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Look at Me! Look at Me!

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

It's all about attention. Everyone wants attention. In business and in real estate in developing web sites it's all about getting the eye balls to find you and read about your offering and decide to start working with you. There's the "stickiness" of the web site in how long people stay at your web site, or leave immediately bored out of their mind.

OstrichMost Realtors know to not have ads and websites that constantly talk about ME, ME, and ME, and instead provide valuable information about the areas they cover, and include home valuations, and searches on properties.

But a recent stat I saw said this about the source of total web traffic:

Typing the URL in the browser 52%

Links from other sites and ads  41%

Search Engines  7%

Now that was surprising, given all the extra work the Search Engine Optimization experts make all the non-techie types do to get a Page 1 rank or be at the top of Google for more business.

The point in web sites are they are just one vehicle like many to communicate your story to others about why you are the "dude" or the "lady" to do business with and be the trusted one in your area with your expertise and experience. Don't obsess about Search Engine Optimization but have a balanced approach to getting the word out that you are the one to work with. Heck just calling a former client up on the phone and seeing if they had a nice holiday with the family might work more wonders then tweaking a web site up to move from #4 to #2 when searching for homes in your city. Keep things in perspective and always remember that real estate is a PEOPLE business.

Ginger Magoon
Remax - Bryan College Station - College Station, TX
Bryan, College Station Texas Real Estate
I totally agree it is important to stay in touch with former clients. They are the best advertisement
Nov 23, 2007 05:30 AM
Linda Scanlan
A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX

LOL, Gary..I LOVE your photo!  Great article, too BTW!

Nov 23, 2007 05:45 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Gary...Thanks for a touch of reality.  We have to remember that the personal touch in every aspect of our life is important.

How did you get my picture?  I deliberately used a different one on my profile page.

Thanks or No Thanks, Kathleen

Nov 23, 2007 08:25 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"
I love the picture (and the post)
Nov 23, 2007 12:20 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro
Gary, you are right the web is just a part of the puzzle.  I don't ever want to become dependent on one thing.  I like to see my business coming from a variety of avenues: web, networking, referrals, past clients etc,
Nov 23, 2007 12:23 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Kathleen: You look much better than Mr. Ostrich.

Konnie: The big bird does get your attention, no??

Marchel: You summed it up with web, networking, referrals, past clients. Business comes to us in many directions.

Nov 23, 2007 01:46 PM
Tom Burris
NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA
Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

I would be interested to see the source of that stat....

Although, it does seem that I get a whole lot more direct traffic than search engine hits.

 

Nov 23, 2007 02:17 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Tom, I got the stat in an email sent to me and it said it came from a study by a firm called Stat Market in Feb. 2002. So, time wise things may have changed but many still think the SEO share of business is minor compared to direct navigation and external links.
Nov 23, 2007 02:21 PM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Gary ~ You are right, the website is just one vehicle to use for your business, although I think it is a necessary element in this day and age.  I, too, love that picture - it works so well with your title!
Nov 24, 2007 07:40 AM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT
Gary-Keeping in touch with past clients is very important.  I'll have to admit, I get completely overwhelmed with the whole website thing.  
Nov 25, 2007 02:08 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Julie, with all of our activities it is all about TIME isn't it?; making the best use of it, also allowing time for yourself. I just think from reading many posts on Active Rain, there are too many REALTORS going bonkers over SEO. One, they shouldn't because they are supposed to REALTORS first, and two, there are better places to spend your time for a return on your energy.
Nov 25, 2007 02:19 AM
Arina Hanciulescu
RealtyPros - Las Vegas, NV
RealtyPros

Gary - Great post, you are right about the Realtor obsesion with the SEO. The website presence online is important but most important is to build your net of customers by doing business the old way, "because we are supposed to REALTORS first"

 

Nov 29, 2007 04:16 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Hi Pat: Glad to hear from you again. Hope the dental work goes well. I am dealing with the withdrawal but these Celine Dion flicks should help out. Wow, many Alice in Wonderland images! And yes I have no patience. I'm working on it, but it is like oil and water with me. I know you can relate. I'll find your other comments on that other one. I didn't say I don't miss anything. Work eats up my time too you know. Take care of yourself.

Jan 24, 2009 04:13 AM