaging videos. "By creating a user-friendly, intuitive experience, you communicate value, enticing potential renters to invest in your property." Your website transforms into a canvas for showcasing your property's unique ambiance, molding potential residents' perceptions.

7. Amplify Partnerships for an Enhanced Experience

"Elevate your renter experience by collaborating with local businesses like restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and gyms." Showcase these partnerships on your website to grab the attention of potential renters. "Your website functions as your modern storefront, so spotlighting exceptional collaborations can further captivate your audience."

In conclusion, your multifamily brand's journey toward resonance and distinction rests on the foundation of storytelling and innovation. Repli stands ready to guide you through the dynamic terrain, helping you craft a narrative that captivates hearts and minds. As you harness the power of storytelling, your brand will ascend into the echelons of lasting impact, forging connections and leaving an indelible mark in the multifamily landscape.

Learn more about the incredible ways Repli can elevate your multifamily brand by visiting: https://www.repli360.com/services

About Julia Sharrock

The insights and wisdom shared in this article come from the expertise of Julia Sharrock, our visionary web designer at Repli. Julia brings a wealth of experience and passion to the multifamily industry. Her journey has been one of relentless curiosity, seeking innovative ways to fuse design and technology to create captivating brand narratives. Drawing from her extensive background in digital storytelling, she has a profound understanding of how emotions drive decisions and the power of visual and written narratives to captivate audiences.

Julia's career path has been marked by a deep commitment to not just creating visually appealing designs, but also crafting experiences that resonate with people on a personal level. Her belief in the magic of storytelling led her to explore how this concept could be harnessed in the multifamily industry. Through tireless dedication, she's become a driving force at Repli, helping clients amplify their brand presence and connect with their target audience in meaningful ways. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling, and she's excited to continue guiding businesses toward crafting narratives that leave a lasting impact.

5 Tips to Maximize Keyword Tracking Results in the Multifamily Marketing

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:04:01 GMT

Smarter Ways to Leverage Your Keywords

In the competitive world of multifamily marketing, your keyword strategy can make or break your lead generation efforts. If you’re not leveraging keyword tracking to its fullest, you’re missing out on potential renters. Let’s dive into how you can turn keyword insights into leasing success! ��️

1. Understand What Your Prospects are Searching For ��

Don't just track keywords—understand the intent behind them. This means going beyond surface-level keywords like “apartments for rent” and exploring phrases like “pet-friendly apartments with parking.” Use these insights to create targeted content that resonates.

2. Optimize Your Website for High-Intent Keywords ��

Your website should be your top source of leads! Use keyword data to optimize on-page elements like meta titles, descriptions, and headers. For example, highlight amenities that your audience cares about. This not only improves your SEO but also ensures your website answers the questions potential renters are asking.

3. Keep an Eye on Competitors ��

Keyword tracking isn’t just for your own site—it’s a goldmine for competitor insights. Analyze what keywords your competitors rank for and find opportunities they’re missing. This can help you carve out your niche in the multifamily market.

4. Leverage Keywords in Paid Campaigns ��

Use your high-performing keywords to refine your PPC campaigns. Allocate budget towards keywords that drive conversions and adjust bids on underperforming ones. This ensures you’re getting the most bang for your marketing buck.

5. Continuously Adapt to Changes ��

The digital landscape is always evolving, so your strategy should too. Regularly review your keyword data to stay updated on market trends. This proactive approach keeps your marketing efforts sharp and effective, helping you stay ahead of competitors.

Maximize your multifamily marketing potential by using these keyword tracking strategies to boost your leads and leases. Ready to take your keyword game to the next level? �� Contact Repli today to transform your website into a lead-generating machine!

A Comprehensive UA to GA4 Dictionary for Seamless Transition

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:03:16 GMT

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Unlocking the full potential of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) requires understanding the new terminology and concepts that differentiate it from Universal Analytics (UA). To bridge this gap, let’s talk about the verbiage in terms and concepts that translate from UA to GA4, enabling you to navigate the transition with ease and maximize your data insights.

Whether you're familiar with UA or new to Google Analytics, we are here to equip you with the knowledge needed to seamlessly adapt to GA4's event-based tracking model, enhanced e-commerce capabilities, and user-centric reporting. From Account to Measurement ID, Property to Data Stream, and Events to Conversions, let’s pinpoint the key differences and parallels between the two analytics platform communication.

Account (UA) to Measurement ID (GA4)

In UA, the term "account" serves as the highest level of organization within the analytics structure, acting as a container that holds all the properties, views, and configurations related to a specific business or entity. GA4 introduces a new concept known as the "Measurement ID," a unique identifier that replaces the traditional account structure and is assigned to each property within GA4.

While an account in UA encompasses multiple properties, in GA4, each property is associated with a distinct Measurement ID. This shift emphasizes a more granular and flexible approach to data organization and tracking. By utilizing Measurement IDs, businesses can precisely identify and analyze individual properties within their analytics framework, enabling more targeted insights and tailored strategies.

Property (UA) to Data Stream (GA4)

A ‘property’ in UA serves as a representation of a website, app, or entity that is being tracked within the analytics framework. It allows businesses to consolidate and analyze data specific to that particular entity. The concept of property in UA is replaced by the notion of a data stream in GA4.

A data stream expands beyond the limitations of a single website or app and encompasses data collection from multiple sources, including websites, apps, and other digital platforms. This evolution reflects GA4's broader scope in data gathering, enabling businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of user behavior and engagement across various digital touchpoints. By transitioning from the notion of a property to a data stream, GA4 offers a more versatile and holistic approach to data collection and analysis.

View (UA) to Reporting (GA4)

In UA, views play a crucial role in data analysis by enabling users to create filtered or modified versions of their data, allowing businesses to focus on specific subsets of their data and extract meaningful insights.

In GA4, the concept of views is replaced with "reporting." Reporting encompasses more than just creating filtered versions of data; it encompasses the entire process of customizing reports and exploring data within the GA4 interface. GA4's reporting feature offers businesses greater flexibility in generating custom reports tailored to their specific needs, empowering them to delve deeper into their data and uncover actionable insights.

Events (UA) to Events (GA4)

Both UA) and GA4 employ the term "events" to signify user interactions or actions taking place on your website or app. However, GA4 introduces a significant enhancement with its more comprehensive and flexible event-based tracking model compared to UA.

GA4 offers a broader range of possibilities for tracking and analyzing user behavior, allowing users to gain deeper insights into specific actions, such as button clicks, video views, downloads, and more. With GA4's advanced event-based tracking, users can obtain a more granular understanding of user engagement and optimize a website or app accordingly to drive better outcomes.

Goals (UA) to Conversions (GA4)

In UA, users utilize goals to track specific actions or conversions on their websites. These goals serve as valuable metrics to measure the success of marketing efforts and track user interactions. In GA4, the equivalent concept is referred to as "conversions."

GA4 takes conversion tracking to the next level by providing more advanced options, such as enhanced measurement and conversion modeling. GA4 automatically tracks a broader range of conversions, giving a more comprehensive view of user actions and outcomes. This conversion modeling leverages machine learning to estimate conversions even when direct tracking is not available, enabling businesses to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions.

E-commerce Tracking (UA) to Enhanced E-commerce (GA4)

Tracking e-commerce transactions in UA is facilitated through specific features and reports designed for this purpose. However, in GA), there is a shift towards a more advanced approach known as the enhanced e-commerce model.

This upgraded model not only replaces traditional e-commerce tracking but also introduces enhanced functionalities that offer increased flexibility and more detailed reporting on product interactions and sales. With the enhanced e-commerce model in GA4, businesses can delve deeper into their customers' purchasing behaviors, gain valuable insights into product performance, and optimize their online sales strategies with greater precision.

Funnel Visualization (UA) to Path Analysis (GA4)

In UA, the funnel visualization feature offers valuable insights into the step-by-step conversion process for specific goals. It allows you to track users' progression through various stages of a defined conversion funnel, identifying potential bottlenecks or drop-off points.

In GA4, this concept is replaced with a more comprehensive and dynamic feature called "path analysis." Path analysis goes beyond traditional funnel visualization by providing a visual representation of user paths and interactions within users' websites. It allows users to explore the different paths users take, understand the sequence of events or pages they engage with, and identify common navigation patterns.

User Explorer (UA) to User Explorer (GA4)

Both UA and GA4 offer "User Explorer" that provides an in-depth analysis of individual user behavior. By using this feature, you can view detailed information about a specific user's sessions, including the pages they visited, how long they stayed on each page, and any interactions they had with your content.

Additionally, you can see which events a user-triggered during their session and which specific goals or conversions they completed. This information can be valuable in identifying patterns in user behavior, improving user engagement, and optimizing your website or app for better performance.

Segments (UA) to Audiences (GA4)

Segments play a crucial role in UA, filtering and analyzing specific subsets of your data, however, in GA4 the concept of segments has evolved into "audiences." While audiences still retain the ability to filter and analyze data subsets, they offer an additional advantage by enabling audience-based targeting for marketing purposes.

With GA4, you not only have the capability to create segments to analyze data but also to leverage those segments for targeted marketing campaigns.

Custom Variables (UA) to Custom Dimensions and Metrics (GA4)

In the transition from UA to GA4, the concept of custom variables undergoes a transformation. In GA4, custom variables are replaced with two distinct components: "custom dimensions" and "custom metrics."

Custom dimensions in GA4 serve as a powerful tool to provide additional context and information about your users or events. They enable you to categorize and segment data based on specific attributes or parameters relevant to your business goals. With custom dimensions, you can gain deeper insights into user behavior and tailor your analysis to focus on specific user segments or actions.

Custom metrics in GA4 allow you to define and track custom numerical values that align with your specific measurement requirements. By setting up custom metrics, you can monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) unique to your business. This flexibility empowers you to track and evaluate the metrics that matter most to your organization, providing a more tailored and meaningful analysis of your data.

Source/Medium (UA) vs. Traffic Source (GA4)

In UA, the term "Source/Medium" is used to refer to the origin of traffic to your website or app. It provides insights into where your visitors are coming from, such as Google/organic (organic search results on Google) or newsletter/email (traffic generated from a newsletter or email campaign).

In GA4, the equivalent concept is called "Traffic Source." It serves a similar purpose by offering information about the source and medium of user traffic. By analyzing the Traffic This information helps you understand the effectiveness of different marketing channels and optimize your strategies accordingly. While the terminology may differ slightly between UA and GA4, the fundamental purpose remains the same: to provide visibility into the source and medium of user traffic.

Bounce Rate (UA) vs. Engagement Rate (GA4)

In UA, the bounce rate is a metric that measures the percentage of single-page sessions where users leave the website without any further interactions. Essentially, it indicates the proportion of visitors who didn't engage beyond the landing page.

The concept of engagement rate in GA4 takes a step further. It calculates the percentage of sessions that involve at least one event or interaction, providing a more comprehensive and nuanced perspective on user engagement. Unlike UA's focus solely on single-page sessions, GA4's engagement rate takes into account any form of user interaction throughout the session, offering a deeper understanding of user engagement patterns and behaviors. By considering a wider range of user actions, GA4's engagement rate provides a more accurate representation of how users engage with your website.

To learn more about the transition and differences between UA to GA4, Repli has created a number of resources available: https://www.repli360.com/apartment-marketing-resources

We understand starting a multifamily marketing is challenging, but Repli is always here to help. Our digital marketing experts are here to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us and get to know more about multifamily marketing today by clicking the Get Started Button or by clicking here !

MULTIHUB x WOORANK NEW PARTNERSHIP

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 16:27:10 GMT

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ATLANTA, GA - June 03, 2023 - Repli, a national marketing and software development leader in the multifamily space, announced today a new partnership with WooRank, a software platform that analyzes website data, provides actionable advice, and helps achieve marketing goals. Through this new partnership, MultiHub users are given a free 30 days of WooRank tools to utilize starting on June 01st through the 30th.

Through the collaboration between WooRank, MultiHub, and Repli the introduction of game-changing features allows customers to evaluate the SEO performance of their entire portfolio in a single roll-up report, conveniently accessible within one platform. Whether it's improving website structure, increasing traffic, or boosting engagement, WooRank's latest features can help MultiHub users take their marketing efforts to the next level.

“Partnering with WooRank is like hiring a personal trainer to improve the online presence of our customers,” said Ashley Groeneveld, Head of Agency Services. “It will speed up the website review process, provide greater online visibility, easily identify website enhancements that will optimize performance, and provide valuable lead data, trend analysis, and insights to help build and maintain websites. It's the extra push of technology that will whip our websites into shape and make sure they're turning heads and taking names on the digital catwalk.”

This partnership addresses a common pain point for marketing teams who struggle to consolidate and analyze data from different sources. With WooRank's inclusion in MultiHub, businesses can seamlessly merge data from paid media campaigns, SEO efforts, and website performance, providing a comprehensive overview of their digital marketing strategy.

“For years, customers have faced difficulties in assessing the actual impact of their SEO efforts,” said Siobhan Park, Head of Marketing and Training at Repli, “WooRank and our MultiHub reporting now empower users to gain a comprehensive understanding of their keyword performance and site effectiveness, revealing exactly how these factors influence SEO. This is a huge step forward in solving for inefficiencies with SEO and reporting within Multifamily.”

This partnership is the first of many to come that will redefine how marketers collect and review data at scale for their multifamily companies and properties.

To learn more about WooRank and the value it brings, you can visit the WooRank page on the Repli website at: https://www.repli360.com/order-form/woorank

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ABOUT REPLI

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Unlocking Success: How GA4 Transforms Multifamily Marketing Strategies

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Thu, 25 May 2023 19:34:43 GMT

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Repli consistently embraces change and advocates for adaptability. With the transition from UA to GA4 (Google Analytics 4) is exciting and a huge part of enhancing data-driven decision-making in the world of multifamily. Recognizing the significant improvements GA4 offers, such as advanced machine learning capabilities, cross-platform tracking, and event-based data collection, multifamily companies across the nation will have gained a competitive advantage by leveraging these features.

With the recent sunsetting of UA and the introduction of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), technology continues to improve and promise more success than ever. By enabling GA4 throughout the last year across client profiles, Repli has been able to unlock valuable insights, that have allowed us to test and optimize marketing strategies, and deliver a personalized and seamless user experience across various platforms and devices for our clients.

Change can be overwhelming. Repli recognizes the importance of addressing this challenge head-on. We are dedicated to helping inform customers of the reasons behind each transformation. Through detailed explanations and insightful resources, Repli ensures that customers have a clear understanding of why these changes are happening and the benefits that they bring to multifamily businesses.

GA4 is a significant upgrade from Universal Analytics (UA), the previous version of Google Analytics.

While UA focuses on page views, sessions, and other metrics, GA4 takes a more user-centric approach. It uses machine learning to analyze user behavior across multiple devices and platforms, providing a more holistic view of user interactions. This is especially important in today's digital landscape, where users can access websites from a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.

With the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing and user behavior, the transition from UA to GA4 has already proven it’s significance. The way users interact with websites and online platforms has evolved dramatically in recent years, driven by advancements in technology and shifts in consumer preferences. GA4 addresses this need by providing a more comprehensive approach to tracking user behavior, enabling businesses to understand the complete user journey rather than just isolated page visits.

GA4 also introduces new features that help businesses better understand their audience and improve their marketing efforts through detailed reports. For example, the update allows for a more robust tracking system, giving multifamily businesses the ability to track and analyze customer behavior throughout the purchase funnel. It also includes advanced event-tracking capabilities, which can help businesses track specific user actions, such as page-focused clicks, downloads, and video views.

With increasing concerns over data privacy and regulations such as GDPR and CCPA, GA4 offers more control over data collection and processing. It also provides better protection for user data, reducing the risk of data breaches and other security issues.

While there may be a learning curve in transitioning from UA to GA4, the benefits are well worth it. By using GA4, multifamily businesses can gain a deeper and more complete understanding of their audience, track user behavior across multiple devices, and improve their marketing efforts. Additionally, with its privacy-focused approach, GA4 provides a secure and reliable platform for data collection and analysis.

The shift from UA to GA4 is driven by the need to adapt to the changing digital landscape, which includes the rise of mobile devices, multiple touch-points, and evolving user behavior. By embracing GA4, multifamily businesses can gain a competitive advantage in today's digital landscape and better understand their audience to drive success.

To learn more about the transition and differences between UA to GA4, Repli has created a number of resources available: https://www.repli360.com/apartment-marketing-resources

Repli Releases New Report Dashboard in Partnership with Reputation

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Wed, 03 May 2023 15:09:12 GMT

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ATLANTA, GA - April 19, 2023 - Repli, a national marketing and software development leader in the multifamily space, announced today a new report dashboard in their reporting platform MultiHub in collaboration with Reputation. Through this partnership, MultiHub users will have access to some of the most advanced reporting tools in the multifamily industry in one easy-to-use interface that allows them to analyze their online Reputation data quickly.

The new report dashboard software has been designed to provide MultiHub users with insights into their reputation score and the elements that impact it. The software is powered by Reputation’s industry-leading technology and provides a comprehensive view of their online reputation, enabling them to make more informed decisions.

“Over the last four years, we've developed a strong strategic partnership with Repli, which has had great success in bringing Reputation's different technology solutions to market through their holistic apartment marketing platform,” says Jen Kalant, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Reputation. “The partnership between Reputation and Repli has enabled many leading property management companies to provide an elevated experience for tenants by analyzing and acting on customer feedback."

One of the key features that Repli x MultiHub is utilizing from the Reputation suite is the proprietary Reputation Score that measures a business's overall online reputation on a scale of 0 to 1,000. This score is based on various factors, including the quantity and quality of online reviews, social media engagement, and search engine rankings.

Reputation's platform utilizes Natural Language Processing (NLP) to break down customer sentiment and analyze feedback. This provides real-time insights into trends and topics, allowing businesses to take swift action to improve their online reputation.

“Those that have adopted the Reputation score have been able to correlate higher scores with improved financial performance, and are using it in conjunction with key KPIs,” says Kerstin Young, CX Strategist of Property Management/Senior Care at Reputation. “Not only does the Reputation score tell you where your brand stands, but it gives prescriptive, tailored recommendations for how to improve - so you know exactly what to address and how - helping you stay focused on taking action to succeed!

The Reputation Report within MultiHub enables users to compare their performance metrics, such as review volume, star ratings, response rates, and Reputation Score industry benchmarks, against those of their chosen competitors.

“The importance of tracking your Reputation score over time is crucial to understanding everything your customers say, feel, and hear about your business in one single metric - in other words, think of it as a credit score for your brand's reputation,” says Kerstin Young

Through MultiHub’s new Reputation Report Dashboard, users can quickly and easily access their online reputation data, their Reputation Score, and the factors that impact it, allowing users to make more informed decisions. With these new tools, MultiHub users will be even more equipped to track their progress and improve their online presence in the competitive multifamily space.

To stay connected and hear what the latest is with MultiHub, users can visit the Release Notes page on the Repli website at: http://repli360.com/multihub-release-notes

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ABOUT REPLI

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Cost & Benefits of Blogging on Your Apartment Website

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:00:07 GMT

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Imagine yourself as a prospective renter browsing through two different apartment websites.

You’re well informed about both apartments’ similar floorpans, prices, features, and amenities. The only difference is that apartment “A” created a blog section that features a variety of topics on apartment living around their community, and apartment “B” doesn’t. Which apartment community leaves a better impression?

The fundamental purpose of an apartment website is to inform its residents and prospects. Pages like the floorplan, amenities, neighborhood, galleries, map, and contacts are a must. Still, many property managers wonder if blog sections are necessary for apartment websites.

If you’re still wondering about joining the blog bandwagon, we analyzed the cost and benefits of blogging on your apartment website. After reading you can decide whether or not to put your marketing efforts into blogging.

Here are the benefits of having a blog on your apartment website:

1. Drives Significant Website Traffic

Driving traffic visits to your website is key to meeting your business goals and leaving no vacancy unit behind. Having a community blog can make your site more valuable, push for higher organic visibility, and share more information with your potential and current residents.

Blog topics as simple as community events, neighborhood information, and fun city activities will not only attract audiences within the community but, people who are planning on moving into the community. This helps you branch out your audience to a larger group of people, allowing them to know your brand.

According to the State of Inbound, 82% of marketers who blog consistently see positive ROI and increased rankings in search engines. With a higher search ranking, your apartment will have a higher chance of staying on top of the search results and be more visible than your competitors.

Businesses that spend time actively blogging receive 67% more leads than those who don’t. With this information, we could conclude that apartment websites with blogs on average have more leads than websites that don’t.

2. Affordable Form of Marketing

Blogging is more budget-friendly for apartment communities with limited to no budget for advertising and marketing. Because the apartment website is already yours, there is no extra investment needed for additional blogging platforms. The apartment website is the best place for blogging, and the apartment's social media is a great promotional tool for sharing new content.

In addition, the apartment managers are the experts in apartment floorplans, community, outside neighborhood, leasing process, and moving timelines. These experts can be the most informative bloggers for your apartment community already, meaning there is no need for outsourcing blog copywriting.

Finally, if you’ve got the blogger and the platform – you already have what you need to start a blog for your apartment today!

3. Lasting Marketing Value

Great Content = Great Value!

Blog posts can be the consistent advertising your apartment wants. With people frequently visiting the site for additional life information/content, the apartment blog posts show visitors the value of continuously coming back. This then leads to visitors coming back to share or repost your content with their network. With ‘on point’ content, you will begin to notice that your blogs are contributing to your overall traffic within around six months.

Finally, make sure your content stays relevant. Due to the fact that blog post topics renew frequently, we encourage you to invest your time in evergreen content that maintains the same value in the long term.

4. Stronger Audience Targeting

Apartment blogs can be used to target different groups of audiences. Focus on writing blogs that speak to different interests, languages, hobbies, and lifestyles.

Let’s use college students and pet owners as examples of target audiences. By understanding college student lifestyles, you know writing blogs that highlight all the fun activities and convenient public transportation around the apartment community is what will attract college students.

On the other hand, when targeting pet owners, write blogs on pet events hosted around the city and highlight all the pet-friendly features within and outside your apartment.

5. Provides Educational Content For Prospects

A blog is an excellent source for apartment communities to emphasize the advantage of living within that specific community. As an apartment industry expert, there is an expectation by prospective renters to provide insights into the apartment knowledge better than anyone else out there.

We’ve detailed some topics for blog posts that are known to grab prospect’s attention:

Everything You Need to Know to Live in [Community Name]
Top Ten Moving Tips, Make Your Apartment Moving Easy
Pet Events You Don’t Want to Miss
Top 5 Places to Explore When You First Arrive at [City’s Name]

The benefits of website blogs are incredible and hard to look past. Now, let’s talk about the costs of taking your apartment website to the next level through blogging.

Here are the costs that come with having a blog on your apartment website:

1. Time-Consuming

Frequency is the key when it comes to blogging, which means consistency is important. When deciding to blog, the team needs to be dedicated to spending a lot of time coming up with topics and actually creating the content. Blogging can be very time-consuming, which can make people shy away from blogging if the team is small.

According to Orbit Media, each business blog post takes, on average, 3 hours and 16 minutes per piece to complete. The more frequently blog posts appear on the site, the more likely it is to increase traffic. Apartment experts need to carefully plan out how much time they want to invest in blogging on their own, with it being so timely.

2. Return Takes Time

Don’t expect an instant return in traffic and conversions at the beginning of a blogging project. Based on multiple studies, the average time it takes for a new blog to get traction on search engines is around 3 to 6 months.

Patience in return is key to long-term success. Blogging is a long-term strategy to gain traffic and tenants, blog posts won’t show success as fast as you think.

3. There May Be Additional Expenses

Although blogging is cheap, it doesn’t mean there are no costs at all. Just like every project and job, time is money. The time invested in writing blog content costs time and energy when it could be spent on other areas, projects, and activities.

According to Sprout Social, if you want to outsource your blog writing and make it easier, be expected to spend between $25-$150 on each blog post.

After evaluating the benefits and costs of blogging on an apartment website, we hope you have an idea of whether or not adding a blog section as part of your inbound marketing approach is best for your business goals.

We understand starting a community blog is challenging, but Repli is always here to help. Our content experts are here to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us and get to know more about content marketing today by clicking the Get Started Button or by clicking here !

The Rebellion: Repli Corporate Retreat Builds Bonds in Remote-Work Environment

emma@repli360.com (Emma Sheedy) — Thu, 02 Mar 2023 15:50:01 GMT

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When people think of ‘business trips’ they tend to think of sending employees to meetings with clients, visits to another office to meet coworkers, or attending a conference across the country. But Repli continues to rebel against the status quo.

In February 2023, Repli brought together their remote team to meet in person at the first-ever rebranded Rebellion Retreat in Treasure Island, Florida.

23 members of Repli traveled by planes, trains, and automobiles from across the nation, to a beautiful hotel by the beach for 4 days of company training, career development, and relationship building.

The Rebellion Retreat was an opportunity to build on what Repli is most proud of and known for; their company culture through a newly developed Culture Code. The goal was to embed the culture code into Repli’s daily thinking to always ensure every member has a heart for the mission, their clients, and each other.

“Introducing something as big as the culture code is not an easy feat. So there was no better way to show that we're going All In on the code than by hosting The Rebellion,” says Siobhan Park, the Head of Training and Marketing at Repli. “Using the culture code as a guide, our team had the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how we work together and how we show up for our clients. And the Rebellion Retreat did just that.”

By bringing together a remote team from across the nation, Repli was able to grow their rebellion, improve their company culture and overall prove that the team is Better Together. The 4-day retreat was filled with training opportunities, career growth, and company developmental strategies.

From understanding the importance of effective communication in a team pitch competition to breaking down how to communicate feedback appropriately, the Rebellion expanded the team’s knowledge of each other and helped with growing professional skills that Repli identified the team could benefit from.

“We set out to develop our collective strengths, identify our challenges, and enrich collaboration as a united team. It's just another way that we're shaking shit up for good,” Siobhan Park continues.

With a remote team, some of the Repli team members had NEVER met in person. With team activities, projects, and tons of free time, the Rebellion was an opportunity for everyone to collaborate, get to know each other, spend time building real relationships and have fun.

“Overall it was a great experience! Everything from boat rides to dancing with team members, Repli is making revolutionary steps to make sure people feel valued and appreciated through a fun, positive culture,” says Julia Sharrock, Web Designer at Repli. “The best part is, we're just getting started. I’m looking forward to all the exciting things coming this year and I can't wait for next year's Rebellion!”

Anyone could tell you that Repli is obsessed with taking care of their people but that’s not all. Repli emphasizes that they are fed up with convention, and find deep satisfaction, exhilaration, and purpose in solving for inefficiencies in the multifamily industry. Repli pushes the envelope to bring about positive change, a fresh perspective, and even reawakening processes in the industry.

“The incredibly welcoming, and dedicated culture of Repli along with the long-lasting relationships built with clients and other coworkers has obviously been a huge contributing factor to Repli’s success over the last 5 years,” says Emma Mae Sheedy, Marketing Manager at Repli. “Because of Repli’s culture, every member of the team is excited for tomorrow. We are all ready to take on any challenge and change the game of multifamily marketing.”

The passion and drive of the Repli Rebellion has only grown since February. The Rebellion was a key factor in not just bringing everyone together for a fun week or learning more about career development, but proving that Repli is the definition of Rebels with a Cause.

Through the bonds built at the Rebellion retreat, Repli employees are now refreshed, open to new ideas, and have a stronger motivation for cross-departmental projects and activities.

Siobhan Park says, “There has definitely been an improvement in team collaboration. The team now knows and understands each other so much better than before. I think productivity has increased too!”

Repli believes if there is a will, there is a way. Mastery is their motivation and their goal is to become experts through improved action. Repli continues to break the rules and destroy what isn’t working.

Repli continues to grow their business and culture by bringing people into the Rebellion that are passionate about improving what’s already out there, fixing what doesn’t work, and rebelling against the status quo.

Repli is a class of their own, and is shaking sh*t up for good.

The Rebellion is growing! Interested in working here? Head to http://repli360.com/careers to see what positions we have available, and maybe you’ll be on our Rebellion Retreat next year!

Repli Utilizes Apple Business Connect Through Partnership with Reputation

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 15:31:15 GMT

ATLANTA, Georgia - January 17, 2023 - Repli, a national marketing and software development leader in the multifamily space, announced today through their partnership and integration with Reputation, a new tool is about to be added to the toolbox. Apple Business Connect allows Repli businesses to claim their location place cards and customize the way local business information appears across Apple Maps, Messages, Wallet, Siri, and other Apple applications.

This new software gives Repli the opportunity to share key information in a more efficient manner while allowing for the delivery of accurate, up-to-date information at scale, seamlessly engaging with Apple users.

This new integration is a great opportunity for properties and companies on Repli's platform to showcase consistent and accurate data across their digital channels,” says Michael Estep, COO of Repli. “Reputation, like Repli, is constantly updating and utilizing new integrations, one of the many reasons the Repli-Reputation partnership continues to strengthen."

Three key factors of this partnership growth allow Repli to create stronger, more detailed marketing tactics for their customers. By enabling updates at scale, collecting insight into performance efficiently, and allowing Apple users to see and engage with business information easily, Reputation’s involvement in Apple Business Connect’s expansion is exciting for Repli.

“This new integration isn’t just going to make Repli’s job easier, it’s going to allow us to make big changes quickly and efficiently. We are going to be able to really shake sh*t up,” says Brittney Roquemore, Head of CS/X at Repli.

ABOUT REPLI

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Name: Emma Mae Sheedy, Marketing Manager at Repli

Email: emma@repli360.com

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

Repli Unveils Major Rebrand and Brings Its Culture and Technology to the Forefront

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 17:01:31 GMT

ATLANTA, Georgia - November 01, 2022- Repli, a prop-tech company providing digital marketing technology and solutions for multifamily properties & organizations across the globe, has unveiled its extensive rebranding efforts today at the 2022 OPTECH Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NV. In response to accelerated company growth and a renewal to its company vision, Repli partnered with TENFOLD, a culture-strategy and creative firm based in Columbus, OH, to bring their competitive edge to life by identifying the strengths of Repli's culture and technology and articulate them with clarity and creativity.

“Disrupting an antiquated system is not easy – we have worked relentlessly on building a platform that solves our industry’s biggest digital marketing challenges and a reputation that makes us the gold standard,” said Corbin Wrights, Chief Executive Officer of Repli, adding “This rebrand is a crucial next step for the Repli brand to become synonymous with the technology that revolutionizes the prospect-to-resident shopping experience.”

Repli has cemented its status as a market leader for apartment websites and digital marketing solutions. It has experienced 470% growth over the past three years, earning the No. 1376 spot on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America, and tallying 1,000+ properties nationwide with over 1,500+ active monthly subscriptions. Bootstrapped, hungry and humble – breaking new ground daily with no plans to slow down – Repli has forged partnerships with several of the industry’s best including Ram Partners, Pegasus Residential, American Landmark, Waterton, and more.

“Our old branding has served us well over the past four years, but it was time to level up. This new brand is not your run-of-the-mill, button-down type of identity. It’s fresh, innovative, and captures everything great about who we are as an organization and manifests our role in the industry - the rebels with a cause.” Siobhan Park, Head of Training & Marketing, Repli.

At the heart of this rebrand is a change of Repli’s visual identity, environmental activation, website, and messaging that powerfully embodies Repli’s rebel–minded approach to solving multifamily’s greatest challenges for apartment marketers and operators. Repli's new branding will be rolled out over the coming weeks and reflects the brand's vast capabilities, strong culture, and unwavering commitment to its people, customers, and partners.

ABOUT REPLI

This is the rebellion… the Repli to the status quo.

PRESS CONTACT

Name: Emma Mae Sheedy, Marketing Manager at Repli

Email: emma@repli360.com

Press Kit: https://www.repli360.com/using-our-brand

REPLI Named One of Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:15:41 GMT

ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- REPLI, a prop-tech company pioneering digital marketing technology and solutions for the multifamily industry, announced its placement on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This prestigious list represents the companies and entrepreneurs that have consistently and rapidly expanded their business, and REPLI was ranked No. 1376 after experiencing 470% growth over the past three years.

"To be listed on the Inc. 5000 list of companies is truly an honor," said Corbin Wrights, CEO and founder of REPLI. "I believe the growth we've experienced is a reflection of our commitment to culture, the empowerment of our team members, the enduring relationships forged with our partners and clients, and our commitment to rebelling against the status quo in order to solve our industry's biggest challenges."

REPLI will continue to set the bar and experience hypergrowth into 2023 and beyond. "2022 has been our biggest year in revenue and team growth, and we're excited to break new ground daily with no plans of slowing down," said Wrights.

Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000 .

About REPLI:

Founded by Corbin Wrights in 2018, Atlanta, Georgia-based REPLI provides multifamily organizations the digital marketing technology and services to efficiently market their apartment communities online – at scale. REPLI is one the of industry's fastest-growing bootstrapped prop-tech companies in the United States, managing and servicing over 300,000 units nationwide. With teams located in the US, UK, Philippines, and India – REPLI's global footprint supports our unyielding commitment to client success and satisfaction.

REPLI's Aha! Moment happens when a multifamily organization has a portfolio of properties that needs a full, omnichannel digital marketing presence (website, SEO, digital advertising, social, reputation management) and realizes that because of REPLI's technology and services, they can have a fully integrated digital marketing stack ready to go live in a matter of days and the ability to manage it all from a single, centralized backend that seamlessly integrates with their property management software systems and platforms.

For more information, please visit www.repli360.com

About the Inc. 5000

The Inc. 5000 is a list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The Inc. 5000 is a celebration of innovation and a hallmark of entrepreneurial success.

Media Contact: Siobhan Park, siobhan@repli360.com

Google Business Profile Updates Spam Policy

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 15:06:08 GMT

Have you noticed a recent slew of Google Business Profile posts being removed recently? It’s most likely due to the recent update to their spam policies. Read on to learn how your photos, posts, video, and logos could be breaking their spam policy.

What is Google Business Profile’s Updated Spam Policy?

Google Business Profile’s content policy has become increasingly strict to prevent spam from misleading customers. The previous spam policy identified content as spam if it included:

Misspellings
Gimmicky character use or gibberish
Images, videos, or links that distract the user
Links to irrelevant to the business
Poor image or video quality
Phishing scams

But a new line item has been added, “Duplicate photos, posts, videos, and logos.”

What’s the consequence for breaking their spam policy?

If you’re caught using duplicate posts, videos, logos, or photos the post may be rejected or removed from Google Search and Google Maps.

How is REPLI adapting to this updated policy?

Effective August 9th, 2022, REPLI will cease using photos in our GBP posts for 30 days. We will use this time to do the following:

Conduct research on the impact of photos in post engagement and GBP performance
Create a process to allow our customers to easily submit new photos for the REPLI teams use in posting

Our Customer Success team will be reaching out to our customers to discuss any concerns or answer questions. Like always, our SEO team is working hard to change our strategy to keep up with Google’s constantly evolving policies and algorithms. So just sit back and relax knowing our team is all over this and will be making the best adjustments to ensure your property is getting the most out of their Google Business Profile listing.

