Top Features To Make Your Strata Corporation Website Even Better
A Strata Corporation’s website is a convenient and engaging way to promote your Strata to potential homebuyers, share important updates with current residents, and keep the community connected. However, an unorganized or uninformative Strata website can have the opposite effect.
Read on to learn what should be on a Strata website and how your Council can make the most of this essential form of communication.
Why Should You Have a Strata Website?
A well-managed Strata website has many uses to help your community thrive. The site is a
hub of information where residents can find meeting details, key dates, strata policies and contact information. Some websites also allow residents to make payments through a
homeowner portal.
In addition to improving communication between the council and homeowners, your Strata website also gives prospective buyers their first glimpse into your community.
What Should Be on Your Strata Website?
Although a Strata website should be comprehensive, council members must be selective
about what they include. You’ll want to confirm the information on your website – and its accessibility—comply with provincial laws and your governing documents. If you have any
questions about legalities, check with your strata manager and association attorney.
Aim to provide value while being concise and approachable. Here are the top features that
will make your Strata website even better:
Homepage
Your association’s homepage should provide a solid introduction to your community and
allow users to easily navigate the site. A well-designed page will have important information
broken into short, digestible sections with inviting images and graphics to make content
more scannable.
When thinking about what should be on a website homepage, looking at other Strata websites
may be helpful. Successful Strata homepages typically include:
- A brief background about the community
- An organized navigation bar.
- An online payment portal
- A communication form to connect with the council
- Calls to action to encourage participation
- Links to your Strata welcome package and other resources
Community News and Announcements
Keep homeowners updated with announcements and beneficial content. Examples of news you may want to share include upcoming projects, reminders about scheduled maintenance, calls for volunteers, and community safety tips. The more regularly you post, the more engagement you can generate on your website.
Community Rules
If permitted, add a dedicated page where residents can access and review community bylaws and rules. Homeowners are more likely to comply with association guidelines when they have the information readily available.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
You may be able to help homeowners prepare for upcoming meetings by posting the agenda
on your website. This gives association members time to review the discussion points before
the meeting.
Likewise, sharing the minutes after a council or annual meeting promotes transparency and keeps residents in the loop. Informed community members can guide the council’s decisions and boost homeowner satisfaction. Just check your governing documents for any guidance on posting or password-protecting this information.
Calendar of Events
Many communities are very active, making it difficult to stay on top of everything. Adding a simple calendar of events to your website can help homeowners balance their schedules and encourage participation. Include details, such as:
- Purpose of the even
- Date and time
- Location
- Who is invited?
Amenities Page
Strata amenities are a big reason why people choose managed community living. Providing an
online guide to your association’s amenities can attract qualified homebuyers for what you offer.
An amenities page means homeowners can find hours, instructions, bylaws, rules and safety guidelines quickly and easily, too. Not only does this keep amenities in good shape, but it also
avoids confusion over how and when they are used.
Governing Documents
Your association’s governing documents contain crucial details about your community, including the covenants, conditions & restrictions (CC&Rs), bylaws, and policies. While all homeowners usually receive a physical copy of these documents when they
become Strata members, it’s required in some provinces to have digital documents on the website as well.Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you notice similar questions coming up, you can save your council time, energy, and frustration by offering quick answers on your website. An FAQ page gives residents and buyers the information they need without having to wait for an answer.
Board Contacts
When questions are complex or people need more information than is provided on the website, they should be able to reach the appropriate contact- strata manager or council member. Sharing public contact information on your website shows that your council is open to communication and ready to help.
Plus, let website users know the best way to contact you. If it’s easier to respond to emails than answer the phone, post those details, and let them know how long they can expect before you get back to them.
Payment Portal
An online portal streamlines the payment process and allows homeowners to use different options to pay strata dues, assessments, and fees. This will also help the council manage the association’s funds with organized records and digital payment processing.
Other Website Features
In addition to the basic pages and details, other features can enhance your Strata website,
including:
- Homeowner testimonials
- Association member directory
- Photo galleries of the community and events
- Links to your Strata social media accounts
The Top 6 FAQs About Community Newsletters
Determining what should be on an Strata website may be easier said than done. Creating a homepage, community rules page, calendar of events, governing documents page, payment
portal, and more can be time consuming. However, connecting with residents regularly is critical.
To ensure you reach residents often, consider sending an electronic newsletter. Strata newsletters with essential content, updates, and messages keep everyone up to date on what’s happening in the community.
FAQs
WHAT IS REQUIRED ON A STRATA WEBSITE?
While every strata is different their websites should generally include details about the Strata, announcements, a community calendar and contact information in a user-friendly design. It is recommended to have the provincial laws and governing docs checked with strata lawyers in relation to the required content of your strata website.
SHOULD THE STRATA HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE?
A community Facebook page can be a helpful platform for homeowners to connect and discuss matters in a more informal setting. However set clear rules and boundaries to keep communication respectful and productive.
HOW DO WE CREATE A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR A STRATA?
To make a Strata Facebook page sign into your account and create a private group. Then homeowners can be invited through their Facebook accounts to join the group and engage with other members.