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How many sites do I need?

By
Real Estate Agent with nwRealty.Com

We have many broker/REALTOR customers with numerous blogs and websites in addition to the sites that we manage for them.  Every once in a while I'll catch some little detail (photo, phone, email, etc.) that needs correcting ... and when I call/email them, they share how difficult it is for them to maintain every presence on the web that they have acquired.

I personally believe that you can't have too many web sites ... unless things are starting to slip by and go undone.  In this circumstance you should consider either (1) scaling back and de-cluttering your life or (2) hire an assistant to take that burden for you.

Presenting your internet portfolio to potential Sellers is an impressive factor.  But a site or blog that is not kept up to date can be counter productive and damage your credibility.

When it comes right down to it you only need one site (whether or not a blog) and it needs to be totally under your control.  None of us are guaranteed that sites belonging to AR, our branch office, or our franchise will continuously work for our best interests as time goes by.  Make sure that if you ever move your license (for any reason) you can take your primary website with you.

Gary J. Rocks
Juba Team Realty - Jefferson Township, NJ

Larry

I think that's the beauty of having a site you control if you up and move everything goes with you just a few clicks of the mouse and your up and running without losing any business.

Sep 01, 2007 09:30 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES
I only have one site myself right now. But I don't think it is too much to have more than one website as lon as you maintain it. And of course,if you can afford it.
Sep 01, 2007 11:36 AM
Lenore Wilkas
Engel & Völkers - Carlsbad Village - Carlsbad, CA
Your North County Lifestyle & Real Estate Expert
It takes a lot of time to keep a site up to date. No one will stick with an outdated site.   I have clients to work with and houses to sell.  I find it hard enough to maintain the two sites we have and write a blog.  I can't see the necessity to have more than what your broker gives you and your own site/blog.  We point different domains to different sites and the main site we have, which is under development right now, will have some pages with their own domains for us to utilize how we choose.  That's one way around the multiple sites issue if your developer is willing.
Sep 01, 2007 01:19 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX
Thank you for the reminder Larry. I will update my site this weekend. Good post. 5 Debra A Brooks, Texas Waterfront Specialist
Sep 01, 2007 01:43 PM
Mohamed Mekhimar - Accredited Buyers Rep , E-Pro - Richmond Virginia Real Estate
RE/MAX Commonwealth - Richmond, VA
I have 3 sites, and I'm going to have more very soon.
Sep 01, 2007 08:30 PM
Joe Manausa - Tallahassee, FL
Joe Manausa Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Tallahassee Real Estate

Good points Larry. The hardest part is maintaining everything you have. Set-up is a synch....

Sep 02, 2007 12:43 AM
Claudia Clausen
Keller Williams Elite Realtors - Metuchen, NJ
Middlesex County Real Estate

Thanks for the great post Larry. I have been wondering for awhile now, just how many sites does one need? Then trying to link them all, tie in emails, blogging, etc. I'm pretty new to putting together my internet presence, but trying to catch up as quickly as possible. It would be nice to have more time to get out and sell a house or two! (smile)

Sep 02, 2007 03:41 AM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Thanks for all of your really great comments.  Also ... please share any low maintenance websites that you discover.

Sep 02, 2007 04:57 AM
Dan Kalleres
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Chesterland, OH
Realtor & Home Stager-NE Ohio

I don't know if I'd qualify any website as able to be low maintenance or not, but if you're a novice, I'd generally recommend using a company like hostway.com or yahoo.com to host your site. You can then select one of the templates they offer and simply make changes. If you can handle doing that, then you should be able to go on frequently to update them. It would save money over paying a web designer to create a custom site that you might not have the ability to edit as needed. The downside is that the sites all look alike.

If you're really gung-ho about web design, pick up a book on html and see how you do with it. It's an inexpensive way to figure out where to draw the line on what you can do and what you should pay others to do for you! I recommend "HTML for the World Wide Web" 5th edition from Peachpit Press.

I don't know if that helps or just makes you want to run for the door...

Sep 02, 2007 08:26 AM
Michael Mooneyham
Howard Hanna - Lakewood, OH

I have just 2 sites running, but I am always looking for new areas of the web to help increase my exposure to potential clients. If I feel the site can help me, I will include it.

As for ROI, I put my free time into upkeep of the sites.

Sep 02, 2007 08:38 AM
Vicente A. Martinez
Prudential Douglas Elliman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson - Woodhaven, NY
Realtor, Brooklyn - Long Island - Queens Homes
I've got 3 sites right now. However, I have a list of 21 websites that I advertise my listings on. I have made print copies of all the websites this one particular home was advertised on. When I pull this out during my listing presentation the sellers eyes open up knowing that this is exactly how I'm going to market their homes. They love it.
Sep 02, 2007 10:38 AM
Dan Kalleres
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Chesterland, OH
Realtor & Home Stager-NE Ohio

Vincent,

Just out of curiosity, the 21 website you advertise on - do you pay for them? Are they company paid ads? Free sites? I think it's great to be able to show how much exposure your clients will get when they list with you...

Sep 03, 2007 03:24 AM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA
Vincent ... I'm also curious, how much time does it take for you to maintain listins on the 21 sites?
Sep 03, 2007 06:21 AM
Debi Wright
nwRealty.com - Seattle, WA
It takes enough time for me to keep up with just my blog.  I don't see how agents find time to maintain listings on multiple sites.
Sep 04, 2007 08:24 AM
Linda Scanlan
A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX
Larry - I have 3 sites and 3 blogs...any more and I'll have to get an assistant just to maintain them!
Sep 21, 2007 07:19 AM
Tracy Nicole Hamilton
Elk Grove, CA
Realtor - Elk Grove CA, Sacramento, CA

Is there not a huge amount of duplication going on in maintaining so many sites.  Can one truly have so much to say that it would take 5 sites to say it. Isn't that what additional pages are for?

Sep 21, 2007 12:20 PM
Mike and Dawn Lewis
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams - San Diego, CA
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA

SO TRUE LARRY - I OWN 3 SITES AND THEY'RE ALL PUMPIN IN LEADS.

MIKE LEWIS

Sep 21, 2007 12:23 PM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA

Linda ... that's a lot of work.  If they're productive I would get an assistant and duplicate what you've done elsewhere.

Tracy ... each web presence should have a specific target market and audience.  The number of sites you need depends on your business.

Mike ... good work!

Sep 22, 2007 06:37 AM
Mike and Dawn Lewis
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams - San Diego, CA
The Lewis Team at Keller Williams in San Diego CA

Larry,

I think one good site is page 1 on a google search for relevant real estate terms in a given area. Would you agree?

Mike Lewis

Sep 22, 2007 09:58 AM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA
Mike ... yes, most agents should do fine with just one site.  But agents with large businesses (like muliple new construction sites) may find that they need one site to target each market area.
Sep 24, 2007 04:35 AM