Pegasus Residential Sees 8.2% Increase in Lease Volume & 83% Decrease in Implementation Timelines After Expanding Partnership with REPLI

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 15:27:52 GMT

Atlanta, GA — Pegasus Residential, a top 50 property management company, recently chose to expand their growing partnership with REPLI, a proptech company that provides a cloud-based, multi-channel digital marketing platform which enables organizations to manage their online presence at scale. This expansion involved migrating a vast majority of Pegasus’ portfolio onto REPLI’s digital marketing platform and managed services.

Pegasus’ decision to transition their entire portfolio to REPLI is centered on REPLI’s ability to provide a centralized marketing platform that streamlines marketing operations, creates consistent data portfolio-wide, and allows their team to analyze and optimize performance across their digital channels.

“We're honored and thankful Pegasus chose to expand their partnership with us. This is a great opportunity for Pegasus to leverage our platform so their team can focus on efficiency, strategy & optimizing their clients NOI at scale.” - Michael Estep, Chief Operating Officer for REPLI

Having an exclusive marketing partner to execute and manage all digital marketing solutions saves time, consolidates costs, and creates data integrity. Furthermore, it guarantees portfolio-wide reporting efficiency on data metrics and shows proven performance across websites, SEO, and digital advertising.

“With an organization of our size and the rapid growth we are experiencing – REPLI’s platform aligns perfectly with our strategy to streamline operational workflows and leverage automation to get up and running fast when we acquire new assets. We are a technology-centric, data-driven company and when we saw that REPLI was able to help us reduce the implementation timelines for a property’s digital marketing stack from 2-4 weeks to an average of 3-5 days while increasing qualified prospect generation by 10% and lease generation by 8% – it was a no brainer for us to make REPLI our exclusive marketing partner.” - Bob Keator, SVP, Business Services for Pegasus Residential.

About REPLI

Founded in 2018, REPLI is a leading prop-tech company that provides best-in-class websites and digital marketing solutions to multifamily organizations. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia - REPLI is one of the fastest-growing bootstrapped prop-tech companies in the United States, managing and servicing over 400,000 units nationwide. For more information, visit www.repli360.com .

About Pegasus Residential

Pegasus Residential is a boutique, third-party Management Company that is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and they manage 35,000 units in more than 40 metro markets. Pegasus Residential provides expertise in acquisitions, new development, and re-development; and, also serves as consultants in building and construction services for their clients. For more information about Pegasus, visit www.PegasusResidential.com .

Media Contact: Devin Harvey, dharvey@pegasusresidential.com

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) - What It Is & How to Improve It On Your Website

corbin@multihub.io (REPLI Team) — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 16:28:00 GMT

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

Have you ever been just about to click a link on a website, when everything on the page shifts and you click on an ad instead? This is called a layout shift , or when an element on your page changes its position or size, thus affecting the content around it. Let’s figure out how these shifts impact the user experience, and how we can improve them!

The Rundown

Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a metric to quantify how many times webpage users experience layout shifts as a page loads or is interacted with. Google doesn’t like unexpected layout shifts either, so they created this as one of three Core Web Vitals introduced by Google Search to improve user experiences. Layout shifts happen for a variety of reasons; the content on your page may be loading asynchronously, or a third-party widget may be resizing itself as the page loads. As you may already be understanding, the lower your CLS score, the better the user experience is.

You should aim to have CLS scores of 0.1 or less. Anything above 0.25 is considered poor, and you should strongly consider optimizing these web pages that underperform.

For mobile users, layout shifts on a smaller screen create bigger movements. Thus, there are separate CLS scores for both mobile and desktop views to ensure both are working at a high performance level.

How Do We Measure CLS?

The formula for a layout shift score is:

Layout Shift Score = Impact Fraction x Distance Fraction

Instead of calculating these elements yourself, simply diagnose your site using Google’s Core Web Vitals report in Google Search Console . You will be able to see what mobile and desktop URLs are poor, needs improvement, or good.

How Can We Improve It?

Now that you understand the basis behind CLS, let’s explore the number of factors that may drastically affect your score.

Dimensionless Images

Dimensionless images have no specific width or height, so the browser does not hold any space for these images on the page. After the images load, they may affect the format of the page and cause those bad layout shifts that move contents from their original positions. The simple fix to this issue? Always use images with a specified width and height!

Fonts

Websites most often use custom fonts rather than default browser fonts. In doing this, significant layout shifts can occur throughout the page as the custom font loads. Try preloading your fonts so that font assets will have a higher priority in page rendering. Among other tactics, you can also make sure to host fonts from your own domain to avoid the delay from third-party domains. Unfortunately, custom fonts are essential for branding and design, so this specific layout shift may not be able to be completely eliminated.

Embedded Content

Embedding content on your page allows you to import and display content from other sites, like Instagram Posts, Youtube videos, and more. However, like dimensionless images and ads, a lot of these widgets do not include accurate dimensions in advance. Try using the same method we outlined when reserving space for ads, but in reverse. Load your embed content on your web page and inspect it to get the final height and width. Then, make sure you allocate space for these dimensions to minimize or eliminate any layout shifts.

What Does This All Mean for SEO?

Cumulative Layout Shift does impact SEO, as Google wants users to visit the sites that have good user experience. If your web page doesn’t have a good CLS score, it may influence keyword rankings and lower the performance of your overall SEO. In fact, higher CLS scores are correlated with higher bounce rates and shorter session lengths, limiting the potential for users to return to your site in the future.

CLS accounts for 5% of the weighted metrics in Google Lighthouse scoring. While it is not nearly as important as other factors that impact optimization, you still want to create pages that promote positive, stable, and smooth user experience. Make sure to keep this key metric in mind as you develop and reconfigure your website for best SEO performance!

Hours Are Going Away for Your Google Business Profile

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 17:46:30 GMT

Have you noticed business hours are no longer available for your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listing?

This is due to a recent change in Google’s policy regarding businesses listed as an apartment building. Even if your hours are not affected now, they will be in the near future.

We understand the importance of your Google Business Profile and its impact on local SEO. That’s why we are working together with our partner Reputation.com to keep you up to date on the latest information and recommendations regarding this major change.

See below for the latest information regarding this policy update and what the recommended options are. We will be keeping this post updated with the latest information and recommendations from Google. If you have questions regarding your Google Business Profile listing, reach out to your customer success representative or support. Our team will be happy to help you navigate through this major change.

Summary:

Google has recently changed how Google Maps displays apartment building operating hours. Going forward, apartment buildings should not show business hours, since they are in theory open 24 hours.

Change Description:
Historically, Google has allowed “apartment building” listings to update their business hours freely, so that the management of the building can flag when the building is open for visits. Google has recently changed this behavior. According to Google, “apartment building” listings are not expected to be able to update their operating hours anymore.

According to Google:
“Per policy, hotels, apartment buildings and other lodging cannot have business hours as they are considered businesses with no set opening or closing times. Therefore, we are unable to update the business hours, and the hours must be removed from your other apartment listing(s)”
Google has updated their guidelines here , you can find it under “Business Hours”.

Options available:
Recommended option: Change the Google listing primary category to "apartment complex" and set "apartment building" as the secondary category. This will allow you to update your hours while still keeping the "apartment building" category.

Secondary option: Change the Google listing primary category from “apartment building” to one of the following. This will not only impact Google, but also the other directories (Facebook, Bing, Apple, etc.).
Apartment rental agency
Property management company
Condominium rental agency

At this time, we do not recommend this option as it could have a significant impact on your local SEO and appearance in the local pack. See FAQ for more details.

Tertiary Option: Create a second listing for your leasing office. At this time, we do not recommend this option due to the risk of the leasing office being flagged as a duplicate listing. We are hoping Google will release the “ Department ” feature for the Apartment category, but as of today, this option is not available.

FAQ:

When did Google roll this change out?
We don’t know the exact timing. Google has removed the ability for most listings but not all.
Do we know the ramifications of changing the listing category related to SEO?
Changing the category directly impacts what keywords Google considers a business most relevant for. So yes, there are ramifications.
Is it fair to think that if you change your category to Apartment Rental Agency and if someone searches “apartments near me” your property may not show up?
Yes, that could happen. We would recommend keeping the category the same and using Posts and Q&A to try and put hour information on there.
Are categories like "apartments" and "apartment complex" impacted by this change, or is the update specifically related to the "apartment building" category?
Initially, only "apartment building" listings seemed to be affected. However, apartment complexes are just as likely to be affected moving forward. There is no guarantee that a listing is not going to be affected if switched to another category. We don't know exactly what Google is rolling out in terms of changes, other than what they’ve publicly shared.

*Updated December 17, 2021

2022 Local SEO Trends for Multifamily

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 17:12:42 GMT

Apartment Marketing in 2022 should be focused on local SEO. Here's everything you're going to need to know.

Search Engine Optimization has been a hot topic in the multifamily industry for years. But despite a growing understanding of the importance of SEO, many property management companies and ownership groups aren’t focused enough on local SEO.

While much of the classic SEO best practices - such as meta-data and keywords - still have their place, local SEO is frequently overlooked as a crucial part of the renter experience. Local SEO by definition is becoming the customer touchpoint that begins and ultimately defines the entire experience of your customers.

Let’s look at what local SEO trends will define your 2022 strategy and what you need to know in order to succeed.

User Experience is Everything

Back in 2020, Google announced that they are shifting including UX signals in their SEO algorithm. The first wave of this was seen through the Core Web Vitals update - and experts agree there will be many more UX-focused updates to come.

A good user experience includes fast page speeds and load times, an easy-to-navigate design, and good experiences on mobile and desktop. (Google has already announced that a shift to mobile-first ranking will be coming soon.)

So, what are some additional items that can negatively impact UX? Here’s are most commonly spotted list:

Pop-ups - these have been against Google guidelines since 2017
Slow page speeds - With so many third-party tools utilized on property websites, it’s hard not to have an impact on page speed. But make sure you’re not sacrificing experience for novelty features
Images and video sizes - Apartments rely on high-quality, striking images and videos to sell their property. But you don’t actually need the largest image size available on your site. Most images should be less than 1MB.

Google Business Profile is Non-Negotiable

Previously called Google My Business (GMB) , Google Business Profile is Google’s answer to improving the way search intent and the SERPs are displayed.

Google has announced that they are making major improvements to their local business listing tool over the coming months giving business owners more control of their listing directly on a search results page.

Google Business Profile is essential for capturing renters in all phases of the renter journey as fewer users rely on ILSs, websites, and social media for information.

Don’t Forget About Zero Click Results

We put all this work into our websites and third-party listings, but more and more Google searches are resulting in the user getting the information they need from the search results page. Meaning they never clicked through to your website.

In fact, a good organic click-thru rate (CTR) averages only around 3-5%, and with the rise of zero-click results, that number could decrease.

So, what does this mean for your property?

If users don’t click through to your site that doesn’t mean they aren’t a viable prospect. This could imply they are not very far along in the renter journey and are simply gathering information on the local area, comps, or initial pricing.

Focus on your local listings, particularly Google Business Profile. Ensure all NAP data is accurate, utilize the posts feature with pricing and availability on any floor plans, and prioritize your online reputation management.

Your Website Needs to Be Your Source of Truth

With fewer users clicking through to a website, it’s never been more important for your website to be the ultimate source of truth for your property. But, why?

You can safely assume anyone that visits your website is farther along in the renter journey and is looking for accurate, up-to-date information on your property. Whether they are comparison shopping your property or ready to sign a lease, this is the opportune moment to build trust with your prospects.

Video is a Golden Opportunity

When a user performs a search on Google they are met with one of 3 things:

Organic or paid website listings
A Google Business Profile or Google Maps listing
YouTube videos

The lack of video content in multifamily is almost criminal. Creating video content to highlight the property, the local area, and resident reviews and lifestyles are golden chances to earn more precious retail space on SERPs.

“It’s expensive and time-consuming,” is probably the most common pushback we hear about creating video content. But it doesn’t have to be. iPhones and simply video editing apps make it possible to make highly-consumable content with little to no videoing expertise - just look at TikTok .

Online Reputation is Crucial

Everyone knows that online reviews are an essential part of any SEO strategy and can directly impact leases , but there’s been a big update. Google Business Profile is starting to pull in more third-party reviews into the listing. So be sure to respond to negative reviews on all platforms and develop strategies to get more positive reviews overall.

Schema Markup is Favored by Google

Schema has long been favored by Google and other search engines because of how easy it is to crawl your site’s most important data. We absolutely recommend incorporating the following schema markup into every website:

LocalBusiness schema
ApartmentComplex schema
Review schema

These three schema markups will tell Google, in the most direct way possible, your hours, location, phone number, website address, positive reviews, logo, property images, price range, and so much more.

Want our schema top tip? Don’t just include the property address in your schema. Include the longitude and latitude of the property for the most accurate geo-tagging possible.

Redefine Your Local SEO in 2022

Going into 2022, your local SEO strategy needs to be tighter than ever. It’s never been more important to stay on top of local SEO trends as Google continues to make massive shifts in the way they approach SEO signals and rankings.

But despite any changes, the most important thing to keep in mind is the user-first experience. Prioritize showing prospects and renters what information they need to see throughout their online journey with your property.

For additional help, reach out to our team of SEO experts. Contact us today to learn more.

Google My Business Is Making a Big Change

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 21:08:55 GMT

A new name and more features are coming to Google My Business.

Google is rolling out more changes to their local business management product - Google My Business. The first change….it’s no longer called Google My Business. Learn about all of the branding and feature changes coming to Google My Business and what it means for multifamily business listing management.

It Starts With a New Name

Google has renamed Google My Business to Google Business Profile. This is the new name going forward in an effort by Google to “keep things simple”. While this may seem like a huge change, Google Business Profile has gone through a long list of name changes over the years. So while it may take some getting used to - GBP certainly doesn’t roll off the tongue like GMB - the name change is not the biggest change on the table.

Next Goes The App

Google has been making moves to encourage businesses to manage their single listing directly on Google Search or Google Maps. While this is a feature that has been available for some time, most businesses actually manage their profiles within the Google My Business console. Google is now encouraging users to manage their listings within the web interface or mobile apps.

Managing Multiple Locations

However, for most of the multifamily industry, managing each property directly within the interface or app is not ideal. Don’t worry! The Google My Business console will be renamed “Business Profile Manager” and will continue to support larger businesses and agencies managing multiple locations. However, we do expect there to be more changes coming to the console throughout 2022.

New Features

There’s still plenty to be excited about. Google also announced new features coming to Google Business Profile. The new features include:

The ability to claim and verify locations directly in Google Search or Google Maps
Call History is officially launching in the US and Canada
Messaging can be done directly in Google Search and read receipts can be controlled in Google Search and Maps

Some of these features are still only available for a select group of businesses, but expect them to become fully available soon.

What Does This Mean for Multifamily?

As it stands, these changes aren’t going to drastically impact the way you manage your local listings. The Google Business Profile console will still be available to manage multiple locations.

However, we do anticipate there will be more changes coming to Google Business Profile as Google continues to allow more features to work directly within Google Search and Maps. So make sure you continue to follow REPLI for the most up-to-date information on managing your Google Business Profile listing.

The End of Expanded Text Ads is Coming June 2022

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:42:43 GMT

It’s official - major changes are coming to Search campaigns in Google Ads starting June 30, 2022.

Google is ushering in a new era of automation and machine learning and with it comes the end of a Google Ad standard - expanded text ads.

While these changes may seem scary, Google’s shift towards machine learning is going to be a game-changer and will result in more conversions, higher click-thru rates, and better overall campaign performance. Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming change.

What’s Changing

After June 30th, any pre-existing expanded text ads will continue to serve and users can still access reporting on expanded ad performance. Advertisers will also be able to pause and resume expanded text ads, but will no longer be able to create or edit the ads. Responsive search ads will be the only Search ad type available in standard Search campaigns.

Why Responsive Search Ads?

The way consumers search online is constantly changing, making it nearly impossible for advertisers to manually show the most relevant ad possible for users. To help advertisers serve better ads, Google released responsive search ads in July of 2018.

Responsive search ads, while they look like expanded text ads, actually offer far more options than its counterpart. Google offers up to 15 different headlines and up to four descriptions - giving advertisers 40,000 different options.

The sole purpose of responsive search ads is to utilize machine learning to automatically identify the best combination of headlines and descriptions to deliver the right ad to the right person. According to Google , advertisers that switched from expanded text ads to responsive search ads saw an average of 7% more conversions with a similar cost per conversion.

What are the Pros and Cons of Responsive Search Ads?

Responsive search ads offer far more flexibility and reduce the amount of time advertisers need to spend testing ad copy. By nature, machine learning gets smarter as it collects more data over time - meaning your ad campaigns are always being optimized. That means your ads are getting in front of the right audience at the best time with the best message. Additionally, responsive search ads are more likely to appear in more searches, which can attract more clicks and, hopefully, more conversions.

While there are numerous advantages to using responsive ads, there are a few disadvantages worth mentioning. One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of human oversight. Advertisers are unable to preview the final ad copy before it’s shown to users, and there is little to no reporting available on which combinations of headlines and descriptions were the most successful.

Advertisers can test the pinning feature that allows you to pin certain headlines or descriptions in a guaranteed position, but Google advises excessive pinning will work against the automation fueling responsive ads.

While the lack of control and granular reporting may be disadvantageous to some, overall the machine learning and built-in optimization features of responsive ads are not only a win for advertisers, but a win for end-users as well.

Best Practices for Responsive Search Ads

Responsive search ads, like any other ad type, do come with their own list of best practices. It’s important to remember that traditional ad copy best practices still apply and are highly encouraged by Google.

To ensure your responsive ads are fully optimized, we suggest following these easy tips:

Add 1 responsive search ad to every ad group
Use the Ad Strength indicator to achieve a good or excellent score
Include your target keywords in headlines
Write as many unique headlines as possible
Pin important information but do so sparingly
Repurpose high-performing content from your expanded text ads
Review your account recommendations for additional insights on how to improve your ads

Repli's Final Thoughts

While automation at scale is the way of the future, it comes with big changes. Advertisers should absolutely use the next few months to familiarize themselves with responsive search ads and start implementing them into ad campaigns now. Right now is the best time to test expanded text ads alongside responsive search ads to help you identify what works best.

It’s vital that advertisers keep an open, curious mind as Google continues to shift towards machine learning product features and updates. Continue to test, evaluate, and be flexible when it comes to your ad strategy. If you have questions about your property’s ad accounts or have any questions about responsive search ads, you can reach out to our Google ad experts today.

Structured Data: A Must Have for Local Apartment Marketing

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:10:00 GMT

Google works hard to understand all the content of a page and while it can usually determine your website’s purpose, there is a ton of content for Google to sort through.

Page titles, meta descriptions and keywords certainly help provide the meaning to a page, but sometimes Google can get the wrong information.

Here’s where structured data comes into play. Structured data is a standardized format for providing information about a page that explicitly provides clues to Google about your website’s purpose.

In this structured data guide, we are going to cover further in detail what structured data is and why it’s a crucial part of your apartment marketing’s local SEO strategy.

What Is Str uctured Data?

Structured data is a special code format you can add to the HTML of your website to help search engines like Google understand your page contents and provide better search results to users. Structured data can also be referred to as schema or schema markup.

This special code format can be implemented in the HTML of your website and enhances the rich snippets that are displayed under the page title on SERPs.

In the example below, there are two results from a “feta pasta recipe” search on Google.

The first result is a rich snippet because it displays significantly more information than the second result. This rich snippet includes a rating, number of reviews, and total preparation time and is populated in Google because Delish.com has implemented a structured data markup for a recipe.

Since there are various rich snippets, there are various types of structured data. For instance, there is structured data for reviews, restaurants, products, services, local businesses, books, movies, and more.

You can refer to schema.org, which is a collaborative effort between major search engines to provide the specific code format or markup required for successful implementation.

For apartment marketers, you’ll obviously want to focus on the categories of structured data relevant to your apartment’s website. The next section will go in depth on how structured data affects your apartment’s local SEO strategy and the kind of information you can provide to Google.

Why Is Structured Data Necessary For My Apartment’s Website?

Most marketers understand the important ranking factors in a strong local SEO strategy, yet many aren’t aware of the growing importance of structured data on local SEO targeting.

Structured data provides Google with the most relevant information about your website, and that information is then passed on to users conducting a search. As a result, potential customers are more likely to click on your results. More clicks help improve your rankings, and higher rankings mean even more clicks and leads.

Apartment marketers should be utilizing 2 types of structured data ( Local Business data and ApartmentComplex data) to ensure Google is displaying the correct information about your apartment community.

The Local Business markup lets Google know you’re a local business servicing a specific area. This will help with your local search ranking, making it less likely that your website will appear in SERPs outside your local area.

Here’s an example of a Local Business schema markup

In this markup, some of the important information you can provide to Google are:

Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP)
Price Range
Reviews
Email Address
Social Media Links
Google My Business Page Link
Photos
Website URL
URL to Map of Property

On the other hand, ApartmentComplex markup will tell Google many of the same pieces of information as the Local Business markup, but it also explicitly let’s Google know your website is for an apartment complex. Then, all of your traffic should be from searches for apartments and not other businesses.

Here’s an example of an ApartmentComplex schema markup:

In this markup, some of the apartment specific data points you can provide to Google are:

Amenity Features
Alternate Names (Great for properties that have recently gone through rebranding)
Photos of Floor Plans or Amenities

How Do I Start Using Structured Data?

When you’re first starting to implement structured data in your website, it may seem difficult – but not impossible.

There are some plug-ins that can develop the markup for you, yet many of them only provide a basic code with minimal information. To build out a more powerful code, you may need a web developer or your friendly property tech company, like REPLI, to help you.

Once the markup is completed, you should test it with Google Structured Data Testing Tool and then implement it into the HTML of your website. This is most commonly done by using a custom HTML tag from Google Tag Manager.

Creating the structured data markup can be tedious, but it’s definitely worth it for the higher click-through rates, increased visibility in local search results, and additional quality conversions for your website.

If you have more questions about structured data for apartment websites our team of multifamily marketing professionals would love to help! Contact us here .

The Best Student Housing Incentives for College Residents

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 16:15:20 GMT

Student Housing Incentives for College Residents

More and more students are choosing to live in off-campus housing than ever before. On average, 80% of students choose to live off-campus instead of campus dorms. One of the best ways to ensure students choose you over a nearby competitor is through incentives and brand awareness initiatives.

College students love free stuff, giveaways, and discounts. If you really want to grab your audiences’ attention and get them to sign a lease, then here are the best student housing incentives to use!

Hold a Giveaway

A classic incentive that drives results, especially for college students, is holding a giveaway — Who doesn't love free stuff? Here are a few strategies for your giveaway to be one to remember.

Your giveaway needs to be exciting and worthwhile. You have to get their attention with a prize that your target audience can’t refuse. Do some research and pick a prize that is related to your property brand and valuable to college residents. For example, a brand new flat screen TV to put in their new apartment. :)

Pop Up on Campus

The perfect place to meet your residents right where they are is on campus grounds. With permission from the university, plan a pop up to build brand awareness to your target audience.

Pop ups are a great way to build credibility and establish trust. Have free snacks, drinks, and merch available for students to grab on the way to class. Build your reputation by getting to know your potential residents and establish relationships with your community whether or not they sign a lease.

Host a Resident Event (Bring a Friend)

How do you get potential residents to visit your property? Host a bring-a-friend event at your apartment community by encouraging current residents to bring a friend to the event. Your residents enjoy a fun night with their friends while potential residents are given the chance to see what your property is all about.

Some themes that are guaranteed to be a great time are pool parties, barbecues, game nights, and holiday parties. Whatever theme you choose, make sure your property is in tip top shape and your team members are on their best behaviors.

Renewal Specials

Within student housing, you’ll have lots of turnovers between graduating seniors and transfers; however, renewals are still just as important. Running renewal specials can help encourage current students to stay with you for the upcoming year instead of searching for a less expensive apartment.

Offer a discount on rent for residents who renew early. Renewal specials not only attract current residents, but it also eliminates some cost you would spend in finding a new resident to replace them. This is a great incentive to save you and your current resident’s time and money.

Meet The Parents

A sector of your audience that you can’t forget about are the parents of your current and future residents. Most of the time in student housing, parents are the final decision makers so it’s crucial you put effort into swaying them toward choosing your off-campus community.

There are many ways to involve the parents. Sending a handwritten thank you letter to the parents or guardians of the college resident for selecting your property is one way to go the extra mile. Another is emailing a Starbucks gift card or hosting a “Meet The Parents” get together during move-ins.

Student Brand Ambassadors

College students are more likely than any other generation to be active on social media platforms. Since the pandemic, micro-influencers have increased engagement rates by an average of 130% , making them the highest engaged groups on Instagram.

Leverage the rise in micro-influencers by working with a brand ambassador (a college resident with a large following on social media) to showcase your property on their stories and posts in a genuine and authentic way. An important step in this process is incentivizing brand ambassadors through a form of pay or other compensation. If you choose to compensate (we highly recommend you do), then make sure they follow all FTC guidelines.

Implementing these creative and effective student housing incentives & initiatives will build your community brand, help establish relationships with current & future residents, and also give your prospects that extra push they may need to make the decision to choose your off-campus community.

For more student housing ideas, read our blog How to Reach Student Renters on Social Media !

How to Know If Your Google My Business Is Performing Well

christina@repli360.com (Christina Li) — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 19:45:30 GMT

Google My Business (GMB) is an incredibly useful tool that all apartment properties and property managers should leverage. Not only can potential renters use GMB to easily find important information, like the address or phone number, they can also browse property photos, click to the website, and learn about current leasing offers from GMB posts.

So, how can you tell if your Google My Business is performing well?

There aren’t exactly “benchmarks” you can use to measure whether an apartment property’s GMB is performing above or below average. However, there are certain GMB insights and trends that we recommend looking for to ensure you’re on the right track to strengthening SEO strategies through Google My Business.

Let’s get started!

GMB Post Views and Clicks

Google’s Post Insights tool allows you to see how well a certain GMB Post is performing, and includes data such as views, clicks, and the percentage change using a rolling period.

Obviously, more views and clicks are what every apartment listing wants, but the best way to use this data is to compare it with previous posts and try to find any trends or patterns among your posts.

If the average views for each GMB post was around 1000 in the past 28 days, how are the recent ones comparing? If the views for the past week are around the same or even higher, then that’s great because it means the type of content you’re posting is doing well and boosting the property’s local SEO ranking.

Maybe GMB posts with higher views include photos of apartment interiors and posts with more clicks include a call to action (CTA) to take a virtual tour on the apartment website. That could translate to using more photos of bedroom layouts & kitchen amenities and prompting users to take a virtual tour within the posts in order to optimize GMB performance.

Although there isn’t a specified number that indicates how well your apartment listing’s GMB posts are doing, noticing trends in performance and taking advantage of these higher jumps in data can ultimately lead to more exposure on Google search results and direct more traffic towards pages on your website.

Photo Views

There’s a strong correlation between a GMB listing’s photo quantity and its search performance.

GMB listings with more than 100 photos get 520% more calls than the average business, while those with just 1 photo get 71% fewer
GMB listings with more than 100 photos get 713% more discovery searches than the average business, while those with just 1 photo get 65% fewer
GMB listings with more than 100 photos get 1038% more direct searches than the average listing, while those with just 1 photo get 71% fewer

While you don’t necessarily need to maintain at least 100 photos of your apartment community, this data certainly shows that including a variety of photos like floor plans, community amenities, and the community’s surrounding neighborhood can boost your property’s GMB performance greatly.

Moreover, you can compare the view counts for different photos on your apartment’s GMB listing to get a sense of which type of images are most viewed and clicked on by users.

If the photos with the highest views are of the kitchen or outdoor pool, consider leveraging that kind of content in GMB posts and adding more related images to the apartment’s GMB photo gallery to gain even more impressions and exposure on Google searches.

And remember to update older photos on GMB if your apartment recently underwent updates or renovations so that potential renters can have an accurate impression of what the property looks like before they set up an in-person tour!

Popular Times

Similar to how Google tracks driving traffic, GMB tracks location data from user’s phones to gather information on what time of the day your apartment listing gets the most traffic.

GMB Insights displays a breakdown of what the most popular times and days of the week potential renters view your apartment property’s GMB profile, so take advantage of this information to evaluate whether or not you’re posting on GMB at optimal times.

Maybe the most popular time users visit your apartment’s GMB listing is around noon during the beginning of the week, but posts are usually scheduled around 09:00 AM towards the end of the week. Aligning GMB posting times with GMB Insights’ popular times can generate more post views and greatly improve the apartment property’s local SEO strategy.

Popular Search Queries

Within GMB Insights, you can also view a ranked list of the most popular search queries used to find your apartment property’s GMB listing.

That list of keywords and phrases can be extremely useful in pinpointing what potential renters are searching for and indicates whether your current GMB posts content are contributing factors to your apartment listing’s popular search queries.

Popular keywords and phrases can also be a helpful guide when writing future GMB post content. For example, an off-campus student housing apartment may have popular keyword phrases like “apartments near {school name}” or “{school location} apartments” but it can also show more unique phrases like “4 bedroom apartments near {school location}.”

As an apartment property manager, you can then incorporate those specific phrases into future GMB posts for better performance and higher ranked results on Google searches.

Google My Business (GMB) Insights is a great tool for learning the patterns of behavior among potential renters and making improvements based on those trends. Keeping your apartment’s GMB listing accurate and up-to-date will also help improve your rankings and overall engagement with your GMB profile.

With these tips and trends to look out for within GMB Insights, we hope you can now get the most out of your GMB listing profile and interpret how well your GMB listing is performing.

Need more help optimizing your apartment property’s GMB and strengthening your local SEO strategy? Contact our digital marketing team at REPLI to schedule a demo!

9 Instagram Caption Ideas to Level Up Your Social Media Game

Fri, 14 May 2021 19:56:30 GMT

Your apartment community started an Instagram account, now what?

To make the most out of your property’s Instagram page, it’s important to think strategically about posts with goals in mind. While Instagram is mainly a photo-sharing app, the best posts contain great photos and relevant captions that stand out to your followers.

If you’re looking for some Instagram caption ideas and inspiration, we’ve got you covered with 9 Instagram captions separated into 3 strategic goals of driving traffic to your website, building your brand on Instagram, and engaging your community.

Goal 1: Driving Traffic to Your Website

Potential renters may use Instagram to find their new home, so show off your property! Take multiple photos of your model units, amenities, and community spaces and use Instagram’s carousel feature to include various shots of details you want to highlight.

In your captions, talk about your floor plans and key interior features, but most importantly include call to actions in order to drive potential renters to your website to learn more about what they saw on the property’s Instagram page.

Captions

Imagine yourself living in this [number of bedrooms] apartment! Click the link in our profile to schedule a tour today.
Like what you see? Click the link in our profile for a virtual tour to browse all our amenities and interior features.
This [# of bedrooms] apartment could be yours! We're renting right now in [city]. Click the link in our profile for more info and to set up a tour!

Goal 2: Building Your Brand Online

Decisions about where to live involve more than what an apartment looks like. Show your community’s personality and let your audience know you care about more than just getting leases signed. Use Instagram as an opportunity to highlight the lifestyle you want to provide to your residents.

Captions

[Photo of Bedroom]Make your design dreams come to life in our beautiful, modern spaces. Click the link in our profile to browse our floor plans!
[Photo of Kitchen] Fall in love with cooking when you have a gourmet kitchen right inside your home!
[Photo of Lounge or Clubroom] Want a change of scenery? Work from our beautiful [lounge, clubhouse, computer room, etc.] with free wifi.

Goal 3: Engaging & Entertaining Your Audience

Give potential renters a taste of what it’s really like to live in your community while also engaging your current residents. Post about the surrounding neighborhood, pets (if your property is pet-friendly), the leasing/maintenance staff, and resident events.

This is a chance to create fun posts and encourage your followers in the caption to like, comment, and share your posts.

Captions

[Photo of Nearby Neighborhood Hotspot] Check out [neighborhood highlight]! What’s your favorite part about [city]?
[Photo of Pet] We love our four-legged friends here at [property name]! Like this post if you agree!
[Photo of Resident Event] Drop a comment and let us know what our next community event should be at [property name]!

Don’t Forget the Hashtags

Instagram hashtags are still an effective way to get more eyes (and engagement) on your Instagram posts in 2021. At the end of your captions, add a few relevant hashtags to improve your engagement rate and build a community around your property.

The right hashtags can put you in front of your potential renters, even if they haven’t connected with you before, so here are a few to get you started:

#[propertyname]
#[city]apartments
#apartmenthunting[city]
#apartmentliving
#apartmentgoals
#apartmentforrent
#[city]living

That concludes our quick guide for writing effective and goal-oriented Instagram captions for multifamily apartments! If you’re looking for more help with creating the best social media posts for your apartment community check out our blog post on What Makes a Good Social Media Post .

Need more help with marketing for your apartment community? Our team of experts at REPLI can help - contact us today!

Core Web Vitals: We're Already On It

siobhan@repli360.com (Siobhan Park) — Thu, 06 May 2021 19:45:00 GMT

REPLI has already optimized your site for the upcoming Core Web Vitals update. Find out more about this update.

Starting mid-June, Google will begin rolling out Core Web Vitals as ranking signals. The 3 new signals join Google's expanding list of UX-related signals: mobile-friendliness, safe-browsing, HTTPS-security, and intrusive interstitial guidelines.

While Google's made is pretty well-known that their algorithm is going to lean more towards user experience signals, many sites still aren't prepared for what's coming. So here's what you need to know!

What are the new ranking signals?

The new signals are divided into 3 metrics:

CLS: Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) is a metric that quantifies how often users experience unexpected shifts in site layout. These shifts are annoying and can harm the user experience. For example, if a user goes to click on a button and the position of that button moves because the layout moves, visitors will end up clicking on nothing.
LCP: Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) is a metric for how long it takes for the largest image or text block visible within the viewport to display, relative to when the page first started loading.
FID: First Input Delay (FID) is a metric that helps measure a visitor’s first impression of a site's interactivity and responsiveness. For example, it measures the time from when a user first interacts with a page (i.e., clicks on a link or taps on a button) to the time when the browser begins responding to that interaction.

Is Repli ready for these changes?

Heck yes, we are! Our SEO team brought this to our attention in 2020 and we've been working on this ever since. Here are some of the the things we've done to prepare your REPLI site.

CLS Improvements

Set the min-height CSS property to prevent photo gallery layout shifts
Automatically identify the width and height of an image and sets these attributes in the HTML tag to prevent image layout shifts
Multihub automatically downloads and embeds custom fonts are used in above-the-fold content to display custom font immediately

LCP Improvements

Multihub tells browsers what content to load first for faster page loading
Multihub will display images in the first image slider first, then lazy loads other images, to prevent slow image load times.

Repli's got you covered

REPLI understands the importance of user experience for site performance, so that's why we're always working to stay three steps ahead.

You can always trust REPLI to ensure your sites are meeting the highest industry standards while providing the best renter digital journey.

Effective Ways to Improve Your Apartment Website's User Experience

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 16:20:00 GMT

How many times have you visited a website only to immediately leave because of different aspects that compromised your experience? These problems could be the page loading too slow, hard to read text, or poor navigation.

All of these factors can cause prospects to become highly frustrated with your apartment website and ultimately abandon the site and continue on with their apartment search.

