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Building A Powerful Web Presence - One Man's Success Story

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

I have had my own real estate website for over 7 years and was the first to have IDX technology in Idaho.  I thought I was pretty cool back then and though "I had arrived"  because buyers could find me on the web and search all he properties in my local MLS.  So I stuck up a site, added the IDX technology and away I go.

Fact of the matter is this is only one piece of the puzzle.  How do I assure people will find my website and continue finding it and continue using my IDX technology?  How do I follow-up with these leads and convert them 3,6 or 12 months down the road?

Broker Agent News just sent me a story of yet another Realtor that is having a banner year when most Realtors are so concerned about the doom and gloom news that it has affected their production.  I have been investigating lead generation systems the past several months and have found there is a small percentage of Realtors that have built incredible turn-key Internet systems that continue to churn out business for these innovative Realtors with impressive numbers. 

These systems have these 3 things in Common:

  • All have attractive consumer oriented sites (It's all about the consumer)
  • A system in place to draw leads to these sites
  • Systems in place to follow-up and convert leads

The author encourages all of us to go to this site:  Can You Find Me ?  All you do is inter your information including your URL and the system will tell you if consumers are finding you or not.  If consumers are not finding your site in high numbers you need to seriously look at a different system.

Eugene Oregon Realtor Mark Nored has built a powerful lead generation site which is defying logic and creating a lot of Internet traffic in a market where others are struggling.  Find out why Broker Agent News found it important to print Marks Story and share with you and I.

Keep in mind the California Association of Realtors® reported: "92% of Internet buyers found their home on a website. 66% of Internet buyers found their agent through a search engine. We can all build a Realtor website or we can all build a "Lead Generation Machine".

Posted by

Native Idahoan and Boise Idaho Real Estate specialist serving Boise, Meridian Eagle, Nampa, Caldwell and the surrounding Treasure valley area of southwest Idaho. Specializing in residential, investment, land and commercial real estate. Search thousands of MLS listings at Boise Homes for sale and learn all about Idaho by visiting Search Idaho Homes

Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
Thank you very much- timely  information, now that the site is finished.  The question remains- how to get people there?  Looks like you've provided some answers.
May 26, 2007 04:37 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life
I'm still trying to iron out building the Lead Generation Machine you mention George.  Any more tips on how to do that most effectively would be much appreciated.  Thanks for the post.
May 26, 2007 05:19 AM
John Evarts
Classic Property Management of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita, CA
Another great website post. Thanks again! I really enjoy your posts about the internet
May 26, 2007 05:25 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Laurie - You are welcome, good luck to you
May 26, 2007 05:25 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Jason, you are very welcome.  You can also checkout www.realprosystems.com which also offers a lead generation system.
May 26, 2007 05:27 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
John...thanks for the support and have a great weekend.
May 26, 2007 05:28 AM
Michael Eisenberg
eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Real Estate Guy
I am getting a few leads from my site, but most are not good ones
May 26, 2007 08:50 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Michael....Check into this site and another option is www.realprosystems.com  Good luck to you.
May 26, 2007 09:05 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC

George,

Thank you again, knowledge is power and that certainly is true when it comes to knowing how to utilize our websites.  You continue to provide  great information.  You can count on me to read all your posts so keep it up!

Cynthia Tilghman, Hubert NC New Home Specialist 

 

May 26, 2007 11:42 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Cynthia, thank you so much for your support my friend.  I hope you are well and hope you have a wonderful weekend.
May 26, 2007 12:44 PM
Paula Henry
Home to Indy Team @ HomeSmart Realty Group - Avon, IN
Realtor - Indianapolis Real Estate - 317-605-4174

George - Heck, I don't even open up all those ads for the latest, greatest products, I just come here to see if it has your approval :) Thanks for keeping us up to date! What we do with our web presence will ultimately determine our future in this business.

 

May 26, 2007 02:21 PM
Jim Crawford
Long & Foster - Fredericksburg, VA
Jim Crawford Broker Associate Fredericksburg VA
Great Post George!  As you know the Internet is my subject.  So i am always looking to supplement my knwledge and see if I am missing anything.  I've been doing my own thing on the Internet for years.  Over 85% of my business comes from the Internet each year.  My main site www.AtlantaBesthomes.com receives many unique visitors every day.  They in turn create another batch of prospects for follow up.  Today a lot of our Internet business is actually referral base.  As opposed to being local to my immediate area, in a declining or changing market the leads have moved away from Atlanta homes for sale and Alpharetta homes or homes for sale in Roswell to much further out areas.  I've been able to develop those leads and refer them to agents in that area for a 25% referral.  The Internet is the only way to go! 
May 26, 2007 02:39 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

I have also used the internet for about 7 years.  It has been a roller coaster ride though.  Trying to keep my site at the top of the search engines has always been a struggle but when I can keep it there I do reap the benefits.

Thanks for the tip.  Did that broker agent news just come; which month was it?  I don't remember seeing that one but get busy and it gets laid aside.

May 26, 2007 03:41 PM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate

Paula - You have my approval...LOL

Jim - Thanks my friend...you are on top of things!

Marchel - I am emailed each issue by Broker Agent an this one just came this a.m.  I hope you are well.

May 26, 2007 04:23 PM
Susie Leavens
Cornerstone Real Estate Company - Keystone, CO
Thanks George:  With so many offers out there relating to SEO, etc. it's hard to know who is on the up and up and who is just trying to take my money!  I'm going to check out some of the ideas you presented.  Thanks again.
May 27, 2007 12:30 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
I don't know why, but this inspired me to google my cell phone just to see what would happen.  I monitor my websites all the time, but never thought of my phone number. 241 listings.
May 27, 2007 01:32 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Susie...you are very welcome.  Good luck to you!
May 27, 2007 01:59 AM
George Tallabas
RE/MAX Advantage - Nampa, ID
Idaho Real Estate
Queen Elizabeth...I doubt if I can help you...I write these posts for the other 31,908 mere mortals like myself! LOL
May 27, 2007 02:02 AM