Marketing in a World Gone Mobile Webinar

Posted on February 20, 2013 by ag-admin

Join Chuck Martin for an engaging thought leadership webinar highlighting the technological and behavioral changes caused by the Mobile revolution and the implications for marketers everywhere. The massive adoption of smartphones and tablets empowers apartment-seeking consumers like never before and opens new opportunities and challenges for marketers. We will identify a range of mobile applications and capabilities that are transforming the consumer experience, exploring the implications for the apartment finding process.

Click HERE to register for this FREE Webinar

Chuck Martin is the CEO of The Mobile Future Institute and Director of the Center of Media Research at MediaPost Communications Inc. Through his research and public speaking, Martin has been a digital pioneer in the interactive marketplace for more than a decade.

Simplify Your Apartment Search With Our New iPhone App

Posted on November 2, 2012 by jgrimes

With slide navigation and a sleek new look, the Apartment Guide iPhone app version 5.0 will make your apartment search easy and fun.

You have custom furniture, clothing and smartphone cases; why not customize your apartment search? It’s easy with the new Apartment Guide app for iPhone version 5.0. With support for iOS6 and iPhone 5, a fresh look and feel, slide navigation, map-based searches and a feature that allows you to easily keep track of apartments you’ve contacted, the redesigned iPhone mobile app allows you to receive customized results like never before.

As always, you can search thousands of updated-daily apartments for rent, view photos and floor plans, select amenities to help you find the ideal place to live and call or email properties you’re interested in, right from the app. Once you select one or a few places you like, your phone’s GPS feature and the app will provide driving directions for how to get there so you can check them out in person.

Here’s a quick guide to what else the Apartment Guide app for iPhone version 5.0 has to offer:

Slide navigation improves accessibility to apartment information
Map-based search allows you to quickly focus on the exact area you want to be in
GPS system finds apartments near your current location, or specify the city, state or ZIP code you want to search
Deals Nearby feature quickly identifies apartments offering special incentives and discounts
Advanced Search and Search Filters help you specify the number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, price range and more
Recent Searches lets you quickly repeat a previous search
My Places stores the apartments you’ve saved, called or emailed for future reference

Now that you know a little more about the Apartment Guide app for iPhone version 5.0, download it for FREE at http://www.apartmentguide.com/mobile-app/.

Tips for Optimizing Your Web Site for Mobile Users

Posted on March 12, 2012 by ag-admin

According to Morgan Stanley, mobile web is going to be bigger than desktop web access by 2015. That means that if you’ve only got one version of your web site, the time to start thinking about mobile optimization is now.

Mobile users tend to surf the Internet for different purposes than desktop users. Knowing how to optimize for mobile starts with understanding the goals and desires of both user groups. In these tips for mobile optimization, we’ll look at what makes mobile users different than desktop users and examine a few keys for designing the best mobile site.

What makes mobile users tick

What makes mobile search so useful is that it offers smart device users the chance to get quick, helpful — and usually local — information. Consider all the reasons why your customers might visit your rental property’s mobile site:

To find your nearby location(s)
To get contact information
To check out rental rates and specials
To see your rental property’s community and units

Because smart phones and tablet computers have small screens, mobile users aren’t likely to do in-depth research on your property via mobile web. Mobile users visiting a rental property’s site have likely already done their in-depth research at home in front of a PC (with a normal size screen and a fast Internet connection). They’re also less likely to spend a lot of time on your mobile site because their web connection may be slow or they may pay high data rates for their smart phone plans.

Given all of these factors, it’s a good idea to assume that anyone surfing your mobile site just wants a few quick bits of information — perhaps because they are on their way to pay you a visit in-person.

If you want to see which parts of your web site mobile users visit most, you need only turn to your web analytics. Most programs will tell you how many mobile users visit your site per day or month and where they linger longest. Refer to this behavior when you’re deciding which areas of your site to optimize for mobile users.

Designing for mobile optimization

Now that you understand the intent of the mobile user, it’s time to think like a minimalist when it comes to the design and content of your mobile site. The following considerations are important for creating the most satisfying mobile search experience:

Keep the homepage simple. Unlike your traditional web site, which should explain all the features and benefits of your property in depth, a mobile site should be more directed and limited in scope. Just the basic facts.
Go lo-fi on design details. Another thing to keep in mind is that you’re designing a mobile site for a wide audience — and a wide range of technologies. Keep your design simple enough so that it loads quickly and works on a wide range of devices. That means no Flash applet and minimal use of images and video. (Do make your mobile site’s branding consistent with your traditional site, no matter how sparse the design details.)
Test, test, test. Since a broad range of mobile users will visit your site, the best way to ensure a satisfying experience for as many users as possible to test a new mobile site on many types of devices.

As you can see, the key to mobile optimization is to keep things simple.

Maintenance required

You’d never dream of letting the information on your traditional site get outdated, and the same goes for your mobile site. As technology is constantly changing, it’s necessary to update your mobile site regularly to ensure it always works on the latest and greatest mobile devices.

For more information about Apartment Guide’s Mobile Apps geared towards the mobile user, click here or go to listonapartmentguide.com

How to Market with Mobile Technology

Posted on August 17, 2011 by ag-admin

More and more customers are using mobile technology as their only means of shoppping.

As the world continues to move online at a fast pace, a world of mobile technology has opened up that can position your properties in front of prospective renters quickly, attractively, and effectively. Read on for a quick overview of mobile marketing.

What is it?

Mobile marketing continues to evolve in pace with the devices that utilize it, but the core aspect is a constant: this platform delivers business information via smart phone, text messaging, mobile search ads and mobile display ads.

To best utilize mobile marketing, your content needs to be clear, concise and packed full of pertinent details about your property: what, where and how to contact you should be the focus of your messaging.

Using apps

Make sure your properties appear in existing mobile apps aimed at qualified renters, such as the apps for ApartmentGuide.com. There truly is an app for everything, and renters are taking advantage of them just like everyone else. You’ll want to have a presence in any application that that can provide great exposure for your properties.

SMS technology (texting)

SMS (Short Message Service), more commonly known as texting, has many useful applications when it comes to mobile marketing, such as the ability to send alerts and reminders, conduct voting and polling, and give rewards as incentives. With this technology, you can let prospective renters (or renters already living in your community) know about new features or activities you’re offering, as well as new vacancies. Offering incentives — vouchers for local restaurants, cleaning services, gym memberships, even rental referral bonuses — makes your property memorable.

You will want to ensure that those who you contact via this method have given permission for you to do so. Keep the list of participants who have “opted in” on file and current, and allow users a way to remove themselves from the list if they choose to do so. Remember that your marketing efforts can backfire if your messages aren’t welcome.

Location Based Services (LBS) marketing
Checking in from where you are is a big deal among mobile customers who use place-based apps such as Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook. Google users are also able to “Check In” to a place of business using GooglePlaces.

Establishing your apartment community as a known “place” in the online world can create a feeling of continuity among those who live and visit there. When tenants, their friends and family, or potential renters check in enough times, you might opt to make them eligible for coupons, discounts or rewards as a way to encourage them and add to your online, mobile notoriety.

With the proliferation of smart phones, mobile marketing is becoming a real factor in how rental properties can be placed in front of prospective tenants. Be ready to consult the experts who know it best and develop your own mobile strategy for your apartment rental efforts.

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