Patience is a virtue - Especially when it comes to real estate websites.

I could not agree more.  As, I have seen my site improve over the years and seen it come down and go back up better.  just remember to keep yourself on top of the big 3.

Dave Woodson

Wonderful blog!  Thank you for sharing.  It's very difficult to be patient.  I would love to see a list of amazing websites if you have any!  I've been encouraged by a very motivational Terry Watson in a recent convention to make my website more educational, more of a resource or source of sources for people to visit, even when they are not thinking of real estate in terms of buy/sell now.  I just soak up all this good advice.

Thanks Rob.  A site is indeed like a fine wine when it comes to aging.

In order for marketing web sites to generate business, they need to be part of a marketing plan and a related advertising strategy. These are two fundamental components that are commonly overlooked or ignored. The process of developing a web site and placing it on the Internet is an exciting effort. However, this only the first step. In order to be effective, there should be a marketing plan that details the strategy behind getting web surfers to visit the site. The strategy can include raffle contests, discount coupons for local businesses, magazine advertisments, or any other creative tactic for generating traffic. To simply wait around to be randomly found via search engine results is not a good decision, in my opinion. See notes on the real deal about SEO: 

The Real Deal on Search Engine Optimization -

http://activerain.com/blogsview/121854/The-Real-Deal-on

A marketing web site is a different than an ecommerce web site, for example. Amazon.com generates millions of dollars in revenue by selling books, a host of other products and advertising. A real estate agent's web site is typically focused on advertising his/her services.

 

I agree with Bill about the fine wine and Christian about not letting the site just sit.  A website has to be nurtured like you would a garden, it won't bloom unless you care for it.  Always keep it fresh and look beyond the 'basics.'

This is true for most websites. It takes time to build trust and start seeing the rewards of your hard work. I don't think Rob was saying to sit back and do nothing for 6 months. What I believe he meant was that don't expect to see significant results for a good period of time. Of course you should be adding content, getting links, and trying to make your site better during those 6 (or however many) months you are waiting to see results. And then when you start getting those good rankings you need to continue to tweak and optimize your site to stay on top and increase conversions. After while SEO seems to be focused on rankings a good SEO will focus on conversions using rankings as a means to get conversions.

What are considered "significant" results? And what is considered a "good" period of time? If we are talking only about generating web site visitors coming from search engine results screens, then I tend to agree with the OP when he implies that you have to wait a while for a site to "melt" into the Web naturally. In regards to achieving high-ranking natural placement in search engine results, this is par for the course.

It is unclear what is meant by the recommendation "forget about your site for at least 6 months while it comes into its own." On the contrary, to achieve natural placement, a web site needs consistent and constant attention for at least one year, in my opinion.

Either way, if we want to consider "significant" results to be signed contracts and real clients, to "forget about your site for at least 6  months" is a disasterous path.

Web design companies that generate high-traffic for real estate marketing websites are in a good position and can easily capture new business simply by demonstrating thier abilities.

Once the site owner, i.e. real estate agent, is in control of the web site, they then are responsible for advertising the site and figuring out how to capture new business using the site. SEO is only one method of increasing web site traffic. SEO is not a direct route to getting a homeowner to sign a contract with you. 

 

I always like to encourage newbies to "just do it", meaning get a domain, and slap up a website, just to get your foot in the door.  Like you say, it will take time before any eyes see it, so the sooner the better.  Most people say.... "I'm not ready to put it up yet, I still need to work out a few more details".  Bull!  Even if it's only half ready, put it out there.  You will have time to fine tune it later.  By the time it's "ready" it will perhaps have worked its way up the ladder.

This was a very valid post. Many people feel that having a website is the answer. It is getting people to it that is the key. The more eye the better. It does take time to get it out hter.

Meet me www.henrydelangelo.tv

I look at my sites as works in process - get it out there first, set it up, get your basic site advertised and then keep revising with relevant content and keep working on SEO.  It's definitely a learning process.

I do believe that your post is true for the most part...however, in my opinion the best way to get traffic directed to you is Adwords before your site is generating traffic...Check my blog for more details later...Adwords gives traffic when you are waiting for more and allows you to be very specific....

I totally agree. I know in the past I've been impatient about getting a site up and going, and have overlooked having a bonafide SEO strategy to start.  I am in the process of getting my new site up, and have taken a ton of time making sure I have a stategy that over time will work.