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...Sigh... It's that time again...New Year's Resolutions...and the struggle to keep them.  While many of us are looking back on nearly a week of already broken resolutions like eating better, exercising more, kicking a bad habit, or whatever other vices we are vulnerable to, there is a resolution that you can make and keep.  And you don't even have to give up that cake you're staring at right now!

While we are always encouraging you to utilize your website and make it a quality, effective business tool, there is just something about this time of year that gives this message special meaning today.  So, use that New Year feeling to your advantage and harness the power of your real estate website!

Now, we previously shared this list of items with you a couple of months ago...but that was just the prep work.  We knew you were busy and probably didn't get a chance to really get some work done on your site.  But now, it's a new year; a new time, and we are confident you will want to pick up the pace on your journey to success on the Web.

Kick Your Site Into High Gear - For the NEW YEAR!

Have you ever wondered how to make your website stand out?  Do you spend time thinking that something needs to be different in order to have a successful site, you just aren’t sure what?  Here is a list to help you get started on your new Advanced Access website, or to help you kick your seasoned site into high gear!  These are the basics for lead generation (consumer friendliness) and search engine friendliness...

1. Change your website homepage text to be your own. When your Advanced Access website is created, we have some default text there for you. This is meant to be a guideline to give you some ideas, and to make sure there is at least something on your homepage. No one knows better than you what should be on your homepage. Not sure what to write? Think of what you would normally say in person to a new prospect/client and what the first few things you want them to know are, and write those things down and form that into your text. To edit your homepage text go to Page Manager, then HomePage.
    
2. Start on some city pages for your site. These are a big help with search engines. City pages are pages about each city /area you service. You would create text links from your homepage to those pages. The text links would be placed within your homepage text. These links would have 'anchor' text, such as CityName Real Estate, linking to the info for that city. Provide this content directly on your site; don't link to other sites as it defeats the purpose. To create these pages, go to Page Manager, then Page Editor, then Add New Page. For an example of some great city pages, visit Matt Pellerin of Phoenix Real Estate. Matt has his cities listed and linked at the top and also within his homepage text. You can also check out The Hartanov Team of San Clemente Real Estate as another example. Remember, you need to create your own text. If you need help we have a great Virtual Assistant Network the members of which are very experienced in this area.
    
3. Change the About page text to be your own. When we first created your website, we didn't know too much about you! If you didn't provide your resume or biography for us to add to your About page, then it has the 'stock' content on it. Make it your own! Put some of your past accomplishments in there. You may think a lot of people may not read a bio; you may wonder "Why would they want to know about me, they just want to look at listings", but don't forget ... if they click on your About button, they clicked there, so they want to know about you, so give them some info before you ask for theirs. To edit your About page, go to Page Manager, then About.
    
4. Delete ALL buttons/links that do not contain content, or add the content right away (of course adding the content is the BEST thing to do for your clients and for Search Engines). Your Testimonials, Local Partners, ListNOW pages all start blank. Get listings in there (if you don’t have any, ask to borrow some, or post your previous SOLDs), and add to the other pages if you like, or delete the buttons/links if you have to. Search engines don't like blank pages, and neither do website visitors. Also, add more than the default four links to your Favorite Links page or remove the button; it's pretty sparse at the beginning; nearly a blank page. To delete buttons, go to Design Center, then NavBar Manager.
    
5. Consider space on your homepage. The top section is the section you need to use to get visitors to keep reading, keep clicking, and to stay on YOUR site. Use it wisely...don't just make it your name and photo. In fact, for Search Engine purposes, it’s best to have something containing your keywords at the top of the page as opposed to your name.
    
6. Consider colors...do hot pink and hot green with red and orange text really go together? You decide. Think about what is pleasing to the eye when choosing your main color scheme. You can edit your template colors by going to Design Center, then Template Manager.
    
7. Consider style and consistency. Go to Design Center, then Style Manager and pick a style that matches your chosen main color scheme, or make your own style. To see what the Style Manager affects on your site, check out your 'Contact Me' and 'Community Links' pages as examples. The Style Manager is what makes the background on your default Advanced Access pages gray, or white, etc…you’re not stuck with the ‘default’!
    
8. Get started on your Quality Inbound Link Network. This means that there are other websites on the Internet that have a link to your website on theirs. You would, in exchange, link back to their site...this is called Reciprocal Linking thus creating a linking network. Advanced Access has started a network of people to link with nationwide; check it out here and get started. Different sites can help you more than others, but these are the basics. There are plenty of sites that you can check out for an example of how this works. You can also call our expert Customer Support team to request that the 'States Pages' be added to your site...this will save you A LOT of time in getting your linking network set up. Just visit our forums and ask the people there...this is worth your time and effort.
    
9. Let our Customer Support team know which MLS (or MLS's) you are a member of. You may have IDX available to you. IDX is Internet Data eXchange - a search of the MLS on your website. We can look into availability for you.

Once you have IDX on your site, add a sign-in form that is required before allowing the search to be accessible so you can generate leads.  There are a couple of methods you can utilize to create a lead generation form prior to your MLS search.  The method you choose is simply a matter of preference.

The first method is a sign-in form required each time a visitor wishes to use your MLS search.  The first set of instructions detail this method.

The second method is a one-time registration form where you have a visitor sign in once with a valid email address, have your auto-responder email them their password required to use your MLS search each time they return.