Today, we’re providing you with simple ways to improve your user experience (UX) so that your website is never the reason for missed leads.

Benefits of Good UX Website Design

Positive Brand Association

Providing a great user experience on your website will help to establish a positive association with your property. When a prospective renter can easily browse through your site and find exactly what they are looking for, they are more likely to make a converting action.

Lower Bounce Rate

If your site has a high bounce rate (The percentage of users who enter the site then immediately leave rather than viewing other pages.), this might be an indicator that users are either frustrated with your website or they are not finding what they need. A low bounce rate means the site is easy to access and use for your users.

Higher Conversion Rate

Implementing UX best practices will drastically increase your site conversions. These conversions can be clicking on a call to action (CTA) and scrolling through your pricing page or filling out an application or contact us form. High conversion rates mean your users are taking actions on the site and are engaging with your content.

How to Improve User Experience on Your Apartment Website

1. Provide Clear CTAs

CTAs are like guides on your apartment website. They help your user take the next step in their renter journey and lead them to make a converting action. Every single page needs at least one compelling CTA that is the appropriate next step for them.

For example, if they have browsed your floor plans, they may be ready to apply - provide a CTA to your corresponding online leasing or application page.

2. Consider Mobile Users

The fastest way to send your prospects to your comps is by ignoring how your website functions on mobile devices. Make sure your apartment website is fit to scale - meaning it can scale up or down in size to fit any screen without compromising the page.

Things to keep in mind here are font size, content arrangement, buttons, menu display, and form functionality. Mobile users should be able to navigate your site seamlessly with little to no error in format display.

3. Include Easily Digestible Content

Bulk text and hard to read fonts will frustrate your users. Make it easy for them to quickly find the information they need by providing easily digestible content.

Your site should include content that is scannable and easy to read. Don’t skimp out on the use of white space throughout your pages. The use of white space increases your user’s attention by 20%. White space makes your content readable while also allowing the user to hone in on design elements outlying the text.

4. Optimize Site Speed

In a world where any piece of content is accessible at your fingertips, users expect to navigate your site and find exactly what they need within seconds. When users are left waiting for your page to load, they will most likely bounce from the site.

So, how can you fix it? The easiest way to improve your site speed is to first get your site speed score. Google offers a free tool called PageSpeed Insights that will score your page loading speed on a scale from 0-100. In addition, it provides tips and suggestions to improve your load time on mobile and desktop.

5. Identify 404s

When a user clicks on a link or button that’s intending to get them to the next place but is blocked by a 404 page, they will probably exit out of the site and try another community for a faster solution.

Encountering a 404 interrupts the experience of your users and puts a dead stop in their renter journey on your apartment website. Fortunately for you, identifying and updating 404s is an easy fix. You can use a free 404 checker to see if any of your website pages have a broken link.

Use these tips as stepping stones to improving your user experience on your apartment website. Implementing our best practices will not only benefit your prospective renters—which is what it’s all about—but also increase conversions, lower bounce rates, and create a positive brand image!

For more UX insights, read our post about 5 examples of good user experience here .

5 Examples of Good User Experience on Apartment Websites

darian@repli360.com (Darian McCoy) — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 14:06:19 GMT

One of the worst things that can happen when someone visits your website is when they can’t find what they’re looking for, so they leave. Bad user experience can send potential renters running to your competitors.

In fact, if your website content and design doesn’t meet the needs of your users, 79% of them will leave and search for something else. That’s a lot of missed opportunities and, more importantly, missed potential leads.

Not only this, but Google will soon be placing more emphasis on user experience , which will have a big impact on SEO in the future.

If you’re a little bit overwhelmed wondering what “good” and “bad” user experience is, let’s start with a few examples of some really great user experience on apartment websites.

1. Navigation Bar and Phone Number at the Top of the Page

This website does a great job of showcasing perhaps the most important element for anyone visiting your site - the navigation bar. Without it, visitors would have to scroll endlessly to find the pages they’re looking for. Or worse, they would simply leave the website and never return.

Make sure to include the pages your potential renters view the most - floor plans, amenities, gallery, neighborhood, virtual tours, and contact. And be sure to add your phone number at the top too, that way they have a way to contact you as soon as they enter your site - so they don’t have to go searching for it.

2. Relevant CTAs on the Homepage

CTAs are powerful tools - when incorporated correctly. No website visitor wants to be presented with a million buttons upon scrolling a website. Too many options can overwhelm them and they may not know where to go next.

Only place CTAs in relevant spots where you anticipate what the user will do next. Like in the below example, buttons near floor plan images should be clear - “View All Layouts” - and should be linked directly to the floor plans page - not some other random page.

Similarly, if your content is describing amenities, then your button should direct to the amenities page. You don’t want to trick your website visitors by showing them a sneak peak of your amenities and then direct them to the application page. They may not be ready to apply yet, and they may even get discouraged and leave.

3. Sleek, Minimal Design

White space, a coherent color scheme, and only necessary page elements makes for great user experience. You want to create a focal point on the page that’s easy to find and draws people in.

This simple design makes very clear the main focus of the section: the floor plans. They’re large, clearly stated, and don’t have a bunch of other design elements overshadowing or overcomplicating them.

I n this example from the same apartment website, the white space and all black text, as well as the button, are easy to read and not crowded by unnecessary design elements like pictures or more buttons. Website visitors can clearly see the text describing the community, the number of floor plans, the location, and they can view more amenities if they want.

4. Eye-Catching Apply Now and Resident Access Buttons

Your two most important groups of people are those that want to apply and those that are already renting with you. Making sure potential renters can easily apply and current residents can pay their rent should be a focus of your apartment website.

Include color-popping buttons at the top of the page or somewhere easily seen, just like in the example below.

5. Accented Colors in Important Spots

Using your most vibrant brand color to accent certain buttons, icons, links, and more can really help your visitors find exactly what they’re looking for, creating a good user experience right off the bat.

This website uses a pop of orange for their main button, which directs to the floor plans page. They also highlight the phone number and address with orange icons, as well as the menu button. These accented elements are the first things your visitors will notice when they land on your homepage, so make them count.

W ant more examples of good user experience? Check out our TikTok !

How to Market Your Lease-Up During the Pandemic

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 14:01:40 GMT

Marketing a lease-up during the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t been without its many challenges - but we’ve got you covered moving forward on 5 different ways to market your new property safely and effectively.

Use these 5 lease-up tips to provide transparency for your potential renters which will increase your quality leads and quickly get your leases signed just in time for the grand opening. Are you ready to successfully market your lease-up even in the midst of the pandemic?

5 Ways to Market Your Lease-Up During the Pandemic

1. Optimize Tour Options

One of the best ways to market your lease-up property is by optimizing your online tours to accurately reflect what your apartment community and floor plans will look like when finished. Modern technology such as virtual tours, 3D rendering, and model floor plans can give your potential renters the same experience as an in-person tour.

Offering your prospective renters a “first look” at their potential new home through a fully immersive experience that virtual tours and 3D renderings can offer builds their confidence to move forward with applying or signing a lease, even though the building phase is still in progress.

2. Use Videos & Photos to Communicate Progress On-Site

Excite your upcoming occupants with a plethora of videos and images updating them on the on-site progress of your apartment community. Your renters want to know the progress of their new home - constantly update them with details no matter how big or small.

Communicate your property’s progress by creating fun videos and photos to post on social media and Google My Business. When users look up your community, they will be able to see exactly what stage of the building process your lease-up is in.

3. Be Transparent About Amenities

Talking-up amenities is important in promoting your lease-up property. However, during the pandemic, many of your amenities might not be available or open to full capacity because of social distancing and CDC guidelines and protocols.

It’s necessary to be as transparent as possible about your apartment amenities. Focus on building strong relationships and trust with renters, instead of tempting them with false promises. They will be grateful for the truth behind your language, rather than receiving an unmet expectation.

4. Leverage Website Accessibility

Website accessibility is a process of refining and improving your website design to make it easily accessible for all users. When a potential renter can’t understand the content on your website, they are more inclined to move on to the next community on their list.

Implementing website accessibility best-practices ensures that your users with disabilities have the same opportunity and experience as everyone else to browse through floor plans, virtual tours, and ultimately successfully apply to lease.

If you’re interested in learning more about website accessibility and best-practices, check out The Importance of Website Accessibility !

5. Enable Chatbots for Immediate Responses

Installing a chatbot on your website has many benefits—for a lease-up property, it’s a must. Chatbots are able to have human-like conversations with each user that navigates your site.

As a lease-up property, potential tenants will have many questions regarding floor plans, move-in time frames, progress updates, etc. A chatbot can answer these questions immediately with the most up-to-date information available. Never miss an opportunity again with enabling a chatbot for pain-free apartment leasing.

Implement these 5 effective ideas for an easy way to market your lease-up during the pandemic. Lease-ups are no walk in the park, especially in the middle of a pandemic, but these tips will help you target as many people as possible while providing transparency for your potential residents.

The New Normal for Apartment Leasing

darian@repli360.com (Darian McCoy) — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:02:44 GMT

As 2020 came and went, the pandemic shifted our lifestyles and the way we do business as a nation. For multifamily, online experiences, shifts in renter desires, and different work/life habits took the industry by storm.

And many of these changes won’t be going away any time soon - or ever. Here’s a few things we project will be the new normal for multifamily in 2021 and beyond.

Virtual Experiences Will Be More Important Than Ever

2020 saw many apartment communities taking their tours online as a result of the pandemic; since in-person experiences were limited, the multifamily industry had to get creative with showing apartments.

3D and virtual tours became the new way to tour, and it doesn’t look like that’s going away anytime soon. People actually prefer online experiences as opposed to in-person ones now, and many renters even prefer a mixture of in-person and virtual options for touring apartments.

And tours aren’t the only thing renters want to see online. According to a past survey conducted by the National Apartment Association, 46% of renters said they want to be able to apply for an apartment online and renew their lease from a computer or phone.

Check out our other post for ways to provide online tours during and after the pandemic.

Location Will Be Less Important

Previously, location was the second most important thing taken into consideration when searching for apartments, right after price. While location is still important, it’s becoming less and less so as people adjust to remote work life.

Working from home became a new normal in 2020, with many companies who never allowed work-from-home before are forced to set up shop from their homes. As time went on and some workplaces reverted to their in-office operations, many found that work-from-home actually increased productivity - so they stayed working from home.

Now that jobseekers don’t necessarily need to live where they work, it will be less important for young professionals or people changing jobs to seek apartments near their work.

City Life is Changing

COVID-19 had a devastating impact on large cities in particular because so many people live in cities and everyone is cramped together. While city life will still be appealing to many people, many aspects of these large cities are going to change.

For example, Ari Rastegar , Founder and CEO of Austin, Texas-based developer Rastegar Property Co, believes that high-rise apartment living will be harder to sell moving forward. Many apartment renters will want garden-style apartments for their open spaces as opposed to small units in large buildings with lots of people.

Another weakness for high-rises is that residents have to get to their apartments through elevators or stairs - small spaces that are often cramped with people. The solution many renters will be searching for is outside entrances or smaller buildings with outdoor stairs.

Highly-Desired Amenities Will Shift

For luxury apartment complexes that had to shut down many of their amenities during the pandemic, many residents were unhappy and felt like they deserved to use the amenities they were paying for.

Now that more people understand the need for increased space and different safety/cleaning measures, many renters will seek outdoor amenity spaces. Dog parks, outdoor pools and picnic areas, rooftop lounges, and outdoor sports courts will be the new sought-after amenities.

Leasing Language Will Change

As businesses nationwide adapted to new safety and cleaning measures, many added language to their website detailing their actions to keep a healthy environment.

Apartment communities will be no different! Already apartment websites are adding blurbs about online leasing and safety measures to their website - and this isn’t going to change. Moving forward, having this kind of language and content on your website and social media will be the new normal.

Need more tips for marketing your apartments during and post-pandemic? Our experts can help - contact us !

7 Ways to Provide Online Leasing & Tours During the Pandemic

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 15:11:00 GMT

This month marks one year since COVID-19 swept through our nation. The pandemic has changed many aspects of multifamily, one, in particular, being face-to-face tours of the property.

With COVID restrictions still in place across our nation, in-person apartment leasing and tours is still a challenge limited by CDC guidelines to ensure the health and safety of all staff and residents.

However, that problem is quickly resolved though our digital alternatives making it easy for prospects to safely tour your apartment community from the comfort of their own device without having to physically visit.

Elevate your renters’ leasing experience socially distanced but fully engaged with our adaptive approach consisting of 7 ways to provide online leasing and tours.

Take a look at how these digital marketing solutions allow you to continue offering people a place to call home even in the midst of a global pandemic.

1. Incorporate Virtual Tours on your Website

Virtual tours are a convenient way of allowing prospects to have a 3D tour of your apartment home floor plans from their mobile or desktop device. Potential residents have a 360-degree view of each room with the ability to spin the picture around and look in every direction. This is an easy shift that relies on no human contact or face-to-face interaction, yet is still effective for generating leads.

According to a recent study, 3D tours actually help to generate more leads. The study found that apartment community websites with virtual tours receive 87% more views than with websites without virtual tours.

Premium photography, such as 3D images, is of the utmost importance within multifamily. High-quality photos of your community that capture the essence of your property are not just recommended, they are necessary to stay competitive in the industry.

For help on how to get started integrating 3D images and virtual tours to your community website, contact us here !

2. Provide Professional Apartment Walk-Through Tours

A walk-through tour could be your solution if a virtual tour isn’t your apartment community’s style. The difference between a virtual and walk-through tour is a virtual tour is a 360-degree picture while a walk-through tour is a video showing the apartment community and floor plans.

Depending on your apartment marketing goals, walk-through tours might be your choice. Displaying professionally produced walk-through videos of layouts and amenities gives potential residents the same feel as an actual tour.

REPLI offers various online tours such as walk-through videos and virtual tours. Click here for more information!

3. Schedule FaceTime or Skype Tours

Another way to provide online tours is utilizing free tools such as FaceTime and Skype. Video chats are a safe method for potential residents to view your apartment community while keeping social distance.

Simply schedule a video call using your preferred platform and transport your visitors to your apartment community! Provide a tour guide to answer any questions and give feedback along the way. Also, be sure to accommodate and create the same experience as you would any normal in-house tour.

4. Use Self-Guided Tour as a Safe Alternative

Self-guided tours can be a way to provide an in-person experience while still prioritizing the health and safety of the prospects, residents, and employees. A self-guided tour is where the potential resident would navigate their own route without a guide to direct.

We advise that this should be an alternative if an online tour is not possible. In that case, be sure to take extra precautions before, during, and following the self-guided tour.

5. Promote Apartment Floor Plans on Social Media & Google My Business

Showcase your apartment floor plans and community on your social media channels. You can use social media to display videos and pictures of your apartment community to your followers instead of having prospects physically visit.

When in doubt, get creative! Go live on Instagram and Facebook or post an IG TV walkthrough video of floor plans so followers and prospects can watch at their own convenience. IG TV is a great social media tool on Instagram to self promote your community by grabbing your follower’s attention for a longer period of time.

Also, let’s not forget about Google My Business. GMB allows you to actively post & promote pictures of your apartment community. Thoroughly complete your GMB profile and create a posting schedule so your community is actively posting every week. This helps Google and users know who you are and is a great way to generate solid traffic to your website.

6. Offer Online Leasing

Now more than ever is it crucial for apartment community websites to have online leasing. With users having access to lease online, they are able to customize their home, apply for leasing, and sign all documents within minutes.

Online leasing allows your apartment community to carry on with business as usual and continue to provide the necessary tools within the midst of such a crisis as COVID-19.

7. Integrate LeadCapture

Software such as LeadCapture can be integrated into your website. This allows you to easily display virtual and walk-through tours on your website for potential renters to take advantage of while practicing social distancing.

If you are only touring by virtual or walk-through videos during this time of social distancing, LeadCapture gives you the ability to alert users on the site and of the online touring option.

Integrate a LeadCapture solution to seamlessly track all leads and fully optimize your website to generate qualified leads for your apartment community!

Use these 7 ways to provide online leasing and tours to help your apartment community safely and effectively lease apartment homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our team is actively seeking resolutions for apartment communities to the obstacles faced by this pandemic.

Please contact us here for any questions, we’d love to hear from you!

Continue to stay safe and practice social distancing.

We’re in this together!

What Makes a Good Social Media Post for Apartments

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 18:19:00 GMT

We’re giving you our checklist of what makes a good social media post for apartments. Meaning, if we could dream up the perfect post for an apartment community’s social account, it would include these 5 things.

Read on for a quick rundown of our top 5 secrets to use as your guide in creating the best social media posts for your apartment community.

5 Secrets to Creating Social Media Posts for Apartments

1. Write For Your Target Renter

The competition for your audience’s attention is fierce. Though, the goal isn’t to compete for their attention, but rather to set your community apart from the rest by creating content your target audience actually wants to consume.

The best way for your post to pique their interest is by tailoring your caption specifically for your target audience—and in the case of apartment marketing—your target renter.

Do some research on what your target audience is searching for in an apartment community. What are their needs & desires for renting a home that your community can provide?

Use this information as your foundation for creating social content that resonates with your audience. The question to ask yourself is – how can I best relate and resonate with my target audience through this post?

2. Use Strong Visuals

Your visual goes hand in hand with your caption. An image or video is an instant engagement tool. More importantly, it can tell a story about your apartment community and connect to your audience in a way written content cannot.

You may have the best caption fit for your target audience, but if your visual is of poor quality or doesn’t relate, you can bet the post will be scrolled past.

Strong visuals to consider are images, videos, and graphics. Use these whenever possible in your social posts to ensure your content is grabbing your target renter’s attention. Your visual should tell your audience the what and why — What is the reason for this post and why should they care?

3. Incorporate User-Generated Content

One of the top digital marketing trends of 2021 is User-Generated Content (UGC). UGC is content you post that has been created by your customers.

UGC is becoming so popular because it works; people are more willing to trust a current resident’s experience of your community than they are to trust your promotion of it.

The most common types of UGC that can best be used as apartment social media posts are resident reviews and testimonials. Did you know that a staggering 90% of consumers make a decision based on reviews? Incorporating UGC into your social media posts establishes social proof, increases authenticity, and builds trust with your audience.

Interested in learning more about how to integrate resident content into your apartment social feed? Check out this blog !

4. Be Engaging

Why do you create social media posts? This may sound like a broad question, but it’s quite simple. Whether you realize it or not, you create social posts to engage and connect with your target audience.

An ideal social media post should make every effort to engage their audience with content that they want to be involved in and interact with. Examples of your audience interacting with your post are likes, comments, and resharing.

Invoke engagement by asking your audience a question within your post. Asking questions can be a catalyst to creating an authentic connection between you and your audience. To continue the spark, be sure to respond to all comments and answers.

Whether it’s with a strong visual of your apartment community or a resident testimonial, your social post should lead followers to take action. This leads us to our last point.

5. Provide Call to Actions (CTA)

Lastly, the end of your social post should contain a call to action (CTA). You provided a well-thought-out post that resonates with your target audience, now what?

It’s time to guide them to take an action—a next step. Without adding a CTA, most users won’t take any action without asked, even if the content interests them.

There isn’t a one size fits all when it comes to CTAs. Your CTA depends on what specific action you would like your audience to take next.

To help you, here’s a list of CTAs to motivate your audience to take an action:

That concludes our top 5 secrets to creating noteworthy social media posts for apartments. Incorporating these techniques will provide your audience with content that is relevant and worth consuming—produced with their wants and needs in mind.

Hungry for more? Read our 15 apartment social media ideas that work !

5 Tips for Reposting Resident Content on Social Media

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:36:00 GMT

Have you ever decided to purchase—or to not purchase—something after reading reviews? Your decision was influenced by another person’s experience. In marketing, that’s the power of user-generated content.

Your apartment’s social media content demonstrates authority, and resident-generated content demonstrates authenticity. Combine the two for the perfect social media strategy.

According to one study , user-generated content (UGC) is 76% more trustworthy than branded advertising. Resident content is not only social proof for your apartment – it’s free too!

If you want to learn more about social proof for apartment marketing, check out this blog .

It’s time to use resident content to leverage your 2021 apartment marketing strategy! This blog post will provide you with the guidelines for boosting your apartment resident content and reposting resident content legally and creatively.

Let’s dig in.

How to Boost Resident-Generated Content for Your Apartment Community

Resident content isn’t something you can create whenever you want. It’s content your residents create on their own. It can be videos, pictures, reviews, comments, and testimonials about the apartment community. The question is: how can you get your residents to generate more content for you?

Guidelines on Reposting Resident Content

1. Ask for Permission

Using other people’s photos without permission can get you into big trouble. Even if your residents tag your apartment community or use your hashtags, by default, content copyright always belongs to the original creators.

Most people love to have their content shared on a more influential account. According to Crowdriff , 65% of people will grant permission to use their photos within 24 hours.

Direct message or comment under their post to ask permission – always, ALWAYS do this first!

2. Use High-Quality Image or Video

Images have an emotional impact on us instantly. And with today’s technology and advancements, there is lots of really great visual content out there.

So, if your residents see a low-quality picture or video, they will notice. High-quality images and videos are key when reposting.

To share high-quality resident content, ask your residents for original content or use apps to help download high-quality photos and videos.

Here are some apps you can use to download high-quality images from Instagram:

3. Give Your Resident Photo Credit

Tag the person in your post, in addition to mentioning them in the caption. This is the best way to give your residents credit for their amazing content. It increases the chance of engagement and boosts interactions with the creator.

Resident content can be easily missed by your prospects because they don’t see your apartment community being tagged. Reposting your resident content not only puts it in front of your prospects but also demonstrates the close relationship between the community and its residents.

4. Add Your Brand Personality

Each apartment community has its theme colors, logo, and branding. Adding simple modifications without altering the content dramatically adds to your brand personality and keeps the content uniform.

Ensure the original creator knows ahead of time if you make any changes to their post!

5. Combine Resident Content with Your Own Organic Content

Reposting resident content doesn’t have to be limited to the original creator’s work. Put your own spin on it!

In addition to adding your own branding, throw in some relevant and unique selling points of your apartment community in the caption of the repost.

For example, if a resident leaves a review praising the apartment location, repost and add more information about the neighborhood in the caption!

User-generated content will have a big place in apartment marketing for 2021 – don’t miss out on the opportunities! Check out our post on the top digital marketing trends of the year .

And if you want to learn more about social media ideas, check out our blog on 15 Apartment Social Media Ideas That Work .

2021 Digital Marketing Trends for Multifamily

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 16:56:00 GMT

Another year down, another one upon us. It’s time to look ahead to what’s to come in 2021, and we’re helping you do just that with our 2021 digital marketing trends for multifamily.

The Renter Journey

By now, we all know that the customer journey is not a linear path. And the renter journey is no different! Each potential renter is unique and follows a path all their own. So this year, focus on being prepared for a more unpredictable marketing funnel.

Here’s our mantra for this year when it comes to the renter journey: engage at every stage . Use different, relevant marketing strategies for each stage of the renter journey – Awareness, Consideration, Buy, Retention.

Figure out what each renter wants at each stage of their journey, and be there with the solution for them. Check out our other blog post to learn how to pinpoint your target renter and develop actionable strategies for engaging and attracting them in each stage of their journey.

Content Marketing & User Intent for SEO

Keywords are out the door for 2021. Relevant, intentional content is the new holy grail of digital marketing trends. To put it plain and simple, your apartment website needs to be designed for the user’s experience and the user’s intent.

No more keyword focus, no more writing for search engines – write for your renters .

According to Content Marketing Institute, content marketing has lower costs up front and deeper, better quality benefits in the long-term. Another thing to keep in mind is that more and more people use ad blockers, so paid search is not the hot trend anymore.

What does this mean for multifamily? Your website and its content have to be designed for your renters’ intent . Ask yourself:

Creating the right content for the right audience is essential for your website. Learn how to conduct a content audit for 2021.

Chatbots

Artificial intelligence is quickly taking the world by storm, and the multifamily industry isn’t missing out. With today’s technology, people expect answers to their questions immediately. That’s where chatbots come in!

A few ways chatbots benefit your marketing efforts & your potential renters:

If you’re looking to get started with chatbots, check out the infographic below! If you still want more, read this post for Your Checklist of Multifamily Chatbot Capabilities .

Voice Search

Voice search has already merged into our daily life through smartphones and smart speakers. According to eMarketer , 36.6% of the US population will use voice assistants monthly in 2021.

Like we said earlier – be where your renters are and be there with the solution. If your potential renters are looking for apartments using voice search, then your online presence has to be optimized for voice search.

Want to dive in? Check out these helpful posts for tips & tricks:

Video

Video is not only on the up-and-up, it’s perhaps the most important digital marketing trend this year. These days, people would rather watch video than read text. And, according to Single Grain , 52% of consumers say they feel better about products for which they’ve seen product videos.

Multifamily marketers have the best form of video marketing available to them – virtual tours. Virtual tours have been increasing in popularity and are becoming the new standard. If your apartment website doesn’t have virtual tours, it’s time to step up your game.

Generally speaking, people feel much better seeing a product – in this case, your apartment homes – with their own eyes as opposed to reading about it. Not only this, but websites with video are 50x more likely to show up in search results.

We have a super informative post that includes everything you need to know about apartment videography – check it out !

Social Media

We know – it may seem like it goes without saying. But many apartment marketers are not yet taking full advantage of social media and what it offers to renters. Here are some insights into what consumers have to say about social media:

Another on-the-rise social media tool multifamily marketers can take advantage of is stories. Instagram, Facebook, and now other platforms like Twitter offer “stories” functions. Apartment marketers should be posting apartment video tours, photos, and more to their stories.

Stories help your brand engage and connect with potential renters in more ways than normal social media posts do. You can post polls, links to your floor plans, and “inside looks” at your apartments, staff, and more.

But remember: just like with content marketing, think of the humans on the other end of your social media strategy – not the algorithm.

Interactive Content

Let’s go back to this: what are the most important things to your renters when looking for an apartment? Well, 52% of renters say the neighborhood is the first thing they take note of during their search of apartment communities.

So, here’s another trend that works in our favor for multifamily: interactive maps!

People like to engage with content—they feel more connected to brands when they do, and they remember those brands and products. So, start with integrating a Google Map on your website. Google map integrations are user friendly; users can click into the map, zooming in and out to view the location specifics.

Not only will potential renters remember you, but they’ll have found exactly the information they were looking for, creating an optimal user experience!

User-Generated Content

People trust people like themselves far more than they trust companies or brands. That’s why word-of-mouth advertising is so effective. And now, that’s turning into a digital marketing trend called user-generated content, or UGC.

Some examples of UGC:

The one you’ll want to focus on in multifamily is reviews and testimonials. 90% of consumers base their buying decisions on reviews, according to Marketing Land . Furthermore, responding to reviews actually builds trust with your customers, according to Google My Business.

Want to learn how to respond to the good and the bad? We’ve got a whole series of posts about it:

Philanthropy & Inclusivity

According to one study , 46% of consumers feel more connected to brands who do and discuss their social initiatives, and 40% say they want more brands to weigh in on important issues facing society.

Not only are people searching for brands that do this, but they’re moving away from those who don’t. Accenture reports that 41% of consumers are shifting away from brands that don’t reflect their values, views, and opinions when it comes to diversity. Plus, a whopping 29% say they will switch brands completely for that same reason.

So what can you do in multifamily? Keep up to date on all things happening in society and weigh in on them in some way, even if it is small. Charity work, volunteering, and donations could be something you look into as a property owner or manager.

Listen to what your renters are saying, what their beliefs are, and find ways to insert yourself into the conversation.

Want to keep up with all these new digital marketing trends throughout the year? Stick around! We’ll be providing apartment marketing resources all year through our blog. And if you want some 1:1 help, contact us !

How to Use 2021 Social Media Holidays to Boost Your Resident Engagement

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:16:00 GMT

Who else gets super motivated at the beginning of the year? Do you get really energized and commit to completely revolutionizing your property’s social media strategy only to fall off by February? It’s okay – we can honestly say we are all guilty of that. But the craziness of 2020 is in the rearview mirror, and a new year is upon us. 2021, we’re ready for you!

At Repli, we’re big on helping you optimize your current marketing efforts – and the easiest place to start is with your social media calendars. Why start there? We’re glad you asked. It only takes about 20 minutes to create a social media calendar that doubles as a resident event calendar.

Why You Need to Prioritize Social Media in 2021

Many community managers tell us that they understand that social media is important. But between resident events, managing leasing, and juggling daily responsibilities, it’s just hard to keep up. Completely understandable. But at the same time, we can make a strong argument for why social media should be a top priority. Here are a few of the top reasons:

People are on social media an average of 2 hours and 22 minutes per day.
The majority of Millennials and Gen Zers will not go to your website. Instead, they will find you through your social media accounts.
A strong social media presence can improve local SEO.

We can go on and on, but at the end of the day, a strong social media plan can improve your branded searches, drive engagement, promote your property via word of mouth, and ultimately.

So, What Does That Have to Do With Your Resident Event Calendar

The biggest struggle for every community we work with is time. Unless you’re blessed with a large marketing team, there simply isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish everything you need and want to do. That’s why combining your resident event calendar with your social media campaigns can save time and kill two birds with one stone.

Let’s jump into an example. January 14th is Dress Up Your Pet Day – a fun day for everyone. A social media holiday like this is great for apartments because there are so many ways you can take one holiday and turn it into several pieces of content.

Here are just a few ways you can create multiple pieces of content:

Start a social media contest . Ask residents to post pictures of their pets in a cute costume and use a special hashtag to be entered to win a prize.
Collaborate with a local business to offer a prize or host a socially distanced event. Team up with a local pet shop to create a fun prize package with toys, treats, and goodies for your furry residents, or invite a local veterinary office to host a vaccination clinic.
Create a series of blog posts about pet-friendly attractions in your local area . If you have a blog, write about your pet-friendly community, local dog parks, or compile a list of dog-friendly restaurants in your town.
Host a pet-friendly event for residents and potential renters . Invite current and potential renters to a puppy yoga night, yappy hour, or any kind of paw-ty where four-legged friends are welcome. Be sure to follow CDC’s guidelines for hosting events to ensure the health and safety of all attendees.
Create Facebook ads to promote your pet-friendly community. Use images from your #DressUpYourPetDay events to show how great your community is.

One social media holiday can easily create days or weeks worth of content that will get your current residents engaged while showing off how fun and welcoming your community is to potential renters. Just make sure you take a bunch of high-quality pictures and videos to share.

How to Easily Manage Your Apartment Social Media and Resident Event Calendars

Planning and scheduling posts can feel like a huge ask – especially when you’re trying to plan out an entire year’s worth of content. But when you break it down into pieces, it’s pretty easy. Just follow these 3 simple steps.

Pick out the social media holidays you want to use this year. A quick Google search of “2021 social media holidays” will bring up thousands of search results. Go through a make a quick list of your favorite social media holidays.
Create a spreadsheet. Google Drive is always a great resource when creating a content calendar. You can easily collaborate with your marketing team, property managers, or whoever is involved in sharing content. Create 12 sheets, one for each month, and create columns for all of the important information such as; publication date, content description, calls-to-action, pictures/videos, content description, and any notes or resources.
Fill in the blanks and adjust throughout the year. Take the list of social media holidays and fill them in the content calendar. It was that easy. It only took a few minutes to brainstorm 12 months’ worth of social media content AND a resident event calendar. Now you have an idea of what you need to accomplish throughout the year.

Now that your juices are flowing add in anything other ideas you have. You can also check out this great blog post with 15 social media ideas for apartments for extra inspiration.

Hopefully, by the time you read the end of this blog post, you’ve come up with 12 months of social media content and resident events. If you’re still hurting for some big ideas, we’ve got you covered. Check out our FREE eBook of uncommon social media holidays – we’ve even come up with resident event suggestions for each holiday. You can download our eBook by clicking the link here .

REPLI Awarded Three Consecutive Best Places to Work Awards

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 19:07:00 GMT

ATLANTA, Dec. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — REPLI announces their immense achievement in winning three consecutive awards for their company this year. This leading prop-tech company has been named winners of 2020 Best & Brightest Places to Work For in the Nation, Number Three in 2021 Top 50 Best Places to Work For Multifamily®, and 2020 National Apartment Association Best Places to Work.

These three prestigious awards were given to companies that exemplified the highest employee engagement and performance and foster collaborative and innovative work environments. Along with demonstrating exceptional innovative human resource practices and setting high standards for all businesses.

“With only three years in the industry, this start-up company has created an award-winning culture from the ground up.” Tweet this

Winners were chosen by the scores of employee satisfaction surveys provided by the award programs. Employees themselves determined where their organization ranks, providing employers with valuable, firsthand feedback about their workplace.

“It’s an honor, and we’re especially grateful to work for a team that is as driven, talented and unique as ours,” said Michael Estep, Chief Operations Officer for REPLI. “I’m thankful for the feedback from our team, and inspired to see the culture they created, shine through. REPLI is one of the best places to work in multifamily because we have one the best teams to work with in multifamily, and that is something we are truly proud of.”

With only three years in the industry, this start-up company has created an award-winning culture from the ground up. Trusted by over 250,000 apartment homes nationwide, the explosive growth of REPLI is centered around its dedication to the development of their employees and commitment to being the best partners for their customers.

About REPLI
Founded in 2018, REPLI is a leading prop-tech company that provides best-in-class websites and digital marketing solutions to multifamily organizations. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia – REPLI is one of the fastest-growing bootstrapped prop-tech companies in the United States, managing and servicing over 200,000 units nationwide. Owners and operators rely on REPLI to simplify and streamline their digital marketing efforts with integrated websites, marketing software, digital advertising, SEO, virtual tours, photography, and video solutions. For more information, visit www.repli360.com .

5 Tips for Creating Apartment Website Content That Converts

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:28:00 GMT

Have you ever scrolled through a website and left because the content was irrelevant and didn’t resonate with your needs?

Your apartment website content has the ability to make or break your number of quality conversions. When was the last time you took a hard look at your written content? Well, there’s no better time than now.

Here are five tips for creating apartment website content that attracts your users and converts into qualified leads.

5 Tips for Creating Content That Converts

1. Write With Your Target Renter in Mind

If you want apartment website content that resonates with your readers, then write it with your target renter in mind. Find out what attracts your ideal renter and create content around their needs and desires.

What amenities are they searching for? What type of atmosphere are they drawn to? Where is their ideal location? These types of questions are going to help you create effective content on your website that will convert into qualified leads.

Not sure who your target renter is? Use our free renter persona template to create your own!

2. Take Out The Fluff

There is such a thing as too much website copy. A problem many apartment websites encounter is an overload of written content with big chunks of text. We can almost guarantee that users will overlook long paragraphs with winding sentences filled with filler words and fluffy content.

The key to getting your website content to convert is simple and straightforward writing. Take out any unnecessary content that is hard to read through.

Your users need content that tells them precisely what they need to know and quickly gets to the point. Don’t waste their time reading through content that could be summarized in a few sentences or less.

We suggest small amounts of texts with no more than two sentences in a paragraph as well as lists and bullet points for effortless skimming. Give your potential renters the gift of easy to read content. In return, you’ll receive an increase in quality conversions.

