Admin

How Many Websites Should an Agent Have?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Pro Online Agent LLC

Over the years I have taught several classes on Internet marketing and how to optimize your website. The question most often asks is "how many web sites should I have?" In years past, my answer was how many can you devote time too while taking care of your real estate business, one. The reason I said one web site was more than enough is because content is king. And, a sites traffic and organic rankings would improve by creating different pages for cities and neighborhoods within the site, rather than creating a lot of mini-sites.

I have to say, now, I have changed my mind. Just a bit and not for the reasons most of you are thinking. After much research, an agent needs two sites: one site is for prospecting for new clients and the second site is for cultivating prospects and keeping in touch with old clients.

Let me explain. The prospecting site is a very streamlined site that offers a page for the MLS, your listings, CMA request, client testimonials, newsletter subscription and a means for contacting you. This site is very sleek and organized with the intention of funneling all traffic towards a capture page. This is your business card, your yard sign, and your short print ad... This is your prospect generator.

Now let's talk about your cultivation site. Once traffic is captured, you now have a contact, and all correspondence to the contact should direct him/her to your cultivation website. The cultivation website contains articles, school information, the weather, theater discounts and all the other information that we as agents want to give to our clients... This is your client for life creator.

The reason I say create two websites is that each site has a very different objective. One site is to create and capture contacts and the other site cultivates those prospects into clients. I'm sure some are asking why can't I combine the two, answer: congestion. Remember, on our prospecting website, we don't want the traffic getting side tracked. We want the traffic to funnel to a capture page, so that we can cultivate them in the future. Also, on our cultivation site, we don't want the prospect or past client feeling pressured to sign up for this and that.

Keep two site, I think you will like the return.

If you really like our articles, visit our site at http://www.pro-onlineagent.com/ to find out how you can Create, Capture & Cultivate leads via the Internet.

If you would like to see the above techniques in action, please visit http://www.proonlineagent.com/.

Comments(5)

Show All Comments Sort:
Carolyn Gjerde-Tu-Davis
Lyon Real Estate - Davis, CA
Ca Real Estate
I would respectfully argue you can do both with one website as prospects are also looking for school information, etc. The goal would be to have a streamlined site with rich content.
Oct 19, 2007 09:28 AM
Richard Perkins
R PERKINS REALTY - Stockton, CA
I am into a stream line site. Good info will get good clients. Thank you for the post and the very good info
Oct 19, 2007 09:34 AM
Reg Gustin
Pro Online Agent LLC - Mesa, AZ

Hi Rebecca, I would use a Blog as a traffic generator.  In essence there are three phases - create traffic (Blog and other sources), capture traffic (Propsect site) and cultivate prospects (Cultivation site and follow-up.)  Thx, Reg

Oct 19, 2007 09:51 AM
Bruce Weddel
RealEstateNewListings.com - Newmarket, ON
RealEstateNewListings.com

Hi Reg

When I first saw your headline I was afraid I knew where you were going with this.  I fully expected to read that an agent should have some ridiculous number of sites.  I'm glad to see you kept it low.

When it comes to websites, the more traffic the better and having two sites doesn't guarantee the traffic doubles.

Frankly, I recommend just one.  Rather than spend the money on maintaining two sites and twice the little glitches and snags and headaches, take the money the second site is costing and spend it on Google's pay per click.

Bruce

Oct 19, 2007 10:03 AM
Reg Gustin
Pro Online Agent LLC - Mesa, AZ
Bruce, That was my original thought, but after some research it has become obvious that you need a prospect capture site and a client cultivtion site.  You don't use the same tactics for each issue.  Thx, Reg
Oct 19, 2007 01:13 PM