Website Transformation: Satisfying The Demands Of Today's Internet Consumer!

Reaching Gen X and Y - The Visual Generation 5 Characteristics That Separate Gen X and Y From Baby Boomers!

by Larry Lokker National Speaker, e-PRO Trainer - Advanced Access

Today's consumers are becoming more and more involved with technology. How many of you check your email multiple times a day? How many of you have your emails forwarded to your Blackberry or other portable device? How many of you have text messaging on your phone? The days of living without technology are a thing of the past. For those consumers that don't have a personal website, they usually have social networks.

Today's consumers are plugged in looking for an experience on-line. So are you giving it to them when they go to your website? Will they leave your website going WOW! Or wow, I'm outa here! Today you need that "snap-crackle-pop" to keep the consumers respect. Generation X and Y want more than just text and graphics. Your website should be exciting, interactive, and able to connect to the consumer.

How long have you had your website? How much time have you put into it? Did you buy it expecting just to have one so you weren't behind the competition? Did you buy one because you thought it would bring you leads without having to put any effort into it? (That's like me hoping my membership in the fitness club would take my weight off.) Yes, a website can benefit you if it is put together properly and connected with your MLS/IDX so you have listings to show your potential buyers. It can look good and have content that will be informative to your visitor so they will find answers to their questions, but you will probably not get the results from it you are expecting unless you put some additional time and developmental time into it.

So how do you turn it around? How do you transform your website to what is HOT today? Where do you see what consumers want? Well, first, I suggest you check out who's in the top of the current top search engines. Go to 10 large cities around the state or country and look for agent's sites in the first page of results. See what they have on their sites. Check out some of the top corporate sites. What features impress you? I have listed below some of the things you will find.

The Ability for Consumers to Have New Listings Emailed to Them --

If you don't offer the consumer the ability to have new listings emailed to them as soon as they come on the market, figure out how to get it. Advanced Access offers a product called QuickHomes in markets where we can get a data feed directly from your MLS. If we don't offer it, see if there is another vendor or see if your MLS provides it. If you don't have it, get it and promote it on your home page. Don't assume the consumer will figure it out, shout it at them. Put an icon on the home page with movement. (Movement icons get 3 times the clicks as static icons.)

Unique Information --

What is the text on your home page? Is it still the default content that was loaded when your site was built by Advanced Access? Shame on you. Advanced Access has over 35,000 customers. What do you think the chances are that other agents haven't changed it either? Guess what? Search Engines can tell that you're not unique and that you're not putting any time into your site and they will find someone who is to rank higher than your site.

If the only thing you offer is linking to other public websites then your site offers no real value to the consumer. If it is too general they don't need you. Break out, be unique. Give the consumer something that only you can provide. I'm in office meetings every week - most weeks multiple office meetings. Most managers are always passing on to the agents interesting market stats. There's value in providing content that is specific to YOUR MARKET. Mortgage and title representatives are always sharing interesting experiences or new programs. Put it on your website. Share things with consumers they can't get anywhere else, and you create value for you and your website!

Web 2.0 Trends --

Want to know what Gen X and Y expect? Go check out My Space. Look at the design, the layouts, the movement, and the videos. Does your site match up? If not, then you're probably not impressing them when they visit your site and chances are they will keep looking. Do you think they go back and look at their friend's sites that don't change? Look how graphical their sites are. Does that give you a hint? People like looking at pictures. It's free to take digital pictures - so snap away. Add pictures all the time. What a better way to say you do a great job than a new buyer's big smile as they open the door to their new home you've helped them get. If you're the expert in your city, show 50 picture of why someone would want to live there. And don't just take a regular photo. I just bought a new digital camera. I was amazed at how easy it was for me to snap 5 shots and stitch them together and make a panoramic picture. I used the digital camera in video mode and was able to upload the video to my MySpace in minutes. It's also easy to upload videos to YouTube, WellcomeMat, and other online video websites. Wellcomemat automatically gives you the code to be able to copy and paste it so you can have the video displayed on your website. With an Advanced Access website you can add as many as you want and load them were you want. Do you have a video of yourself? Do it yourself or use a professional, but it is becoming less expensive and separates you from the rest of the pack. Don't want to use yourself? How about a caricature? Check out SitePal.

Do You Have a Blog? --

If you want one what is the purpose? If you just want to write to consumers every day (like a journal) then Bloggers.com is an easy solution. If it is to brand and get consumer involvement and interaction then you may want to consider a more targeted approach of a community bulletin board. This is great because you can control the subject, and make it easier and more comfortable for consumers to respond.

Catch Up and Keep Up --

I know, you're saying you sell real estate and you don't want to become a web geek - and you shouldn't. That is why you hired Advanced Access. Now we're not your personal assistant, but we do have a FREE 7-day-a-week customer service department. We have added webinar training classes that you can dial into and repeat at no extra cost. We have a hands-on training center with free classes every week. (We even have agents fly-in from all over the country to take our training classes) We developed an on-line editor that is easy to use. We have an on-line manual, and we have these great weekly marketing tips. SO HELP IS HERE! Yes, it might be confusing, and yes, you might get frustrated, and it might even seem painful from time to time - but like my drill instructor used to say, "No Pain, No Gain." So put our TOLL-FREE Customer Service number in your speed dial (1-866-518-1571) and we'll work together to make your Internet presence shine even brighter!

Larry Lokker is the National Speaker and Western Regional Sales Manager for Advanced Access. He travels throughout the country making educational and informative presentations at conventions, Association trade shows, tech expos and office meetings. His presentations range from 20-minutes to 2-hours, and cover a wide range of current topics to meet your Internet Marketing needs. To find out more about Larry Lokker, you can visit his Website at www.LarryLokker.com, or contact Larry about scheduling a visit at your next office meeting or perhaps a speaking engagement at your State or local tradeshow or convention. Send Larry an e-mail Larry@LarryLokker.com, or call him on his Direct Line at (714) 273-5614.

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