3. Tell a Story

Another tip worth mentioning is creating content that tells a story. Storytelling is an art of writing with many benefits.

Rather than simply promoting or advertising your apartment community, storytelling creates a narrative about your community with your renter as the main character that helps to establish an emotional and personal connection with the reader.

Storytelling in marketing engages the customer and invites them on a journey. When you use the technique of storytelling on your website, potential renters can envision themselves living in your apartment community and ultimately choose you as their next home.

Looking to switch up your content? Tell a story that puts your renter as the main character.

4. Implement Keywords

Strategically placing local and non-branded (amenity & floor plan based) keywords into your apartment website content will increase the quality of organic traffic and greatly improve your SEO.

Just to be clear, we don’t mean keyword stuffing. Your keywords should be sprinkled naturally and organically within your content—where most appropriate.

Localized Keywords:

Non-branded keywords:

5. Audit & Update Content

Lastly, in order to continue having relevant content that attracts your target renter, you must consistently update and improve upon your website content. You can do this by auditing your content and updating anything that may seem irrelevant or outdated.

Remember – keep it centered around your target renter’s needs and desires.

If you’re curious about how to conduct a content audit of your website, read this blog post for an easy guide to auditing your site content.

You’re now well on your way to creating apartment website content that converts. Formulating website content is a trial and error endeavor. If the content you have now isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it up.

Use our 5 tips and watch your apartment website conversions grow.

Need help with organic conversions? Contact us today for content recommendations!

Our Must-Have Thanksgiving Apartment Marketing Ideas

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 14:53:00 GMT

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and there is a smell of pumpkin pie in the air! But despite the joyous season of giving thanks and holiday cheer, many multifamily professionals see the fall and winter months as slow-moving for new leads.

Although the holidays have a sluggish connotation amidst this profession, you need not to worry! We have 5 Thanksgiving apartment marketing ideas that will have you ahead of the apartment marketing game during the off season.

5 Thanksgiving Marketing Ideas for Apartments

1. Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway

With the majority of states across the country enforcing mandated restrictions on get-togethers for the holidays, many people may be alone on Thanksgiving without a festive meal. Show some holiday cheer by hosting a Thanksgiving dinner giveaway on social media. Your followers can nominate themselves or other people by sharing your giveaway post. The winners get pre-prepared Thanksgiving meals delivered to their door!

2. Sponsor a Thanksgiving 5K

What’s Thanksgiving without a 5k? Sponsor a local 5k this Thanksgiving and promote your apartment community in between. Hand out merchandise with your apartment’s branding and information while meeting potential residents! Be sure to follow CDC guidelines on best practices to ensure safety for outdoor events. For more information on sponsoring a 5k, check out this article .

3. Donate to a Reputable, Local Charity

There’s no better way to recognize the season of giving other than helping the less fortunate around us. Choose a nonprofit organization with significant meaning to your business or community, and offer a donation annually during the holidays. Be sure to promote the content around your apartment community and on social media by posting information and pictures affiliated with the charity.

4. Get Festive on Social Media

Speaking of social media, try tailoring your social platforms to accommodate the Thanksgiving season. Take your social media marketing game up a notch and reflect goodwill, togetherness and gratitude in your online presence during the month of November. This can provide a stepping stone for your audience to view your apartment community as welcoming and a great place to call home.

5. Offer Thanksgiving Incentives

Within multifamily and real estate, it’s known that the holiday season can be especially slow for new acquisitions. However, this doesn’t mean you have to adhere to this commonly held assumption. Offer exclusive Thanksgiving incentives for people who sign a lease within the month of November.

Additionally, it’s essential that you promote the incentives across your social media platforms and with Facebook or Google ads that direct prospects to a landing page. Using a Thanksgiving apartment marketing idea such as a holiday incentive can toss big leads your way within those “slow” months.

Leverage these Thanksgiving apartment marketing ideas to make the most out of the holidays and generate solid leads. Now, you can successfully drive results no matter the time of year!

For more apartment marketing ideas around the holiday season, check out our blog post on fall marketing ideas for apartments!

How to Conduct a Content Audit For Your Apartment Website

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 15:46:00 GMT

Let’s start with a question: when was the last time you audited your apartment website’s content? The multifamily industry is ever-changing, and so are your renters. This means you have to be constantly re-evaluating what your renters want and need. One way to account for these changes is with a thorough content audit of your apartment website.

Before You Start Your Content Audit

Before you start your content audit, you’ll want to develop a strategy. If you don’t know the market, your ideal audience, or what renters want, you won’t know what to look for during your content audit. So where do we start?

Research the Market

First, you’ll want to conduct some research about the multifamily industry and housing market. According to Mashvisor , one of the most important things to look at is the job market and income of the area your community resides in. This includes the top employers of the area and the average income of the population.

Why is this important? Because incorporating content about the top employers and keyphrases like “budget-friendly” or “luxury” will give renters and Google an idea about what kind of community you are.

Pinpoint Your Ideal Renter

How do you get your audience to notice you? You incorporate content tailored to them . And there’s no way to do this unless you know exactly who your renter is and what they want out of an apartment home.

Our renter persona ebook is a great resource for learning about the different types of renters, their demographics, their online tendencies, and their likes and dislikes.

Evaluate What You Offer

Now that you’ve pinpointed who your ideal renter is and what they want, ask yourself – do I have what they want? And if not, how can I position myself as a community that they desire? Make a list of all your amenities, your location, and your price points and tie those back to your target audience.

How to Audit For Renters

Now you’re ready to audit – it’s time to apply what you learned about your target renter persona!

Let’s start by ensuring that you have the necessary pages to house all your important content, then we’ll jump into what to look for on each page. The pages you’ll need are:

Amenities

This page is perhaps the most important one to audit. Look back at your list of amenities and see which ones are most important to your target renters. For example, if your target renter is a young professional, maybe they’re looking for an apartment with free wifi so they can work and a fitness center so they can save money and time.

If your amenities page doesn’t showcase each and every amenity your target renter is looking for, they won’t know what you have to offer and they’ll move on.

Location & Neighborhood

According to Apartment Guide , 52% of renters say that the neighborhood is the first thing they look at when searching for a new apartment home. Oftentimes, location is even more important than price to some. What does this mean for your content audit?

You have to look at how you’re representing your neighborhood on your neighborhood page. Do you have a map that includes all the dining, shopping, entertainment, services, and schools nearby? Do you list out a few well-known and loved places near you? If not, you need to up your game!

Apartment hunters will notice these things – and it could be the difference in someone choosing your property.

Floor Plans & Prices

Just as location is uber important to many, so is price. Especially if your renter is a young professional or millennial, price matters. According to study, people are saving more than spending, and at an increasing rate.

This means you’ll have to pose your community as a worthy financial investment to your renters. This is all the more reason to audit your floor plans and price page, make sure everything is up to date, and that your prices are posted there.

This, along with your location and amenities, will work together to persuade renters that your community is the right choice.

Gallery

A content audit doesn’t only entail the text on your pages or the technical side of things – it’s also your images! We live in an increasingly visual world, and people would rather view a slideshow or browse photos than read lengthy text.

In fact, the human mind actually processes images 60,000 times faster than text . Meaning, someone could make the choice to rent from you just by looking at your pictures – all the more reason to have good photography on your website.

To learn more about apartment photography and why you need it, check out this post.

Home Page

Finally, let’s look at the home page of your website. Why aren’t we starting with the home page? Because the home page is a summary of your whole website – it should include pieces of content and keywords from all your other pages.

In many cases, this will be the first page your prospective renters will see when they visit your site – and it could be the only one they look at. So, you have to make it count. By including the things you found most important for your other pages – amenities, location, floor plans – on your home page, you’re giving your prospective renters an initial idea of what your community is all about.

And, if they want to delve deeper into the details after seeing your home page, they’ll explore the rest of the site!

Whether you’ve audited your content recently or not, it’s always a good idea to go through, analyze, and make better. The market is always changing, search engine algorithms are always changing, and the needs of your renters are as well.

For more help with your apartment marketing needs, contact us – we’d love to help!

Cost & Benefits of Blogging on Your Apartment Website

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 10:02:00 GMT

Imagine yourself as a prospective renter browsing through two different apartment websites.

You’re well informed with both apartments’ similar floorplans, prices, features, and amenities. The only difference is that apartment “A” created a blog section that features a variety of topics on apartment living around their community, and apartment “B” doesn’t. Which apartment community leaves a better impression?

The fundamental purpose of an apartment website is to inform its residents and prospects. Pages like floorplan, amenities, neighborhood, galleries, map, and contacts are a must. Still, many property managers wonder if blog sections are necessary for apartment websites.

Benefits of having a blog on your apartment website:

1. Drives significant traffic

Driving traffic visits to your website is key to meet your business goal of leaving no vacancy unit behind. Having a community blog can make your website more valuable because of the information and content created. People then are more likely to check out your apartment website and remember your apartment brand. The apartment website becomes not only useful for your current residents but also informative to your prospective renters.

Blog topics like community events, neighborhood information, and fun city activities will not only attract audiences within the community but also people who are planning on moving into the community.

According to State of Inbound , 82% of marketers who blog consistently see positive ROI and increased rankings in search engines. With the higher search ranking, your apartment will have a higher chance of staying on top of the search results and be more visible than your competitors.

Businesses who blog receive 67% more leads than those who don’t. With this information, we could conclude that apartment websites with blogs will have more leads than others that don’t.

2. Inexpensive way of marketing

Blogging is more budget-friendly for apartment communities if you have limited spending on advertising and marketing. First, your apartment managers are the experts in apartment floor plans, neighborhood, leasing, and moving. They can be the most informative bloggers for your apartment community, which means there is no need for outsourcing blog copywriting.

Second, your website is the best blogging platform. There will be no extra investment in blogging platforms since you already have a website. Your apartment social media can also be a promotional tool for your apartment blogs.

Finally, if you’ve got the blogger and the platform – you already have what you need to start a blog for your apartment today!

3. Lasting marketing value

Great content = great value. Blog posts can be consistent advertising for your apartment when people frequently visit your site over the information it provides. When your apartment blog posts show value for the visitors, they will be more interested in sharing or reposting your content.

If the content is on point, you will begin to notice that your blogs are contributing to your overall traffic within around six months .

Make sure your content stays relevant. Because blog post topics renew frequently, we encourage you to invest your time in evergreen content that maintains the same value in the long term.

4. Better audience targeting

Apartment blogs can be used to target different groups of audiences. Writing blogs that fit their interest and speak their language, and creating blogs that are tailor-made for your target audience for that blog post.

For example, if you are targeting college students, write blogs to highlight all the fun activities and convenient public transportation around your apartment community. If you are targeting pet owners, make sure to write blogs on pet events hosted around the city and highlight all the pet-friendly features within your apartment.

5. Provides useful content for prospective renters

A blog is an excellent source for your apartment community to emphasize the advantage of living within your apartment community. As apartment industry experts, you are expected to provide insight into the apartment knowledge better than anyone else out there.

Here are some examples of blog post topic that might just grab your prospects’ attention:

Costs of blogging on apartment website:

1. Time consuming

Frequency is the key when it comes to blogging. Therefore, it involves consistent work. If you decided to blog on your apartment website, your team would need to spend a lot of time coming up with topics and creating content. Blogging can be very time-consuming.

According to Orbit Media , each business blog post takes, on average, 3 hours 16 minutes per piece to complete. The more frequently you post blogs, the more likely it is to increase traffic.

Apartment marketers need to think carefully about how much time they want to invest in blogging on their own.

2. Long time to see the return

If you decide to start blogging on your apartment website, don’t expect an instant return in traffic and conversions.

Based on this article , the average time it takes for a new blog to get traction in search engines is around 3 to 6 months.

Blog posts won’t drive immediate traffic nor attract tenants as fast as you think. As an apartment marketer, you need to have more patience in return and make plans for the long term.

3. Additional expenses in some way

Blogging is cheap, we agree, but it doesn’t mean it costs nothing. Time is money. The time it takes to invest in writing a blog costs time and energy when you could spend that time in other areas.

If you want to make it easier and choose to outsource your blog posts, you would expect to spend between $25-$150 on each blog post according to Sprout Social.

After evaluating the benefits and costs for blogging on your apartment website, we hope you have an idea of whether or not to add blogs as part of your inbound marketing approach.

We understand starting a community blog is hard, but we are always here to help. Our content experts are here to answer any questions you may have. Contact Us and get to know more about content marketing today!

Apartment Videography: Everything You Need to Know

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 19:41:00 GMT

Videos have the ability to transport people from their laptop or phone screen to another place entirely. Investing in apartment videography will set you apart from your competitors in the multifamily industry.

How? We’ll show you!

Nowadays, apartment photography on your website is a given. But videography is becoming the standard, and a necessary feature your users are starting to expect. A video on a landing page can increase conversions by 80% or more . Read that again.

Below, we give four types of apartment videography that you should be using as a marketing tool for your website and social media.

4 Types of Apartment Videography

1. Community Walk-Through Tours

Walkthrough videos of your community provide prospects with an immersive experience before ever stepping foot onto the property. Users can tour online floor plans, amenities, and other spaces around your community.

Walkthrough tours allow prospects to view your community the same way one would in real life.

It’s as close to an in-person experience one can get, making it a great alternative if unable to visit the property because of distance or time.

In addition, online community tours have become even more of an important marketing tool as leasing has gone almost entirely virtual due to COVID-19.

2. Website Banners

Background videos have become one of the biggest trends in web design; your website banner is the perfect place to show off your impressive apartment videography.

Video banners can help to set the tone and mood of your website and will immediately capture the attention of your user. Also, Website banners are a fun and effective way to display an aerial or drone view of your community–but we’ll get to that later!

Other than its immediate appeal, video backgrounds have been known to encourage visitors to stay a site longer which can improve your conversion rates .

3. Lifestyle

People care about and want to know the community surrounding your property. Lifestyle videos showcase neighborhood hotspots, letting potential renters imagine what a typical day could entail.

Speaking of resources, make sure your lifestyle video shows your neighborhood or town staples. What is your neighborhood known for? What are you close to?

Incorporate shots of nearby town centers, parks, restaurants, shopping, and other entertainment in the area.

4. Aerial / Drone Videography

Aerial videography is taken from the air and is usually accomplished by a drone. Drones offer a first-person view (FPV) of an area that would normally be impossible to achieve without it.

With a birds-eye-view being its claim to fame, aerial videography can capture your entire community exterior, which makes for the most captivating website banners.

What’s more, this type of videography can also be put to great use by shooting your amenity spaces, surrounding locations, & neighborhoods.

Take your site experience from a 1 to a 10 by adding aerial video to your website!

Want to know more about incorporating apartment videography and other creative onto your website pages? Check out our creative packages today! Or, contact us to speak to one of our creative specialists.

6 Reasons Why You Need Professional Photography

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:16:00 GMT

Photography is a direct reflection of your property, and professional photography can help you tell the story of your apartment community.

Imagine yourself as a prospective renter who is searching for future apartment homes. You come across two apartment properties. One has impressive professional photographs to back up all the stellar amenities and floor plans they have. Another one has outdated photos, and some even seem to be blurry.

Given this information, which one do you think the renter will choose between to submit an application to?

67% of consumers say the great image quality is essential when choosing and purchasing products. There is no denying that quality photos can potentially impact renters and their decisions to visit or choose your apartment community.

In this blog, we will break-down 6 benefits of professional photography for your apartment community and take advantage of professional photographs.

1. High-Quality Photos

The apartment gallery is the first opportunity for prospects to see what your space is all about. To leave a good first impression and stand out among your competitors, you need to make sure your apartment photos are high-quality.

With a smartphone in hand, everyone can be a photographer, but the equipment really makes a difference. Professional photographers have the type of equipment needed to produce images that impress. There is a huge difference between phone cameras and professional cameras.

According to Devore Design , professional photos increase in listing views 61% compared to non-professional images.

Your apartment community needs to represent everything you want your prospective tenant to know—your images tell it all.

Everyone can take pictures, but not everyone is a photographer. There is a blend of technical skills involved with photography like angles, leveling, lighting, and composition. A professional photographer knows how their equipment operates, and more than that, they understand photography principles.

Ever heard the saying “it’s all about angles”? Not only does it apply to selfies but also to apartment photography. Without right angles, leveling, and lighting, your spacious and modern apartment floor plans will not 100% reflect in the pictures.

Without light, there is no photo. A good photographer will examine and adjust the light before the photoshoot. Natural light is one of the best for apartment photos so make sure to schedule your apartment photoshoot on a day with good weather and plenty of light.

Photographers use tripods to level the photos and keep them balanced. This eliminates awkward angles and inaccurate photos.

There are so many details, technical skills, and practices involved in photography that only professionals are versed in. Leaving your apartment community photography to the professionals will help you save a lot of time and energy, and get you the best outcome.

Apartment exterior drone shots are popular among apartment communities. Exterior photos not only showcase the apartment building and outdoor space but also highlight the location and surrounding neighborhood.

There are even more technical skills and practices involved in drone photography. You can leave it to professional photographers to capture the best angles and exterior shots of your apartment building.

Apartment photos come handy when conducting social posts. Nothing is better than backing up your words with professional apartment imagery.

Drone photos can be used under neighborhood content, and interior photos can be posted when mentioning your apartment amenities and features.

More than half of consumers say the quality of a product image is “very important” in selecting and purchasing the product. We can conclude that low-quality photos interrupt not only prospects’ website user experience, but also lower the chance of them becoming your future residents.

As marketers, we understand how important social media is in marketing. From our own clients’ social accounts, we found that posts containing high-quality apartment images typically have the highest engagement rates.

Consistency in your apartment photography is a way to show your community’s personality. You don’t want your prospective renters to see your apartment photos in a different size, filter, or edit. We recommend the apartment community use the same filter and edit for the photos to maintain a consistent style on multiple platforms.

Virtual tours have become a must in apartment marketing. Apartment photographers should be very familiar with providing apartment community 3D photography. As we mentioned earlier, photography involves many professional skills, and it’s even more complicated when it comes to 3D images.

3D virtual photography gives your prospects the opportunity to envision themselves living in your apartment community.

One thing to keep in mind is that you want to make sure you own all the right to your apartment photos, so you’re not being charged extra when using them in different media.

If you are looking for professional photography to best capture your apartment community, contact us today, or view our creative packages now!

7 Covid-Style Halloween Activities for Apartment Communities

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 16:03:00 GMT

It’s fall, meaning pools are closed and leasing season is winding down. While the summer season’s warm weather encourages activity, the fall’s crisp air pushes people back inside. But do you know what else is in the air? The spooky chill of Halloween! Even with the cooler weather and an ongoing pandemic, there are still tons of creative and fun Halloween activities for apartment communities!

Patio Decorating Contest

An oldie, but a goodie. If your apartment community has private patios and balconies, put together a decorating contest – whoever’s patio or balcony is the spookiest wins a prize of some kind. A Halloween gift basket or a gift card would be a great incentive!

Social Media Pumpkin Carving Contest

Contests really are the best incentive! Organize a social media contest for pumpkin carving – each resident can carve a pumpkin and post it on social media using a community hashtag – and all residents can vote on whose pumpkin is the spookiest!

Socially-Distanced Trick-or-Treat

You knew it was coming – Trick-or-Treat! While the traditional way may not be your best bet, you can put a unique spin on the festivities. Send out a community-wide email detailing a range of different times in which parents can bring their kids to grab some candy from the leasing office. It’ll be easy to manage how many people are coming in and out, and you can wear masks and gloves as part of your costume!

Virtual Halloween Netflix Party

Who doesn’t love a good Zoom call with friends? It’s so normalized now – almost everyone is doing it! Pick a Halloween favorite and organize a virtual Halloween Netflix Party to view the movie. Residents can watch from the comfort of their own home, and use the chat to discuss the movie.

Halloween Care Package

Everyone loves free stuff – especially your residents! If your community isn’t too big, put together some Fall or Halloween Care Packages and leave them at the doors of your residents. Some gift items could include instant pumpkin spice latte, hot chocolate packets, or Halloween candy.

Virtual Costume Contest

What’s better than a party? A virtual party! Host a virtual Halloween party where all the residents hop on to showcase their costumes – best costume wins!

Halloween Family Scavenger Hunt

Another Halloween activity for families with kids – a Halloween scavenger hunt! Organize and plan a scavenger hunt that can be done in a large open space outside. Use the community to hide objects, then invite residents and their kids to go searching for them! Check out this Pinterest board for some inspiration.

What Does Good Apartment Photography Look Like?

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 19:16:00 GMT

As an apartment community, you’re in constant competition with other communities. Your goal is to make your community stick out from the others. And what’s one way to do this? Great apartment photography!

According to HubSpot , it takes us 10 seconds to process text, but images have a mental and emotional impact on us instantly . This means that every time a prospective renter looks at your apartment photos, they experience an impact immediately. Whether this impact is memorable in a good way or a bad way depends on the quality of your photos.

In this blog post, we’ll show you what good apartment photography looks like and how you can do it too!

Highlight Your Apartment’s Best Features

Apartment photography is all about showing off what you’ve got. Your photos could be the first impression on a potential renter, so you have to make it count. Choose your very best amenities, capture all the important rooms in the unit, and don’t forget about the outside!

Here’s a list of rooms and areas in your community that potential renters like to see the most:

What This Looks Like In Action

A great example of a community capturing their best features is this complex in Tampa. Not only do the photos showcase all the important rooms – the bedrooms, bathrooms, living room, kitchen, and amenities – but there are multiple variations of each.

From different angles to different decor and features, nothing is left uncaptured.

Prepare the Setting

Once you’ve chosen which features to highlight, it’s time to tidy up! Your apartment photography should be clean from any unwanted objects or out of place items – no matter how small. Before your photographer arrives, walk through the areas that will be photographed to clean up and make sure everything is in its place.

Look for dirt or dust on surfaces like kitchen counters, coffee tables, and mirrors. Pick up any items from the photo shoot or from past showings that are cluttering up the space. And finally, make sure everything is organized to make the setting look clean, spacious, and decorative.

Use the Weather to Your Advantage

Grey and gloomy isn’t the ideal environment for taking pictures, and it’s a wonder what some natural light can do! Instead of letting the weather decide how your photos will turn out, use it to your advantage.

Take your photos in the summertime when leaves still decorate the trees and natural light is abundant. If you live in a warmer area, choose a day and time when the sun is shining brightest so you can squeeze as much natural light into your photos as possible.

Weather in Apartment Photography

Looking at the Tampa apartment community’s photography again, you can see how light and airy the spaces look. That’s because a lot of the photos are drawing in sunlight and shadows!

If you’re taking photos of the exterior, sunlight and warm weather are doubly important. This photo of an apartment community in North Carolina showcases a beautiful outside view of trees, green grass, and warm sunshine. It just wouldn’t be the same in the fall or winter.

Hire a Professional Photographer

With today’s technology, a nice camera is just a button away for almost everyone. And while our smartphones may have decent to great cameras, it’s not enough for good apartment photography. Lighting, angles, and editing play a huge role in the final product, and not everyone has the ability to make it work quite like professional photographers do.

Professional photographers intuitively know how to make lighting work to their advantage, they possess the proper equipment to keep photos leveled, and they can use a familiar editing software to put on the final touches.

If you’re in need of professional photography but not sure where to start, we’re here to help! Check out REPLI’s creative & photography services .

How to Create Relationships With Your Local Businesses

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 14:18:00 GMT

Multifamily is all about advertising locally. Sure, that could mean implementing local SEO , but there are non-digital ways you could be marketing your apartment community too. Creating relationships with local businesses is one strategy that benefits everyone involved – you, your residents, and your local businesses.

Why Should You Do It?

For You

Your residents and prospects are the most important group of people to you. You want to keep residents happy so they stay with your community, and you want to please prospective renters so they choose your community. What better way than with discounts, convenience, and free stuff? Who doesn’t love all that? When you partner with a local business, all of this is a possibility.

For example, when creating relationships with local businesses like nearby dry cleaners, salons, restaurants, or shops, ask if they would be willing to provide a discount for your residents. Similarly, you could create a promotion where prospective renters who sign a lease with you get a special offer with one of the businesses.

For the Local Business

Just as the business provides something to you, you have to offer something of value to them. In exchange for discounts on goods and services, you can advertise their business throughout the community, on your website, or through emails to current residents.

A few creative and effective ideas might be creating a “welcome packet” for new residents with flyers of the local business, including their business on the location page of your website, or sending emails out when the local business is having a sale or hosting a special event.

For Your Residents & Prospective Renters

More than anything else, creating relationships with local businesses creates a desirable community that reaches beyond the confines of your apartment complex. According to Apartment Guide , 62% of renters find the location of their new home more important than the unit itself.

When you reach out to the small businesses, restaurants, and services in the surrounding area, you create a community that attracts all kinds of prospective renters. Who wouldn’t want to be able to live near a good nail salon, veterinarian, or restaurant that gives them discounts?

Not only that, but your residents will have the feeling that they really are part of a smaller community within the city they live in because a good neighborhood can feel just like a community itself. Overall, it transforms your community into the perfect location your residents and prospective renters are looking for.

How Should You Do It?

Think About Your Target Demographic

Before you even think about partnering with local businesses, think about your current residents and prospective renters. You don’t want to blindly choose restaurants or services that those in your target demographic don’t like or use.

Ask yourself these questions:

How old are they? The age of your residents will determine where they are in their life in terms of work, financial stability, and values. For example, millennials are known to have a stable income and are often concerned with staying healthy and active, so a local gym might be a good business to partner with.

What kinds of goods and services do they like/use? Determining your residents’ likes and interests will give some insight into what goods, services, and luxuries they use. Some people might want discounts at a local restaurant or nail salon, while others might want a coupon for groceries from the local store.

So how do you figure out what your residents want? Ask them! Use surveys or social media to inquire about which kinds of discounts, offers, or partnerships they would like.

What types of businesses will they be interacting with during their move? Furniture stores, banks, and gyms are places people are likely to visit while they’re making the transition to a new place. You could put a list of these places in a welcome packet to make it easier for new residents to find them in the area.

List Out the Mutual Benefits

Now, you may have thought of all the components and working parts of your partnership, but you still need to bring it all together in a detailed and structured plan before you propose the partnership to your local business.

Don’t go in blindly; make a list of all the ways the relationship is mutually beneficial – it’s not just about you! You could even offer their employees a rental special, or bring gift baskets as a gesture of good faith.

Start Getting the Word Out

As with any new event, promotion, or special, you want to make sure you get the word out. Start putting up flyers, send a community-wide email announcing the partnership, and promote it on your social media channels.

Be sure to include an initial discount, special, or event with the local business in the announcement of the partnership so your residents know exactly what the new relationship means for them.

Now that you know the formula to successfully creating relationships with local businesses, you’re ready to get down to business yourself. Need some help with local SEO? Contact our experts today!

Why Your Apartment Website Needs a Neighborhood Page

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 15:25:00 GMT

One of the most important things to your potential renter is the neighborhood your apartment community resides in. To be exact, it’s the second-most top of mind desire, right under the price.

Under a conducted study , 52% of renters said the neighborhood was the first thing they take note of during their search of apartment communities.

Adding a neighborhood page needs to be a top priority when it comes to your website layout. In this post, we’re going to walk you through the benefits of having a neighborhood page, as well as the must-have content to include.

Let’s get down to business!

What’s so important about a neighborhood page anyway?

Right off the bat, a neighborhood page practically shows your prospect where your community is located and what surrounds it. It answers the question, “Could I see myself living in this neighborhood or town?” almost immediately.

Over half of renters place more importance on the location of the apartment complex than the floor plan units. Having a page that houses all the information about the surrounding neighborhood makes it easier for your prospects to narrow down their leasing decision.

Moreover, your neighborhood details will be in a central place for your users. There would be no need for potential renters to roam to and from different websites and Google searches in hopes of finding localized information. It will all be accessible via your apartment’s website!

Finally, your neighborhood page will significantly improve your local SEO. The content within the page will be sprinkled with local keywords such as the city, address, nearby businesses — keywords that your target renter is searching for.

These keywords are going to help users find your apartment community faster. Plus, it will make the chances of your website to rank at the top of the SERPs exceedingly higher.

Neighborhood Page Must-Haves:

Now that you understand the importance of having a neighborhood page, let’s move on to uncovering must-have features and content that should be incorporated throughout the page.

The local content on your neighborhood page will build credibility with your audience as well as foster link building increasing your SEO rankings for the page and/or website. Below you’ll find our top topics to focus on!

Google Map

One of the first additions should be integrating a Google Map. This is a feature that can easily be integrated onto the page for users to quickly observe where your apartment community is located in addition to the surrounding areas. Google map integrations are also user friendly; prospects can click into the map, zooming in and out to view the location specifics.

Address

This may seem obvious, nonetheless, it is worth noting that you need to have your address listed on your neighborhood page. REPLI views apartment websites every day, and we come across many communities that have their address hidden at the very bottom of the site. Adding your address to your page will help users easily pinpoint your community’s location. Plus, it will greatly improve your local SEO.

Nearby Shopping, Dining, & Entertainment

Your prospects want to know what’s around your community. They are interested in nearby shopping centers, restaurants, and means of entertainment & recreation such as parks, museums, arenas, etc. Providing users with local establishments gives them everything they need to know about your neighborhood, furthering their attraction and excitement.

School Districts & Universities

Last but not least, your prospects want to know about the schools and nearby colleges in your area. Many of your target renters may either have young children and are curious about the school district. Or they are young adults who are commuting to a nearby university. Listing the school district and nearby colleges gives your site visitors all the information they are looking for without having to open another search tab. Your apartment website becomes a one-stop-shop for all location details and specifics.

If you made it to the end of this post, you are now an expert on neighborhood pages for apartment websites! From the importance of the page to what content you need to include to be successful, you are ready to take on this task with flying colors.

Want to know more about local SEO and the value of neighborhood pages? Contact us today to talk to one of our SEO experts!

REPLI Partners with Project Destined to Launch Virtual Internship

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 18:47:00 GMT

In July 2020, REPLI partnered with Project Destined to develop a 6-week digital marketing internship for students across the US. Students spent 6 weeks getting exclusive access and education to the best digital marketing tips for multifamily real estate properties. High-school and college-aged students were selected to participate in this program.

Each week students would undergo a 3-hour lesson – developed by REPLI – then would present a shark-tank style presentation of a real multifamily property. Topics for each week included organic social media, renter personas, PPC ads, social media ads, and much more.

Since partnering with Project Destined, REPLI has also sourced talent from their program.

Want to learn more about this partnership? Read the press release below

New Internship Program Creates Opportunities for Underserved Youth

BETHESDA, Md., June 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Walker & Dunlop, Inc. , in partnership with Project Destined , REPLI , and REIRail , announced the launch of a paid summer internship program for high school and college students from diverse backgrounds. The six-week program provides students with the opportunity to work with leading commercial real estate firms, where live transactions will help participants gain real-world experience in digital marketing.

The program will be administered by Project Destined, which has deep experience in training underserved youth. Also integral to the internship experience are REPLI, a full-service property tech company providing software solutions to owners of multifamily properties, and REIRail, a real estate lead generation and business education platform.

The internship builds on Walker & Dunlop’s longstanding partnership with Project Destined, a social impact education and investment non-profit with projects in Detroit, Memphis, London, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, as well as the Bronx and Baltimore. The organization was co-founded by Cedric Bobo, a former investor and investment banker, and Fred Greene, a leader in commercial real estate development.

“The advent of Covid-19 has caused internships across the country to be cancelled, which has jeopardized on-the-job experiences for underserved youth,” commented Mr. Bobo. “We believe it is critical to continue providing learning and professional development opportunities to students during this time, and we are grateful for innovative partners like Walker & Dunlop, REPLI, and REIRail, who helped make this program possible.”

“Walker & Dunlop remains committed to diversifying the commercial real estate industry, and this partnership with Project Destined will help build a pipeline of future leaders,” stated Willy Walker, Walker & Dunlop’s Chairman and CEO. “Racial and social justice in America begins with education and opportunity. These internships provide a unique educational experience, along with access to industry leaders, that will transform the career opportunities for these interns,” continued Walker. “It is an honor to deepen our partnership with Project Destined and bring REPLI and REIRail into this innovative digital marketing internship program.”

“This internship is critically important – especially now – and not just for the students, who will gain valuable skills, but also for the organizations that will host them,” said Vincent Harris, Co-Founder and CEO of REIRail. “Opportunity and access is often denied when those in power don’t recognize talent when it doesn’t look like them. Corporate America will need guides who have roots in black and brown communities. Project Destined is providing that guidance and helping to cement a pipeline into those organizations. REIRail is thrilled to support this effort.”

“REPLI is incredibly honored to be partnered with Project Destined, Walker & Dunlop, and REIRail – and we’re committed to providing youth with professional development opportunities coupled with digital marketing fundamentals that will last a lifetime,” stated Corbin Wrights, CEO of REPLI. “By equipping these students with digital marketing fundamentals and resources, we are guiding them towards success as future leaders in the multifamily real estate sector.”

As part of the program, interns will dedicate eight hours per week to working within the commercial real estate industry. In addition to building a range of technical, financial, and leadership skills, students will participate in weekly team-based competitions. The weekly competitions will comprise presentations on multifamily transactions, offering students the opportunity to collaborate with real estate professionals on real-world scenarios. The program will culminate in a Shark Tank-style finale, in which each team of interns will present a digital marketing plan to industry leaders.

About Walker & Dunlop
Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD ), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States. The company provides a comprehensive range of capital solutions for all commercial real estate asset classes, as well as investment sales brokerage services to owners of multifamily properties. Walker & Dunlop is included on the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and was ranked as one of FORTUNE Magazine’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Walker & Dunlop’s 850+ professionals in 40 offices across the nation have an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.

About Project Destined
Project Destined is a leading social impact platform that provides training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship and real estate. Project Destined partners with corporations, schools and non-profits to deliver training using its proprietary e-learning platform and live courses. Project Destined leverages a work-based learning approach where students work with executives to evaluate live deals in their community and present them in a pitch competition to industry leaders. Scholars emerge with the skills, confidence, experiences and networks that prepare them to secure a strong first job and to become stakeholders in their community. For more information, please visit projectdestined.com .

About REPLI
Founded in 2018, REPLI is a leading prop-tech company that provides best-in-class websites and digital marketing solutions to multifamily organizations. Headquartered near Atlanta, Georgia – REPLI is one of the fastest growing bootstrapped prop-tech companies in the United States, managing and servicing over 200,000 units nationwide. Owners and operators rely on REPLI to simplify and streamline their digital marketing efforts with integrated websites, marketing software, digital advertising, SEO, virtual tours, photography, and video solutions. For more information, visit www.repli360.com .

About REIRail
REIRail is a popular lead generation platform utilized by residential real estate investors and agents. Its patented Deep Trace technology empowers sales and marketing teams with intelligence about their prospects so that every interaction is personalized, leading to richer conversations and improved conversion rates. The system jolted the industry when it was introduced in 2018, bringing enterprise caliber software to a price point that was accessible for newer real estate professionals and solo operators. It has become the marketing backbone for thousands of members nationwide.

