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What are the Ingredients for a "Perfect" Website? When our Advanced Access Customer Service representatives pick up the phone this is one of the questions we are occasionally asked. In our never-ending pursuit of Internet Marketing dominance, the answer we're ALL really looking for is this: "Is there some kind of MAGIC FORMULA I can apply to create a powerful, successful and income producing website?" A successful website has several key ingredients. When we evaluate your website, we first check to be sure you have covered the "basics." What are the basics? In a website for real estate homebuyers and home sellers, it should contain at the very least:
Going BEYOND the basics; however, is where you can really SHINE. To set yourself above and beyond your competition, it's important to define your online marketing plan. Why do you need a plan? An organized online marketing plan is the first step toward a successful website. Here's how to start: Know your audience. In creating a successful website, it's important to define WHO your audience is. Think about it for a minute - who would you like your website to appeal to? Are you looking for clients who live in your area, or out-of-state relocation clients? Perhaps you have experience in working with first time homebuyers and know the special programs available in that market. If you grew up on a ranch, maybe you are uniquely positioned to be the "horse property specialist." If you work in popular retirement area, maybe you are uniquely positioned to be the "Senior Specialist." Or if you are a financial whiz, you can provide a valuable service for clients who want Income property. Create a "Pretty Package." Once you know your target market, you need to "package" yourself so that you appeal to them. Consumers will respond to your packaging, just as they do to a colorful cereal box on the shelf in a supermarket. In this case, YOU are the product. And just like a box of cereal you need to make yourself an attractive and enticing "online package" and do everything in your power to become a well-known and trusted "brand name." Don't be TOO Specialized. For packaging purposes, it's great to be known as "the Senior Specialist REALTORŪ." However, be sure to tell your visitors you also can handle OTHER types of real estate. A statement prominently displayed on your website should read, "In addition to selling retirement homes, I can handle ALL types of properties in the area." Let your visitors know you have no limitations. Keep 'em coming back for MORE. After someone visits your website, will they remember you next week, next month, or next year? If you want your online consumers to return to your website you need to provide them REASONS to come back. Now that you have defined the audience, you can determine the type of information you need to include in your website to keep them coming back for more. Examples of information you might want to include:
YOU are the Solution. Your website should say who you are, what you do, and be CLEAR about how you can SERVE your online visitor the moment they visit your website. Try to be a problem solver. Your online visitors have a problem. They want to find the PERFECT home at the PERFECT price in the PERFECT location. Show them how you will be the solution to their problem. Is it EASY to Contact You? If your website receives a good amount of sessions each month but you don't have any contacts resulting from those sessions... Take a look at where your lead generation forms are placed. Start at the home page of your site and click on some of the links. Are there obvious ways to contact you easily? Make sure you go back and read some of our latest Marketing Tips about e-mail Links vs. forms, adding a Guestbook to your website, or having a unique theme or slogan. If possible, set aside a few minutes at the end of each week to concentrate on different tasks that will add your personality to your website and help your online visitor to find the home of their dreams. To make your website work, you need to invest your time into making it the best on and off the Internet.
Have some FUN working on your website - you will find that it will pay off. The more fun you have working with your website, the more of your personality will be reflected there. And, consumers will RESPOND more often to a site they can connect with on a HUMAN level. Please remember, we're always here to help you and we're happy to answer your questions. At Advanced Access, we're only a phone call or a click away. |
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Read the following from real estate professionals who are using Advanced Access' Marketing Tips to their advantage: Beth Daly says:
Advanced Access
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