New layout idea for advertising listings - would like some opinions.

Ok I looked and I liked it although it didn't necessariy "grab" me.   I guess my one question too is the target market you aiming for. I do not know your area but I am sure it is quite different from mine. I think more eye catching still photos would draw someone in as well..we also see pictures of the front of homes and unless it is something pretty special well I think there needs to be more than one still photo . I receive more hits and calls on my photogalleries that are many many "still" photos than videos. I also receive more on "slideshows" than videos but again I think it might be because of the target market and it is an older generation possibly that has not necessarily become accustomed to the video world on the internet... A still photo it is there - a video the person has to click on it and make that next step. So if you catch them with a couple awesome photos then they ar emore apt to go to the video? 

It may be a little "busy" with words- bullets maybe and then a commentary? Not sure Matt - just didn't stand out.  I have the same problem with postlets - I just uploaded one and because of the width the pictures do not look as prestigious as what I was looking for... 

Oops sorry back again - I just went back to it again - the three main video photos are all the same - that's what it was it was too repetitive - Catch my eye with a fabulous picture....

If a visitor "happens" (not a direct visitor) to visit your page you have less than FIVE (5) seconds to impress them before they close that little X and move onto to another page. My 5 second impression comments are below:

• Too busy - - - my eyes were looking at everything on the page intead of the listing
• You should do a "home highlights" in bullets - people want to scan the information and see it immediately - - - they love bullets. You can summarize other information in a paragraph
• The video took a long time to load - - while you think most people are on high speed Internet, they actually aren't so you should not have a slow loading page.
• Why are there 2 videos?

Those are the items that I noticed in my "5 seconds"

Maybe create a different page layout that highlights your listings without all the other information on the page.

Matt, my first thought was "very nice". Then I tried looking - and reading - as if I were looking for a house. Everything in the right column stands out. The writing on the listing seemed a little small and hard to read.

I didn't have a problem w/the video. My only suggestion would be to use a more interesting picture on the second. I didn't care for the light fixture.

Finally, I wish I knew just a little about HTML and SEO so you're miles ahead of me! Happy Weekend.

Matt,

I just viewed your RErockstar sight. I'm not critic as I suck at web building, I just pay! I will say that your banner says more about rock start then it says about real estate. It may not matter, but I just think it needs to be pushing real estate with a the rockstar back ground. I don't know if that helps bud, but I tried.

4 million  hits? WOW! You don't need our advice! ;)

I looked and I liked it, but not if this is your listing advertisement.  Too much going on on the screen to distract the possible buyer.  Of coarse when it comes to SEO i know next to nothing so don't know that my thoughts should weigh heavily.  Doesn't postlets just print a flyer?  Are you looking for a sub for that or an eye catching way to incorporate it into your blog?

Matt, When I clicked on the photo of your new listing I expected to be taken to a page that was only about that listing. The stuff on the right was a bit distracting for me. If I were the seller of that home I would not want to share "my page" with anyone or anything else.

Hmmm...I don't like the format either.  Since the virtual tour is just a slide show, I wouldn't have two of them.  I also thought it was odd that the second one starting with the lights.

For me there was just too much going on.  My eyes actually went to the right sidebar away from the listing.  Since I have the attention span of a flea, I would probably forget what I was there for and start clicking on things over there.  What you do depends on how you plan to use your blog for your listings. I use my blog as a teaser for my property websites, so I don't put a ton on the post itself. 

4 million hits?  I didn't see this but read Greg's comment.  Are all those on your website or on this listing.

Anyway, I agree with everyone else.  Less is more.  Too much extraneous stuff going on.  Dont' hate me.  JK  :o)

It sucks, Matt!  Nobody wants to be that blunt.  Haven't you missed me??  Okay... "sucks" might be a bit tough, but I agree with the above comments that it just didn't grab me.  My language would be that it's 'plain vanilla'.  So if vanilla is what you're going for, then great job, man!  If not, then maybe it's worth going to plan C?

OK, here are my two cents! I think if you could move all of your info (recent posts, categories, archives, links) to the right, below your current listings and the Plugoo (?) widgets it would clean up the page and viewers would see the listing in a much clear view.

You could still have all the information included and still get the SEO results you are looking for.

 I think I read where you said you didn't like to use bullets but if you are looking to replace postlets with this page for your blog you may want to consider doing something to highlight the property, something else besides the video and slide show.

Overall though I am really impressed you can build a page like this! And you know how I feel about the music! J/K.

LOL!  I've always heard that SEO is good, no matter how you get it - so let me know if you make into Google's first page on that sucky term.   :))   It could backfire, tho, and put ME into the #1 spot instead of you!

Matt - Looks like you are getting a lot of feedback on the site instead of the listing post.  First, the fact that you are doing a listing post rocks.  It provides that much more exposure to your client.  I am not too familiar with the postlets as have not used that as of yet.  We post our own version of our listings on Craigs List and in our blog.  I think your post is a little wordy with the description but it is what it is.  The photos/slide show is a nice intro to the house.  I think less is more too, keep it simple, have great photos and less words.  Is interesting to see the feedback here.   Please let us know what decision you make with postlets or other sites you choose to use to help market and promote your listings.  ~ Chris

I LIKE it and I am seriously considering going to a wordpress platform for my outside blog. Have you seen Paul Slaybaugh's outside blog? If not check it out!

Hi Matt - I don't think you need both the RealEstateShow and the Flickr pics. Go with just RES, since it has captions on the photos and music.

Below the show I would put a table that lists about 10-12 features of the home (BRs, baths, sq ft, lot size, etc.), along with a couple of links -- one to allow users to schedule an appointment with you to see the home, and a second that points to your IDX and lets them search for other homes in the same neighborhood.