Since that time, the platform has grown to include a robust educational component that offers training on a range of business fundamentals from data management to copywriting. The company’s high tech + high touch model is intended to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial community among members. For more information visit reirail.com or @reirail_app on Instagram.

SOURCE Walker & Dunlop, Inc.

The post REPLI Partners with Project Destined to Launch Virtual Internship appeared first on REPLI .

5 Top Ranking Factors for Apartment Local SEO

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:16:00 GMT

If you want your potential renters to find your apartment from their search results then you need to step up your local SEO game.

Local SEO can benefit your apartment community in various ways. Not only will it increase the chances of your apartment showing up on the search results, but it will also increase the number of traffic, leads, in-person visits, and conversions.

Local SEO is based on the searcher’s local intention. Example of local intention: when people conduct local searches like “apartment near me” or “apartment near [CITY],” the search engine will show results within their location range.

Four out of five customers use a search engine to find local information. If your apartment is not optimized for local SEO, you are missing out on potential traffic and more importantly, conversions.

When people conduct local searches, search engines collect information from website content, social pages, links, citations, and business profiles to provide accurate results. Many factors affect local SEO ranking. In this blog, we will show you 5 key factors to keep an eye on when you optimize your apartment local SEO.

5 local SEO ranking Factors

Local SEO is unique because the search results are tailor-made to the searcher’s location. Searchers are located all around the world, and different locations generate different search results. That is to say, an accurate online listing is one of the most important ranking factors in local SEO.

1. Online Listing

Claiming your apartment online is the first step in optimizing your local SEO. The most common online listing is Google My Business. It’s a free business listing tool that allows your apartment community to connect to your potential renter across Google search and maps.

Claiming Google My Business is a good starting point, but remember: Google is not the only search engine out there. Although Google has an estimated 87% market share in the United States, you don’t want to miss out on being found on other platforms. Bing Place for Business and Apple Maps Connect are two other similar listings that help your apartment community rank for local SEO.

2. Consistent and Accurate Information

When you search for answers online, will you trust the results from different sites with different answers, or will you trust a consistent answer throughout different sites? If the search engine is not receiving consistent information for your apartment community, it will be less likely to rank your apartment community higher under search results.

Keep your apartment NAP accurate and consistent. NAP is known as a name, address, and phone number, which is the most common information prospects seek out. Show up on the search results with accurate information, not conflicting information.

3. Mobile-Friendly Apartment Website

According to official Google statements , more than 50 percent of search queries globally now come from mobile devices. Because most local research is conducted on a mobile phone, a mobile-friendly apartment website is key to local SEO success.

A mobile-friendly website not only increases visibility among all devices but also makes it easier for users to navigate. Your prospective renters’ time is precious, and people won’t stay long at the site where they can’t browse smoothly and easily.

Prospects are more likely to spend more time browsing on a mobile-friendly website, which increases their chance to convert. Stay ahead of the local SEO game and make your apartment website mobile-friendly for your prospects.

Want to know if your website is mobile-friendly? Test it out here .

4. Apartment Online Reputation

Your apartment reputation management is not only for your prospects but also for Google. According to industry surveys , online reviews are thought to make up 13 percent of how search engines decide to rank search results.

Online reviews and ratings is an authentic way to tell Google your apartment community is the top choice for renters. Review signals like review quantity, review velocity, and review diversity are all under the search engine’s consideration.

Need more positive reviews for your apartment community? Check out this blog post .

5. Social Signals

Social media is one of the centerpieces in digital marketing. Most apartment communities use social media as channels to grow their apartment business. However, it also functions as a way to keep your current residents engaged and attract prospective renters.

From our previous social proof post , we addressed how important it is to build your apartment authority and credibility through social media. Search engines collect shares, likes, and overall social signals and can determine if your apartment community will rank higher for Local SEO.

According to BIGCOMMERCE , increased social signals are more likely to indicate good domain authority and demonstrate a URL’s value. Therefore, the more people that react or share the page, the more valuable information search engines assume it contains.

Investing your time in optimizing social media pages and building social signals for your apartment community will benefit your local SEO in the long term. Want to know more about social media for apartment marketing? Check out our blog on 15 Apartment Social Media Ideas That Work .

After learning about the key ranking factors of local SEO, your apartment community’s marketing strategy can move to the next step – optimizing your apartment local SEO. If you want to know more about ways to boost your apartment local SEO, check out our blog here .

Your Checklist of Multifamily Chatbot Capabilities

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:28:00 GMT

Apartment marketing is all about generating leads and converting them to fully leased. We all know this can sometimes be a time-consuming and tedious process with missed opportunities. That’s where implementing a multifamily chatbot on your apartment website comes in!

Chatbots provide 24/7 access to potential renters, so they don’t have to wait for an answer and you don’t miss an opportunity to give it to them. Let’s take a more in-depth look at what chatbots are, their benefits, and how to implement an effective one. For a concrete checklist of what to include with your multifamily chatbot, check out this handy dandy infographic.

What is a Multifamily Chatbot?

A chatbot is an artificial intelligence that is able to simulate a human conversation. The chat boxes or bubbles appear on your apartment website when someone visits, typically in the bottom corner of the webpage. They’re programmed to know about certain subjects and are able to have a conversation in a natural, human way.

With today’s technology, people expect answers to their questions right away – especially Generation Zers . And in multifamily, whether or not a potential renter gets their questions answered could be the deciding factor in them not choosing your property. With chatbots, you don’t have to worry about missing that opportunity.

Chatbot Benefits

There are many reasons why installing a chatbot on your apartment website is a good idea. From generating leads to keeping residents happy, chatbots work overtime to ensure an all-around positive experience for renters and potential renters. To learn more about how chatbots benefit your prospective renters, check out this post !

A few ways chatbots benefit your marketing efforts:

Chatbot Checklist for Multifamily

Now, let’s get into what you need to include with your multifamily chatbot to get the most out of it:

Longer conversations lead to higher conversion rates. So, your chatbot needs to have enough information at their disposal to carry on a human-like conversation for as long as the customer needs.

Your chatbot needs to be just as knowledgeable as your leasing team. Potential renters expect your leasing agents to know everything there is to know about the apartment amenities, services, and location, so your chatbot should be programmed with the same information.

Think of your chatbot as another member of your leasing team. Whatever your leasing team does to move customers down the funnel toward leasing – whether it be scheduling a tour or helping apply for a lease – your chatbot should be doing as well.

Even though chatbots are incredibly smart when programmed correctly, at the end of the day, they’re still artificial intelligence. The chatbot may not have the exact answers your customer is looking for. Or, your customer might simply want to speak with a real human. Provide this option during the chatbot conversation, perhaps in the form of a “Call” button or the like.

Always strive to improve your chatbot. Update the AI functionality, improving answers to questions and ensuring accuracy of all information. Additionally, as you use your chatbot and figure out what works and what doesn’t, make those changes in new updates.

As with anything, promote, promote, promote. Renters and potential renters won’t know you have a chatbot unless you advertise it to them. Use your social media accounts and blog to promote your chatbot organically.

Need help implementing an effective chatbot on your apartment website? Contact our marketing experts today!

6 Ways a Multifamily Chatbot Benefits Your Prospective Renters

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 14:39:00 GMT

In multifamily, you have to think about the needs and wants of your prospective renters. One of those needs is, undoubtedly, instant and easy communication. With a multifamily chatbot on your website, your prospective renters have the answers to anything at any time.

What is a Chatbot?

A chatbot is an artificial intelligence that is able to simulate a human conversation. The chat boxes or bubbles appear on a website when you visit, typically in the bottom corner of the webpage. They’re programmed to know about certain subjects and are able to have a conversation in a natural, human way.

6 Ways Chatbots Benefit Prospects

1. Provide Instant Communication & Response

In today’s technology-centered society, people have grown to expect a lot from a brand. And one of those expectations is that brands provide instant responses to their questions. Chatbots are programmed to do just this – they’re already loaded up with the information the prospective renter is requesting, so they can process and answer in a matter of seconds.

To learn more about what features your apartment website should have, check out this blog post !

2. Streamline the Apartment Search Process

The renter journey is different for every prospective renter, but you still want each and every journey to be as seamless as possible. Chatbots streamline the process by making it easier to schedule a tour or apply for an apartment – they help the prospect every step of the way.

According to G5 , with multifamily chatbots becoming smarter over time, they will eventually be able to close 80% of customer interactions without a human ever intervening.

3. Eliminate the Need for Phone Calls

These days, no one wants to pick up the phone and call someone. Especially with younger generations, they prefer to find their answers online rather than through a phone call. Chatbots offer a natural, conversation-like experience that resembles instant messaging – which Milliennials and Gen Zers will appreciate much more.

4. Available 24/7

Unlike your leasing staff, chatbots are working around the clock to ensure timely and accurate answers to any questions your prospective renters may have. Many prospects will be searching for apartments and making inquiries before or after work, when your leasing office is closed. Chatbots are there to help during these times.

5. Remember Every Renter

While humans may not be able to remember each and every prospective renter they talk to day in and day out, chatbots can! They’re programmed to record the information they learn about each person they talk to, so when that prospect comes back, the chatbot remembers them and where they are in their renter journey.

6. Can Connect to Leasing Agents

As with all technology, chatbots have their downsides. Because they can only provide information they’re programmed to know, they may not be able to decipher or answer certain inquiries. When this happens, the chatbot can offer a way for the prospective renter to talk to a human leasing agent.

Need help implementing an effective multifamily chatbot on your apartment website? Contact our marketing experts today!

Voice Search: Apartment Marketing Target Keywords

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:17:00 GMT

Voice search is a term that often doesn’t get touched on in multifamily. As technology continues to advance, voice search is a conversation apartment marketers can’t miss out on. If they do, they are also missing out on many leasing opportunities.

According to recent survey data , over 48% of consumers are using voice for web searches. That’s a lot of prospects you’re potentially losing if you’re not investing your marketing efforts into voice search.

Read on to better understand voice search and target keywords for your apartment community to optimize for voice search in your Google ads and website content.

Voice search is the future of marketing. It’s time for multifamily to harness its power and use it to our own advantage!

What is voice search?

Simply put, voice search allows the user to use a voice command to search the internet, a website, or an app. Instead of typing, users can talk to search which provides added convenience.

Voice search includes an open-domain keyword query for any information located on the web that is enabled through voice assistants, such as Google voice search, Cortana, Siri, and Amazon Echo. The top benefit for consumers is the ability to multitask and obtain instant answers to their questions, making their lives easier.

For multifamily, voice search is becoming increasingly popular for apartment searches. Because of this, apartment marketers should be aware of the keywords prospects are using in their voice search to sprinkle into ad and website content, in turn driving traffic and increasing conversions.

Apartment Target Keywords for Voice Search

Below are ideas and areas to consider for apartment voice search keywords. These researched areas will help you not only rank better in the SERPs but also improve your overall website SEO for voice search optimization.

Local keywords

First and foremost, your content needs to be optimized for local SEO . One in five voice searches are for local searches. Optimizing your apartment website and ads just hit the tip of the iceberg — local listings, such as Google My Business, should also be on your radar.

Voice queries are known for using the phrase, “near me”. For you to appear first in voice search results, you must include as much localization as possible (without keyword stuffing).

Ways to locally optimize content for voice:

Long-tailed keywords

We use voice search differently than typed searches; users talk to their voice assistants like they would talk to a friend. Typed searches consist of about two keywords, however, voice search is three to five keywords, if not longer.

You’ll want to optimize for long-tailed keywords that are more conversational and depict our natural speech. When looking for an apartment with a voice search, users ask “What are some of the best apartments around Dallas, TX” or “What affordable 1 bedroom apartments are near Dallas?”

Because the search query will be much longer when using voice search, it’s important to use natural language in your content — think to yourself, “Does this content fit with something someone would actually ask about?” If not, then it probably won’t work for voice search.

Keywords posed as questions

The next target keyword would be ones that are posed as questions. Voice searches tend to be questions. When creating content, be sure that it is answering questions that may be searched for by your prospects.

Using question-oriented phrases in your keywords and content will attract your audience’s attention. Who, what, when, where, how, can, best, and top are all phrases that you should be implemented when possible for voice search.

FAQ pages are a great tool for fast answers to questions. They are formatted in a simple question and answer design to perfectly address certain voice queries. Research the top questions your prospects is likely to ask on voice searches and create an FAQ page that quickly answers them. You’ll boost your rankings & your prospects will be pleased.

Never Stop Testing

All things considered, voice search is still relatively new and is constantly evolving. As technology progresses, we as marketers have to keep up to stay ahead. Staying ahead means to never stop testing each new trend or technology that comes our way to make sure your apartment community is seen and heard.

Stay optimizing — we’ve never arrived. Test phrases, keywords, and questions that potential renters may be asking on voice search. That way, you’re never missing out on an opportunity!

Perfecting Your Apartment Marketing Strategy: 3 Truths About What Renters Want

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 17:31:00 GMT

As apartment marketers, we know that strategy is everything. But once you create a strategy, it doesn’t stop there. Refining and perfecting your marketing strategy is an ever-developing process.

However, a little help never hurt anyone. So, we’re here to give you the low-down on what renter’s want from your marketing strategy. Perfecting your strategy begins with understanding your target audience — their interest, desires, behaviors, etc.

Discover three simple truths that will help you market your community the way your potential renters want to be sold to!

What Renters Actually Want From Your Apartment Marketing Strategy

1. Tailored messages

72% of consumers will only engage in marketing messages that are tailored to their interests.

The key to perfecting your marketing strategy is to start with personalization. A personalized marketing message that specifically tailors to what your target renter wants will make them more likely to engage and respond.

A tailored message emphasizes the wants and needs of your target audience. What entices your renters? Why did they choose your community over a competitor? What can your community provide that interests your potential renter or solves a problem for them?

These questions will help you create a message that will guarantee a response. Make the message about them, not your community.

For Example:

Sarah is 32 and looking for an apartment community downtown that’s near work. She is single, has a dog, and loves to workout. Her favorite social media platform is Instagram.

As she was scrolling through her Instagram stories, an ad for your apartment community popped up promoting a pet-friendly, one-bedroom apartment walking distance from work, and it featured Peloton bikes as an amenity in their fitness center.

This ad has everything that Sarah was searching for in an apartment community, so she swipes up and schedules a tour. Sarah just became a qualified lead because of your tailored message!

2. Detailed information about your community

Once your target renter becomes aware of your community, renters want accurate and detailed information about your community and what it can offer them.

Written content on your website is something you don’t want to skimp out on. Neither are professional imagery and videos. All of the above tells the story of your apartment community and is what will solidify your marketing strategy.

Potential renters want to be immersed in your community lifestyle as soon as they visit your homepage. A lot of apartment communities use generic phrases about their community and the amenities they offer.

If what you’re promoting about your community’s amenities and features is the same as your competitors, then you aren’t standing out or getting the attention deserved. Generic phrases such as a resort-style pool, 24/7 fitness center, and a clubhouse don’t quite cut it anymore.

These phrases are overused and don’t showcase what’s unique about your living experience compared to your comps. Instead of using general terms to describe your community, try using specific and targeted information that your target renter wants to hear about. Entice them with amenities that appeal to their interests.

Let’s give you some ideas!

Remember that the details are what will set your community apart as well as catch your prospect’s attention! Perfecting your strategy means diving deeper into the details.

3. Social proof to back up your claims

Last but certainly not least, your renters want social proof . Your prospects need evidence to back up your claims about your apartment community, possibly before even deciding to tour your property.

Social proof from a digital marketing standpoint is any piece of evidence from your target audience that verifies an element of the argument or claim you’re trying to make.

A great way to exercise social proof is through your online reputation , meaning your reviews and star ratings. Online reviews and star ratings are one of the main areas of social proof your potential renters will be looking for due to the fact that multifamily is the second most industry impacted by reviews.

With 90% of consumers turning to online reviews before making a purchasing decision, it’s vital to keep your online reputation at the forefront of your marketing strategy.

If you’re looking to improve your social proof and online reputation, here are some of our resources to get you started:

How to Get More Positive Apartment Reviews
Dealing With Bad Reviews on Google My Business
How to Respond to Negative Reviews

Social proof is basically the icing on top of your marketing strategy cake. And without icing, the cake itself is not as sweet. Your apartment marketing strategy will taste sweeter to your prospects with social proof from your past and current residents to back up the message!

Wrapping It Up

You’ll never be done perfecting your apartment marketing strategy, it changes because at the end of the day our niche is people and people change their interests and preferences daily.

However, some things don’t change. Renters want a personalized message specifically catered to them. They want details about why your community’s living experience is unique to anyone else. And lastly, renters need evidence from credible third parties to back up your claims.

Take these truths with you as you develop and perfect your marketing strategy, making it more about your renters and their needs.

Need some guidance with your apartment strategy? REPLI is here to help! Contact us today and we’ll help you from lead to fully leased.

How to Create the Perfect Personalized Renter Journey

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 14:48:00 GMT

You may have heard of the beloved customer journey . But, in apartment marketing, we have our own lingo for it. We like to call it the renter journey.

A renter journey is a path of stages a renter takes to further themselves down the marketing funnel. Escorted by your personalized marketing efforts, potential renters will make their way through the journey until they decide to choose you as their next home and become a resident (customer).

The renter’s journey is not a linear path — everyone is different! That’s why it’s crucial to create personalized renter journeys based on your community’s target audience.

A personalized renter journey can help you gain insight into your target prospect’s pain points, how they interact with your community, what they need in order to sign a lease, and much more.

Now that you understand the importance of renter journeys, let’s get to the good stuff. Below we’ll show you practically how to create personalized renter journeys for your apartment community!

Guide to Personalized Renter Journeys

Map Out Stages of the Journey

The first step is mapping out your renter journey, which is also known as your marketing funnel. There are 5 stages in the renter path that you should be familiar with.

Mapping out your renter journey just scratches the surface of creating a personalized renter journey. The 5 stages of your apartment marketing funnel set the foundation for the rest.

For more detailed information on your renter journey map, check out this blog post !

Create Renter Personas

One of the most important pieces of the puzzle is renter personas. Herein lies what you need in order to make the renter journey personal to the prospect.

Renter personas are very similar to company buyer personas. It’s a realistic representation of your average, targeted renter representing the needs, goals, and requirements of your ideal renter.

An easy way to break down your renter personas is by generation such as Gen Z, Millennials, and Baby Boomers. More often than not, your community will target one age demographic.

Which generation does your apartment community cater more to? Once you narrow down the generation, use generational characteristics to create your renter personas.

For an in-depth walkthrough on how to create your renter persona, take a look at our renter persona template along with examples for each generation!

Use Personas to Create Personalized Marketing Strategies

You will then use your renter persona to create personalized marketing strategies. These strategies will be used based on the stage the prospect is in the renter journey.

The essence of a personalized marketing strategy is making it about them not you. Once you’ve created your ideal renter you’ll want to target them using a personalized strategy for every stage of the renter’s journey.

For example purposes, we will use the Gen Z renter as our target audience.

Let’s say your Gen Z renter is looking for an apartment community in your area because it’s near his university. He was scrolling through his Instagram feed and found your community through a paid social media ad that promoted your community walking distance from his college. When he clicked on the ad, it took him to a landing page.

What would be the best landing page that personally catered to your Gen Z renter so that they will submit their information as a lead?

These personalized strategies could be the spark that turns a conversion into a solid lead, sending them down their renter journey with the end goal of becoming a part of your apartment community!

To add even more personalization to your marketing strategies, create a quick questionnaire to find out interests, desired amenities, and reasons for renting from your current residents to give you ideas and pinpoint strategies you should implement. In addition, it can show you holes in your marketing efforts that need to be filled.

Engage at Every Stage

Now that you’ve got your marketing strategies under your belt. It’s time to strategically place them at every stage of the renter’s journey.

It’s important to note that you should be engaging your prospects at every stage of their journey using your personalized marketing strategies. That way, you are at the forefront of their mind and constantly providing them with the right content at the right time.

Below we will give you a simplified guide to engaging with your target renter at each stage of the apartment marketing funnel.

Awareness

Build brand awareness and make them aware of a problem that you can solve through blogs, videos, social media posts, & website.

Consideration

Stand out amongst your competitors showing them you’re superior. Get them to submit a lead through testimonials, virtual tours, landing pages, and retargeting ads.

Buy

Here, you want to guide them toward the final steps of signing the lease through landing pages, leasing specials, pop-up offers, and lead nurturing emails.

Retention

Fulfill the promises you made in the first three phases of the renter journey. Ensure brand satisfaction through resident surveys and reputation management.

Advocacy

Leverage your residents to become brand advocates making them a valuable part of your renter journey through online reviews, videos, email marketing, and social media posts.

Bringing It All Together

From defining your apartment marketing funnel to engaging your target renter at every stage of the journey, there is so much that goes into creating a personalized renter journey for your target audience.

The 5 areas we focused on are the building blocks to a successful renter journey. People are complex, so your apartment marketing efforts will also be just as complex (if not more).

Don’t blindly market your community with elementary techniques hoping your ideal renter will fall into your lap. Do the work and the reward will be worth it!

Take this guide with you and personalize your renter journey based on your ideal, target renter.

Stop Making Your Marketing Strategy About You. It’s About Them!

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 18:47:00 GMT

The best marketers know that a customer-focused marketing strategy is the key to success. But what does this really mean? And what does it look like in multifamily? Simply put, you should stop thinking about your apartment community’s needs and start thinking about your potential renter’s needs.

We’ve come up with three key areas to look at when transforming your marketing strategy. We’ll show you how to:

How to Develop a Renter-Focused Marketing Strategy

Defining your renter persona starts with identifying who they are demographically. You’ll want to start by gathering any data or insights you have on them.

You can use:

Then, use this information to start building out who your ideal renter is. This is where it’s important to pinpoint which generation of renters you serve. More often than not – your community will target just one.

Each generation is different; they each have defining values, morals, and characteristics which influence their desires and, ultimately, their decisions. If you want to learn more about creating generational renter personas, check out our ebook . It also has a super helpful template for creating your very own persona.

Map Out the Renter’s Journey and Plan Your Marketing Strategy With Them in Mind

Using the insights and information you gathered about your renter persona, start mapping out their wants and needs in each stage of their journey – AKA your marketing funnel. The funnel stages you’ll want to focus on are as follows: awareness, consideration, decision, and retention.

Awareness

In this stage, potential renters most likely don’t know you who you are or what you offer. In some cases, they might not even realize they need to search for apartments yet. They might know the location they want and the budget they’re working with, but they still need to conduct a search. This is your chance to provide relevant content that is genuinely valuable and helpful to them at this point in their journey.

For example, maybe a Gen Z or millennial renter is searching for “best bars in [area]”. You could create a blog post titled “3 Best Bars Near [name of your apartment community]”. This will be helpful to them and will put you on their radar.

Consideration

Potential renters will now start searching for and comparing apartments, keeping in mind their preferences on location and amenities. Thinking about your target persona, ask yourself these questions:

Now, using the answers to these questions, think about what channels are appropriate based on the renter’s needs. Some strategies you might consider:

Here’s an example of a great Google My Business post that boosts organic traffic and genuinely appeals to renters in this stage of their journey:

Notice how this post describes the apartment community’s location and boasts of the nearby restaurants and nightlife. This is something a renter would find important in the consideration stage when comparing locations of apartments.

Decision

In this phase, renters are likely torn between two to four properties. You need to stand out. Before making their decision, renters tour apartments, read reviews, and most importantly, respond to being marketed to. That’s why, in this stage, it’s important to provide help and direction every step of the way, while showing them you have what they’re looking for.

Here are some strategies for this stage of the renter’s journey:

Retention

Some people forget about this stage, but it’s just as important to stay customer-focused even after they’ve made the decision and become your customer. Renters are no different!

Here are some strategies for retaining and keeping your residents happy:

Wrapping Up Your Marketing Strategy

You can’t market to people to fill your needs – you have to market to people to fill their needs. And when the process is all over, when they’ve gone from lead to fully leased, your efforts don’t stop there.

Identifying your target renter and mapping out their journey according to what their needs are is just the tip of the iceberg. Implementing great marketing strategies in each of these stages – ones that offer true value to your prospects – is most important, and we hope this post helped you get a head start on that.

How to Market Your Apartment Community to Young Professionals

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:29:00 GMT

The current rental market is filled with young professionals who are in the stage of life seeking independent, fun, and convenient living environments.

This fast-growing segment is soon becoming the primary target audience for the multifamily market. With the increasing number of young professionals in the rental market, apartments should adjust marketing strategies and put more marketing efforts into grabbing their attention.

There’s no better time than now for your apartment community to step into this market segment. We’ve got you covered with five tips on how to keep up with the young professionals in apartment marketing!

Who Are Young Professionals?

Young professionals are referred to as young adults in their 20s and 30s who are employed in a professional occupation. Though the term may be vague, young professionals can either be in college, just entering the workforce, or are a few years into their career.

Most young professionals are immersed in technology from a very young age, which makes them extremely tech-savvy. As a result, they obtain the majority of their information online.

The young professional market segment is one of the fast-growing markets. In fact, the large population of young professional millennials in the U.S. contributes close to $200 billion of purchasing power annually, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation .

5 Effective Ways to Capture Their Attention

Understanding young professionals’ lifestyle and needs is an easy way to find what captures their attention when it comes to apartment marketing. Meanwhile, it is all starts with the right channel along with the right content.

1. Meet Them On Social Media

Is 11 hours a fair amount of time? Average young professionals spend 11 hours on their phone within a week. According to a study , millennials are spending about 2 hours and 38 minutes on social media each day.

Instagram and Snapchat have become the most popular social platforms for young professionals within the past few years. Both channels focus on visual-driven content, which is a must in social media marketing. Accordingly, you may want to shift your marketing strategy to include visual content such as professional photography and videography to cater to your young professional audience.

A common them among young adults is authenticity. Millennials trust what they feel is authentic. Be transparent — keeping things simple, real, and honest. Creating fresh, reliable, and authentic content would attract more attention from your young professional audiences. For example, going live on Instagram or hosting a give away for your residents can boost engagement and traffic to your social media.

2. No Time to Waste – Instant Response

Instant gratification is making young professionals more and more impatient, and a fast lifestyle leaves them no time to waste.

Young professionals are constantly seeking answers, and apartment communities need to respond in a timely manner in order to keep consistent two-way communication and secure solid leads

Implementing chatbots allow you to market your apartment in real-time. Because young professionals today are too busy to fill out a contact form and appreciate the convenience of immediate answers. The apartment community that provides instant access to information is ahead of the competition.

3. Highlight the Fun – Community Events

Excite your young professional audience by promoting your weekly events. Not to avoid the fact that young people are always seeking for fun and enjoying their social lives. Apartment events not only can engage your current residents within your community but also can be used for attracting future residents.

You want your audience to think of your brand as a person. The younger generation enjoys music, food, sports, and entertainment. Introducing events on your social media not only highlights the fun but the personality of the community.

Millennials always desire to be part of something bigger than themselves and community events are able to meet their passion. In conclusion, be the community that millennials want to be a part of.

In need of some community event ideas? We’ve got you covered! Check out our free ebook for 12 months of exciting resident events.

4. Young Professionals Feed on Visual Content

Including a short video on your apartment website is a great way to attract young adults. Just like with fast food, when young professionals consume information, they want something easy and convenient. Video is the fastest way to tell your story.

Provide them the vision of living in the community and show your apartment’s personality through videos that lead your audience closer to you, and your apartment will have a higher chance of becoming their next home. For example, include walkthrough videos or virtual tours of floor plans, amenities, etc. on your website to bring a one on one online visual experience to your young professional audience.

5. The Importance of Word of Mouth

Do not underestimate the power of the reviews. Reviews count as user-generated content, which has more credibility to the audiences. Research showed that 88% of people trust online reviews, especially when it comes to young professionals.

Like we’ve mentioned before, young professionals trust authentic content, and there is nothing more authentic than reviews. Moreover, spending time responding to your apartment reviews or investing in reputation management is not only for your customer service but also for a way to market your apartment to young professionals.

In addition to more insight into the minds of young professionals, take a look at this blog post specifically about marketing apartments to millennials.

Need help connecting with young professional renters? Contact our marketing experts today! We’re always here to help.

5 Ways to Easily Improve Conversions on Your Apartment Website

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 17:14:00 GMT

Leads are the name of the game in apartment marketing. A solid lead is on its way to becoming a fully leased resident. So, the more leads, the better — yes?

The problem is, how can you get more quality leads without spending an absurd amount of money?

Our solution is to improve your conversion rate — when visitors take a desired action on your website and become a qualified lead.

We’ve got 5 actions you can take right now to easily improve conversions on your apartment website. Making these improvements will bring your conversion game back to where it was meant to be!

How to Improve Your Apartment Website Conversions

Strategize Call to Actions

Improving your apartment website’s conversions goes hand in hand with your call to actions.

Take a look at the CTAs on your site. Are you giving prospects solid reasons to take action now ? Are you providing them with the right new steps in their renter journey?

“Apply Now” is the primary CTA we see across apartment community websites. This may be good for those who are ready to buy and submit an application. However, not all prospects visiting your website are at the stage in the journey of pulling the apartment application trigger.

Most potential renter’s who visit your website are in the consideration stage of the journey. They want to know more about who you are as a community and what your community can offer them. With that being said, create a strategy that provides diverse CTAs across your website to help guide them along every stage of the renter’s journey.

Here are some potential CTAs to try out:

Test out these CTA recommendations and watch your conversions not only improve but become better quality because you took into consideration their stage in the process.

Demonstrate Social Proof

Showing social proof is another easy way to improve your conversions. Social proof is when people make their decisions based on what most other people do.

Social proof can be offline or online. But, let’s focus on social proof on your apartment website.

Examples of demonstrating social proof on your site can be highlighting renter testimonials or showcasing awards and recognitions.

Break up your written content with snippets of renters’ personal experiences with your apartment community. While visitors are reading and browsing your content, they will be interrupted with a personal story to validate your “luxury lifestyle” or “customizable floor plans.”

Or create a testimonial page where you can house all positive renter testimonials for prospects to see and social proof to be established.

Awards and recognitions from any strong third party authority can really benefit your social proof and improve conversions. In addition, it reinforces a prospect’s decision knowing the community they chose has “evidence” to back up their claims.

Integrate a pop-up

Website pop-ups are easy ways to quickly and effectively improve conversions. A pop-up is a small window that usually appears after specific triggered actions like clicking on a particular button or staying on a page for a certain amount of time.

Pop-ups have become increasingly popular within multifamily websites because they work. High-performing pop-ups average a 9.28% conversion rate according to recent studies .

Pop-ups work because they retain visitors’ attention by suddenly appearing on the page they are viewing. There are many different types of pop-ups you can use depending on your strategy.

Quickly grab your viewers’ attention by implementing an entry pop-up of a monthly special your community is promoting. Or collect a potential renter’s information as well as detailed information on their floor plan preference when they are about to leave the site with an exit pop-up .

If you’re looking for a way to improve conversions ASAP, then a website pop-up is the way to go.

For more detailed information on apartment website pop-ups, take a look at this blog post !

Always Follow Up

Once you’ve captured a conversion from your website, the show doesn’t stop there! Rarely does a potential renter complete the entire leasing process in one step. You’ll have to continually follow up with them until the final step of signing the lease.

There are many ways to follow up including lead nurturing emails and remarketing ads .

A lead nurturing email is a personalized email campaign that continues the buyer’s journey which can impact the buyer’s behavior.

Practically speaking, now that you have the prospect’s contact information, make your way into their inbox with a new lifestyle video, community blog post, or a resident testimonial. Send anything that will strengthen the connection you’ve already made!

Often times, the potential renter will later convert after receiving a follow-up email from the prospective community. Additionally, you can automate your lead nurturing email campaign, and automatically send them to every new lead. This also helps to add extra support to your leasing team’s follow up actions.

One of the best ways to steadily keep your prospect’s attention is through remarketing ads. Simply put, remarketing ads are the pair of sunglasses you looked at once that keep following you around the internet until you finally say, “to hell with it” and purchase them.

Run your remarketing ads as banners on other sites and also on social media. Follow up with lead nurturing emails and remarketing ads and see your apartment website conversions skyrocket!

Provide Open Channel of Communication

Lastly, to improve conversions, you’ll want to make available an open channel of communication on your website. An example of this type of communication would be a live chat.

Research shows that a live chat can increase online leads by an average of nearly 40%. That’s quite impressive!

A live chat is a simple way of engaging with your prospects immediately on your website. Visitors can ask questions and have their answers straight from the source within a few seconds. The sooner potential renters get their questions answered, the sooner they submit an application.

An open channel of communication can leave website visitors feeling satisfied knowing that their questions have been answered quickly and effectively. They leave the interaction with a positive view of the site and apartment community.

Looking to significantly drive up your conversions? Live chat capabilities might be just what your apartment website needs.

The multifamily market is nothing short of competitive, but the demand is higher than ever.

After reading this, you may be realizing it’s time for your apartment community to step up to the plate and make some much-needed improvements to increase your website conversions.

Take these 5 tips with you as you create a personalized strategy for improving conversions.

You can always come to us for help or advice along the way. Contact a digital marketing specialist today! We’re your partner from lead to fully leased.

7 Quick Ways to Boost Apartment Local SEO

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 20:20:00 GMT

Picture yourself as a prospective renter. How will you look for your future home? If you’ve ever hopped on your phone or laptop to do a quick Google search, then you should know the importance of local SEO.

Local SEO refers to the process of optimizing your online presence to attract more renters from relevant local searches. Optimizing local SEO elevates your apartment’s SEO efforts and gains more visibility from search engines.

Showing up on search results is key, and implementing local SEO is a must. From a more targeted approach to lowering the competition, local SEO has become one of the top apartment marketing strategies.

Do you want your apartment community to outrank your competitors and be on top of the Google search result? We will show you 7 tips on how to boost your apartment local SEO to gain more visibility.

7 Ways to Boost Your Apartment Local SEO

1. Optimize Google My Business Listing

Did you know over 92% of search is conducted on Google? Google has provided a free and easy-to-use tool for business owners to manage their online presence called Google my Business. It’s like the yellow pages but for online. If you want to be discovered, you first need to be listed.

Optimizing your apartment on Google My Business is the key to being discovered. It allows you to tell Google about your apartment community, including community information such as office operating hours, reviews, and ratings, which is vital information for your prospective renters.

Example of GMB:

Google my business works the best when it comes to local search. As prospects search your apartment community, your apartment business page will appear in the google right sidebar with all the information.

2. Manage your GMB reviews and rating

According to 2018 Local Search Ranking Factors , reviews are the top 8 factor impacting local ranking. Reputation management is beneficial for both Google ranking and your prospective renter’s decision-making process.

Here at REPLI, our organic team is well-versed in reputation management. Check out how your online reputation directly impacts your leads.

3. Utilize Your GMB Posts and Products

One of the important features of GMB is the post feature. You can post any new updates, events, and move-in specials keeping your current and future residents informed.

The product feature can be a great tool to show off floor plans allowing users to access information on what your apartment community offers.

4. Local Citation

A local citation is any online mention of the name, address, and phone number for a local business.

Implementing local citation not only helps visitors discover your apartment community, but also impacts local search engine rankings. With multiple local citations, search engines will have more confidence in your apartment listing data, which gives your community more chances of ranking higher.

