How Property Managers Use AppFolio to Share Virtual Tour Links with Renters

Cloudpano
July 16, 2025
5 min read
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🏘️ How Property Managers Use AppFolio to Share Virtual Tour Links with Renters

In today’s fast-paced rental market, virtual tours are no longer optional—they're expected. And with AppFolio, sharing these immersive experiences with prospective renters is easier than ever. 🎥🏡

Whether you're managing 10 units or 1,000, embedding and distributing virtual tour links directly through AppFolio can streamline your leasing process, attract more qualified renters, and lease units faster.

This guide shows you exactly how property managers are using AppFolio to share virtual tours, plus pro tips and strategies to make your listings stand out. Let’s get started 👇

🚀 Why Virtual Tour Links Matter for Renters

Modern renters want convenience and confidence. Virtual tours give them both.

With just a link, renters can:

✅ Tour a unit remotely
✅ Get a feel for layout and finishes
✅ Eliminate guesswork and wasted showings
✅ Apply with confidence—sometimes sight unseen

📊 In fact, listings with virtual tours receive up to 87% more engagement and rent 30% faster than listings without them.

Learn more in 👉 Why Property Managers Should Add Virtual Tour Links to AppFolio Listings

🔗 How AppFolio Makes Sharing Tours Easy

One of AppFolio’s strengths is how flexible and media-friendly its listing management system is. You can share virtual tour links in multiple ways:

1. 📋 In the Property Description

The easiest method? Paste your 360° tour link directly into the listing description.

Example:

🖱 Click here to take a 360° virtual tour

📍 Pro Tip: Place the link near the top of the listing to maximize visibility and clicks.

Step-by-step walkthrough 👉 Step-by-Step: Adding Virtual Tour Links to AppFolio for Property Managers

2. ✉️ In Email or Text Communications

AppFolio lets you message prospects directly via email or SMS. Include your tour link when responding to inquiries to pre-qualify renters before they book a tour.

Suggested message:

“Thanks for your interest! 👋 Before scheduling a tour, feel free to explore the space virtually here:
🖱 Take the 360° tour

Want more strategies like this? Check 👉 Drive More Engagement: Add Virtual Tour Links to AppFolio Properties

3. 🌐 In Listing Syndication Platforms

When you embed the tour link in your AppFolio listing, it often carries over to Zillow, Apartments.com, and HotPads—giving renters access no matter where they find your listing.

This means a single update in AppFolio gets syndicated automatically to the top rental platforms. 💥

Need help with formatting? Read 👉 Using AppFolio? Here’s How to Add a 360 Virtual Tour Link to Your Listings

🧠 Benefits for Property Managers

By sharing virtual tours through AppFolio, you gain:

🕒 Saved time on physical showings
📈 More serious leads and fewer tire-kickers
🧳 Out-of-town renter interest
🎯 Increased leasing speed and conversion rates

And because virtual tours build trust, they help renters commit faster—especially in competitive or high-turnover markets.

🛠 Tools to Create Virtual Tours

Here are the most popular platforms property managers use to generate their 360° tours:

  • CloudPano: Fast, easy, affordable
  • Matterport: Industry standard for luxury listings
  • PhotoAIVideo: Turns property photos into AI-powered video Reels

🎥 Explore 👉 How to Generate Real Estate Videos From Just Photos in Under 5 Minutes

🏗 Perfect for New Builds, Lease-Ups & Sight-Unseen Renters

Virtual tours are especially helpful when:

  • You're marketing unoccupied or under-construction units
  • Renters are relocating from out-of-town or overseas
  • You're running a pre-leasing campaign on future availability

Build trust from the first click with a tour that sells the space before they even arrive.

Learn more strategies here 👉 AppFolio + 3D Tours: Market House Builds in Rental Listings More Effectively

🧩 Best Practices for Tour Links

To make your virtual tour strategy work consistently:

🔹 Place tour links at the top of the listing description
🔹 Use clear, strong calls-to-action like “Take the Tour” or “Explore Virtually”
🔹 Shorten links with Bitly for tracking and analytics
🔹 Pair 360 tours with 2D floor plans or photo reels
🔹 Reuse links in automated AppFolio email templates

Need a strong embed format? Grab this 👉 Easily Embed Virtual Tours in AppFolio to Attract More Renters

✍️ Copy & Paste Template for Listings

Here’s a quick, effective virtual tour embed you can use in your AppFolio listing:

🏡 Virtual Tour Available!
Walk through this unit from your phone or laptop—anytime.
🖱 Click here to take the 360° tour now

📚 What to Read Next

Want to go deeper? Here are helpful related reads:

✅ Final Thoughts

AppFolio gives property managers everything they need to create smart, scalable leasing workflows. By integrating virtual tour links directly into your listings, messages, and automation, you:

✅ Improve the renter experience
✅ Attract more serious applicants
✅ Reduce manual scheduling
✅ Lease units faster and more efficiently

And with tools like CloudPano and PhotoAIVideo, it’s easier than ever to create and share immersive media that renters love.

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Cloudpano

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Property Marketing
Allows potential buyers to explore properties in detail from anywhere, enhancing the real estate marketing process.
Automotive Spins
Create an interactive virtual showroom and engage affluent digital buyers with live 360º video calls, all through the CloudPano mobile app for a complete automotive sales solution.
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