Have you seen those ads and articles on Facebook about cities that will pay you to move there? While some of them may be legit, we don’t all have it in our budgets to offer relocation packages to everyone. But if your thinking about designing a website, web page, or landing page incorporating interactive elements and valuable information to attract potential residents and businesses, here’s what you could/should be including:
Design Elements for Your Chamber Relocation Page
Homepage
Hero Image/Video
Your hero image is the first thing someone sees on your page. It’s referred to as “prime real estate.” Some chambers use still images, while others incorporate video. Whether you are team video or team photo montage, here are a couple of tips to consider. Use:
- High-quality, captivating visuals showcasing the area’s natural beauty, vibrant downtown, and/or community events.
- A dynamic video highlighting a “day in the life” or testimonials from happy residents.
Tagline & Call to Action
All relocation pages need a compelling tagline summarizing the area’s unique appeal (e.g., “Where Opportunity Meets Paradise”). This idea combines the beauty of the area as well as the possibilities. Here are a few examples AI dug up:
- Apex, North Carolina: “The peak of good living”
- Walla Walla, Washington: “The city so nice they named it twice”
- Garden City, Missouri: “A Touch of Heaven on Highway Seven”
- Paradise, California: “It’s all the name implies”
- Newton Falls, Ohio: “The town with zip”
- Littleton, New Hampshire: “A notch above”
- Gravity, Iowa: “We’re down to earth”
- Hampton, Virginia: “First from the sea, first to the stars”
- Freeland, Pennsylvania: “The most happening place on Earth”
- Hooker, Oklahoma: “It’s a location, not a vocation” (I think this tagline is a joke. The internet has been arguing over whether it’s real or not since 2013. Anyone from Hooker who can verify for us?).
Don’t forget clear call-to-action buttons (e.g., “Explore Now,” “Relocate Here,” “Start a Business”). If you’re using multiple pages for a relocation site, your call to action could differ on each.
Key Sections
So, what else should you include?
About Us
Help them get to know you. A well-constructed About Us page can help someone fall in love with your area. Things you should include:
- Brief Overview: Engaging narrative highlighting the area’s history, culture, and distinctive qualities. Tell the story of you and your people.
- “Why Choose Us?” Bulleted list showcasing key advantages (e.g., low cost of living, thriving economy, excellent schools, natural amenities). Making this bulleted (or creating boxes for attention) is essential. Your brief overview is the romance. This should be a quick hit of what you offer. This site uses images and short paragraphs to show visitors exactly why they should choose Bemidji.
- “Testimonials” Real quotes and short videos from residents and business owners sharing their positive experiences. But don’t call them “Testimonials.” That sounds so formal. Instead, use something like “What Your New Neighbors Are Saying” or “Hear from Your New Neighbors.”
Living Here
Why should someone move to your area? What can they expect? This section gives them everything they need to know about their new adventure.
- Neighborhood Guides. Ideally, you’d employ an interactive map with clickable neighborhood profiles, including photos, descriptions, housing options, amenities, and local schools. That will keep people on your site longer. However, if you don’t have the budget or website design know-how, a static map and gorgeous images will do.
- Things to Do. Include a curated list of attractions, events, restaurants, parks, and outdoor activities categorized for easy browsing. You could also break down this list by categories like “Foodie Favorites” or “Family Fun.”
- Arts & Culture. Showcase the local arts scene with information on museums, galleries, theaters, music venues, and festivals. Don’t forget local haunts and history. Tell the stories that will help people feel like they are already there.
- Relocation Guide. Provide a downloadable PDF with practical information on moving logistics, finding housing, schools, healthcare, and settling into the community.
- Events Calendar. Include a link to the chamber community calendar there, listing community events, festivals, and gatherings.
- Volunteer Opportunities. Highlight ways to get involved and connect with the community through volunteering. Volunteering is an excellent way to get to know people.
- Local News & Blogs. Include links to local news sources and blogs to inform visitors about what’s happening.
- Green Living Resources. Highlight local initiatives and resources related to sustainability, recycling, and eco-friendly practices.
Working Here
Some of the interest will come from people whose companies are relocating them, while others may have a portable job and be looking for a great place to call home. Additionally, some people will be looking at business opportunities if they move. Keep all their needs in mind as you create this section.
- Major Industries. Provide an overview of prominent industries and employers in the area, with links to their websites/job boards.
- Coworking Spaces. Give descriptions of local coworking spaces, highlighting their amenities and community-building opportunities. Don’t have any coworking spaces? Give tours of local coffee shops and eateries that are frequented by freelancers and out-of-office workers.
- Business Resources. Provide links to local economic development organizations, SCORE, and business support services.
- Showcase of Sustainable Businesses. Feature local businesses that prioritize sustainability and eco-conscious practices.
Additional Features
If you’re feeling creative and you have the budget and talent to create them, you could include some fun interactive components. After all, your website may be one of the first “tastes” someone has of your town. A fun user experience is a good thing.
- Cost of Living Calculator. Include an interactive tool allowing users to compare the cost of living in their current location to your area.
