This is the first in a three-part series about streamlining and improving the moving process for prospects, residents, and site teams.

The first step in the moving process happens way before packing boxes and scheduling a moving truck. Nowadays, it starts with a simple Google search, which is easier than scouring the classified ads, finding something you think works, only to make a call and take a tour to discover the apartment wasn’t at all what you’re looking for.

However, having access to all of the information Google provides can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you have the ability to see at a glance what is available in your area, in your price range and have access to  more than newspapers were able to show in a small ad. On the other hand, having access to that much information can be daunting to potential residents. That’s why you need to implement solutions that help your properties cut through the noise and stand out as the obvious choice to apartment seekers.

One of the most effective ways to stand out in those initial searches is to focus on building a strong reputation on the sites that matter most to prospective residents in your area along with prominent placing on search engine results pages and Google’s Knowledge Graph. When it comes to building and maintaining your online reputation, there are a few simple actions you can take that will significantly improve your chances of catching a prospect’s eye.

They include:

Identify the right sites

Depending on the market you operate in, the sites that matter most to your prospects might be different, but typically, you will want to manage, collect reviews, and respond to comments on some combination of Google, social media, ApartmentRatings.com and Apartments.com.

Claim your listings

Once you know which sites are going to have the most impact, claim your listings. When claiming your listings, be sure all of your information is updated, including all of your contact methods and hours of operation.

Consolidate management into a single platform

With the number of social media accounts and business listings you have to manage likely to increase with each passing year, it makes sense to purchase a solution that enables you to centralize management of all accounts and sites relevant to your business.

The right tool will ensure you are aware of reviews and comments as they are posted, enabling you to stay on top of conversations happening about your properties in a timely manner. Additionally, it will help you maintain a consistent voice across all your platforms because you determine who has access to post on behalf of your properties. Finally, consolidating all of these sites into one dashboard allows you to track aggregate changes in your reputation over time and not just in each site individually.

Respond to every review–positive or negative

It’s important to engage with both positive and negative reviews to stay engaged with your residents, but it’s imperative that you respond to every negative review. Responding to reviews not only addresses what the reviewer posted, but also shows those researching the reputation of the community that you listen to your customers and take their feedback into consideration. Remember that one review is an individual customer's opinion, but your response is a universal megaphone about your brand.

Learn more

To learn more about how Entrata can improve the moving process for residents, prospects, and team members check out our latest ebook, From Clicks to Keys, or request a demo today.