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My AtHomeInCarlsbad Blog is Undergoing a Transformation

By Jeff Dowler, CRS

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. CA DRE #01490977

January 29, 2016 02:47 AM

My AtHomeInCarlsbad Blog is Undergoing a Transformation

I launched my Wordpress blog, At Home In Carlsbad, back in 2010. I continued to write here on AR as well as on the new blog but over time not as consistently on my outside blog as I should have.

Last year I made the decision, finally, that AtHomeInCarlsbad.com needed a transformation, and we should be launching the new version in mid February. There are a number of enhancements, with improved functionality in a number of areas, and I am looking at a couple of different IDXs (any thoughts??!). There will be some other changes, too, although visually there are a lot of similarities to the original.

AtHomeInCarlsbad.com blog screen shot - current version

The community pages have been updated, I've added lot of photo galleries for the communities I serve (always work in progress) and will be including more videos than in the past.

It's been a lot of work but my developer has been great to work with. I'm looking forward to the new site and getting back to a rhythm of blogging on AtHomeInCarlsbad and sharing what I know, and have experienced, about the Carlsbad Lifestyle.

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Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Christina Hayes

It's an excellent point. And Google, of course, loves fresh, and good quality, content.

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 02:55 AM

Grant Schneider

Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY

Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Jeff - I think it is always best to lead off with your own site. I learned this from Debbie Gartner . I think you will see some goo results.

Jan 29, 2016 02:55 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Carlsbad, CA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Grant Schneider

I agree and I have not focussed on this the way I should have. Lots still to do and think about

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 03:00 AM

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND

Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I find just keeping up here is a hard task for me Jeff Dowler CRS . My hats off to you for your efforts.

Jan 29, 2016 03:01 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Jeff... this sounds great and I'll be checking out developments on your site in the months to come.

Jan 29, 2016 03:35 AM

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Well that has been the challenge and no doubt will continue to be. I need to strike a better balance!

Have a great weekend!

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 03:50 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks Nina Hollander

Well I gave it a lot of thought and made the commitment. It's been about 4 months in the works so far but the end, well at least the launch, is near. I'll look forward to your thoughts and comments - no doubt there will be tweaks to be made

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 03:51 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Jeff... what you're doing is a marathon activity and not a sprint. But at the end it all somehow comes together.

Jan 29, 2016 04:10 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Jeff that is a huge project and I'm sure it will be a success. We shifted to huge project last year and so far it's been working really well. A lot of work and time but your efforts will be noticed and appreciated by all those looking for info on Carlsbad CA.

Jan 29, 2016 05:31 AM

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS

Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA

South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Hey little facelift never hurt anybody and websites or blogs are easily taken care of step bysteJeff Dowler CRS

Jan 29, 2016 06:00 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Anna Banana Kruchten

Well I hope so - that's at least the plan. Glad to hear your site is working well! What IDX do you like?

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 06:21 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Broker, Tacoma Washington

Sorta like eating a elephant. This is more than a facelift but well worth it in the end. Glad I have help since there is plenty of stuff I could not do, and it's worth the money!

Jeff

Jan 29, 2016 06:41 AM

Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA

https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA

Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Great idea Jeff! I've looked at some of the IDX plugins for Wordpress. I liked Real Estate Webmasters the best, but they were not integrated into wordpress (iFrame). There were a couple others that had good front and back ends that were full plugins (and indexable by google).

Jan 29, 2016 09:28 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Carlsbad, CA

Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI

Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

It seems that a website is a constant work in progress. Good luck with your new public facing portal. And, thanks for following my blog !

Jan 29, 2016 10:48 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Thanks for your perspective Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA

Do you know anything about Home Junction? They offer 11 different word press plugins with their IDX

Jeff

Jan 30, 2016 12:40 AM

Ryan Huggins - Thousan...

Thousand Oaks, CA
Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA

My pleasure.

Sorry, I don't recall looking at that vendor.

Jan 30, 2016 09:35 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Georgie Hunter R(S)

Yes I think that's true to some extent. A blog with IDX even more so with all the content. I am up for the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope all is well and beautiful in Maui!

Jeff

Jan 30, 2016 12:42 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Jeff -- while I "sit" and "think" about WP, here you are actually doing --- good for you. It's nice to see some very good suggestions from the AR membership.

Jan 30, 2016 01:49 AM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Jeff, it is never-ending …always a work in progress. Mine are undergoing transformation as well. So much to do to keep current.

Jan 30, 2016 07:02 AM

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Michael Jacobs

It was helpful to get the answers to my question about this, for sure. No doubt there will be more tweaks once we launch

Jeff

Jan 30, 2016 07:21 AM

Michael Jacobs

Pasadena, CA

Jeff Dowler, CRS

eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA

The Southern California Relocation Dude

Kathleen Daniels

So true. At least the small tweaks are easier to handle. Mine is major makeover that requires someone who really knows what they are doing...far beyond my skills.

Jeff

Jan 30, 2016 07:22 AM