e-mail me (mblevine@ebmg.com) and I will respond to you with some good ideas. I have set up a bunch of them for a few buildings. I can show you examples and a how-to.

A basic website will not give you the features and security you want and need and yahoo! does not provide much. Try looking at one of the many hosts like siteground.com or dreamhost.com that can auto-install one of the many free CMS systems like Joomla that can give you security and forum software built in

I agree that Yahoo! and the like have limited use. If you really only want to do a few things, such a service may be fine.

My co-op uses 1and1.com. You can use html if you want, but we just stick with one of the templates so anyone can update it (by anyone, I mean any board member) regardless of technical savvy. We post lots of documents, too, so shareholders don't have to call the property manager and check their mailboxes. See here, under "Application forms"
http://www.thepinehurst.org/residents.htm

We aim to update it regularly, but sometimes it goes a few days without being changed. If you have any questions, contact me through the e -mail on the web site.

We've found Google Groups to be very helpful. Users can control the amount of email they receive, it is secure, and allows for the sharing of documents.

Be careful of any of the Groups that you allow shareholders to voice their opinions. It only takes one dissatisfied person to start an eruption within the group/coop and all hell breaks loose. Then you have to expend time and energy to put out the fire, which could take months and never really dies. Much better to do a website. GoDaddy is inexpensive and extremely secure and easy to navigate. Good luck. CS

http://www.habitatmag.com/co_op_condo_web_site_directory has a directory of co-ops and condos around the city that have their own website. You can e-mail them to ask how they went about it and what/who they use/

Thanks to all for your suggestions!

Hi David,

I think you would be interested in BuildingLink, which provides a LOT of features, including the ones you mentioned. BuildingLink is designed specifically for residential properties, and we are used by several hundred condos and coops in New York alone! It consists of a resident portal, plus a management portal for helping your management and staff make the best use of their time and yours. I'll be happy to provide you with more information, and with references for buildings near you that are using BuildingLink.

Best,

Zach