I need Website Help!

Tyghre,

I believe that two things will cover 90%+ of the needs that visitors have.

1.  Something about you.  A blog will do it nicely.

2.  Easy access to IDX search.

The rest is optional, IMO.

One of THE most important things is that you keep all your info CURRENT.  If you cannot 'get in' to make immediate changes and have to rely on the webmaster or the host company you will be a step behind.  Make it easy for visitors to navigate, have lots of photos, and don't forget the branding with your colors, logo etc.

Tyghre,

Thanks.  But it is just the Keller Williams free templated site.

I am turning over to a Wordpress.org blogsite and going to clean up my site and use it for the IDX.  Until I can get a good widget to handle the IDX.

I think the blogging is that important.

You're off to a good start because you have differentiated between buyers and sellers.  Too many real estate websites go for "thud factor" links down the left side of the screen because thud factor is how cookie cutter sites market themselves to internet neophytes.  Here is my approach:

IDENTIFY - Give your visitors an easy way to identify themselves before dumping information (and tons of ugly, noisy graphics) on them.

Buyer, Seller, Investor, Renter (depending on your niches - if I managed properties, I'd want renters to contact me through my real estate website to make sure they realize I can help them become home owners)

PITCH - Once the user has self identified, give them a short paragraph and bullets explaining why they should pick you to help them.

CALL TO ACTION - Encourage them to contact you.

NEXT STEP - Phone numbers, button to send e-mail, IM, etc.

MORE INFORMATION - Links to other resources on your site and other helpful sites.

Finding out about your services and how to move forward should always be simple.

Note on pitch: If you met me in person and I self-identified, would you give me the same pitch regardless of whether I was buying, selling, or investing?  I doubt it, so I don't understand the popularity of a single pitch or combo catch all pitch on the front page.  Site visitors appreciate ease of use.  Give em two or three big buttons that allow them to self-identify, then give them a specific pitch on your "Buyer's resources" or "Seller's resources" page related to their interest.  Combo catch all front page pitches waste visitors' time.

Hi Tyghre, lots of great ideas... how about a website + blog all in one place ?
A nice front page that is simple and crisp and lots of inner pages with detail that you control.  We are seeing a lot more interest in this hybrid approach.  Good luck!

I'm still working on the right formula but I offer a mix of information.  Some they can get without identifying themselves and some they must identify themselves to get.  I've also made sure that searching for real estate is easily located and anonymous.

Good luck with your site.

By self-identify, I don't mean "enter contact information in my lead generator", I mean "click a button that says BUYER or SELLER."

Most real estate websites have a "Buyer's resources" page and a "Seller's resources" page already, but to get to them you have to filter through several identically colored, indentically sized, identically located buttons... and when you get there - no tailored pitch whatsoever.

Here is a site that is far from perfect, but look how easy it is to

1 - Self identify your role

2 - See the pitch

3 - Find out what to do next (phone number or click here)

Am I missing the hidden benefits of not making your site this easy to use?

Hi Tyghre,

I have mentioned to others, the three things a consumer wants from the Internet is

1. Homes for sale (the most traffic)
2. Home Values (fishes for sellers)
3. Area Information (out of state buyers)

If you are not focused heavily on those three things you are spinning your wheels.

When you go shopping online, let's Costco.com. Have you ever checked the part about the sales people? What about Circuit City.com, same there I bet.

So we that said clearly define what you want your site to achieve.

There are two types of sites, unbranded -Lead Generators

IDX-MLS Search Site

CMA Site

Email Me Listings Site

Last and the least your branded site, the one with your photo and blah, blah, blah...

Then I always ask this very important question.

Do you have a plan and a budget to market your web site(s)?

If not then get the cheapest $9.99 per month thing you can find. Because if you do market it then it is a total waste.

Most of my leads come form my unbranded sites

www.MoreHouseValues.com

www.EmailMeUtahListings.com

My blog is starting to get traction, it is two and ahalf months since I have been writing articles and I am starting to see the search engine results.

PS I hired a company to teach me about blogging, the same with my other sites.