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Any Ideas About How to Get a Website on the Cheap?

By Melissa Zavala

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Broadpoint Properties Cal BRE #01324959

September 10, 2009 12:05 PM

Hi there.

I've got a few new agents joining my brokerage who need to really skimp and cannot even afford the most basic of website services--like an Advanced Access or Superlative website. I cannot envision these folks as bloggers, although certainly an Active Rain blog would be a great place to start.

Can anyone give me a few suggestions as to how I can coach them or about what free websites they can create online so they can at least have a web presence (separate from our office website)--albeit probably with little Google Juice. I'd like to be able to be super supportive on this during their transition.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Doesn't Go Daddy offer a free website with basic hosting??

I did this blog a few months back . . . I hope the link is still valid. "How to make the Internet Work for you"

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1155522/i-want-to-share-a-how-to-guide-making-the-internet-work-for-you-

Sep 10, 2009 12:08 PM

Ron Tarvin

Residential, Investment properties, rehab projects, property management, luxury homes, new construction! - Katy, TX

Broker, Katy, Houston, Cypress 77450,77494,77095

You can go with a WEBSITE TONIGHT through Godaddy. You could go to Point2Agent.com and get a website for 10 bucks a month (that integrates their syndication for listings).

You could go through Top Producer and I think their sites are like 25 dollars a month.

Sep 10, 2009 12:11 PM

Jen Bowman

Keller Williams on the Water - Holmes Beach, FL

Realtor - Anna Maria Island & Bradenton FL

Our MLS offers a free website for it's members. Does yours have that option? I have a free site with them, but I also have my main site. Realty Drive is cheap but doesn't have good service at all. I used to have a site with them, now I have a Point 2 Agent site. It's the pro site, I think it's $50 a month but they have a standard one which is cheaper.

Sep 10, 2009 12:19 PM

Robert Vegas Bob Swetz

Las Vegas, NV

Melissa - I have had many different web sites built from cheap to very expensive. I am not much into web sites anymore even though I still have three.

What I have found better than web sites is networks where people can post in groups and so much more.

Here are three networks at www.ning.com I put together in 30 minutes and it's free. The only cost was to create a URL which I did with godaddy and then formed it. If you have any questions please call me.

And if you want to build a web site contact (Chris Fisher) at Activerain she is a dear friend and can build a web site for you.

Here are my free networks .........

www.RealEstateNationwideListings.com

www.DarksideofDavid.com

www.BestPicz.ning.com

Sep 10, 2009 12:22 PM

Richard Deborde

Cowart Realty, Inc. - Savannah, GA

Try Point2Agent.com

Sep 10, 2009 12:30 PM

Melissa Zavala

Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA

Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

All: Thanks for all the tips. Looks like I'll have to check a few things out over the weekend.

Sep 10, 2009 01:33 PM

Bill Wallace

Bridge Realty - Bloomington, MN

William Wallace

I would definitely recommend going to Wordpress.com for a free basic blog/website.

For just slightly more they could get a self-hosted site with their own URL. Get a service like Go Daddy or Bluehost (who I use) for maybe $100 for 2 years. Load a free Wordpress template on top and they'd have an up and running site built for a realtor. They can also purchase a better template for as little as $80.

Sep 10, 2009 02:05 PM

Sandra Paulow

Aspen Properties, Inc. - Pinetop Lakeside, AZ

REALTOR, Associate Broker, GRI, SFR

Another plug for Point2Agent.com or try Ah-la-mode. Both are templated sites and easy to set up. Point2Agent.com seems to be the favorite right now.

Sep 10, 2009 02:12 PM

Peggy James

SAMSON PROPERTIES - Woodbridge, VA

Woodbridge Virginia Area Real Estate Specialist

Hi Melissa,

A brand new agent can barely afford anything. So the most effective way to get up and running in my humble opinion is for them to begin to make a name for themselves. Get your name and face out there in front of people. A website is not totally necessary right out of the starting gate.

Set up a Zillow Profile. --- Mine is Talk with Peg-- FREE!
Set up a Trulia Profile ----Mine in Lake Ridge Realtor FREE!
Set up a MerchantCircle Profile---Ours Erick Blackwelder Woodbridge Realtor FREE!
If they do Blog on Active Rain, they can also submit posts to AmericanTownes FREE!
Look to your local community. Do they have a newsletter, add a business card sized in a few local Home Owners Association newsletters. Cost is typically $25-$50 per ad.