Claim your apartment in local listing directories. Here are the top apartment local citations:

There is a lot of information needed to make citations. Be sure to include:

Providing consistent information, and avoiding duplicate or incorrect listing is crucial. Don’t confuse search engines with different listing information – keep it consistent!

5. Implement Structured Data

As you know, there are hundreds of different languages in the world; however, structured data is the language of search engines. By speaking its own language, search engines are able to organize your information better.

The most commonly used structured data for SEO is called schema. Schema helps search engines understand the data on site, therefore, enhances the search results and also increases the chance of your apartment community outranking others.

6. Be Mobile-Friendly

According to Hubspot , 46% of all Google searches are local. It also mentioned that 60% of the people who search for local business use smartphones. If your apartment website is hard to navigate on small screens, you are unfortunately missing out on leads.

Making your apartment website mobile friendly sets you on the winning path of local SEO. Make sure to include:

Do you want to check if your apartment website is mobile friendly enough? Examine it now using the Mobile-Friendly Test .

7. Highlight Your Neighborhood Page

Location, location, location. One of the main factors influencing prospective renter’s decisions is the location. Highlight your apartment location, and showcase nearby shopping, dining, and entertainment on your neighborhood page. Most importantly, be an expert in your apartment area and promote your community as a whole.

Make sure you include a location map on your neighborhood page – provide a more virtual and complete impression of the community.

Hopefully, you take away key strategies to boost your apartment’s local SEO. By implementing these tips, you will definitely see your apartment community slowly climbing up to the top of the search rankings.

Use these quick boosts to benefit your short-term local search results and get ready to see the long-term SEO results!

Need more insights into local SEO? Reach out to our organic SEO team at REPLI, and be sure to check out our local SEO package on what we can offer your apartment community!

The Importance of Apartment Website Accessibility

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 12:56:00 GMT

Accommodation of disabilities and impairments within multifamily may be seen as tactile efforts — braille on signs, automatic doors, ramps, and designated parking.

But what about digital accommodation?

We’d like to start an evolving conversation with you, fellow apartment marketers, around the importance of website accessibility. In recent years, website accessibility has become a growing topic of concern.

With the rise of online leasing and virtual tours, there should also be honest conversations about the inaccessibility these technological features can present for users with disabilities.

Additionally, it should be a priority to implement standards of website accessibility for all users to have the same online experience on your site. As well as keeping your community website in compliance with the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).

It’s also worth noting the importance of apartment communities finding partners that specialize in multifamily. If you’re looking to outsource for content or website design, it’s best to work with partners that work exclusively in multifamily. Those who work within multifamily are well-versed in fair housing compliance laws, which can eliminate any risk of liability on your part.

What Is Website Accessibility?

Website accessibility is the inclusive practice of ensuring best-practices are put in place within the design and development of a website for all users to navigate and interact with the website.

The most widely accepted standards of website accessibility are the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. These guidelines provide standards for websites to accommodate users with disabilities or visual impairments which improves the overall user experience.

Website inaccessibility can prevent people with disabilities from having an equal opportunity to find housing. This is not in compliance with laws such as FHA and ADA which both protect Americans with disabilities from discrimination.

The accessibility standards provide the necessary steps to not only ensuring equal website access to users, but it also protects your community website from legal issues.

What Can I Do About It?

Website accessibility is not a one-time fix, but a process of refining and improving upon your website design to make it easily accessible for your users.

Apartment communities should go to great lengths in prioritizing the development of accessible websites. And also should be aware that inaccessible websites are an emerging fair housing issue.

7.6 million Americans over the age of 16 have a visual impairment. If community website designs don’t cater to their specific needs, then major issues can arise. When a potential renter can’t understand the content on your website, they are more inclined to move on to the next community on their list.

Ensuring your website meets accessibility guidelines helps your apartment community stand out from your competitors who have not invested in website accessibility.

But what can your apartment community do to ensure that your website is accessible?

Great question! Here are some practical ways to make your apartment website accessible to all users.

Website Accessibility Best-Practices

First, audit your website. Use the approved WCGA 2.0 guidelines as a standard for you to adjust and improve your website’s accessibility. Then, take into consideration our best-practices!

Images

All images on your apartment website should include alternative text (alt-text). Alt-text is a description of the image and has been known to enhance usability and search engine optimization (SEO) performance.

However, users with visual impairments often use screen readers to help navigate a website’s menu, images, content, and icons. The use of alt-text to give a description of images help these individuals better understand the images on your site.

Though marketers are aware of alt-text, partners who are not experienced in multifamily may not understand the importance of providing detailed descriptions. For example, how to accurately describe an image of your community’s stainless-steel appliances or outdoor grill & patio.

Content

Users with impairments may not be able to access your visual-only content, such as graphics and videos. Provide audio transcripts and/or in-sync captioning of your videos. In addition, adding written text to your graphics as an alternative allows users who use screen readers to also engage and enjoy your website content.

Keep in mind the contrast between the written text and the colors of your background and images. Let your text be easy to read and distinguish. Your brand colors may be bright and vibrant but are they distracting to the information about your apartment community?

Functionality

Your website functionality, meaning how it works, should be accessible through a mouse and keyboard and synced to work with voice-control systems.

Also, a “skip navigation” feature can be made available for access to users with certain disabilities. This feature places a named anchor on the page where the main content begins, allowing them to skip to the main content of the site.

The functionality of your website enables impaired users to successfully navigate from page to page and ultimately make the decision to choose your community as their next home.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

At the end of the day, the most important thing is your customers. Investing in website accessibility for all users shows your current and future residents that you care — that it’s about them!

Take the time to audit your apartment website for potential optimization improvements. Using the accessibility guidelines and standards will widen your apartment website audience and create positive user experiences.

3 Ways to Use Your Apartment Website Pop-Up

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 20:46:00 GMT

In the past few years, pop-ups seem to have a bad reputation for being annoying and disruptive. Still, some people see it as useful and convenient. The question remains: why do people have opposite attitudes towards pop-ups?

The key is relevance. Appealing information at the right time and to the right audience — pop-ups are very effective.

Many people wonder why pop-ups still exist today. The answer is simple – because it works. According to the research , the top 10% highest-performing pop-ups averaged a 9.28% conversion rate.

Are you concerned about being disruptive by adding a pop-up to your apartment website? You’re not alone. But not to worry! We’ll provide informative and targeted ways to offer pop-up content to your prospective renters without interrupting their website experience while driving conversions to your apartment website.

In this blog, you’ll get to know about:

Let’s dig in and see what’s popping!

Why do we use apartment website pop-ups?

A pop-up is defined as a small window that suddenly appears in the foreground of the visual interface. It usually appears after specific triggered actions like clicking on a particular button or staying on a page for a certain amount of time.

As marketers, we know online visitors have very short attention spans. In order to grab visitor’s attention, your content needs to be catchy and engaging, and the pop-up is an efficient way to achieve that.

Savvy marketers have found using pop-ups creatively and effectively drives desired actions.

Pop-ups can retain visitors’ attention by breaking through inattentional blindness. We all experience inattentional blindness : when we are focusing closely on one thing, we often fail to see other things in plain sight. For example, when we are watching movies, 9 out of 10 fail to identify all the bloopers that occurred in the background. When visitors stare at your apartment website for a while, pop-ups might just be a friendly reminder of what your apartment community is offering.

Types of Pop-ups

Although pop-ups can be designed and applied in many different ways, 6 types of pop-ups are most commonly used. These pop-ups are categorized with or without trigger actions:

3 ways to use your apartment website pop-up

1. Draw the Eyes to What’s Important

Pop-ups are extremely effective when it comes to emphasizing information. Just like fireworks， pop-ups are not meant to scare you but will definitely catch your attention.

Emergency Announcement

Many apartment websites utilized their pop-up features after the unexpected COVID-19. They utilized a pop-up as an announcement platform. First, it catches the attention of prospective renters on how your apartment manages situations. Second, it provides your current resident a fast way to get to the information they need to see.

Entry pop-ups can be applied to this type of emergency announcement situation.

Virtual Tour

Many apartment communities replaced in-person tours with virtual tours to protect their prospective renter and staff’s safety during the coronavirus. A pop-up was the key tool to make that information easily accessible to everyone who visited the apartment website.

Specials

Some apartment websites use pop-ups to display information such as specials, announcements, and community updates without users navigating away from the main page.

Keep your prospective renters informed with your lasted specials with pop-ups. A rental special or discount pop-up might be just what they need to convert if your visitors have a high interest in your apartment community.

Seasonal & Community Events

Pop-ups can be easily updated to keep related and relevant information without having to intrude the actual webpage. Inform your current residents and prospective renters with upcoming community events or seasonal activities.

Provide value—offer something that the visitor wants with smooth UX design and catchy headlines. Use your apartment website pop-ups to elevate your visitor’s user experience and increase the chance of converting. That is to say, implement your apartment website pop-ups appropriately.

2. Collect Useful Renter Information

Not only eCommerce websites but many apartment websites also use the pop-up to collect their visitor’s information.

Multi-field forms

There is more you can ask than just a name and email address, detailed questions like the number of bedroom preferences, whether the person owns pets or not, etc. After that, collect data to help your team get to know your prospective renter’s better and also provide targeted incentives and personalized experiences.

Here are some examples you can include in your forms:

3. Direct Traffic with Shortcuts

Popular Menu

Pop-ups can make your prospect’s life easier by providing easy access to popular menu bars like floor plans page, amenities, gallery, and virtual tours. Direct traffic efficiently with navigation pop-ups by providing visitors what they want and showing them what they need.

Chat Pop-Up

Triggers of pop-ups vary. Chatbot pop-up can be thoughtful after visitors browse your site for a certain amount of time. A live chat pop-up can answer your prospective renter’s questions, further the conversation, and increase the chance of conversions.

Contact Form

The most common pop-up for the contact form is the opt-in bar. As visitors browse through your apartment website, they might come up with questions along the way. Therefore, providing a fast and easy way of contact with the leasing team is very important. An opt-in bar can be an excellent asset to your apartment website.

Recommendations on Your Pop-ups

After conducting ways of using pop-ups, we also want to share with you some recommendations.

Use pop-ups to enhance your apartment website visitors’ experience. By providing useful and relevant information to keep them on the page, remind them of what your community offers and achieve your ultimate goal — to drive conversions and increase leases.

Hopefully, this gives you a solid understanding of apartment website pop-ups and various ways to use them.

Need more ideas on apartment website pop-ups? REPLI is here to help! Our development team would love to answer any questions on pop-ups and apartment websites. Reach out to us today – REPLI will be your digital marketing partner along the way.

Apartment Website Design: Top 10 Features You Must Have

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 14:40:00 GMT

What’s the most important feature of your website? The answer is: there are many must-have features you need to consider when planning your apartment website design.

The features you implement into your website design have the potential to increase traffic to your site and acquire more quality leads. Which turns into signed leases and units filled! Oh, day!

REPLI has been and continues to be a well-known expert in website design features. We create turn-key apartment websites on a daily basis for our clients and customers.

Allow us to show you the top 10 features you must have for a banging apartment website design!

10 Must-Have Apartment Website Design Features

1. Special Offer Pop-Ups

If your apartment community runs move-in specials or discounts, consider implementing a pop-up feature on your website of the special offer. This pop-up could fire after an allotted time is spent on the site or be ideally situated at the top of the homepage.

A pop-up is a type of CTA (call to action) that can attract your site visitors to take an action such as scheduling a tour or filling out an application because of the special offer running during that month. Be sure to provide a contact button or a form within the pop-up that prospects are about to put in their information.

2. Virtual Tours

Now more than ever digital capabilities are vital to apartment marketing. With the cause for maintaining the practice of social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic, physically touring a community may not be within some of your prospect’s safety measures.

However, virtual tours are ways potential renters can “tour” floor plans and other areas around your community from their own device, without physically being on the property.

Adding virtual tours can even increase your leads. A study showed that apartment listings with virtual tours received 87% more views with those that didn’t. More views = more leads. A virtual tour feature is a must-have for apartment website design!

3. Resident Testimonials

Nothing showcases your community better than your residents’ positive experiences living there. Featuring resident testimonials within your apartment website design is free advertising from a credible and unbiased source.

In addition, resident testimonials build social proof which is when people make a decision based on what other people do. Posting positive reviews and experiences throughout your website can position your community above your comps, driving more scheduled tours which in return increases leads and leases.

Add your positive resident testimonials and reviews throughout different pages of your site such as your amenities, floor plans, and image gallery pages. They can also be used to break up large bodies of text to optimize your apartment website design.

4. Interactive Site Map

Enhance your prospect’s user experience on your website by integrating an interactive sitemap into your floor plan page designs.

5. Live Chat Capability

Live chat capabilities on your site is the new standard for apartment website design and a feature you must have.

Why? The multifamily industry requires immediate responses to the questions prospects may have. You need to provide information quickly on questions about floorplans, pricing, amenities, and etc. Live chats enable potential renters to get the necessary answers and successfully move forward through the renter’s journey.

Additionally, you can integrate a chatbot to do the grunt work and instantly respond with standard answers to common questions!

6. Image Gallery Portfolio

Your apartment website design should feature an image gallery that displays the lifestyle of your community. An image gallery is essentially your community portfolio, meaning you should continually be updating and refining it to give site visitors the best version.

The images you choose to incorporate should be high-quality and professionally done. Each photo needs to draw attention to details such as your exclusive amenities and apartment features.

Showcase the culture your community establishes through your images. It’s a priceless feature that creates characterization and differentiates your property from another.

7. Neighborhood Hotspots

A feature you must have for your website design is a neighborhood hotspot. This hotspot is an interactive location software integration. It lets potential and future residents know local hotspots such as restaurants, shopping, entertainment, schools, etc.

Provide prospects with a user-friendly tool that gives them access to view your city and neighborhood from the convenience of your own website. No longer do they have to go to Google maps to see what’s located around your community! It’s available on demand.

8. Community Blog

One of the best ways to engage and establish relationships with your prospects is by creating conversations through active and informative blog content. Adding a community blog may be just what your apartment website design needs!

Blogging on apartment websites reaps a ton of benefits including driving significant organic traffic to your site, relationship building, and lasting marketing value.

Ideas for content on your blog could include but is not limited to:

For more info about blogging on your apartment website, check out this blog post to weigh out the pros & cons!

9. High-quality Video Content

Video content is no longer a want, it’s a need within the multifamily industry. Photos can only do so much to effectively portray your community. Video content can be used to tell a story about your community by presenting the lifestyle.

Hire a videographer to capture aesthetic video content of your floor plans, property exterior, amenities, other settings. Display the video features throughout your website design and watch your brand come to life!

10. Guided Guest Card

The final feature to consider for your website design is a REPLI specialty. Your potential renter may be spending more time browsing than actually finding the information they need. Take the guesswork out of visitor browsing and guide them to where they need to be with a guided guest card.

Guided guest cards are icons on the bottom of the page that follow site visitors along their website journey. At any time, a visitor can click on one of these icons to take them to fill out an application, schedule a tour, or view a floor plan.

Add this feature to help prospects easily navigate your website design and painlessly get to the needed information in order to make a decision.

Now that you know REPLI’s top 10 apartment website design features, it’s time to get to work on yours!

You might seem a little overwhelmed by the process. That’s to be expected! Let us handle it for you by being your digital marketing partner. We’ll do the heavy lifting for you.

Apartment Marketing Ideas for Summer During COVID-19

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 14:47:00 GMT

Summer is coming, and so is the peak of the moving season . COVID-19 has changed many aspects of our daily lives both personal and business; however, renter’s are still renting, and people are still moving. The show must go on!

As you know, summer months start from June to September; warmer weather and longer daylight hours have made summer the more ideal time for people to move. Apartment hunting is on your future resident’s summer plan; therefore, mapping out your apartment marketing ideas for summer should also be on top of your marketing strategy list.

As the hot summer leasing season quickly approaches, let’s get started with our top 5 ideas on marketing your apartment community this summer during COVID-19.

1. Plan Social Distancing Community Events

Hosting online community events, including residents and non-residents, is a brilliant way to connect your current and attract new residents while keeping social distance. In short, events involving fun can never go wrong!

Here are some of the top virtual events:

Don’t forget to focus on activities that are informative and apartment-friendly!

If you are looking for ideas on engaging your residents, check out our blog on 7 Ways to Encourage Current Residents .

2. Run Social Media Giveaways

Not only use social media and hashtags to promote your community events but also run social media giveaways. It helps to attract more audiences other than your current residents and increase overall engagement.

The giveaways should focus on summer items. For example, things like promotional sunglasses, water bottles, fans, beach balls, towels, etc. Be creative and colorful in your giveaway post. Example like :

Other suggestions for giveaways could include online streaming subscriptions like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+ can be very beneficial to your residents during this time. Be creative and fun for your summer giveaways. Keep your audiences’ interest in mind!

3. Provide Virtual Tours

If you are in apartment marketing, virtual tours are a must. Research showed that virtual tours help double interest in the business. As a result, virtual tours can help increase the consideration rate among your future residents by showing them your property before their physical visit.

Apartment virtual tours not only can save time and energy for your future residents but also save them from being exhausted in the summer heat. Nothing is better than touring their future home within an AC room during a sizzling summer.

4. Inform Your Residents with Moving Tips

Moving is never the most fun thing to do. That is to say; it is time for your property manager to step in this summer moving season and share some moving tips and tricks!

Your property managers, at this point, should already be very familiar with the moving process, and they are the experts in this area. Use their knowledge to post useful moving tips on your social media platforms to help make your new residents’ summer moving process more manageable.

5. Partner with Local Businesses

Normally, we would recommend letting your apartment property set booths at local festivals. However, during this pandemic, we recommend putting more marketing efforts in partnering with local businesses instead.

Local businesses have great connections with people around the area. Being able to use resources within the community helps your apartment community build local reputation and connection.

Keep your target audience in mind. For example, if your target audience is college students, partner with public transportation, local restaurants, and boutique clothing stores would better fit in their daily lifestyle. If your target audience is working millennials, partnering with local radio stations, grocery stores, and local gyms likely to have higher exposure towards this target segment.

Use these apartment marketing ideas to achieve your results, attract more audiences, and leave no vacant units behind this summer! Even amidst a pandemic.

REPLI is always here to help. If you’d like to talk to one of our digital marketing specialists about your COVID-19 marketing strategy, we’d love to help.

For more information or questions, please contact us here . We’d love to schedule a time to talk with you!

3 Ways to Manage Online Reputation During COVID-19

Fri, 29 May 2020 15:59:00 GMT

Managing your apartment online reputation has become more crucial due to the impact of COVID-19. Even while many states are re-opening their economies , many residents are still spending a lot at home. As a result, major issues have undoubtedly arisen due to working from home, neighbors’ noise, closed amenities, maintenance requests, financial instability, etc.

Residents might be anxious over the pandemic situation and daily changes to life which can lead to a lot of pent up emotion and stress. That stress can lead people to vent or air out any concerns they have online in the form of online reviews. Communicating with your residents is the key to managing your apartment community’s online reputation. Not only can it help assist with your current residents’ difficulties but can also reassure your prospective residents.

Here, we will provide you with the best practices on how to incorporate reputation management into your on-going COVID-19 marketing strategy. These practices will help create higher quality social distancing interactions with your current residents and virtual experiences with your prospective and current residents.

Want to know why online reputation is so important for apartment marketing? Check out our blog on Why Your Online Reputation Directly Impacts Your Lease .

1. Handle Online Reviews with Care

Reviews reflect your current residents’ experience and impact your prospective renters’ decisions. According to the recent survey by Podium, 93% of people say online reviews influence their purchasing decisions.

Positive reviews have a strong impact on your apartment reputation; however, negative reviews are also a strong tool in building your apartment reputation.

Here are some best practices and examples for responding to online reviews

If you want to know more about responding to negative reviews, check out our blog on How to Respond to Negative Apartment Reviews .

2. Make The Latest Updates and News Easily Accessible

Because of the lack of in-person interactions and anxiety over this unprecedented situation, your residents and apartment team might face issues caused by miscommunication. Be clear, accurate, and open with all COVID-19 announcements. Maintaining clear communication and keeping your residents informed is very important right now. Strive toward being sympathetic and considerate by providing options to your residents who might experience personal challenges and job uncertainty.

General Questions and Information

As many states and cities are allowing businesses to set their own COVID-19 guidelines, it can be very confusing for everyone. Keep residents informed with easily accessible COVID-19 related updates.

When posting new information or updates, it’s best to post it in as many places as possible to ensure every resident will see the latest information.

Create a checklist of all announcement boards and ensure you are consistently updating them with every single announcement.

Here’s a quick list to get you started:

Maintenance Requests

One of the most common complaints left by apartment reviewers has to do with maintenance. COVID-19 has made it more difficult to perform maintenance safely for all involved, which has undoubtedly led to an increase in maintenance-related complaints.

To prevent online complaints, setting expectations with your current residents and providing clear guidance on how to virtually contact the on-site management team and maintenance team can go a long way in easing any concerns.

Also clearly communicate how your apartment community is working to keep them safe and secure during this difficult time.

Our suggestions for maintenance guidelines include:

Having set guidelines for your staff and expectations for your residents can provide the groundwork for achieving a positive online reputation.

3. Highlight Your Virtual Experience

Virtual Tours

Just because COVID-19 has paved the way for virtual tours and leasing experiences, that doesn’t mean potential residents shouldn’t get the same level of quality service that they would receive in person. It can be very unsettling for potential residents to find a new home without actually seeing it in person first.

Train your on-site team to be empathetic, helpful, and attentive during all virtual tours or leasing. This will differentiate your community and establish trust between that new resident and your leasing team.

Virtual Events

When people feel a sense of community they are less likely to leave negative reviews. Promote that sense of community with virtual events. Not only will you get to know your resident better, but you will provide them some much-needed relief.

Here are some ideas of virtual events to get you started:

If you want more ideas for engaging your residents, check out our blog on 7 Ways to Encourage Current Residents

By creating that sense of community, you will relieve any stress, built-up tension, or general unhappiness people could feel with your community.

At the end of the day, we all need to remember that everyone is struggling. As property managers and on-site teams, we know that it can be difficult when renters use online reviews as a space to vent out their anger. But now more than ever, the best thing we can do is to respond to reviews with a lot of empathy, sympathy, and positivity. Not only will that help improve your online reputation, it brings some much needed happiness into the world.

Need assistance with your reputation management? We offer reputation management services to multifamily communities across the US. Contact the REPLI team today to learn more!

Social Proof: What Is It and Why You Need It for Apartment Marketing

Thu, 21 May 2020 09:00:00 GMT

Let’s imagine that it’s the weekend, and you’re browsing stand mixer machines on Amazon for the cake recipe you found on YouTube. There are two different mixers with the same features, price, and star-rating, however, mixer A has 3,000 reviews, and mixer B has only 5. Which one would you purchase?

If you put mixer A in your shopping cart – congratulations! You just experienced how social proof works.

That is to say, the psychology behind social proof is compelling.

The importance of presenting your apartment as a highly desirable community among other people can increase the confidence of your prospective renters choosing your apartment community.

We’ll show you how to use social proof to increase the marketing results for your apartment community!

What is social proof?

“A psychological and social phenomenon wherein people copy the actions of others in an attempt to undertake behavior in a given situation.” —Wikipedia

Let’s make it simple!

Social proof is when people make their decisions based on what most other people do. It allows people to not only evaluate but also make assumptions about what is better.

The use of social proof can be offline and online. For apartment marketing, we will focus on online social proof.

6 Types of Social Proof

According to Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini, there are 6 types of social proof.

Now you know all the types of social proof, let’s get started on how to practically develop social proof to boost your apartment marketing strategy.

How to use Social Proof in Apartment Marketing

1. Encourage Residents to Post Positive Reviews

Let’s keep it straight – reviews are everything.

According to BrightLocal, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

What can you do as an apartment community to boost your reviews? First, provide great service, management, and living environment that fulfill your residents’ needs. Give your residents positive things to write about your apartment community.

Second, don’t be afraid to ask for reviews when there are positive interactions.

According to the Local Customer Review Survey , 68% of customers are willing to provide feedback after being asked.

Your residents are more than happy to help promote their amazing community, so take that chance and ask for it.

Want to learn more about positive reviews? Check out our blog on How to Get More Positive Apartment Reviews .

2. Boost Social Media Followings

Keep in mind that the number of social media followers shouldn’t be the measurement of success, but it can definitely boost your power of social proof.

The number of social followers showcases the engagement of the residents, the establishment of the overall community, sociability, and responsibility of the management team.

Want more social posts ideas on increasing your apartment social followers and boosting social proof? Check out our blog on 15 Apartment Social Media Ideas that Work .

3.Highlight User-Generated Content

User-generated content – authentic content created by real users from their real experiences – is a powerful tool in apartment marketing and when it comes to establishing social proof.

According to Minter ’s report, 70% of Americans seek out opinions from review sites before making purchases.

User-generated content boosts the trust of your potential renters. When they see many positive reviews from Google, those reviews ensure their decision of choosing your apartment.

Reviews don’t just stop there – add positive reviews to your apartment website home page, email page, and social media posts. In addition, social proof is a way to empower real residents to share and allow future residents to learn about your apartment community.

4. Use Localized Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencer marketing has become more popular over the past few years; therefore, promoting your apartment property through micro-influencers will have positive effects on social proof.

According to iMPACT , micro-influencers are considered to be individuals that have between 1,000 to 1 million followers/audience members and are considered experts in their area.

Micro-influencers are able to reach audiences who are similar in age and interests. If they are living in your apartment, their audiences might also be interested in becoming your next residents.

If there are micro-influencers in your community, reach out to them! In this case, providing incentives such as rent specials, gifts, or money payments for them to post about their experience living in your apartment community.

5. Earn Award or Recognition

Awards or recognition from any third party authority can be a strong social proof for your apartment. In renters’ minds, it safeguards their decision on choosing your apartment.

As an apartment community, how can you get awards or recognitions?

If your apartment receives any awards or recognitions, display them! Such as showing off on the website, mentioning it in your description, posting it on social media, and sharing it with your residents through email.

Examples like apartment community Decorum displays their apartment award on their homepage.

At this point, I believe you’re now an expert with social proof. Now, it’s your turn to try out the tactics above to use social proof to help your apartment marketing effort. Get ready to see the results!

Don’t forget – we’re always here to help. For more information or questions, please contact us here . We’d love to schedule a time to talk with you!

How to Create & Share a Google Review Link

Tue, 19 May 2020 14:14:00 GMT

As apartment marketers, we understand the benefits of utilizing Google My Business; one of the biggest perks being reviews. Receiving reviews and star ratings from past and current residents help to build what’s called your online reputation which directly impacts your leases .

To build and improve your reputation, Google allows you to create a direct review link to share with others. A direct link gives reviewers a one-step process to leave a review of your apartment community.

A common way to share a review link is to manually search for the link by searching for your community on Google. Once you find the listing, you click “write a review”. The review window will pop up with an unattractive and quite lengthy shareable URL.

However, this method is not the most effective way to create and share a review link.

Repli Quick tip: Manually searching for your community on Google can skew your organic analytics data. In addition, it creates multiple steps your reviewer has to take to leave a review. The more steps, the less likely they will follow through.

There’s a better way to create and share a review link for your residents to painlessly write a review for your community. Google created a helpful tool called PlaceID allowing you to create a unique Google URL that is a direct link to leave a review.

Here we will show you a step by step blueprint to creating a unique Google review link for your apartment community to easily share it with your residents. Let’s get right to it!

Step 1: Search for the PlaceID Tool

The first step you’ll want to take is making sure you’re logged into your Google My Business account.

Next, you will find your PlaceID code which identifies the location of your community on a map To access the code, go to the PlaceID Finder . It will look similar to this.

Step 2: Enter your community name

Once you access the PlaceID Finder, the next step is to enter your community into the “Enter a Location” bar. Assuming that you already have a GMB listing, your community should automatically pop up as you type it in.

Step 3: Locate your PlaceID

Click on your community name and the map will bring up the exact location. Your PlaceID will be just under the name of your business. It should appear with a long list of arbitrary letters.

Step 4: Add your Place ID to the Google URL

The final step is to copy and paste the ID to the Google review URL below. Copy the random letters that represent your specific PlaceID. Next, paste that code onto the URL where it says <place-id> .

Google Review URL: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid= <place_id>

The final product should match this URL but with your specific PlaceID. https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid= ChIJSTzX81wE9YgROjXNgo9VbIY

Voila! You’ve just created your own unique Google review link to share with you residents and prospects. When users click on the URL they will be immediately directed to leave and post a review.

Now that you know how to create a direct review link, you may be asking yourself how to use this link strategically to receive more positive reviews for your community. If your apartment community is suffering from bad reviews take a look at our 6 reputation management tips on how to get the praise your community deserves.

By using your community’s PlaceID, you’ve eliminated countless steps for your reviewer which makes them more likely to write a review. You’re now a pro at creating a direct review link. Go and implement this practice and watch your reviews grow and start ratings boost!

Need assistance with your reputation management? We partner with reputation.com to offer review and local listing management to multifamily communities across the US. Contact the REPLI team today to learn more!

How to Respond to Negative Apartment Reviews

Tue, 19 May 2020 14:13:00 GMT

The multifamily industry is the second most impacted industry by reviews. In addition, 90% of customers buying decisions are influenced by online reviews. So, it’s safe to say reviews matter.

On the flip side, responding to reviews actually builds trust with your customers, according to Google My Business . It may be easy to respond to positivity, but responding to a negative apartment review is a learned craft. Responding to harsh comments can be difficult without responding in anger or out of emotion. But, it’s crucial to your online reputation to be as professional and understanding as possible!

We assembled a step by step guide on to how to respond to your negative apartment reviews. Use these 6 tips to build trust and transparency with your residents and prospects!

Your Guide to Responding to Negative Apartment Reviews

1.) Use the reviewer’s name, if available.

Before you say anything, start with the reviewer’s name, if it’s available. Did you know, a person’s name is the important word to that person? Personalizing your response will automatically get their attention, in a good way.

Using a person’s name is a sign of courtesy and a way of recognizing them on a personal level. Want to earn a reviewer’s respect? Start with, “Hi Teresa” or “Dear Mark” and avoid broad terms like, “Dear resident”. It will make a world of a difference in response to a negative review.

2.) Say thank you.

Yes, even to negative reviews. Your response needs to show the resident or potential renter that you appreciate their honest feedback on the apartment community.

Examples of what you could say:

3.) Respond with sympathy and empathy.

It’s always best to apologize for any issue or problem the reviewer mentions. Let your response be words of empathy. Sympathize with the reviewer and let them know just how sorry you are for their inconvenience.

There will be times when it is not the community’s fault. However, apologize none the less. It shows the reviewer and other prospects that your apartment community is on their side. In addition, own up to your mistakes and always try to make things right.

Here are ways to show sympathy & empathy:

4.) Make it right.

The most important factor in your response to a negative apartment review is how you fix the issue. Strive to always make things right with the reviewer. Generic responses that don’t specifically provide an answer or resolve the problem aren’t going to cut it.

Get on their level and effectively communicate how you and the team are actively working to provide a solution. If it is a situation where there is no way to fix their complaint, take responsibility for what happened, and promise to improve on behalf of the community and the staff.

An idea for how to make it right:

5.) Sign-off with a real person’s name.

Signing-off with a team member’s name is the final thing you’ll want to do. We recommend the response to come from management to showcase how serious their feedback means to your community.

Ending the response with your name may seem simple and insignificant, but it actually demonstrates transparency and authenticity to the reviewer.

For example, imagine you received an email from a company about a shipping error to a package. What would resonate with you more? The email coming from customer service or the president of the company? Exactly. The same goes for responding to reviews.

Next time, sign-off with “Sincerely, John Adams, Community Manager” or “Kindest Regards, Mary Smith, Community Director”. It’ll go a long way with a negative apartment review!

6.) Take the conversation offline.

If the conversation continues back and forth and doesn’t resolve, it is best to go ahead and take the conversation offline. This way, you can talk directly to the reviewer and sort out the details of the problem they had without it being displayed online.

Take these 6 tips with you and use them next time you respond to a negative apartment review. Hopefully, it will take the pressure off of having to think up a perfect response to a bad review.

Dealing with some negative reviews on your Google My Business? Take a look at this blog post to help you find the perfect strategy for your community.

Negative reviews are going to come up. Mistakes happen. But the way to resolve it is how your community responds to the bad review.

Need help with reviews? Contact us today! Our reputation management experts are always here to assist you.

Apartment Takeovers: Dealing with Bad Reviews on Google My Business

Wed, 13 May 2020 19:02:00 GMT

We’re willing to bet good money that nearly every property management company has taken over an apartment community with bad reviews. It’s almost inevitable considering the majority of people use review platforms as either as a place to vent their anger or praise an above-and-beyond an experience. There is rarely a middle ground. So coming into a property with dozens of 1 or 2-star reviews is truly an uphill battle.

That’s why we’re always asked during an apartment takever, “The Google My Business listing has bad reviews. What do we do? Should we delete the listing?”

Let’s break down the two options available when taking over an apartment with bad reviews and which strategy we suggest.

Option 1: Delete the Old Google My Business Listing

This may sound like the perfect solution, but hear us out. This strategy is only a viable option if you are changing the name of the property. But even then, we would almost never suggest this strategy. Here’s why:

The Pros

If this property will go through a name change, you can mark the old Google My Business listing as “permanently closed.” This will allow you to create a new listing at that address and start fresh. Depending on the severity of the negative reviews and the number of low star ratings, this solution could outweigh the cons.

The Cons

When it comes down to it, deleting the old Google My Business listing will almost always do more harm than good for three reasons.

1.) Lost SEO : Whether or not the ratings and reviews are bad, local SEO has been established at your property address. Google has associated that specific address as an apartment community and removing the listing could have untold effects on SERP rankings. It’s always easier to work with some SEO than none.

2.) Trust : If your apartment building is 10 years old, but your only reviews are 2 weeks old, potential residents will find that suspicious. Users aren’t just looking for positive reviews, they are looking for a mix of the good and the bad to get an accurate idea of what they are buying into. They’re also looking to see how you respond to negative feedback – a strong indication of your customer service skills.

3.) Customer Service : Coming into a community with poor reviews is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the customer service skills of your team. By essential deleting reviews, you’re missing out on the opportunity to set a stellar first impression with any unhappy residents.

Option 2: Update the Old Google My Business Listing

We almost always going to suggest this option for so many reasons. If you create a new listing you have to rebuild reviews, images, branded search rankings, and local SEO, but by taking over the old listing you just need to address the online reviews. Why fight four battles when you could just fight one?

If you decide to keep the listing, you will need to develop a strategy for addressing the negative reviews on Google. This will be a two-phase approach. Let’s break them down:

Phase 1: Directly Respond to all Pre-Existing Reviews

When a new property management company comes in, they are commonly tempted to flag reviews or try to get negative reviews removed. But negative reviews come from unhappy residents, so use the apartment takeover as an opportunity to impress residents right out the gate.

