Part 5: Is Your Internet Presence All It Should Be?

Ron...you are welcome and thank you for checking out the blog post.

Those of you that have asked me to check out your home pages...I'll be doing that on Thursday. Robert...I'm not sure if you were serious or sarcastic about renters. Just in case you were serious...renters are looking for properties to rent - yes - but they are also checking the waters. I would recommend (to some agents) to start a Rent-to-Own program. I don't mean that in the traditional sense...but nurturing renters till they can afford to own. Think about it...95%+ of the first time homebuyers iare currently renting...and of course some who are renting can afford to buy but they just don't know it.

Website Review:  Gann Realty - Mary

Top 3 positive things about your site:

1. the main links you have accross the top - cater to both buyers and sellers
2. the 3 pictures below...are rotating at a slow enough speed that it's not too distracting.  Often times animation distracts site visitors and makes it dificult for them to stay focused on the page content.
3. The 6 links below your intro text (features listings, what is your home's value, etc)

Top 3 things to change

1. Delete the top 9 lines of text and replace it with a short statement that says what they can do from your site.
2. This will move the 6 more important links up on your page...giving them the prominence they should have
3. The framing of your other pages to other sites.  This not only doesn't look appealing - because they don't match - but it also negatively impacts your SEO optimization.  If by chance I do find you on a search engine the links will be only to those other pages and not include your nav bar on the left.

If you want really want to reap the rewards that having a website can give you...I would be more than happy to talk to you.  I can be reached through AR or my cell number is 206.850.9996

Website Review:  Sheldon Neal

Top 4 positive things about your site:

1. The #1 action most site visitors want to take is Search for Properties.  Did you know that most visitors to real estate websites are buyers?
2. Neighborhood Valuation
3. Featured Property
4. The page length is good also...not too long so I know intuitively I can find what I want quickly

All 3 of the items I listed above go right along with the list I posted.

Top 3 things to change

1. The scrolling marque at the bottom - that's old technology and is distracting - I'd get rid of it
2. My Home Finder - I would replace the word advanced (which sounds complicated and time consuming) or add a little text after that that says "that is quick and easy to use."  I would eliminate the word "advanced" on the last line as well.
3. I would shorten the text in the area "A Higher Level of Customer Service"...consolidate this into two short paragraphs or just eliminate the last one...it is kind of redundant.
4. I'm not seeing any lead capture opportunites on this page.

Website Review: Richard Baggett

Top 3 positive things about your site: Absolute lowest rate

1. Well the page is short

That's all I can come up with...sorry.

Top 3 things to change

1. Loose the flash intro
2. Get rid of the loan officers pictures - way too many graphics it's distracting
3. Tell me what I can do at your site and what my first step should be.

Your second site: Southwest LA Homes

Top 3 positive things about your site:

1. Simple navigation structure
2. I guess that's a property search feature with the gray background
3. Two simple links at the bottom - Buying a Home and Selling a HOme

Top 3 things to change

1. I would change the color scheme.  Keep in mind it's not what you like but what your visitors want to see.
2. Use black text against the white background...not gray...be consistent with all your pages...some have a gray background and gray text...this causes anxiety with your visitors.
3. Get the two links you have on the bottom up towards the top
4. Eliminate the text on the right of the house picture and put the main feautres above the pic (price, bedrooms, baths, SF, lot size) and then put the rest below the pic.

There'e more that could be done...the intro paragraph needs to be more compelling, you should also make it obvious that this is a FSBO site with FREE Postings available.  Remember research shows that black text on a white background is the best for your visitors.

Website Review:  George Wilson

Top 3 positive things about your site:

1. It's clean and easy to read
2. Lots of white space with little to read
3. Featured Listings

Top 3 things to change:  I listed 6!
I'm a little confused...when you go to your domain it forwards to the Map Search page instead of taking you directly to your "Home page".  Why? and why would I want to use map search?

1. The header is taking up a lot of "real estate" - I would encourage you to reduce the heigth of it.
2. The two bars with your links should be consolidated to one.  I would definitely eliminate the Map Search, Team Blog and Realtor's Code - you could have these links on more appropriate pages.
3. I dont think you need all the contact info on the left since you have a "Contact" link...it creates more for the eye to look at and try to absorb.
4. The active rain logo/link and the Fair Housing info I would have as the last items on your page.  The logos interrupt the readers thought pattern and don't make sense to have them there.  I would also add an explanation of what each is and why it's important to them.
5. I would replace the top Buyer and Seller content with the Buyer and Seller pics and info you have at the bottom.  They are more compelling and better written than what you currently have at the top of your page.
6. Your Contact page...get rid of the verification code...I'm not purchasing anything, nor am I signing up for a subscription.  This just creates unnecessary friction and doesn't serve any purpose for you.

George...thank you for responding.  I thiink I didn't make myself clear...I didn't mean "get rid of" the Map Search...I meant removing it from the nav bar - simply to try and get from two nav bars down to one - you can have links to the map search from any page.  If you can - put a short description for what you can do from the Map Search...be sure to mention that they need to click on the Results Tab to see the property info.