Now here is an awesome site to consider for those who will be listing homes PropertyMinder.

I hope this helps..

Sep 11, 2009 12:07 AM

Candice A. Donofrio

Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ

928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

P2 has Basic for 10 bucks a month.

Or skip to a WP blog. I'm transferring my main site that way and keeping my 2 P2 sites. Lots of exposure via syndication and it Googles just as nice as AR after a bit.

Sep 13, 2009 02:40 AM

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

What's wrong with an ActiveRain website? If they can handle this, then they can branch out from here.

Sep 22, 2009 07:30 PM

Mark Milton

VirtualSuccessllc.com - Prattville, AL

I agree with Point2 for the best in listing syndacations but if they are looking to start a Brand Identity and need a custom designed website then they are in LUCK!

I have a web marketing company where I'm offering everything they would need to get started for $9.99 per month (no set up fee or contracts) (includes: Custom Web Page Design up to 3 pages (No Templates Here), Domain Name, Monthly hosting, Google Indexed, Web Form for email, and more). Have them take a look at my service at www.VirtualSuccessLLC.com. (most MLS's can be embedded directly into their site)

I also offer other managed services for listing management, website monitoring and management, etc... but if they are just starting out then listing management will probably not be needed.

Sep 28, 2009 02:59 PM

Melissa Zavala

Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA

Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

Mark: That is awesome. I will pass on this information immediately! Thanks

Sep 28, 2009 03:43 PM

Mark Milton

VirtualSuccessllc.com - Prattville, AL

Melissa, I did not have the below samples sites posted last week but wanted to pass them on to you and the group. These sites are Web 3.0 Dynamic Content type sites that are equipment with blogs, easy listing loads, mortgage calculators, etc. We can basically add almost anything they can come up with. Plus we can configure and link groups of 3.0 sites plus blogs like these for the area you service.

Also please check back on my website at www.VirtualSuccessLLC.com as we are launching a brand new look.

(NOTE: These are Sample Only Sites so the information is subject to change)

www.prattvillealhomes.com
www.prattvillehomesales.com
www.montgomeryalhomesales.com
www.vacation-travel-news.com

Thank you for taking the time to pass the information on to your team.

Oct 05, 2009 02:20 PM

Tom Banks

Irvine, CA

Not only do you want your agents to get an affordable website, but you should look into some other training on cutting edge social media marketing which you can learn more about for a very affordable price.

The true key to social media is not to use it to sell but to use it as a funnel to you and your expertise! I promise you will not be disappointed to take the training and teaching you will get from this link: Its a free webinar and everyone should know about it - check it out - Good stuff! I have recently been looking at some other options of building my business through Twitter and if you are on there look me up and follow me. But I want to share something that hasn't become to popular yet and I am using myself and is cutting edge -- follow this link: http://bit.ly/11svWl to find out more!

Oct 09, 2009 05:49 AM

Jeffrey Martinez

Keller Williams Valley Realty - Newton, NJ

We have a website that allows Realtors to create an unlimted amount of listings does not require ANY programming or designing of any website.

List an unlimited oamount of listings
Each listing is personalize with your company logo and Realtor's photo
Enter your complete contact information
Link to your e-mail
Your own Realtors listings page (one page that lists all of your properties
Printable flyer- Each listing can be printed as a flyer
Mortgage calculator on each listing page
Statistics for each page that has been viewed
Link for viewer to forward listing
EXTREMELY EASY TO USE
Much more
All for only $9.99 a month
We will be launching the site (officially advertising the site) on November 1st, 2009) Join us by the launch date and get a free full page My E-Link ad FREE for one full year.

Visit our site for more information www.Jephlyn.com or call me at (201)697-6040. You can also call our 24/7 customer service line to request a brochure 800-818-7159.

Oct 21, 2009 01:31 PM

SimplrManage LLC

SimplrManage - New York, NY

Hey Melissa,

if you think the new additions to your team are looking for something with a personal-touch as well have the functionality of any other website, you should check out SimplrManage. Versatility is own mission, but what sets us apart from all other designers is our visualing pleasing aesthetics.

If price is the concern, don't worry our company offers a range of package deals that seems to be compatible with your situation. There's also of course our free trial that anyone can sign up for! Let us know what you think! =)

www.simplrmanage.com

Nov 19, 2009 09:12 AM