Do this by asking your new leasing office staff to dedicate time to addressing any pre-existing reviews – positive or negative. Here’s a suggestion of how we would respond:

Suggested Negative Review Response

“We are so disappointed to hear about your poor experience with APARTMENTNAME. We know how frustrating that can be. If you haven’t heard yet, APARTMENTNAME is under new management. We’d love the opportunity to discuss your situation and see how we can make it right for you. Please call our new property manager, NAME, at xxx-xxx-xxxx or drop by the leasing office. We can’t wait to hear from you.”

Suggested Positive Review Response

“Thank you for leaving such a glowing review of APARTMENTNAME. If you haven’t heard, APARTMENT NAME is under new management and we will ensure you continue to receive the same level of luxury apartment living. Please feel free to drop by the leasing office to meet our new team. We can’t wait to meet you.”

Phase 2: Develop an Online Reputation Management Strategy

Online reputation directly impacts leads so it’s crucial that you develop an all-encompassing strategy that sets standards for responding to reviews and a plan for improving your apartment community star rating.

In our recent blog post How to Get More Positive Apartment Reviews , we list 6 easy ways to generate more reviews for your community and improve your overall rating.

Conclusion

Taking over an apartment community with negative reviews can be difficult. While it may be tempting to remove the old Google My Business listing and start a new one, that strategy will almost always result in more work for your team.

But with the right mindset and reputation management strategy, taking over the existing listing can be the perfect solution for meeting your new residents and establishing a positive relationship with them right out the gate. If you need help developing your online reputation strategy, contact the experts at REPLI. We are your digital marketing partner from first lead to fully leased. Contact us today for more info.

How to Get More Positive Apartment Reviews

Thu, 07 May 2020 20:16:00 GMT

Does your apartment community suffer from too few or just bad reviews? With 90% of consumers turning to online reviews to impact their purchase decisions, your apartment community can’t afford to turn a blind eye to your reviews. We all know that online reputation can directly impact leads , but many are at a loss as to how to improve or manage reviews. We can help you get the star ratings your community deserves with these simple apartment reputation management tips.

6 Tips for Positive Apartment Reviews

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

We’ve heard that many property managers are afraid to ask for reviews directly. But little do they know that 70% of people would leave a review if asked. Help your on-site team by adding in a request for reviews at the end of property tours or at move-out. There’s no harm in asking.

Create a Review Station

If your community has a business center or co-working space, change the background of the computers to include information about leaving a review. Take it a step further by making the home page of every browser a review site.

Provide your office staff with an iPad or small computer to encourage reviews after great property tours or when a resident visits the office.

Include Reviews on Your Social Media

Use your social media accounts as another platform for asking reviews. Make it easy for residents by adding a link in the post or in your bio. Then use those positive reviews as social proof of how fabulous your community is.

Add Review Links Where You Can

There are numerous ways current and prospective renters engage with you online. Improve your ratings and review counts by placing review links everywhere you can, like staff email signatures, website home page, resident portal, and social media pages. Make it easy for residents to find and click on your review links.

Don’t know how to create a review link? We’ve got you! Here we show you how to create a share a Google review link.

Incentivize Residents to Leave Online Reviews

Encourage residents to leave reviews with small incentives, like a $5 gift card to your local coffee shop. However, we advise everyone to provide the incentive even if the review is positive or negative. Only rewarding positive reviews will show a clear bias and will make your community appear less trustworthy. But don’t worry, we have you covered with negative reviews.

Have a Plan Against Negative Reviews

Properly managing negative reviews is just as important as getting positive reviews. But negative reviews are a tough cookie. The law, and Google, actually protects consumers who leave bad reviews, so trying to get them taken down is an uphill battle.

We all know the obvious too. Good customer service, happy residents, quickly performed maintenance requests, and fair rent prices are the best ways to prevent bad reviews. But the reality is that bad reviews will happen – even to the best of teams. That’s why having a plan in place to address one, two, or even three-star reviews is crucial.

Now when it comes to negative reviews, we live by one and only one rule – “take the conversation offline.” When people post negative reviews online, they are pretty upset, angry, or even looking for attention as a means to solve their problem. Respond to the review by empathizing with their problem, even if you don’t, and provide an email address or phone number of someone they can speak with directly.

Not only is this giving you one more opportunity to change their opinion of the situation, but you’re also showing prospective renters that you take negative feedback seriously. And if you’re really lucky – that negative review might turn into a positive one.

At the end of the day, generating positive reviews for your apartment community comes down to just two things – make it easy, and don’t be afraid to ask. If you know you go above and beyond for your residents, then ask them to show the love online. Chances are they will be more than happy to sing your praises, they just need a push in the right direction.

If you need help apartment reputation management, contact the REPLI team today! We’ve partner with reputation.com to offer review and local listing management to multifamily communities across the US.

Why Your Online Reputation Directly Impacts Leases

Mon, 04 May 2020 12:35:00 GMT

What’s the first thing you do before buying something online? For the majority of people, they look at the star rating and reviews. Or, what’s known as an online reputation. Online reputation is what users see about your business on digital platforms.

When looking for a place to live, an apartment community’s online reputation is even more crucial to the renting process. It can determine if a prospect wants to visit your property or move on to a competitor.

Your community’s online reputation directly impacts your leases and we’ll show you how! Read on for 5 reasons why it affects obtaining quality leads, directly impacting your apartment leases.

Why & how it affects acquiring leads and leases

1. Star ratings are the first thing prospects see when searching for your community .

Star ratings are crucial to your leads and ultimately your leases. Your apartment community’s rating is one of the first things a potential renter will see when they search for your community on Google. When your property is a business within Google, then it will show on the right side of the results page.

For example – Let’s say a prospect is searching for the community Accent 2050. When they perform the branded search term, this is what will appear in the results.

If you notice, their star rating is the first thing you see under the name of the property. Fortunately, this community has a 5 star Google rating. However, if it had a lower rating, it could negatively impact the renter’s journey. The prospect would move on to a different community before even clicking on the website, directly impacting leases.

2. People trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations .

88% of people trust online reviews more than personal recommendations. Because individuals put so much confidence in the validity of reviews, it is especially vital for your online reputation to be at the forefront of your marketing strategy.

It also suggests the importance of managing your online presence. An effective yet straightforward way for you to create a positive online appearance is responding to all reviews, both positive and negative.

It’s inevitable that your apartment community will receive a negative review. However, responding to bad reviews can reap many positive benefits:

3. Poor online reputation can keep prospects from visiting your community .

If your online reputation keeps prospects from scheduling a tour, then it impacts your leases. According to apartment renting research , online reviews have a stronger impact on a prospect’s decision to visit a community than on their decision to sign a lease. Once a potential renter visits the community, then the onsite team is the strongest factor in influencing their final decision.

Sure, you may have the best leasing team, but if your online reputation is keeping potential renters from getting through the door, you have quite a dilemma.

Online reputation management (ORM) is a great solution to improve and maintain your online reputation. There are many benefits to opting for ORM including higher online visibility, improve search rankings, decrease negative publicity, develop credibility, and ultimately increase your leases!

4. Apartment communities are one of the most impacted industries by online reviews .

We’ve discussed that it’s common practice for consumers to diligently read online reviews before purchasing a product. But, did you know reviews hold even more weight within the rental market?

Multifamily is the second most impacted industry by online reviews. This is due to the weight held by other’s opinions of an apartment community. Deciding on a home is one of the most important decisions a person can make. So, online reviews and reputation are going to make or break a prospect choosing your community over a competitor.

You can work to manage and improve your online presence through your offsite SEO. Your online reputation is a major factor in your SEO and can be a search ranking factor for Google. For more information about offsite SEO, check out this blog post .

5. Good online reputation always wins.

Speaking of competitors, the winner will be the community with a good online reputation; it trumps all.

In a recent study, when prospects were given the choice between 3 apartment communities to visit, 70% chose the one with the strongest online reputation. As previously mentioned, once the prospect visits the community, the leasing decision is then determined by the onsite team and their efforts. This provides a great example of online reputation directly impacting a lease.

A community having a good online reputation beats a competitor who has a low star rating and isn’t actively managing their online presence. Online reputation should be a key factor in your apartment marketing approach.

Now what?

So, now that we’ve discussed why online reputation impacts your leases, you might be asking, now what?

There are many different options to get started with managing your online presence. One of the next steps you could take is connecting with an online reputation management service to help you manage, monitor, and improve your community’s online reputation.

A great choice and one of our own reputation management partners is repuation.com . Their expertise is in helping businesses monitor and improve reputation and optimize customer experience online and onsite.

Reputation management is one of the important actions REPLI takes when building an apartment website or implementing SEO because of how much it impacts community leads and leases. Make it a part of your marketing strategy today!

Want to improve your online reputation or have questions about what REPLI can do to help? Contact us today! We’re always here to help.

6 Ways to Adapt Your Apartment Marketing Strategy for COVID-19

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 18:33:00 GMT

COVID-19 has had life-altering impacts on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The way we shop, work, exercise, and communicate has completely transformed in a matter of weeks. So it should come as no surprise that the way we market and engage with people should change too. To help with these uncertain times, we’ve come up with 6 ways to adapt your apartment marketing strategy for COVID-19.

Create a COVID-19 Page

To Keep Residents Informed and Improve SEO

Current and potential residents are not asking the same questions they would have had a month ago. Setting up a dedicated COVID-19 response page on your website with important updates and an FAQ section will help everyone get the answers they need.

Be sure to address:

All of these will also help improve your COVID-19 related SEO searches and can help improve organic traffic.

Prioritize Local Listings

To Help Current and Potential Residents Find You

Keeping your Google My Business updated is a given right now, but don’t neglect your other online listings. Yelp, your community Facebook page, and Bing are some of the most commonly overlooked listings right now. Make sure your updated office hours can be found everywhere. Tools like Reputation.com can update all listings with the click of a button.

Be Present on Social Media

To Build Brand Loyalty

Social media is the perfect place to connect with current and potential renters. This time should be about building connections with authentic and compassionate posts. So during this time your social distanced employees will be able to answer questions and post updates in real-time.

Use social media as a place to share positivity and uplifting messages. Share apartment-friendly workouts, fun family games, creative recipes, and any other tips or advice that will make life at home more enjoyable. If you do share any COVID-19 information, be sure it is factual and not based on opinion.

Adjust Your Paid Campaigns

To Find New Leases

Many communities have made the decision to scale back their PPC or paid social campaigns. But you don’t need to bring it all to a complete halt. Instead take a deep look into your campaigns and re-allocate funds to the highest converting ad groups or keywords. You may need to adjust your ad copy to include important COVID-19 information, such as offering virtual tours, no-contact online leasing, and more.

Open Virtual Office Hours

To Address Concerns and Sign Leases

Virtual tours and online leasing has made it possible to continue leasing even while social distancing. But extending your virtual presence by offering virtual office hours will also ensure your current residents are getting the attention they need.

Consider opening a Zoom meeting during select hours so residents can pop in if they have questions. You can also have residents schedule FaceTime or Skype calls with a community team member.

Host Virtual Events

To Boost Resident Engagement and Offer Support

Boosting resident engagement is crucial now that leasing is down, and with so many people alienated from their friends and family engaging with your apartment community can be a welcome relief for many. There are literally dozens of clever ways to keep your residents engaged and have them feeling supported. Here are some of our favorite virtual events:

The important thing to keep in mind is that this time is all about compassion and clear communication. Keeping current and potential residents informed of any changes should be your top priority. You can minimize the impact of COVID-19 on your apartment community by adjusting your apartment marketing strategy.

REPLI is always here to help. If you’d like to talk to a REPLI specialist about your COVID-19 marketing strategy, we’d love to help.

The Best Keywords for Apartments: Branded Keywords

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 16:07:00 GMT

Looking for the best keywords for your apartments can be tricky, but did you know that your brand name can be a great asset to build your keyword list? Most people don’t understand the reason marketers are bidding on branded keywords when people are already searching for them. But not for long!

Below are four reasons why our team recommends bidding on your branded keywords. Let’s get started!

First, let’s define branded keywords. Branded keywords are keywords that include your property name. These types of keywords have a lot of similarities to long-tail keywords, which are specific keyword phrases with high click-through rates.

Branded Keyword Examples:

Non-branded keywords are relevant to what you’re advertising but don’t include your property’s name. In addition, these keywords can be expensive and competitive to bid on.

Nonbranded Keyword Examples:

Why bid on branded keywords?

1. Obtain a High Ranking Position

Branded keywords provide an excellent opportunity for your community to show high on the paid portion of a Search Engine Results Page (SERP). When searchers put your property name in their search terms, you already know they are looking for your property information specifically.

Your ads for your branded terms should be extremely relevant to searchers’ needs. Moreover, ad relevance is an important component in Quality Score. Quality Score is Google’s rating of the quality and relevance of your ads and keywords in an SEM campaign. A highly relevant ad with a high-quality score is generally granted a higher position once an ad auction occurs.

2. It’s (Usually) Cheap!

Your competitors are most likely not bidding on your branded keywords because you are the property associated with that keyword. Without the competition, your branded keywords are cheaper to bid on.

Some competitors might try to add your branded keywords to their keyword lists in order to steal your traffic. Google will generally punish this by awarding low-quality scores and high average CPCs to those who bid on branded terms that aren’t their own. Bidding on branded keywords that are not your own lowers your average CTR, raises your average CPC and lowers your quality score. As a result, we generally don’t recommend doing this.

3. Dominate Brand SERP

Having your apartment name rule the search results page leaves no chance for competitors to interrupt your SERP with their ads. Both ads and organic search results will show up when people search for your property name.

For example, when users search for a property name on Google, the first result would be a property’s ads. Following ad results will be organic results like the home page or blog of an apartment website. The rest of the Google results page will most likely be filled by different apartment rating websites like apartment.com, etc.

Additionally, dominating your property SERP allows you to push down any negative reviews and results that you do not want users to see. Take all the space to show your searchers what your community can provide by highlighting key features and attractions within your ads and organic results.

4. Compensate for SEO Traffic Losses

Branded search ads can compensate for poor organic search results because it increases the chance of your property showing on top of the Google search page.

SEO requires a lot of work and time to show on top of the search result, but your branded ads should always show at the top of the page. If your SEO is not performing as well as you’d like, branded search ads can make up for that in some capacity.

Now it is your turn to brainstorm all the branded keyword phrases you need to add to your keyword list. Get ready to see the results!

Don’t forget – we’re always here to help. Our in-house digital marketing team specializes in all digital ad platforms. Schedule your demo or learn about our REPLI Ads today!

Combatting COVID-19: 7 Ways to Encourage Current Residents

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 14:12:00 GMT

Our country is in week two of instituting strict social distancing policies caused by COVID-19. With states motioning “shelter in place”, being stuck indoors may have your current residents in need of some encouragement during these uncertain times.

Last week, REPLI talked about ways to provide online leasing and tours to potential renters (click here to view).

This week, we are combating COVID-19 by giving you 7 ways for apartment communities to encourage current residents. Your apartment community’s response to this pandemic is one of the most important factors in building trust and relationships with your residents. Use our ideas below to combat COVID-19 by bringing encouragement to your renters!

7 Ways to Encourage Current Residents

1. Consistently Communicate with Residents

Providing timely, accurate, and regular communication to your residents is crucial. During a crisis, the more distribution of validated information the better. Be sure to have available resident contact information based on the channel you decide to utilize. Mediums for communications could be the following: email, community website, app-based notifications, text messaging, etc.

Resident communications should consist of regular updates regarding your apartment community’s approach to COVID-19. It is important to be transparent yet sensitive to your residents. If unsure of how to respond, we encourage to use CDC resources to develop an awareness of the facts surrounding COVID-19 along with prevention measures to implement.

2. Implement Safeguards Around the Community

Encourage current residents by implementing protective measures around your apartment community. Display hand sanitizing stations strategically around the community allowing residents to sanitize themselves after using the elevator or opening a door. Also, communicate to your resident the precautions of your facility and staff such as frequently wiping down countertops, furniture, and using gloves.

Signage is one of the most important and effective ways to show your residents the safeguards and precautions being exercised. Place signs in bathrooms guiding residents and visitors to wash their hands. In addition, simply placing signs around the community about basic hygiene can remind and encourage residents to comply.

3. Consider Payment Flexibility

Many people are suffering from the loss of income as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. This could potentially hinder the ability of residents to pay their rent on time. The National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) stated that they are working with Congress for federal support that includes rental payment assistance for Americans who have been financially affected during the pandemic.

For the time being, a way you can help residents feel secure is by providing payment flexibility. Offer residents who have been negatively affected by the crisis with payment plans. Another option to consider is waiving late fees and other administrative costs over the next 30-day period.

4. Drop Off Care Packages

These care packages could include a small basket filled with quarantine related products such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray, toilet paper, Clorox wipes, and throw in a family puzzle or game. This small act could be what makes them extend their lease for another year.

5. Daily Check-Ins on Social Media

Online check-ins are a simple way to encourage current residents while creating engagement on your social media. Host an Instagram and/or Facebook live with the community manager and allow residents to post comments and questions. You can provide updates and give encouragement reenforcing you are all in this together.

Likewise, check-ins provide a community for your residents without leaving their apartment homes. Promote the check-in across your social platforms and create incentives for them to join such as a giveaway. For other apartment social media ideas, check out this blog post !

6. Offer Assistance for At-Risk Residents

The CDC considers the elderly and people with chronic conditions to be at a higher risk from the coronavirus. Reach out to your at-risk tenants and ask if they need assistance.

Ways to provide assistance for at-risk residents:

A simple phone call can provide encouragement for your at-risk community members. Make them a high priority during this time by letting them know you’re available to help and assist.

7. Suggest Apartment-Friendly Activities

It’s more than likely that your residents are bored cooped up in their apartment. So, fill your social media content with fun activities they can do during the quarantine. Activities to suggest are at-home workouts, baking bread, organizing a cabinet, arts & crafts, etc.

In addition, create an organic social media campaign and post an apartment-friendly activity every day. Ask your followers to post their activity with a specific hashtag. This is an easy and effective way to create traffic to your page, but it also gives your residents and followers something fun to do.

At the end of the day, it’s all about the safety and well-being of your residents. Social distancing may have community members scared, bored, and potentially unaware. Use these 7 ways to encourage your current residents today!

Be an uplifting and clarifying voice in a time of uncertainty. That’s what members of your apartment community need right now.

For more information or questions, please contact us here . We’d love to schedule a time to talk with you!

10 Trends for Apartment Websites You Need to Know

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 15:11:00 GMT

In a world of seemingly endless apartment communities within inches of each other – an engaging website can set you apart from the pack almost instantly. But creating an eye-catching website that drives leads isn’t an easy feat. Not only should your website provide valuable information to potential and current residents, but it should also be unique and engaging while simultaneously satisfying the needs of both your users and Google.

Now that you’re ready to set your apartment website apart from the rest, you’ve come to the right place for assistance. We will cover 10 trends for apartment websites that you need to know in 2020. These tips and tricks will revolutionize your marketing strategy – which will effortlessly take you from first lead to fully leased.

10 Trends for Apartment Websites You Need to Try

Hook ‘Em with Picture Perfect Communities

Beautiful, well-lit photography is the fastest and easiest way for your future residents to experience the community without physically being there.

Today, visual content is everything. Not only does it help consumers make better decisions, but it will also increase their chances of moving down the funnel. When it comes to apartment websites, stunning photos will allure and pique the interest of your potential leads.

As an added bonus, optimized photos can improve your search engine rankings and boost your SEO efforts.

Offer Instant, Online Tours with Interactive 3D

Scheduling apartment tours with new leads can be difficult to manage. With interactive 3D or 360-degree tours, leads will be more qualified because they have unprecedented access to the property – before even submitting a form.

Make Life Easy with a Resident Portal

Who even has a checkbook anymore? Resident portals are a must-have in a world where banking, communication, and nearly all aspects of life happen online. In fact, more than 80% of renters believe that an online portal isn’t a luxury, but a standard.

Your current residents need the ability to pay rent, renew their lease, or request maintenance all from the comfort of their own bed 24/7. Not only will this keep your resident happy, but it will also automate a lot of tasks so your leasing staff can focus on what matters most – keeping your occupancy high.

Respond Instantly Chatbots

Renters want answers – instantly. In fact, Gen Z renters are 60% more likely to hang up the phone if a call isn’t answered within 45 seconds – meaning they will move onto the next candidate. Unless you offer a 24-hour hotline, then chatbots are the perfect solution.

Set yourself apart by being the only property on the block to respond and engage immediately. Chatbots can provide instant information in regards to pricing, availability, amenities, contact information, and more. Providing renters with real-time information and instant responses will set you apart from the competition.

Connect with Them on Social

Younger renters, like Gen Z and millennials, are far more likely to find you on social media than your website. Ensuring your social media lists your website – and vice versa – will lead prospects down the funnel by enabling a cohesive online presence.

It doesn’t just stop there. Engaging with your current and potential renters on social is crucial to your success. Responding to questions, posting relevant content or resident events, and creating an online community for your brand will drive traffic to your website and ultimately lead to more leases.

Get Leases on Every Device with Mobile-Friendly Websites

Does your website look just as good on mobile as it does on desktop? With more than 50% of search queries coming from mobile devices, you can’t afford to ignore the mobile version of your website.

By ensuring your website loads quickly and correctly on all devices is crucial for driving leases. If potential leads can’t load your website or if they are sent to a broken page, they will just move onto the next community. It’s such an easy way to lose a lot of leads!

You will also want to keep voice search in mind as an estimated 42.7% of people in the US will use their mobile device to conduct voice searches, such as “Hey Siri, what apartments are near me?” Mobile-friendly websites are essential when ranking for voice search.

Make It Easy to Tour

Make it easy for leads to schedule a tour by either offering online scheduling or promoting self-guided tours on your website. The faster your leads can tour your community, the less likely they will be exposed to your competition. Get their attention quickly on the website, then keep it with easy tour options.

Show Off the Neighborhood

With some generations, like millennials , valuing the neighborhood just as much as their apartment, you must advertise your local area. Add a neighborhood page to show-off local businesses, restaurants, shopping, schools, and entertainment to provide additional value to your residents. If they fall in love with your apartment community and the neighborhood – they won’t go anywhere else.

Capture Their Attention with Video Content

Video is hands-down the best storytelling tool. And is a highly desirable trend for apartment websites. With a well-crafted video, you can show off your community’s unique personality and best features within seconds. Get creative with apartment tours, drone footage, staff introductions, and real resident reviews. Add videos to your home page, amenities, or floor plan pages to tell a story about your community.

Build Trust with Customer Reviews

There is no better advertisement for your apartment community than the positive word-of-mouth promotion from your own residents. 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations. Add customer reviews to your website to prove just how fantastic your community is.

Your apartment website should not be on the back burner this year. You need to prioritize your website by incorporating these trends for apartment websites to match the behaviors and needs of your potential and current residents. That is the only way to increase leads, improve occupancy, and build your apartment community’s brand.

Don’t forget – we’re always here to help. Our best-in-class websites are prospective-centric for a fully integrated lead to lease experience. Schedule your demo or learn about our REPLI Sites packages today!

Is Your Apartment Website Working Against You? Find Out Now

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 20:01:00 GMT

If your apartment website isn’t working for you – it’s working against you. End of story. So, how do you know if your website is your biggest asset or liability? We’ll break down what makes a good website, provide our rationale behind conducting regular site audits and give you access to the REPLI Site Scorecard.

What Makes a Good Website

The best websites perfectly blend the collective efforts of developers, designers, and SEO professionals for a website that caters to the needs of users while meeting the demands of search engines.

The best websites have:

Executing on all of that requires extensive teamwork and collaboration between your developer, designer, and SEO professional – an admirable feat, for sure. But building a solid site is just the beginning – maintaining it is a whole other battle.

Why You Need to Evaluate Your Apartment Website

You can’t just build a website and forget about it – no matter how perfect it seemed after it’s initial launch. #SorryNotSorry

Google and other search engines are constantly updating their algorithms. In 2018, Google reported over 3,000 changes or improvements to its search algorithm. Now keeping that in mind, when was the last time you completed a comprehensive site audit?

We’re willing to bet you’ve done some on-page SEO auditing, but you haven’t done a deep dive into your technical SEO for a while.

We don’t blame you. To win the coveted #1 spot on search results, Google pretty much demands a flawlessly optimized website, and many people think that begins and ends with content. Unfortunately for them, technical SEO has long been considered a top-ranking factor, yet they continue to overlook it.

Technical SEO combines site speed, structured data, javascript, and much more to now only improve user experience, but to make it easy for Google robots to crawl websites. Without solid technical SEO, Google may find it difficult to understand the content of your website which leads to poor SERP results.

Evaluate Your Apartment Website with the REPLI Site Score

When we do a website audit, we use a 40+ point technical inspection that covers site speed, content, navigation and much more. But Coca-Cola doesn’t give out their secret recipe – and neither do we.

That’s why we’ve developed the REPLI Site Score. The REPLI Site Score is a high-level scorecard that will help you evaluate the foundation of your website by scoring what we consider the most important factors for your site.

While this is not an all-encompassing report, it will alert you to the most pressing issues, if any, that you have. No apartment SEO strategy is complete without getting a perfect REPLI Site Score!

What Strong SEO Means for Multifamily in 2020

Tue, 11 Feb 2020 15:30:00 GMT

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s the year 2020 and SEO isn’t going anywhere.

For multifamily, search engine optimization has become a vital component – maybe even the most important – in generating relevant traffic and securing leads. However, it is also considered one of the most misunderstood marketing concepts.

Most people in the marketing industry understand and implement the fundamentals of SEO but do not take advantage of fully optimizing their website for SEO, both onsite and offsite.

SEO Advantages for Multifamily:

Let’s take a look at what strong SEO means for multifamily in 2020 by learning crucial SEO tips and strategies for generating more leases for your apartment community.

If done right, SEO can drive a 14.6% conversion rate compared to traditional strategies with a 1.7% average conversion rate.

Why SEO?

The majority of prospects start their apartment hunt online using their preferred search engine to search for either a certain property or, most commonly, use a keyword search term such as “apartments near me”. And if your community doesn’t show up, you can say bye-bye to that potential lead.

Your apartment community has the highest chance of being clicked on if it is ranked in the top 3 searches. Research shows almost half of the clicks on a search results page go to those 3 ranked positions. The easiest way to rank in the sacred top 3 is having strong SEO.

The first thing in creating strong SEO is implementing local and organic SEO.

What is Local SEO?

Local SEO is optimizing your community’s online presence so that it will show up on local searches. Local search is when a user has a location intent and their search carries geographical components.

An example of a local search would be, “apartments near me” or “apartments in Atlanta, GA”. When your website plus your offsite efforts have been put into action, your community should show up for the searched term.

Search engines need to know exactly where your community is located so that it can show your location when someone inputs a related search. So, you need to be sure that your community name, address, and phone number (NAP) is consistent across your website along with other directories. But, we will talk more about that later!

What is Organic SEO?

Organic SEO is less about location and more about relevance. The goal of organic is to show your website relevance and quality as it relates to certain searches. It asks the question, “Is your website relevant to this search term?”

An example of this type of search would be “apartment blogs”. If your community has a blog on its website, your community could show up for that search. Organic is just as important as local because it has to do with your website’s speed, quality, and relevance.

How fast is your website onload speed? Is your website mobile friendly? Does the content on your website relate to your target audience? We can use these questions as a reference for measuring your organic performance.

Onsite vs. Offsite SEO

Your local and organic measures hinge greatly on the efforts of your onsite and offsite SEO enhancements.

Onsite SEO factors are actions taken on your website while offsite are actions taken outside of your website to improve your overall SEO ranking. Both factors are essential for improving local and organic SEO.

Now let’s move on to practically showcasing these techniques to increase your SEO ranking and turn your conversions into leases for your apartment community!

Strong SEO Tips to Increase Conversions

Onsite SEO Tips:

1. Get Your Website Up to Speed

Google has now made page speed an actual ranking factor. Remember the sacred top 3 we were talking about? So, your website’s speed should be one of your top priorities. Ideally, your page should load quickly with no delay.

Our recommendation is a page speed of no more than 3 seconds. Statistics show that the probability of a user bouncing increases by 90% with a page load time of 1-5 seconds. If your speed is any more than 3 seconds, a potential renter may bounce because of it. Use Google PageSpeed Insights for an easy way to check your website’s speed.

2. Invest Time in Creating Quality Content

The vast majority of SEO experts agree that content creation is one of the most effective organic SEO tactics to drive results. When it comes to your onsite efforts, a great start is by frequently posting relevant, high-quality blog content.

Adding a blog to your website can increase the chance of ranking in organic search results by 434% . The main intent for content is to create relevant and engaging content that your users find helpful.

Here are some blog content ideas to help you brainstorm:

Creating quality content is hard, but it’s not impossible. The great thing about content is that the ideas are endless. The best place to start is by mapping out relevant keywords where your community could easily outrank competitors. Then, leverage these ideas along with your own brainstorming to create content that will attract and engage your audience.

3. Utilize Schema Markup

Schema markup is one of the newest advancements in SEO. It is structured data with a special code format you can add to the HTML of your website. It helps search engines understand your content and provide better search results.

The goal of structured data is to provide Google with the most important and relevant information about your website. That information is then passed onto those users conducting a search. This means it’s more likely that customers will click on your results, and more clicks will help improve your rankings.

Taking advantage of implementing a schema markup will, in return, drive organic click-through rates as well as increase your website ranking on search engine results.

For more information about structured data and schema markups, check out this post .

Offsite SEO Tips:

1. Update Your Google My Business Listing

If it’s been a while since you’ve modified your Google My Business listing, odds are it needs to be updated. Also, if you haven’t listed your community on GMB, please do yourself a favor and add it!

Make sure you have complete and accurate information along with the use of proper, relevant keywords and high-quality photos of your community. Also, adding virtual tours of your community on your Google listing has been seen to promote more views and clicks.

Your Google listing is one of the most important ranking factors. So, it’s crucial that you are consistently refining your Google listing

2. Maintain Consistency With NAP & Other Directory Management

For those who don’t know, NAP stands for Name, Address, Phone Number. NAP is necessary for businesses to rank well in local search results. Google takes this data into account when determining who to show for geo-targeted searches.

To increase local search rankings using NAP, make sure is it correct across the web, including your website and other sites as well. Search engines will cross-reference your NAP information across a range of websites such as local directories and Yelp to validate that you are a legit business.

Speaking of directories, it’s worth going ahead and listing your community on any reputable directory – particularly local and industry-specific directories. Or, you can invest in a directory management service, a personal favorite being reputation.com . It manages your online reputation by optimizing your business listing so you can be found on search engines as well as engage with other local directories.

3. Outrank Apartment Listing Sites in Search Ranking

There’s a strong chance that the websites outranking your community are Apartment Listing Sites (ALS). Google favors ALS because of its established authority. Authority is something that is earned over time by Google and since these sites are so big, have thousands of backlinks, and have been around for so long, they have earned the authority for apartment search.

However, any apartment community can earn authority with Google and outrank ALS. Relevance and trustworthiness are the key pillars to help build search engine authority. A great way to build relevance and trustworthiness is developing backlinks.

Search engines use backlinks as evidence of a website’s content quality. A site with many high-quality backlinks ranks higher than other sites with fewer backlinks of lesser quality and relevance.

3 main types of backlinks:

Focusing on outranking an ALS can be the first step of many in improving your offsite SEO and boosting your apartment community in SERPs.

Conclusion

From this post, the hope is that you take away the importance of establishing strong SEO within multifamily. As you can see, there are endless advantages and opportunities for fully implementing SEO into your apartment marketing strategy.

Use our helpful tips and recommendations to get you started on your way toward ranking in the top 3 search positions.

It can be an overwhelming process, but the reward of quality conversions that guarantee increased leases is well worth the effort.

For help with generating more leads by using strong SEO, contact us today for a free SEO audit of your website!

The post What Strong SEO Means for Multifamily in 2020 appeared first on REPLI .

Unforgettable Open House Ideas for Apartments

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:47:00 GMT

A high priority in apartment marketing and multifamily, in general, is to secure solid leads. Over the past decade, technology nuances such as social media and interactive websites have been revolutionary for generating leads quickly.

However, creating and establishing relationships still remain one of the most important sales tactics of all. So, what may be the most effective way to create leads while establishing and fostering relationships with potential renters? An open house.

Open houses remain one of the best tools for showing your properties and generating new leads. So, below we have crafted seven open house ideas for apartments that use technology for promotion and engagement, but are ultimately geared toward encouraging people to attend your open house.

7 Open House Ideas for Apartments

1. Promote on Social Media

To get the word out about an upcoming open house, head over to your social media to promote organically. Craft posts that will both excite and inform potential prospects specific to each social platform. After your audience engages with your post, be sure they obtain these three key points – when, where and why.

When – The time and date of the open house.

Where – The location of the open house.

Why – An appealing detail that will excite viewers to attend.

2. Strategically Schedule Your Open House

An important aspect of an open house that is often overlooked is scheduling the time and day of the event. When choosing a time and day, be strategic and focus on an opportune time that is accommodating to your potential renters.

Here are some recommendations:

If on the weekend, consider earlier in the day (9-11 AM) or later in the day (3-5 PM), instead of the normal open house weekend hours (1-3 PM). Prospects are more likely to come during those hours because it’s not during the peak hours of their weekend.

On weekdays, specialists suggest Thursdays from 6-8 PM generate peak foot traffic, especially during the summer.

In the end, the choice is yours, so go with what’s best for you and your prospects!

3. Use Facebook Events to Get the Word Out

After nailing down a time and date, a simple open house idea for apartments is to promote it via Facebook Events.

Facebook Events is a calendar-based resource used to notify users of upcoming occasions. Events can be created by anyone and listed as public or private. Use this free event tool by announcing and promoting your open house as an event on your Facebook page.

For more insight into ways to cultivate Facebook Events check out this blog post !

4. Run a Live Stream of the Open House

If you want to think outside the box, utilize live streaming as a platform for your open house via Facebook or Instagram! Streaming gives you the advantage of showing your open house to endless prospects.

Potential renters who were not able to make the open house can still have the chance to attend remotely. To have the same effect as being physically present, confirm that someone oversees the live stream to answer any questions a live streamer may have.

Once your open house is done and recorded, be sure to post the live stream onto your page to boost even more engagement. Additionally, post the link to your live stream as a Twitter post or Instagram story. This ensures all social channels support one another to gain optimal open house attendance.

5. Partner With a Local Restaurant

What’s a good incentive everyone can get on board with? Free Food!

A personal favorite open house idea is partnering with a local restaurant within the surrounding community. Catering refreshments encourages attendees to not only come but to stay awhile to chat and eat.

Furthermore, partnering also gives the restaurant vendor an advertising platform, allowing them to promote their food at the open house. And, why not ask to throw in some restaurant coupons? The more the merrier for both you and the vendor!

6. Host a Themed Open House

Give your potential renters an unforgettable experience by hosting a themed open house. Keep it simple and host a barbecue or pool party, or go all out with a Hawaiian luau. You can even throw a seasonal themed open house, for instance, during the month of October host a “haunted” open house.

For more details on hosting a Halloween themed open house, check out this article !

All of these examples give your prospects an experience they can look back on. It will make your open house and apartment community memorable and more likely to get the leads you desire!

