In today’s competitive landscape, attracting businesses to your region requires more than simply listing available spaces and infrastructure features. Your Economic Development Organization (EDO) website should act as a virtual showroom—an immersive, informative space where potential investors can envision their business taking root and flourishing. A 2021 Area Development survey found that factors like highway accessibility and available properties rank among the top site selection criteria. So, why not make it easy for site selectors to explore everything your region has to offer without leaving their office?
Here’s how to turn your website into a dynamic showcase for your area’s real estate and infrastructure:
1. Create Virtual Tours to Bring Properties to Life
Imagine a potential investor “walking” through your available properties from thousands of miles away. That’s the power of virtual tours. By incorporating 360-degree photos or video walkthroughs, you’re allowing investors to experience each space as if they’re really there. High-quality virtual tours give businesses an accurate feel for available properties, letting them assess layout, space, and features without the need for an immediate visit.
Example: Invest Atlanta’s property search tool is a standout, offering users a fully interactive experience. This kind of tool can showcase multiple properties across different areas, complete with photos, detailed descriptions, and contact information. By offering a similar experience, you not only attract interest but also create a lasting impression on those beginning their site selection journey.
Pro Tip: Ensure your virtual tours are accessible on mobile devices. Many site selectors and business leaders browse properties from their phones or tablets, and a mobile-friendly tour can give them a seamless experience.
2. Highlight Connectivity as a Competitive Advantage
Businesses today rely heavily on connectivity—not just in terms of transportation but in digital infrastructure. High-speed internet, reliable broadband, and strong logistics networks are essential to modern operations. If your region is equipped with top-tier digital infrastructure or offers easy access to highways, airports, and rail lines, make sure these advantages are prominent on your website.
Consider creating an “Infrastructure & Connectivity” page to break down these assets. Describe not only the availability of high-speed broadband but also any plans for 5G rollout, fiber-optic installations, or public transit expansions. Mapping out your transportation links—such as proximity to major highways, ports, or airports—also helps site selectors understand how easily their products and people can move in and out of your region.
Pro Tip: Use interactive maps to display connectivity visually. An interactive map showing broadband coverage, transportation routes, and utility infrastructure can make a strong impact, helping businesses see the full picture of your region’s connectivity at a glance.
3. Showcase Development Plans to Communicate Future Growth
Businesses want to invest in regions that are actively preparing for the future. Highlighting upcoming infrastructure projects, such as new highways, transit options, or utility expansions, shows potential investors that your region is forward-thinking and growth-oriented.
If there are major projects underway—like a new transportation hub, business park, or tech district—dedicate space on your website to cover the details. Include timelines, expected benefits, and any partnerships involved. Development plans can also encompass sustainability initiatives like green spaces, smart grids, or renewable energy projects that appeal to eco-conscious companies.
Example: Consider creating a section called “Future Vision” or “Investing in Tomorrow” where you regularly update visitors on the status of these projects. Include visual progress updates like photos, renderings, and even video interviews with project leaders. When businesses see that your region is actively investing in its future, they’re more likely to want to be a part of that growth.
4. Provide Easy Access to Comprehensive Property Listings
Site selectors are often pressed for time and need a quick, easy way to explore available properties in your region. By providing a regularly updated, searchable database of available properties, you give them a single source of truth for real estate options. Consider including filters so users can refine their search by property type, size, zoning, and specific infrastructure needs.
Ensure that each property listing includes essential details: square footage, amenities, proximity to transportation, and zoning information, along with images and virtual tours where possible. Partnering with local real estate agents or property managers can help you keep listings current and comprehensive, making your EDO website a central hub for available properties.
Pro Tip: Add a “Featured Properties” section on your homepage, updated monthly. This not only keeps your website fresh but also draws attention to unique or strategic spaces.
5. Highlight Regional Resources and Business Ecosystems
Available space and infrastructure are crucial, but so are the resources and networks surrounding them. Businesses relocating or expanding want to know they’re entering a supportive ecosystem. Use your website to highlight the surrounding resources that would support new companies, such as:
- Proximity to supply chain partners
- Availability of skilled local labor
- Nearby universities, research centers, and industry associations
- Community support programs, grants, or other incentives
Create dedicated sections for each resource, showing how businesses can tap into local networks and thrive in your community. This type of information provides added value to site selectors, who will recognize your region as a place that supports business beyond real estate.
Pro Tip: Add a “Business Ecosystem” or “Why Our Region?” page on your site. This page should serve as a comprehensive guide to everything a business could need to succeed in your area, from logistics to local talent.
Your region’s real estate and infrastructure offerings are essential assets in the competition for new business. By turning your EDO website into a virtual showroom, you’re providing a compelling, accessible experience that brings the value of your region to life for prospective investors. Every feature—from virtual tours and connectivity highlights to development plans and comprehensive listings—reinforces your region as an attractive, strategic choice. Make sure your website puts these elements front and center, inviting businesses to envision a future in your community.