Sign-In Form Required For Each New Search Session

Follow these instructions to add the sign-in:

1. Login to your Virtual Office
2. Click on “Page Manager”
3. Click on “Page Editor”
4. Click on “Add New Page”.  Name your page, then click on the “Add” button.  You will then be taken to your new page so you can add content (the form).
5. Click on the form info icon then choose the “Form Info” option to add your form.
6. If you would like a standard contact form, choose “Contact Form” from the “Form Template” drop down menu.  If you would like to create your own fields, choose “Blank” in the drop down menu.
7. Enter the rest of your form info (the subject you would like to have emailed to you; which email address to send the form to, etc.)
8. In the “Redirect” section, choose your IDX page from the “Website” drop down menu.  If you need to manually enter the URL because your IDX solution is not hosted with Advanced Access, choose the “Custom” option, then enter the URL for your IDX page.
9. Click on the “Insert Form” button.  If you used the “Contact Form” template your form will be there.  If you are designing your own form, add the fields, then move on to step 10.
10. Once your form is added, click on the “Save and Exit” button.

To change your IDX button to go to the sign in form:

1. Click on “Design Center”
2. Click on “Nav Bar Manager”
3. Click on “Buttons”
4. Click on the “Edit” link next to the button that currently goes to your IDX page.  Change the link for that button to go to the new form page you just created.

To change your homepage link(s) to IDX to go to the sign in form:

1. Click on “Page Manager”
2. Click on “Home Page”
3. Highlight your link text or image that goes to IDX
4. Click on the hyperlink icon
5. Change the link for that text/image to go to the new form page you just created
6. Click on the “Save and Exit” button

One-Time Registration Form And Password Access

Begin with the Secure Area Password Creation

1. Login to your Virtual Office
2. Click on "Additional Features"
3. Click on "Secure Area"
4. Click on "Create New Secure Area"
5. Enter a Title (such as "MLS sign in")
6. Under the 'Select a Link' section enter the link to your MLS Search. If you have IDX provided by Advanced Access, there will be an item under the 'Website Link' section to select. If you are using an outside source, you will enter the URL in the 'Custom' section.
7. For 'Login Type' choose the 'Single Password Login' option.
8. A text box will appear next to that option. This is where you will enter the password you would like your users to enter to gain access to your MLS search.
9. Click the 'Create' button.

Next, Create your Page with your Registration Form

1. Click on “Page Manager”
2. Click on “Page Editor”
3. Click on “Add New Page”. Name your page (something like MLS Registration), then click on the “Add” button. You will then be taken to your new page so you can add content (the form).
4. First, you will need to add a text link to your Secure Area login page for those who have already registered previously and have your password. To do this, type something like "Already Registered? Click Here to Log In". Then make that a text link (click on the hyperlink icon) to your Secure Area section you just created. You will find that as a menu item under the 'Website Link' section. Check the frame box and click add link. Once the link is added, press the "enter" key on your keyboard once to move your cursor down so the form can be added below that link.
5. Click on the form functions icon (small red dashed box) then choose the “Form Info” option to add your form.
6. If you would like a standard contact form, choose “Contact Form” from the “Form Template” drop down menu. If you would like to create your own fields, choose “Blank” in the drop down menu.
7. Enter the subject you would like to have emailed to you and which email address to send the form to.
8. Check the 'Use AutoResponse' box.
9. Enter a response title. This is the subject of the email that will be sent automatically to your website visitor once they fill out your form. This should be something like, "Your Property Search Password".
10. Enter your response text. This is the body of the email that will be sent automatically to your website visitor once they fill out your form. This will be where you give them the password to login. Be sure to include the password so they know how to login. You may also want to instruct them to click the 'already registered' link for when they return at a later date.
11. In the “Redirect” section, choose your Secure Area page from the “Website” drop down menu. This will redirect your visitor to the login page for MLS access.
12. Click on the “Insert Form” button. If you used the “Contact Form” template your form will be there. If you are designing your own form, add the fields, then move on to the next step.
13. Once your form is added, click on the “Save and Exit” button.

Next, change your MLS Search button to go to the registration form:

1. Click on “Design Center”
2. Click on “Nav Bar Manager”
3. Click on “Buttons”
4. Click on the “Edit” link next to the button that currently goes to your MLS Search page. Change the link for that button to go to the new form page you just created.

Also, to change any homepage or other text links to your MLS Search to go to the registration form:

1. Click on “Page Manager”
2. Click on “Home Page”
3. Highlight your link text or image that goes to your MLS Search
4. Click on the hyperlink icon
5. Change the link for that text/image to go to the new form page you just created
6. Click on the “Save and Exit” button

10. And finally...Don't forget your OFFLINE marketing!!  It is so important to have your website address on all of your promotional and contact materials.
    
    Here is a quick list...but don't be afraid to get creative!
     
    • Business Cards
    • Voice Mail (example: “Hello, you’ve reached Joe Agent, please leave a message and I will return your call.  In the meantime, please visit my website at www.JoeAgent.com”)
    • Email Signature
    • Flyers
    • Post Cards
    • Promotional items such as pens, hats, sweaters, name tag, sign riders, and any holiday promotional items, etc.
    • URL on your car with a back window sticker, license plate frame, or URL tag
    • Newspaper Ads
    • Magazine Ads
    • Actively investigate any available avenues in the media that “the other guy” is not taking full advantage of.  On any given day, you can practically look around and discover an unlimited source of advertising avenues waiting for you to take ownership and include your web site URL address.

So grab your cake and get comfy here in front of your computer and get to work on your website.

Advanced Access
8101 East Kaiser Blvd, Suite 300 Anaheim, CA 92808
Toll Free: (866) 518-1571
Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 6:00 pm (Pacific)
Saturday & Sunday, 7:00 am - 4:00 pm (Pacific)
Email: Support@AdvancedAccess.com
Website: http://www.AdvancedAccess.com

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