The Question

"How has your Web site served as a tool for your business?"

The Answers

Lenny Kopowski
Director of Government Affairs
Louisiana Manufactured Housing Association

The LMHA site has been a tremendous public relations success for the association. It also allows us to not only reach potential home buyers, but to interact with public officials.

Included on our web site is a page specifically gauged towards local planning officials involved in regulating manufactured housing. We provide planners with such items as a model zoning ordinance, construction standard information, as well as a "myth vs. fact" section. Along with colorful pictures of today's manufactured homes, all the information can be easily downloaded.

Overall, the site has been a tremendous asset to LMHA.

Chris Paul
Vice President of MIS
Oakwood Homes Corp.

Our web site allows visitors to peruse through company products, see updates on Oakwood-sponsored racing teams, get information on Oakwood's leadership and financial performance, or search for employment opportunities with the company.

The company's retail division uses the site extensively to promote the Oakwood product line. Users can stroll down the "Street of Dreams" and view floor plans and photos of homes. Our additional web site, House Smart, uses interactive techniques and virtual reality to take the visitor on a tour of the home.

Our site currently receives about 275,000 per month, and brings in sales by enabling prospective buyers the opportunity to view the homes first in the comfort of their own living rooms. We have a lot of plans for the future of the site and we definitely think we are moving in the right direction.

Kevin Clayton
CEO
Clayton Homes, Inc.

Our site is proving to not only be an exciting new business generator, but an information source for current customers, prospects and investors, as well. It has become a wonderful forum for feed back and daily dialogue with our homeowners.

I am personally copied on all inquires and pay particular attention to those dealing with customer service and satisfaction. This keeps me in touch with consumers and helps us better understand their needs and expectations. In fact, it allows our entire Clayton team to provide the best service in the industry by immediately responding to customer's concerns.

Our web site hits are up five-fold since January and increasing daily. Obviously, consumers have something to say to us, so we are very serious about the ongoing evolution of our site - we understand its potential and power.

 

September/October Question "How can the retailer and developer work together to profitably increase the use of manufactured homes?" Send your answer, 150 words or less, to Kami Watson via e-mail at kami@mfghome.org or via fax at 703-558-0401, no later than July 14, 2000.

© 2000 by Manufactured Housing Institute. All rights reserved.