Design Notes for a possible THHOA Online Presence

PLEASE NOTE: All content here is for DISCUSSION ONLY by THHOA members only

Needs 

The following issues are being considered when investigating the THHOA needs for a web presence:

  • We need to determine the type of web presence to be used by THHOA, including an HOA owned and operated website provided by a Web hosting resources, contracting a web designer to build and/or manage a site for us,  buying into an HOA-specific hosting service, or using a publicly available social media app (e.g., nextdoor, Facebook) that supports community communication.
  • We need to consider the pros and cons of each website type, including cost of hosting, difficulty of building and maintaining the presence, and satisfying the capabilities we want for the web presences (for THHOA board member, community members, and public interests in Twin Harbors (e.g., future owners).

Specific Capabilities being considered

The following issues are being considered our HOA needs for a web presence:

  • TH  residents and nonresident people interested in TH  should be able to access information and resources related to TH
  • A preferred contact method for reaching the THHOA should be provided online (public access) will be provided
  • ?? We are at this time only considering static content to be published online at the control of the THHOA officials and NOT considering allowing residents (or anyone else) to put community-generated content online through the means being discussed here ??
  • ?? We are NOT at this time considering  private access to select content and services for  residents-only and/or THHOA officials only, in which case there would need to be access control methods that would have be requested by some means ??

Pros and Cons for different web solutions

The following four web solutions are considered here, with discussion by specific example services:

  • an HOA owned and operated website provided by a Web hosting resources, c
  • Contracting a web designer to build and/or manage a site for us,  
  • buying into an HOA-specific hosting service, and
  • using a publicly available social media app (e.g., nextdoor, Facebook) that supports community communication.

Using a hosting service; e.g., iwebfusion

Reference: 

iwebfusion is a web hosting service that provides for the registration and host of a domain name. Like many hosting services it offers web editing suppporting such as Sitejet Builder, which was used to create this site.

Pros:

  • iwebfusion costs  usually between $100-$200 per year for domain registration and hosting of a simple web site. It has a reputation of not dramatically raising its costs year to year. This is unlike many other hosting sites, where costs range from $200-$5000.
  • iwebfusion costs  provides the Sitejet Builder web editor, which  is a standard web editing tool.


Cons:

  • iwebfusion requires an individual with a credit card to open an account.
  • A person needs to have enough expertise to use Sitejet Builder

Using a Web Designer

A Web Designer builds a web sites for a living. Once designed the website would need to be hosted as above. It might be possible to find a web designer affiliated with a hosting services (this has not been investigated).

Pros:

  • We would not be required to do any web work.

Cons:

  • We would need to manage the designer by specifying and overseeing the work.
  • Expected cost for a web design usually run from $500 to $10,000 or more per project, plus all the costs for hosting, domain registration, and website maintenance. 

References: 


Using an HOA-specific hosting service; e.g. runhoa.com

RunHOA is an online HOA Management service. Fixed Annual Pricing for All Features is prices at $399/year, and includes the following features:

  • HOA Directories Units, Members, Officers, Vendors
  • Member Portal Owners have their own portals
  • HOA Accounting Designed for HOA's
  • HOA Budgeting Designed for HOA's
  • HOA Dues/Payments Collect dues/Flexible Fee Tables
  • Tax Form Generate 1120H Tax Form
  • Online Requests and Approvals Member Requests with Online Board Approvals
  • Expense Forms Submit online Expense Forms
  • HOA Communications Email/Texting
  • HOA Calendar Display HOA Events
  • E-Voting Online Voting
  • Member Cards QR Coded Membership Cards
  • Website Builder Easily Build your HOA Website
  • Documents Store/Display Governing Docs,Newsletters. Minutes
  • Amenity Reservation Reserve Unlimited Amenities
  • Unlimited Units and Users
  • User Security Access restricted to Security Roles
  • Stripe Payment Gateway Easy Fee Collection
  • Knowledebase Easy Help
  • 24/7 Access Availability
  • Support Email/Phone/Text/Online Tickets

Pros:

  • We would not be required to do any web or hosting work.

Cons:

  • We are not currently planning on using most of these services in our web presence.
  • At least $399 per year is required at first.
  • We would need to learn how to use the service effectively.
  • We would need to work with the service, where possible, to configure the features we wanted and hide the ones we don't want.


Using social media app that supports community communication (e.g., nextdoor, Facebook) 

Generally available apps such as Nextdoor and Facebook support communication and some degree of content sharing. These apps also support public and private groups of people.

Pros:

  • Most people are familiar with Facebook style of sharing.

Cons:

  • Sharing is based on a 'most-recent' posting model and finding things posted even a short while ago is difficult.
  • We would need separate public and private groups to meet the different needs of people inside and outside the community.
  • We would be subject to  the content restrictions of the app, which may change without notice.
  • People would use these apps with the current expectations one might have for Facebook-style interaction; e.g.,, unrestricted commenting on any and all matters.


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