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You Paid How Much For Your Website? Get A Book And Do It Yourself!

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Real Estate Broker/Owner with Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale

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    It is human nature to brag about a good deal you made, you know, I paid X amount of dollars for this car. An acquaintanceof ours has an extensive website, the domain name is iffy at best. Anyway, he told us he paid $1000.00 to have the site set up (I did not even ask) seemed like a pretty good deal, I think it needed tweaking but all in all he does get a couple leads on occasion. So we are conversing with a broker friend of ours and the subject of websites comes up. She asks me how I do it and I answered, got a book at the library (one of the dummy books) and went to work. Thats better than one of my agents, he has shelled out $26,000 so far. Yep, the guy who said he paid $1000. Does it matter what it cost him? No, none of my business, but you better believe for that kind of money, with an open tab still running I would learn to do it myself. It is easier than you think, my first attempt at using a computer was far more difficult than building a website. Do not be intimidated by the techno jargon it is YOUR face on the internet so why not do it yourself? Besides, it is rarely if ever right the first time and as the market changes your website must reflect that. Anyway, that's my opinion, Good Luck!

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Comments(13)

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Claude THOMAS
Rossman Realty Group - Cape Coral, FL

I agree.

I took some book years ago on the subject and did my site myself.

I also learned in these book the "duplicate" problem.

If you buy a site from Real Estate website builder, like point2agent or ihouse, etc...They use the same template with the same code. Only the agent name and pictures change. So what happens is google sees them as duplicate content and penalize them on Search Engine. In short, you're nowhere on search engine, making your site unfindable.

Making it yourself will make your site unique, therefore with better ranking...

Nov 30, 2008 01:04 AM
Elayna Fernandez
the Positive MOM - Fort Worth, TX
BE Positive and You'll BE Powerful!

Marketing Naples FL  $1000 is certainly a lot of money if the website does not look like $1000.  I agree that some people brag about how much they saved, while others will brag about how much they saved. It's all about EGO, if you ask me. 

In any event, as an experienced web designer, I can tell you that Web design may not be intimidating but if you find a custom, professional, SEO & cross browser compliant website designed for the right price, you should go for it.  I am a firm believer that you should be 100% involved in your website design, but it is too critical of a marketing tool to not hire a professional to do it.  HOWEVER, I agree with you, it helps to work with a client who has READ a book and understands the process, the jargon and the complexity of the service you are providing. THANK YOU for suggesting it!

Elayna Fernandez - Marketing Naples FL

Nov 30, 2008 01:06 AM
Luisa Rodriguez
Referral Realty, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA

Thanks for the tip.  I was always intimidated about building my own site because I am not computer savvy, but it looks like there is even hope for me.

Nov 30, 2008 01:10 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Claude - That is something I did not know, usefull info for all of us.

Elayna - That is another point I did not consider, having a client that has an understanding of website design probably makes your job easier.

Nov 30, 2008 01:10 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Luisa - If I can do it you can too. See Elayna comments, having an understanding of websites can help if someone else does it for you...

Nov 30, 2008 01:12 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Thanks for sharing this information I will have to go to the library to check it out.

Nov 30, 2008 01:16 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Pat - The "dummy" books were helpfull to me starting out. There are quite a few on websites...

Nov 30, 2008 01:20 AM
Mike Klijanowicz
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Perry Hall, MD
Associate Broker @ Cummings & Co. Realtors

And this is the BEST place to come and learn it for yourself.  I have learned almost all that I know about technology from people right here on AR!  I was lucky enough to register for my Point 2 site before they started charging money for them and have tweaked it with the right terms and have gotten a ton of google juice from AR all for FREE!  I have not paid a dime and have made tons.  A little hard work really does go a long long way!

Nov 30, 2008 01:23 AM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Michael - That is a point I've missed, all these blogs and no websites to feed from them. The website will take a heck of a lot less time than extensive blogging. Yes, I've had quite a few pointers from AR.

Nov 30, 2008 01:27 AM
Sharon Alters
ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Jacksonville, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Frank - you bring up a good point. Read something before you invest in a custom web site or SEO service. We just spent a year with an SEO coach and honestly I don't think they did any better than we were doing on our own, organically. But to be perfeclty honest, if I had been on AR for a year before subscribing, my decision would have been much more educated. Probably would have passed on the 'opportunity.' So what book do you recommend?

Dec 06, 2008 04:22 PM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

Sharon - It would depend on what program you are using. Your meta tags look OK. I would suggest you find a search engine that does not require a registration at the onset. See  To Require Registration, Or Not to Require, The Age Old Question Has A Middle Of The Road  You want folks to see something BEFORE you you require a registration. Unfortunately this is not covered in any books. You may need a different serach engine...

Dec 06, 2008 04:40 PM
Frank & Jodi Orlando
Frank & Jodi Orlando Get Us A Home Realty Atlanta Homes Sale - Cumming, GA

If you have little understanding start with one of the dummy books, they will at least give you an idea of how it all works. This is important as you will at least know how your website works and if your administrator is doing you right.

Dec 06, 2008 04:46 PM
Sharon Alters
ONE Sotheby's International Realty 904-673-2308 - Jacksonville, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Right - the registration issue is a big one. I now have delivery failures from someone who had to register and used a fake email address. However, some well respected members here argue that you must get a registration. Thanks for your insight! I'm going to get a book to read for this. 

Dec 06, 2008 04:58 PM