Often, the first interaction we have with an online prospect is responding to their question. We need them to contact us. So encourage that connection by making it easy. The easier you make it to connect, the more will interact. And the more prospects you can help online, the more you could convert!

Here’s the challenge: We’re in a “multi-screen world,” according to Google. Mobile is taking over, and now over half of consumers use multiple devices to accomplish a task (like searching for an apartment). That’s behind the growth of businesses using responsive design to create adaptable sites easy to navigate on smartphone, tablet and computer. But how will prospects actually contact you across all those devices? 

Here are four tips to help you keep it simple...no matter how prospects access your website:

#1 - Test Your Current Contact Methods

See just how easy it is for someone to contact you from your site. Pull up your community’s website on a computer, then on a mobile device. Where can you ask a question? How can you learn more? How quickly do you get responses? And are those communication methods easy to find (and use!), no matter the size/shape of the screen? (After all, 61% are likely to leave quickly if your site isn’t optimized for mobile.)

#2 - Give Prospects What They Want

Remove one connection barrier simply by providing multiple choices: Text, chat, phone, email, etc. If people see their preferred communication, they’re more likely to reach out if they have a question. Then make it even easier for them to ask that question:

• Put contact options where questions tend to arise, such as your home or floor plan page. 
• Use one-click options for mobile sites (clickable phone numbers, tap-to-text or chat buttons).
• Anchor those options to the bottom of the screen on mobile sites so they’re always visible, wherever prospects scroll. Easy access to contact info is vital here—1 in 3 consumers look specifically for it. 

#3 - Make It Obvious

Don’t make prospects hunt for how to ask a simple question (because they won’t). Instead, make those points of interaction very noticeable. You could set them apart with a color that stands out on your site—something that draws the eye. On a desktop or tablet site, you could add in real photos of your team to a personalized chat invitation that moves to the lower right side of the site (this action has proven to get a lot of clicks).

#4 - Be Responsive

Your end goal? Whatever device prospects use to view your site, it should be simple for them to take the next step and reach a real person. That’s when your leasing experts can do their magic! So be ready to respond quickly to those online inquiries—through text, chat, and any other option you offer.