Plugging Into a Community That Clicks

Overview: This is the part of your site that draws readers in, encouraging them to explore further. What sets your community apart from others? Architectural styles, amenities, social activities? Highlight those, maybe with a photo or two.

Hallcrest Heights posts a "summary" page. Virginia Hills has an efficient site map. For large communities with a lot of data, a "search this site" bar may be useful. They're easily obtained from Google or Yahoo. Make sure your links work.

History: If you wanted to know about the small cemetery within Springfield's Greentree Village community, you would have a bit of hunting to do online. The history is there, under the enticing title of "Murder at the Mill," but that well-researched piece is buried way down under the legalese-sounding heading of "Homeowners Manual" -- buried so deep that even longtime residents admit to being unfamiliar with the history behind the faded 19th-century headstones on the property.

While a community's history can be useful to outsiders looking in, the accurate presentation of the community's past is also important to current residents. It can also get younger residents interested in learning about the past. When was the community developed? What historical ties does it have to the area or to local families? Did something of historical interest take place there?

There are other options: Middleridge in Fairfax posts a history of the community's street names.

No matter what's included, research it carefully so that the information is accurate.

Calendar: Posting meeting notices, special events and dates for dues payments or newsletter articles will increase participation and cut down on phone inquiries. Lakevale Estates in Vienna posts schedules for its three sports fields. The same should be done for clubhouse reservations.

Discussion forums and e-mail notification: A password-protected area "for residents only" is useful. Decide whether you want an e-mail list or a message board. The former is a quick way to get notices to residents. The latter allows neighbors to exchange ideas, contractor recommendations and babysitting or dog-walking services. Financial information and neighborhood rosters are also candidates for password-protected pages.

Notification of suspicious activities and lost pets can reach the most people in the shortest time via an e-mail list. Just don't bombard residents with postings.

Heller cautioned that bulk e-mail messages can trigger some spam filters, so your "very important message" may not get delivered. A password-protected message board within your Web site can be an option.

Hallcrest Heights is developing a program to combine an e-mail list with battery-operated strobe lights, like those used by campers. Intended only for emergencies, the lights will be installed at the entrance to the community. "When those are flashing, residents will know to check their e-mail immediately," Tyler said.

Chantilly Highlands in Herndon has a variety of e-mail lists for its various committees such as architectural review and the garden club. The Web site offers a check-off box so residents receive only those updates that are important to them.