7. Hold a Giveaway or Raffle

The last open house idea for apartments is an oldie but a goodie. A great way to create engagement is to hold a giveaway or raffle contest at your open house. You can promote the contest organically through your social media by explaining how to enter the giveaway and details on the prizes to be won.

Make sure the items in the giveaway are things that will excite and entice your audience to attend the open house and enter the contest. Examples of these items are gift cards, kitchenware, or tech products such as AirPods.

Although this idea can be used for engagement purposes, it can also be a motivating factor for visitors to leave their contact information. Whatever the reason, this apartment open house idea is sure to capture your audience’s attention!

There you have it! Seven unforgettable open house ideas for apartments to put into action at your next open house. Use these ideas as building blocks, making sure to personalize it by keeping the open house unique to your property.

The Only Guide You Need for Marketing Apartments to Gen Z

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 15:50:00 GMT

It’s official. Gen Z is finally here and they are something like never before. With wildly different expectations from previous generations, their entry into the housing market is going to be a game-changer.

After growing up in the shadow of 9/11 and the Great Recession, Generation Z (people born between 1997-2010) is known as the seen-it-all generation. Despite being a sober and realistic generation, they are incredibly optimistic about their own personal future and financial stability.

Not only are Gen Zers dominating the student housing space, but they are also quickly gaining traction as the multifamily target demographic. While they may seem young, they currently contribute $44 billion to the economy and are rapidly entering the workforce. The multifamily industry can get in on the action by staying on top of trends and leveraging consumer data that will be crucial in defining what this upcoming generation wants, needs, and values.

To help get you started, we dig our research and pulled together some top tips that will help every multifamily marketer successfully marketing apartments to Gen Z.

A Guide Marketing Apartments to Gen Z Renters

Be Authentic

A study by Vision Critical perfectly sums up this generation. “Gen Zers have inherited the skepticism but not the pessimism of their parents. They’re a happy generation with a nose for corporate fakery.” So what does that mean? Well, if you have dozens of fake 5-star Google reviews, they will catch on.

Instead of wasting time and money on generating fake reviews, spend your time, money, and energy on creating authentic and real experiences with your residents. Even if a negative review comes in, take it in stride. Negative reviews are the perfect opportunity to show your conflict resolution, customer service, and real personality.

Unlike previous generations, Gen Zers had the unique experience of staying in quality, often luxury, housing during college. As they enter the housing market post-graduation, they will aim to maintain that quality of housing – whether it’s realistic or not. What was once considered a high-end feature for millennials or boomers, may be considered standard by Gen Z. This generation places a high value on smart-devices and eco-friendly living – making smart appliances and energy-efficient devices standard.

Student housing has also made this generation accustomed to community spaces and seamless interactions with neighbors. Mixed-uses spaces, community common areas, and on-site live/work spaces will appeal to this generation more than older generations.

Create Inclusive Experiences

Marketing apartments to Gen Z will challenge your current status quo. Gen Zers are the most diverse generation, so your marketing campaigns and communities should reflect inclusivity and diversity. Implement diverse campaign strategies, otherwise your marketing messages won’t be able to reach and connect with potential renters.

But don’t stop at marketing. Using diverse hiring practices and promoting inclusive communities will demonstrate your efforts in creating well-rounded rental properties.

Find Them on Social Media

Unlike previous generations, it’s unlikely that Gen Zers will go directly to your website. In fact, the majority of Gen Zers will find you through social media. As of today, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube are great places to connect with this generation, they are quick to adapt to new technologies, and they may quickly shift to the newest thing. (Psst…have you heard of TikTok? You might want to look into it.)

The secret to finding them on social media is to enter the network before it becomes saturated with other marketers – just look at Facebook. If you get there first, you will be able to capture their attention and connect with them quickly.

Create Fast and Easy Interactions with Chatbots

This generation grew up with Alexa, Siri, and Google at their fingertips – so they expect instant answers to their questions. That means even a phone call or email is too slow. Implement a chatbot that provides instant answers to potential renters with the information that will need during the rental process. With instant access to information about amenities, pricing, floor plans, and the neighborhood, your renters are equipped with the information they need to move down the funnel.

As an added bonus, chatbots can also help your current residents by scheduling maintenance and providing important community updates.

Develop Personalized Incentives

While it’s long been standard practice to offer a set amount off rent or waive app & admin fees, this young generation would be more drawn to personal offers. Authorize your property managers to create personalized offers for potential renters. Free dog walking services, a discount at the local gym, or reduced bike-sharing fees are just a few examples. These can be the same value as free rent or waived fees, a win for the community, but provide a more personalized touch for the Gen Z renter.

If you haven’t been keeping Gen Zers on your radar, it’s not too late. Before investing in new amenities or expensive renovations, property owners shouldn’t just be thinking about the present – but the future as well. Gen Zers have just begun to enter the market, and we can expect their growing presence will have far-reaching impacts on everything from amenities to the community experience. You can get ahead of the pack but thinking of this up and coming generation now by implementing our tips for marketing apartments to Gen Z renters.

Gen Zers not your target demographic? Check out our guides for marketing apartments to baby boomers and millennials .

11 Secrets for Marketing Apartments to Baby Boomers

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 18:33:00 GMT

Unsurprisingly, many multifamily and apartment marketers are keen to rev up their marketing efforts for millennials , yet many property management companies still underestimate the market force potential of baby boomers. Every year, millions of boomers are trading in homeownership for the ease and convenience of renting. In fact, it’s estimated that by 2035 renters over the age of 60 will make up 31% of the rental market. So, how can you effectively market apartments to baby boomers? We’ve got the answers for you!

A Quick Guide to Marketing Apartments to Baby Boomers

For a boomer-friendly game plan, incorporate these top tips when crafting your marketing strategy.

Explain Why Renting is Great

There are a few reasons why baby boomers are abandoning the thought of homeownership and turning to rentals. These are some of the top reasons why more baby boomers are renting:

Show-Off Visitor-Friendly Amenities

Baby boomers will likely have kids and grandkids frequently visiting. Showing off visitor-friendly amenities will be a major advantage. Ample parking, playgrounds, rentable common spaces (like a Clubhouse) are just a few of the amenities that indicate you are a visitor-friendly community.

Don’t Forget the Traditional Touches

Even though we preach the importance of digital, many boomers still prefer traditional marketing approaches. Boomer-focused brochures and hand-outs are still great ways to connect with this generation. Don’t forget, this generation is recently retired, so the focus of these materials include details about the local area and the ways this generation can spend their extra free time.

Leverage ILSs

Unlike millennials, as much as 55% of baby boomers prefer internet listing sites over community websites. In fact, the top search channels for baby boomers are ILS, drive-bys, and word-of-mouth. As good practice, anytime you update your website update your ILS.

Swimming Pools and a Gym are Musts

Swimming pools and gyms are considered standard for younger generations, but for baby boomers, they are a must-have. Include pictures of these amenities on your site, ILS, social media, and anywhere a boomer might stumble upon.

Safety and Security are Top Concerns

Baby boomers consider an ideal community to be well kept, quiet, and safe. Well-maintained streets, sidewalks, and safe communities are incredibly important considerations for this age group. Be sure to include Fair Housing compliant keywords. This is one of our favorite lists for suggested fair housing advertising words.

Choose the Right Social Networks

While Facebook is the most popular channel for all generations, the second favorite social media network for boomers is LinkedIn. The second choice for Gen Z and Millennials is Instagram. So if you’re looking to target baby boomers, skip Instagram and rev up your efforts on Facebook ads and your LinkedIn presence.

Give Them Storage Space

Baby boomers have a lifetime of collecting cherished memorabilia, trinkets, and belongings, so ample storage space is a major plus for this generation. Highlight any storage space in your marketing and on your site.

Don’t Underestimate the Personal Touch

While we often don’t give enough credit to the tech-savvy boomers out there, we can’t forget that some boomers find little value in online rent payments and virtual tours. Offering in-person payments or check drop-offs are great ways to cater to the technology-challenged members of this generation. After tours, a follow-up of handwritten cards thanking them for their time is another great way to build a connection with a boomer renter.

Reviews Matter

When searching for their new home, more than 63% of baby boomers rely on apartment reviews. Every apartment manager should make it a part of their daily checklist to check and respond to reviews – good and bad. Don’t leave generic, copy-and-pasted responses either. Remember that personal touch we talked about? Use some of that!

Provide a Social Calendar

Unlike their younger counterparts, many baby boomers only work part-time or don’t work at all. So, they need activities to fill up their calendars. You can stand out by offering a wide range of activities such as happy hours, pet-friendly events, cooking classes, and more. (Guess what? Millennials and Gen Z love social events too! Talk about a win-win!)

Millennials and baby boomers are undoubtedly the driving factors behind the multifamily industry. That’s why it’s crucial that you have a clear understanding of your target demographic and build a marketing strategy that will resonate with them. For baby boomers, while they may be considered a bit “old-school,” taking the time to understand their wants and needs will go a long way in increasing occupancy and creating long-term residents. By following these tips for marketing apartments to baby boomers, you’ll be able to connect with this demographic in no time!

Do you need help marketing apartments to baby boomers or your target demographic? Schedule a demo with our apartment marketing experts at REPLI today.

15 Apartment Social Media Ideas That Work

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:46:00 GMT

Coming up with apartment social media ideas that boost followers, engagement and traffic can be a real struggle. But guess what? You’re not alone.

Lucky for you, we’ve done the research for you and have composed 15 fun social media ideas for apartment communities. These ideas will help differentiate you from the competition while gaining more social media attraction.

So sit back, relax and let’s dive into creative and fun apartment social media ideas!

Social Media ideas for Apartment Communities

1. Have Killer Photos

Quality photos should be a priority for your apartment social media posts. The saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” rings true for platforms such as Instagram, where the focal point of the post is the photo.

Invest in a photographer to take quality photos of your apartment community. Use a variety of images including: staged photos of units, candids of residents, and lifestyle shots of the surrounding community.

2. Develop Video Content

For social media, content is king. And what is better than a photo? A video. Having video content mixed into your feed can really set you apart on social media.

Video content is a great way to engage, inform and entertain your audience. Statistics show that videos produce up to 1200% more shares than photos. So, next time you need to spice up your social media page, develop a fun video of your apartment community. You should even consider launching a YouTube channel!

3. Create Engaging Copy

Looking to boost social media engagement? An easy start is with your copy. Engage with your followers by asking them questions or proposing a call to action .

Creating content that is engaging, can help to build a relationship with your apartment community through social media. Ask your audience to “comment below” on their favorite things about living at your apartment complex. Or develop a call to action by encouraging them to share the post!

4. Launch a Resident “Take Over”

A fun social media idea for apartment communities could be to host a resident “take over”. You would choose a resident (ideally one with a lot of followers) to take over your social media for the day.

5. Develop a Community Hashtag

Community hashtags are a fun yet effective way to drive traffic to your social media account. Get creative and make the hashtag clever and easy to remember so your audience will associate the hashtag to your page.

Also, encourage your followers to use the hashtag when posting about your apartment community. This can be an engaging technique that is a win win because it boosts engagement for you, and is also fun for your residents.

6. Post Pictures of Your Communities on Pinterest

When choosing a social media platform, don’t neglect Pinterest. Pinterest can be a great tool to promote your apartment complex.

Pick high quality images and create pins and boards for your apartment communities. Provide a call to action text that direct and drive users to your website.

7. Host an Instagram Competition

An awesome apartment social media idea to get your residents involved is to host a competition on Instagram.

For example, an apartment decorating competition. Invite residents to post photos of their decorated apartment home and to enter, they must use your community hashtag, or get crazy and create a branded hashtag for the competition.

Encourage residents to like, share and tag their friends. Pick a winner and post it on your account. Be sure to reward them with a prize of your choosing!

8. Use Facebook Events for Open Houses

With Facebook Events, you can invite your followers to a local event through Facebook. Use this apartment social media idea for all your open houses by announcing it as an event on your Facebook page.

As a bonus, take your open house to the next level by awarding the first 5 or 10 people to RSVP with a discount on their application fee!

9. Offer Apartment Hacks & Tips

Implement a mind-blowing apartment social media idea by creating a segment on your account of apartment hacks & tips.

Give your audience something they can relate to by providing them with unique and valuable apartment insights. For instance, inform your residents on 5 tips to keep their apartment organized, or offer a hack on saving kitchen space.

10. Post Resident Testimonials

Take advantage of free advertising by posting resident testimonials on your social media. There’s no easier way to advocate for your apartment community than to post current residents hyping it up.

Use testimonials already on your website and then move toward creating quick and to-the-point resident testimonials specifically catered for your social media.

11. Promote Resident Events

Apartment social media posts to have in the que are resident events. With each season, come fun and exciting resident events like Halloween parties and 4th of July barbecues.

Use social media as a way to promote your events by creating festive graphics to post on your pages and stories.

(In search of Halloween ideas for apartments? Check out this article.)

12. Reuse Content

A wise person once said, “if you aren’t using content you created 400 different ways, then you just wasted that piece of content.”

Be smart with your social media content and reproduce it as much as you can. If you created a video, turn it into a blog post, then use that blog post as a social post, and so on. This can increase your social media content sphere without spending hours creating it.

13. Showcase Company Culture

When it comes to social media marketing, did you know that social media users rank transparency third on their list of core values? Increase your transparency on social media by including company culture and values in your social media feed.

In addition, try posting photos of new hires and employee successes. Similarly, include playful videos on your story of employees on the job. These examples will help to share your company culture with your audience.

14. Post Events Within the Local Community

There’s an event always happening within local communities. Use social media and create posts to promote local businesses and events.

This will allow your residents to be “in the know” on community events, and your apartment complex will build rapport within the local community.

15. Talk Up Apartment Amenities

Instagram and Facebook are social media platforms you can use to draw attention to your apartment amenities. Use high quality images of amenities you can offer potential residents. Addedly, incorporate thorough details in the caption and add a link to your amenities website page.

Ready to start creating social media posts that are fun yet effective for your apartment community? Put these 15 apartment social media ideas into play and see your accounts grow overnight!

The post 15 Apartment Social Media Ideas That Work appeared first on REPLI .

Our Secret Guide for Marketing Apartments to Millennials

Thu, 17 Oct 2019 19:43:00 GMT

There’s no denying that student loan debt and stagnant wages have had an impact on the rental market. With renters under the age of 30 consisting of more than 50% of the renter market , many apartments want to cash-in on this renter market. But with tried and true methods for attracting baby boomers and Gen X renters failing to connect with the younger generation, many communities need millennial marketing strategies. While they are many opportunities for success, here are our favorite 11 tips for marketing apartments to millennials.

11 Ways to Market Your Apartment to Millennials

Meet Them Online

Millennials are a tech-savvy generation that prefers an online experience. Increase your chances of being found by getting on as many ILS sites as possible, and making sure your SEO game is on point. Millennials will do extensive research on potential properties by looking at reviews, social media, and websites. Make sure all of your information is up-to-date and accurate.

Build a Community

Feeling like their part of a community is important to millennial renters, and creating a sense of community doesn’t have to be a budget killer. Host parties and theme nights in your clubhouse or community spaces. Happy-hours and movie nights are great ways to get your renters mingling.

You can also build a sense of community by teaming up with residents and getting involved in local charities and causes. You could form a team for a local 5k or volunteer as a group at an animal shelter.

Tell a Story on Social Media

With 90.4% of millennials using social media daily, you should be taking advantage of this attention. But you have to be smart in how you use social media. Millennials don’t like to be advertised to, they want to be a part of the conversation. Get them engaged by telling a story across your social media channels. Try to paint a picture of what life is like at your community by creating authentic posts and videos and engaging with them in a real way. Speak to them like a person, not like an advertiser.

Show Off Your Location

Location is everything to millennial renters. When searching for apartments, most millennials will be attracted to communities that are close to work, shopping, restaurants, and attractions. Proximity to public transportation or major highways is also important. Access to bike trails and walking trails are also popular neighborhood features. The easier residents can get around, the better.

Welcome Their Furry Friends

Millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners . With pet-friendly apartments being non-negotiable, you can really win renters over with pet-friendly amenities. Dog parks, pet wash stations, and dog-walking services are just a few ways to tell potential renters that all furry friends are welcome. Waived pet deposits are another great way to capture their attention.

Emphasize Space

Millennials enjoy having one space to work, eat, play, and live. Instead of highlighting square footage, emphasis large, open spaces. Big kitchens, open floor plans, and flexible spaces go a long way in attracting millennials.

Boast Unique Amenities

In most markets, pools and gyms are a given. While you can stand-out with rooftop pools, yoga studios, Peloton bikes, and other upgraded amenities, you should also highlight unique amenities that your competitors don’t have.

While co-working spaces, green spaces, outdoor kitchens, private spas, on-site restaurants, and car-charging stations aren’t groundbreaking features, they aren’t nearly as common as pools. Have your unique features become your shining stars!

Go High-Tech

Technology is an integral part of everyday life for a millennial. Tech-forward rental properties are immensely attractive to the millennial generation. Smart locks, high-speed Wi-Fi, USB outlets, smart lights, and high-tech security systems will add another layer of convenience to their lives.

Embrace Reviews – Both Good and Bad

With 91% of millennials trusting online reviews as much as friends and family, you can’t afford to ignore their significance. While positive reviews obviously are more attractive, negative reviews allow you to show off your customer service level. Be proactive in responding to reviews and have a strategy in place for addressing negative reviews.

Offer Customized Upgrade Packages

Millennials grew up in an age of convenience. With online payments being a given, millennials appreciate the ability to pay for things in one place. Consider offering upgraded utility packages that include water, electricity, internet, or other services. Luxury communities may offer laundry service or pet-sitting packages. Bring together convenience with time and budget-saving packages.

Help Protect the Earth

75% of millennials have changed their buying habits with environmental sustainability in mind. Energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and low-flow toilets are just a few things that can appeal to renters who are actively playing a part in protecting the environment.

The key to attracting millennials is to create a sense of community that seamlessly adds convenience to their daily lives while holding true to what they most value. Throw away the idea of marketing apartments to millennials, and instead embrace the idea of creating positive experiences for them. Not only will you capture their attention, but you will also connect with them in a way that will encourage long-lasting tenantships.

Need help connecting with millennial renters? Contact the apartment marketing experts at Repli today!

Our Favorite Fall Marketing Ideas for Apartments

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:25:00 GMT

There’s a chill in the air, pumpkin spice is everywhere, and the countdown to candy and costumes has begun. With the pools closed and leasing season winding down, many apartments struggle to connect with their current residents and prospects. That’s why we’ve pulled together our favorite fall marketing ideas for apartments to help you make the most out of the season.

7 Fall Marketing Ideas for Apartments

Eat, drink and be scary with these creative apartment marketing ideas for Fall and Halloween!

Thanks-a-Latte Care Package

Why not kick-off the season by thanking your current residents? A box of pumpkin spice latte or hot chocolate mix will be well-received by your residents.

Organize a Trick-or-Treat Event

Take trick-or-treating to the next level and host a family-friendly event. You could host a small party, pass out candy, and even find ways to get adults in on the fun.

Host a Halloween Pet Contest

Do you have a pet-friendly community? Host a contest on your Instagram or Facebook by getting residents to post a picture of their furry pal in a Halloween costume. Winners can be selected on the number of likes. Not only will you boost your social media engagement, you’ll get tons of cute pet pics to swoon over.

Sponsor a Local Fall Run

Local charity walks or runs can be the perfect place to meet potential residents. You can hand out water bottles, bags, shirts, towels and more with your apartment’s information. Encourage residents or your team to organize a team and have them all wear t-shirts with your apartment information.

Haunted Open House

Become the ghostess with the mostest and host a haunted open house. Turn a couple of vacant units into a haunted house and host ghastly tours for your current residents and the local community. Don’t go overboard with your hauntings or you may scare off some residents.

Themed Resident Nights

Get your residents into the fall mood with some exciting themed resident nights. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Door Decorating Competition

Another great social media photo op – a door decorating competition. Encourage residents to decorate their doors, post an image on their social media, and offer some great prizes. Get gift cards from popular local businesses or restaurants to build excitement.

Say good-bye to the leasing dead season! Fall and Halloween-themed resident events are a great way to get the buzz going about your community. Not only can you boost resident retention, but you may also entice some new residents with your fun and active community. After all, the only thing that should be dead this season is the ghosts. Boo!

The post Our Favorite Fall Marketing Ideas for Apartments appeared first on REPLI .

How To Write The Perfect PPC Headlines for Apartments

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 18:38:00 GMT

Within multifamily, I think we can agree on the significance that Google Ads play into achieving qualified leads. But before you start generating leads through conversions, you first have to conquer the arena of producing clicks. You may have the best apartment listings in the area, but that won’t make a difference if you can’t persuade users to click on your ads.

In order for your ad to be clicked on, you need to construct an appealing, clickable headline. The question is, how exactly do you create a headline that is worth clicking?

First, let’s understand the format of an ad. Here are the 4 components of an ad that will help you write clickable PPC headlines for apartments:

The Most Important Element of Your PPC Ads

There’s a lot to think about when trying to create a PPC ad . However, do you know what the most important aspect of your ad is? Your headline . Research shows 80% of people read your headline, but only 20% will read the description. With that being said, most of your time spent writing the ad content should be focused on developing an attractive headline.

Google gives you access to three headlines with up to 30 characters . Each headline is separated by a vertical pipe (“|”) and may appear in various formats depending on the device being used.

Best practices presume the use of 6 words to each headline, considering most people only take into account the first and last three words of a headline. Also, the shorter the headline, the higher the chance of maintaining your reader’s attention.

Now that we’ve discussed the importance of your ad’s headline, let’s move on to the good stuff and discuss ways you can increase your ad’s clickability by creating the perfect ad headline.

5 Ways to Create Clickable PPC Headlines for Apartments

1.) Be specific

Let’s go back to the basics, shall we? Writing 101- be clear and concise. When it comes to your ad headline copy, don’t be too complex or vague. Narrow down your headline to exactly what you can provide your prospects. Making your headline as clear as possible will help avoid any confusion on what you’re offering.

For example :

If a big selling point for your apartment complex is it’s near a college campus, be specific about the exact location in your headline. Instead of saying “near UGA”, make it clear how close you are by stating, “0.2 Miles Away From UGA”.

This is just one example of many that not only will increase your clicks, but also increase your qualified leads because it provides users with granular and tangible information right up front.

2.) Don’t neglect your target audience.

Sometimes we can get so caught up in creating the best written ad, we forget about the goal or purpose of it. However, don’t forget to cater your headline toward your target audience. If you aren’t tailoring your headline to your target audience, then you might be wasting clicks.

Who are you trying to target? Millennials? If so, research what millennials look for most in an apartment. Then, use that information to craft your headline. Getting creative with your headline by using target data will get you your ad’s bang for its buck and increase its click through rate.

3.) Match your headline to your landing page

An area where advertisers frequently make mistakes in ad creation is not matching the headline to their landing page. When your message doesn’t coincide with the information on the landing page, you’re simply wasting the prospect’s time.

For instance, say you’re trying to advertise a two bedroom apartment, but your PPC ad is sending them to the homepage. This creates unnecessary steps for the user because they then have to go and find what your ad headline featured themselves.

Instead, take them to a landing page specifically designed to cater to that target keyword or selling point. When in doubt just remember: your landing page, messaging, and offer should all be consistent with your ad.

4.) Solve your prospect’s problems

Perry Marshall, the author of a best-selling book on Google AdWords, preaches on the importance of solving your prospect’s problems in the ad copy. However, there is reason to believe it is equally as important in your ad headline in addition to your ad text.

Keep in mind, 9/10 times the reason someone inputs a Google search is to solve a problem. A person has a need, and they are looking for you to solve and fulfill that need.

Users are more inclined to click on an ad that outright states a solution to their problem than on one that doesn’t. So next time, try a problem-solving approach when creating your ad headline and copy, and see if it gives you the results and clicks you’re desiring.

For Example:

If a young man works in the city, and the rent is expensive, he would benefit from living a walkable distance from his work, and a community that offers many on-site amenities would be especially appealing for him. Solve this prospect’s problem by putting one of these amenities in the headline.

(Need some suggestions for strong CTA’s for PPC headlines for apartments? Check out this post .)

5.) Use your character limit wisely.

Last but not least, let’s talk about character limit. Bear in mind, the character limit in your PPC ad headline is 30 characters. You want to use this to your advantage by being as descriptive as possible without using unnecessary details. Keep the language simple and the content explicatory.

Your headline should be a brief preview of your landing page, so be sure to outline exactly what your ad is providing, and what they can expect from the landing page once they click on it.

To sum it up…

Your headline is the most important component of your PPC ad . It’s crucial to spend most of your time when creating the ad, constructing the headline.

Use these tools and suggestions to help you design an effective and persuading headline that will maximize clicks and drive conversions .

Now get to writing! You got this.

If you have additional questions about creating PPC headlines for apartments, then contact us today. Our team of multifamily marketing professionals would love to help you.

Google Gallery Ads Might Change Multifamily PPC Forever…Might

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 02:37:00 GMT

The post Google Gallery Ads Might Change Multifamily PPC Forever…Might appeared first on REPLI .

PPC vs ILS: Which is Better For Multifamily Marketing?

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:18:00 GMT

Gryffindor vs Slytherin. Star Wars vs Star Trek. While we can’t give you a definitive answer on these popular conundrums, we can tell you the winner of PPC vs ILS. On episode #4 of REPLI talk, Corbin and Michael, the CEO and Director of Operations respectively, took on one of the most commonly asked apartment marketing questions and the answer may surprise you.

Comparing PPC and ILS

Most apartment communities have heavily relied on an ILS to advertise online. While apartment marketers have incorporated PPC into their overall strategy, many are unsure whether they are dedicating the right amount of resources to the right channels. So let’s begin by breaking down the benefits of PPC and ILS.

The Advantages of an ILS

An ILS does a lot of the work for you. PPC campaigns require a lot of setup and on-going maintenance, something communities with smaller staff resources may struggle with. An ILS can be turned on and off at a moment’s notice and are generally much easier to manage.

Additionally, an ILS can help you build visibility by getting your name out there – especially when your integrating other lead generation strategies . If competition is fierce in your area, an ILS can help you stand out among the crowd, but that may come with an additional fee.

The Advantages of PPC

PPC ads offer better user experience than an ILS. PPC allows you to put your website at the top of Google search results for your targeted keywords. When a user clicks the ads, they are taken directly to your website or landing page. Whereas an ILS may take the user to a category page or your community page, but that page will display “Nearby Apartments.” Either way, the user is being exposed to competing properties in the area. PPC ads keeps the user engaged with only your property from the moment they click the ad.

So, Who’s The Winner?

In a perfect world, we would recommend both PPC and an ILS for maximum visibility and lead generation potential. But we understand that everyone doesn’t have the budget for that. If we had to pick a winner, it would be PPC.

PPC ads are set up to provide you with full control of your marketing efforts. Advanced targeting options, such as geo-targeting, remarketing, and audience interests, and keyword bidding allows you to zero in on qualified leads by customizing your campaigns to meet your needs. Not to mention, you have full control over your monthly spend.

At the end of the day, it comes down to what channels will give you the most visibility within your budget and resources.

To hear the full episode and hear more details, check out episode #4 of REPLI talk on YouTube or iTunes .

The post PPC vs ILS: Which is Better For Multifamily Marketing? appeared first on REPLI .

The Top 5 Lead Gen Strategies for Multifamily Marketing

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:17:00 GMT

Want to know the secret to successful multi-family lead generation? You must have a comprehensive lead generation strategy. If your property is relying on curb appeal and word-of-mouth, then you are missing out on prospective residents. Period. End of discussion.

By adopting a 360-degree approach to your lead generation strategy, you can rest easy knowing that you are targeting the channels where you’re most likely to reach, attract, and eventually convert your ideal renter. After establishing your target market and what channels to take on, you’re ready to dive into the best lead generation strategies for multifamily marketers.

In this blog post, we are recapping episode 3 of REPLItalk where Corbin sits down with one of our digital marketing experts to discuss the best lead generation tactics for multifamily.

The Best Lead Gen Strategies for Multifamily Marketing

Traditional Marketing

This category includes the tactics that you should be doing no matter what. This includes signage, building graphics, banners, etc. These are the tools that build brand awareness on the around your property.

Digital Advertising

Your digital advertising should also begin with paid media advertising. We recommend starting with search engine marketing ads – so Google or Bing ads. With paid ads, the effects are immediate and ROI is easily measured. Then you will want to add social media ads using the channels that your ideal renter frequents. Adding in your ILS will round out your paid media strategy – creating visibility with a consistent brand message.

Once your paid media campaigns are up and running, add organic content to complement your paid strategy.

Preferred Employer Programs

Preferred employer programs are great ways to connect with many prospective residents at once – thus creating a lot of brand visibility.

Referral Programs

For states that allow resident referral, it is a great source for lead generation. Not only are you building a connection with current residents by offering an incentive, but you’re also getting positive brand messaging out into the community.

Community Outreach Programs

Leverage your local community to get your name out there. Get involved at local events, at the Chamber of Commerce, or with local businesses to directly interact with your local community. Prospective leads can ask questions, learn about your property, and get all the information they need to attract them into visiting the property.

At the end of the day, it’s all about visibility. The best lead generation strategies are centered around the idea of maximizing your brand visibility both offline and online.

Want to learn more? Check out the full episode of REPLI talk to hear Kailyn and Corbin’s in-depth discussion on our favorite lead gen strategies for multifamily marketing.

Watch the Full Episode Here

Your Leads Aren’t Unqualified, Their Journey is Broken

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:15:00 GMT

Unqualified leads are one of the biggest frustrations for leasing teams. They waste time and money, which can cause you to miss out on quality leads. Since unqualified leads are considered to be a massive drain on resources, many multifamily marketers are quick to consider a lead dead. Unfortunately, jumping the gun and calling time of death on a lead may end up costing you more. In this post, we are going to cover how a broken customer journey is creating false unqualified leads.

Just Because They Didn’t Convert – That Doesn’t Mean They Are Unqualified

Our modern world is all about instant gratification. Consumers are looking for instant access to the information they need. Despite this common desire amongst consumers, businesses have yet to adapt – multifamily included.

Potential renters are looking for immediate access to pricing, amenities, and information on the neighborhood. Yet, so many potential renters are forced to wait for a phone call or an email from a leasing agent.

Let’s say Bobby is the “ideal” renter. He loves your property – it’s in his budget and it’s close to work. He clicked on your PPC ad, submitted a contact form, but he had to wait 3 days before someone reached out to him. Bobby also filled out a form to the property across the street, and they got back to him the same day. By the time your property reached out, he had moved on. Bobby wasn’t unqualified, in fact, he was an ideal resident – but his journey from lead to lease was broken.

If it takes days, sometimes even a few hours, for the property to reach out, that lead may have moved on. Imagine how many qualified leads you could be missing out on. We know that it seems like an impossible ask to respond to leads within minutes – but we have a solution.

Create an Omni-Channel Presence and Automate

Everyone has a preference on how they want to be contacted. Some prefer a phone call – while others prefer an email. Consumers want options and businesses can leverage automation to make the process faster and easier for everyone.

Give your leads the ability to select their preferred means of communication – a phone call, text messaging, email, chat, etc. But for whatever options you provide, you need to have a plan in place for jumping on those leads. Whether you have a dedicated person or team responding personally or opt to implement automation software (or a combination of both), make sure your leads are being nurtured right away.

Chatbots, text message systems, and email drip campaigns are just a few examples of easy ways to integrate automation into your marketing strategy that will nurture your leads until you get them physically in the leasing office.

By setting the expectations then delivering the right experience – the potential resident won’t feel like they’re being miss out on and you’re not missing any potential hot leads.

Don’t let potential leads slip right through your fingers. By solidifying the renter’s journey, you’re demonstrating that you understand what your potential renter wants and needs – and when you provide that positive experience, you will build trust that will take them from a lead to a lease.

Want to learn more? Check out the full-episode of REPLItalk where Michael and Corbin discuss unqualified leads and actionable insights for all multifamily marketing teams.

Subscribe to REPLItalk on the iTunes store or subscribe on YouTube

The post Your Leads Aren’t Unqualified, Their Journey is Broken appeared first on REPLI .

REPLI | Apartment Marketing Blog | Tips and Insights for Multifamily

Google just changed how renters find apartments. Is your property ready?

How Ask Maps actually works

6 things you can do right now to optimize for AskMaps

1. Audit and complete your Google Business Profile

2.Upgrade how you ask for reviews — get specific

3. Respond to every review, and make your responses count

5. Ensure your local data is consistent everywhere

The bigger picture.

Let's make sure your properties are visible.

The Cost of Fake Resident Reviews

This is a subtitle for your new post

What Are Fake Reviews?

The Real Cost

How to Spot Them

How Platforms Are Combatting Them

The Bottom Line

Rebrand Your GBP The Right Way

1. Update Your Website First

2. Don’t Rush It ﻿

3. Google’s Recommendations ﻿

Key Takeaways

You Got This! ﻿

The Difference Between Using AI... and Actually Being Good At It

The 4D Framework for AI Fluency

1. Delegation

2. Description

3. Discernment

4. Diligence

Why this matters (more than it use to).

Takeaway

How Repli is Approaching AI Search

Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tool & AI Search

What Multifamily Marketers Need to Know.

The Shift: From Search Engine to Answer Engine

Where Bing Fits in the AI Discovery Landscape

What is the Microsoft Bing Webmaster Tool?

Why This Matters for Multifamily Marketing

How to Optimize for Bing AI Search

The Opportunity: Early Adoption = Competitive Advantage

How Repli is Approaching AI Search

Why Most Apartment Websites Aren't Ready for AI Search

The Shift Is Already Happening

Fact 1: AI Generates Answers, Not Just Links

Fact 2: AI Relies on Signals Across the Internet

Fact 3: Most Apartment Websites Were Built for a Different Model

Fact 4: Incomplete or Unstructured Data Limits Visibility

Fact 5: AI Must Be Confident to Recommend

The Core Gap

How Structured Data Helps AI Understand Apartment Websites

The Shift

Structured Data

Why This Matters

Most Properties Aren’t Planning for AI Tools

What’s Next

What AI Discovery Actually Means for Multifamily Marketing

This is a subtitle for your new post

�� Meet the New Renter: Alex

Let’s Talk About How AI Got There

So What is AI Actually Looking At?

So What Isn’t AI Looking At?

What This Means for Multifamily Marketing Strategy

�� What Comes Next?

The Renter Journey is Changing

�� Meet the New Renter: Jenna

�� Let’s Pause for a Second

AI Discovery, the “Invisible Step”

⚠️ So… What Happens If You Ignore These Changes?

�� The Opportunity

�� One Simple Reframe

ChatGPT Just Started Running Ads

ChatGPT Running Ads? Here's What It Means for Your Properties.

What happened, exactly?

The facts: who, what, and how much

The fair housing question

Where this fits into your marketing mix now and in the future

What to do right now.

Back to the Basics: AI 101

Understanding the Basics of AI Discovery in Multifamily Marketing

The Way Renters Discover Apartments is Changing.

2. Don’t Rush It

3. Google’s Recommendations

You Got This!

ChatGPT Running Ads?
Here's What It Means for Your Properties.

Diverging AI Monetization Models