Rent-to-own News - NEW WEBSITE: Rent-to-Own State Associations get connected

The web remains a vital resource for rent-to-own companies, customers, and vendors. To promote online involvement on the state and local levels, the Association for Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) recently teamed with Imagery Marketing Group to offer local associations affordable websites of their own.

Each state-level website ties into the national APRO site (rtoassociations.org), highlighting events and legislative issues relevant to the RTO industry while enabling associations to generate funds through the sale of online ads. At a price of only $1800, these sites offer significant value for their price.

"The MRDA feels that having a website not only displays ‘who we are’ to raise awareness, but it enhances our image to our state, our industry, and our legislators. It helps knit us together as a country with other state associations, showing professionalism and initiative, for the betterment of our business,” Macy Mitchell, of the Missouri Rental Dealers Association (MRDA), said.

To date, 11 out of 36 state associations representing 48 states are incorporated into the APRO supersite.

Selling ad space to vendors and other partners provides opportunities for vendors to support state associations, while promoting their own brand and product lines. Each ad sold can have a graphic on the site that links to the vendor’s website (such as on missourirentaldealers.org).

 Tying into the APRO site, rtoassociations.org, each state site features a calendar on each that includes both local events, as well as any national events featured on the APRO calendar. Event details and links to lodging and other information can be included in each event listing.

State association websites include six pages: Home, About, Membership, Resources and FAQs, Calendar, and Contact. The About page lists officers and other contacts, as well as the organization’s mission. RTO dealers can visit the Membership page for a list of membership benefits, as well as contact the association through the website to inquire about joining.

The Resources and FAQs page includes downloadable documents, such as legislation and codes that are relevant to association members. Each association has the ability to upload its own documents and forms to its website for general use. This page also includes FAQs about RTO, addressing common questions about rental purchase. Furthermore, each site comes equipped with a contact page so RTO dealers, vendors, and customers can contact the organization with questions or comments.

“[The MRDA website] shows our progressive way of thinking, and how we strive to be proactive instead of reactive in a growing industry, with more clients and vendors than ever before.  It's so much more than just about having a website; its about being passionate about our industry and proactive about our future,” Mitchell said.

For more information on gaining a strong web presence for your local rental organization, contact Marty Smith at 314/835.0004 ext. 302, email him at martys@imageryadv.com, or visit our booth #300 at the APRO Convention in Louisville.