REALTORS® Eyes Wide Open

Posted By Mark Fitzgerald @ Apr 13th 2009 10:25am In: General

During the past few months I have had a number of REALTORS® tell me I should write to everyone and inform them of my beliefs when it comes to their website. This being such a passionate topic for me, I found myself writing countless pages and finally making myself stop in order to post a reasonable sized blog rather than a novel. I am sure this post is far overdue, but late or not, it is a vital read for any REALTOR® who wishes to understand the importance of his/her website.

“My website is a small part of my business.” I hear this all the time and I can tell you that your website is not a small part of your business in any way, but rather a vital part of your business. I would even go as far as to say that your website is more important than any other advertising device you are using. Your website in today’s market is the pinnacle of your business and it is, in a number of cases, the first impression you will make to a potential client.

Your website is working for you twenty-four (24) hours a day seven (7) days a week and the look and content of your website represents you. Let’s say you have an assistant and you are going to send them on a showing with a new client. You would want your assistant to be well informed of the area as well as the homes he/she is showing, not to mention present themselves in a professional manner and not dress as if they had just woken up. The same process goes for your virtual assistant aka your website.

Your website is your virtual assistant and when a client (buyer or seller) comes in contact with your virtual assistant, you want your best foot forward in every way. With enough information to let them know you are a serious REALTOR®. You will then capture their attention and deserve their time.

A very good way to capture your client’s attention is to have unique and relevant content on your site, as well as information about yourself and your area. So many website companies out there will try to sell you a web solution and provide you with the same content they provide to many other REALTORS®. To a buyer who is looking for that personal touch, this is not a site they are going to return to. You want your clients to feel as if they know you before they have even met you in person because of the personal content and positive experience they received from meeting with your virtual assistant.

Your site should educate the buyer on your experience, what a buyer should look for in a home, as well as information about the area they are looking to purchase a home in. Let’s not stop there, as your website is not just for new buyers, but for your sellers as well. Anyone who is going to do business with you will want to see your website. When it comes to sellers, they are going to want to see that their property is represented in the best way possible and be able to locate their property on your website with ease.

I know what you are thinking, “All this sounds great, but I don’t have the time to constantly spend on my website, as I am here to sell Real Estate”. You don’t have to spend every waking moment on your site. Your website is a tool that is supposed to grow with you and your business. Just like your business, you start with the essentials to create a good business foundation and build on that foundation. My suggestions are for you to add one (1) or two (2) blogs a week. Your blog should have your views of the industry, area, financing, home inspections, mortgages, insurance and yes, even about yourself. Creating a page of testimonies from other clients and keeping this updated along with the date it was given to you is not only good content on your website, but is very informative to other new clients. Take a little time out each month to add or update your content on your site in addition to the blogs you post. Just think about it... an hour or two a week, less time than you spend writing up home ads, could bring you not only new clients, but will add to the growing investment and value of your website which in turn will add value to your business as well. Keep in mind that your website is a big part of your business and they should both grow together.

Remember that your domain name is a key part of your website as well and you need to make sure that it is registered for at least five (5) years and never expires. You don’t need twenty five (25) domains to help your business grow, but what you do need is one domain with a powerful website solution that will grow with your business. This domain will not only be your web presence, but will be one of your company’s largest assets. After all, what sounds better to you? I have twenty five (25) domains or I have a very powerful website that I am constantly getting qualified leads from and am growing to complement both myself and my business. I am always getting compliments as well as suggestions from my clients on my ever growing website.

You are always watching your business, checking your numbers, and making sure you're on track with you’re business plan. Make sure you don’t take your eye off of your most important asset which is, or should be, your website. Keep your eyes open to the potential of your website and your business will grow beyond your wildest dreams. Remember, Dynamic IDX is here to help you reach your full website potential and our eyes are always wide open to your success!


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Comments (2)

Steve Gruenwald says...
on 01/23/10

I have learned a great deal in a short time. I am up for the challenge of building a great site.

marshallwalker.com says...
on 04/13/09

a succesfull site does not come from spending a whole bunch of money - it comes from dedication to growing forward. If you spend 1 hour a week you will find your site growing - It will not happen overnight - niether did your success as an agent - learning the skills takes time. To recreate my site would take $10-15k - but you dont need to recreate a site like mine.....some of the best ranked sites have very small content - but all highly ranked sites have one common factor.....a integral IDX....
That being said a website is the tool that you MUST have in todays real estate world , I have found Mrysol to be the platform that keeps all in one place - blog, ease of editing and especially SEO capabilities.
Stop waiting , get off the fence and start building your site. - call me if you would like a few free tips on website 101.

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