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Real Estate Marketing, Real Estate Web Design |
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| Certainly any agent or broker with a Website hopes that the site will convince prospective buyers and sellers to look no further for expert advice and service. But the wise Realtor will resist the urge to focus on self-promotion. Instead of telling visitors that you are the Number One Agent and want to be their agent for life, show them! Focusing on showing does not mean that your Website should be totally graphical to the exclusion of words. You can and should show your expertise with words, deeds and visual elements. Want to See How it is Done? How should you set up a Website for your particular market? I will help you develop a winning plan. For a Free, custom Web Plan visit FREE Custom Web Plan What Are Your Buyers Thinking? Step one is put yourself in the shoes of your customer. If you are hoping to attract buyers make a list of some of their concerns. Buyers frequently worry about things such as: Where can I get the most house for my money? What is the best neighborhood for my budget and lifestyle? Will I be able to get financing? Is this the right time to buy a home? How can I be sure that I do not overpay? Do I need a real estate agent to help me? These are all legitimate concerns that can and should be handled by your Website. What Are Your Sellers Thinking? Sellers have a different set of concerns. Can I sell for a profit? Can I avoid foreclosure? How should I list my home? Should I sell it or rent it? What are homes in my neighborhood selling for? Should I pay a full commission, look for a discount broker or sell on my own? These concerns can also be addressed in a good Website. How Your Web Can Help *First and foremost a good real estate Web design must include a good Property Search section. *Both buyers and sellers can tell a great deal about the market by simply looking at what is currently for sale in the area or areas of interest. *Beyond that, a function that makes it possible for visitors to request automatic notification of price reductions and/or the availability of a specific type of property will appeal to those looking for a good deal. *A section focusing on recent sales in the area will answer the concern sellers, but also buyers, have about real pricing. *A section that offers answers to Frequently Asked Questions can provide visitors with information concerning financing, buying versus renting and methods of listing a home. *If you specialize in a specific area or niche market, a section that provides insider information about neighborhoods, school districts, transportation and shopping opportunities will go a long way toward showing your local expertise. Let Your Homepage be Their Guide The Website I am describing is big and focuses on the interests of several distinct types of visitors so you need to provide a clear and concise roadmap. Ideally, this is done on your homepage. A possible section breakdown might include: Search All MLS Listings; Search by Neighborhood; Recent Sales; Buyer Concerns; and Seller Concerns. The point is that you want your homepage to show at a glance the value of the contents. |