- Frequently Asked Questions. Address common concerns about moving and living in the area.
- Virtual Tours. 360-degree virtual tours of popular neighborhoods, attractions, and businesses. Tarpon Springs has a “manatee cam” that shows real-time views of our bayou so visitors who aren’t here yet can view our beloved sea cows.
- Live Chat. Real-time chat feature with a knowledgeable representative to answer questions and provide personalized assistance whenever someone wants to talk.
- Social Media Integration. Embedded social media feeds showcasing community engagement and positive buzz. Chances are they will want to check out your social media channels anyway. You might as well make it accessible for them.
- Photo Gallery. Showcase your area’s beauty, lifestyle, and community spirit. Images should abound on your site. After all, seeing is believing.
- Local Flavor. Incorporate local slang, traditions, or cultural references into the website’s design and content to add personality. Have a food you’re well-known for locally, but no one else knows what it is? Talk about what it is and where someone can find it.
- Interactive Quizzes. Fun quizzes like “What’s your ideal weekend activity?” will engage visitors and help you match them to their interests.
- Personalized Recommendations. Data collection provides tailored recommendations based on users’ interests and preferences.
- Mortgage Calculator. Help visitors estimate their potential mortgage payments based on different home prices and interest rates.
- Commute Time Calculator. Enable visitors to estimate their commute time from different neighborhoods to their potential workplaces or points of interest.
- Resident Forums or Discussion Boards. Create a platform for residents and potential newcomers to interact, ask questions, and share experiences.
- Success Stories. Highlight stories of individuals or businesses that have thrived after relocating to the area. Don’t forget to list your claims to fame–things that happened in your area, famous people who were born or lived there, or favorite legends.
- Local Business Spotlight. Regularly feature a local business, highlighting their story, products/services, and contributions to the community.
- User-Generated Content. Encourage visitors and residents to share their photos and stories about living in your town, creating a sense of community and showcasing the area’s unique charm.
Don’t Forget the Basics of Good Web Design
- Use professional photos and videos throughout the site.
- Ensure the site is easy to navigate and mobile-responsive.
- Keep the content fresh and up-to-date.
- Implement best practices to ensure the site ranks well in search engines. Having content that ranks well in search engines may also help it get picked up by Perplexity AI and other AIs.
- Display prominent contact information and an inquiry form for further assistance.
- Ensure the webpage adheres to accessibility guidelines, such as providing alternative text for images, using clear and concise language, and offering keyboard navigation options.
Monetizing Your Page(s)
Your relocation page is also an ideal way to generate non-dues revenue. Here are a few creative monetization strategies that will seamlessly blend into the webpage’s user experience and provide value to both visitors and sponsors:
Targeted Banner Ads
Ensure your ads have contextual relevance to visitors. Partner with local businesses and display banner ads that are relevant to the webpage’s (or section’s) content. For example, in the “Living Here” section, showcase ads for real estate agents, furniture stores, or home improvement services.
Sponsored Listings
Allow local businesses to pay for a featured listing in relevant categories, such as “Restaurants,” “Attractions,” or “Coworking Spaces.” These listings can include enhanced descriptions, photos, and links to their websites or booking platforms.
Content Marketing
Collaborate with local businesses or organizations to create informative articles or blog posts that seamlessly blend in with the web page’s editorial content. These content marketing pieces can highlight the benefits of living or working in the area while subtly promoting the sponsor’s products or services.
Partner with local experts or influencers to create sponsored content offering insider tips on exploring the area, finding hidden gems, or experiencing the local culture.
Community-Focused Initiatives
Offer local businesses the opportunity to sponsor events listed on the community calendar or to have their logos displayed prominently on event pages. Give them a basic listing for free with opportunities for greater paid visibility.
Partner with local nonprofit organizations to feature their volunteer opportunities on the webpage, allowing businesses to sponsor specific initiatives, jobs, and/or causes.
Work with local businesses to create “Welcome Packages” for new residents, including discounts, coupons, and promotional items. Multiple businesses can sponsor these packages. Packages can be distributed through the Chamber and/or local real estate agents.
Remember:
- Always clearly label any sponsored content or advertising to maintain trust with visitors.
- Ensure that monetization efforts do not detract from the overall user experience or clutter the webpage. Too many ads can be annoying and slow down your site.
Get Partners Involved
Many organizations may be interested in sponsoring or being a part of this initiative. Consider creative ways to involve them such as:
- Partner with local real estate agencies to feature their listings directly on the webpage, making it a one-stop shop for finding housing.
- Collaborate with local schools, colleges, and universities to showcase their programs and attract students and faculty to the area.
- Partner with local tourism boards to cross-promote attractions, events, and accommodations, attracting visitors and potential residents.
A good relocation page or site can be the reason someone chooses your area over another. It may be why a company wins over an in-demand recruit. A good design and valuable content will help you foster a sense of community, provide practical tools and information, and showcase the area’s commitment to many important initiatives. It may also be a source of solid non-dues revenue if companies want to be prominently featured on it.
