February 17, 2010

Who’s Managing Your Domain Name?

Filed under: Real Estate Websites, Technology — admin @ 11:26 am

Website gone down? Realtors™ managing their own domain names risk this happening up to once per year, and the worst part is that their websites could be down forever…

What’s a domain name?

Wikipedia defines a domain name as follows:

“A domain name is an identification label that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control in the Internet, based on the Domain Name System (DNS).”

Put simply, a domain name is the address of a website; for example, www.RealPageMaker.com is a Domain Name. Domain names are sometimes referred to (sometimes incorrectly) as:

  • URLs
  • Website Names
  • Web addresses

How are domain names purchased?

Domain names are purchased through domain name registrars who are accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Here are some examples:

Registrars charge a variety of fees and typically offer a variety of different services including (but not limited to):

  • Website design
  • Website hosting
  • Email
  • Domain name parking
  • Domain name back-ordering

Who Owns a Domain Name?

This is a good question. Most people think that once they pay for a domain name they will own it indefinitely. The fact is that a person or company cannot “purchase” a domain name outright because they must continue paying registration renewal fees to keep control of that domain name.

In essence, domain names are like rented real estate - you can sign variable term leases (1-10 years), but the lease will inevitably expire and need to be renewed, or terminated.

What happens if I miss a payment on my domain name?

Missing a payment on a domain name can be EXTREMELY serious. Here’s what typically happens:

  1. The Domain Name Registrar will email the technical and administrative contacts associated with the domain notifying them that the domain name registration has expired and that the domain name has been suspended for 30 days.
  2. After two weeks, the domain name registrar will email the technical and administrative contacts notifying them that the domain name is entering a redemption period (prices go up here!!).
  3. After a month, the domain name registrar will send one last email notifying the registrant that the domain name is about to be lost.
  4. Within a few days the registrar will offer the domain name to any third parties that have placed back-orders on the domain name (though this practice has become less common recently some people are unlucky enough to lose their domain names to these “domain squatters“). The successful back-order will become the new owner of the domain name.

Recovering a domain name once it has expired or changes ownership can be an extremely expensive proposition. In many cases, unless the former owner is willing to pay hundreds, or even thousands of dollars, he/she will need to abandon the former domain name and start again. This means new business cards, email addresses, promotional material, advertising campaigns, search engine optimization, etc.

So, who should manage your domain name?

The following are criteria that qualify someone to manage a domain name:

  • They check their email AT LEAST once per day, including weekends
  • They will never change their email address
  • They are experienced in domain name registration processes
  • They use only the most stable registrars

Managing the domain name properly is crucial for the success of any website. Serious professionals will leave this up to the experts.

February 2, 2010

How Many Websites Should A Realtor Have?

Filed under: Marketing, Real Estate Websites — Sam Prochazka @ 10:48 am

Lots of Realtors® have more than one website, but is it really worth it?

The More the Better, Right?

Web designers looking to sell more product will say that multiple websites will:

  • give more places for leads to visit
  • create better niche targeting
  • allow different websites for different customers/property types/etc.
  • provide a wider net to catch business with

“Yes, but these are all good reasons to get multiple websites, right?”

No. The truth is that having more than one website will:

  • force a Realtor’s® to be spread his/her resources proportionally (and thinly) over all websites
  • confuse visitors looking for everything under one “roof”
  • weigh the Realtor® down with more technical issues such as complex interlinking, website maintenance, etc.
  • cost MUCH more

One website is best

The fact is that one well-designed website is best, period. Having one website allows:

  • the Realtor® to focus all his/her resources on promoting one domain name/brand
  • the Realtor® to be specific, focusing on perfecting one single website rather than several
  • the Realtor® to offer one focal point for ALL activities (MLS® searching, blogging, brand-building, etc.)

Conclusion

The bottom line: more money, more fun, and more time off are all better… but having more than one website isn’t.

December 22, 2009

New MLS Search!

Filed under: Real Estate Websites, Technology, Upgrades — Sam Prochazka @ 11:32 am

Today RealPageMaker released a massive free upgrade to all customer’s website MLS Searches:

New MLS Search Engine

New MLS Search Engine - Map View

New MLS Search Engine - List View

New MLS Search Engine - List View with Predictive Search

The new search Engine includes:

  • Predictive searching (in Beta)
  • Address, MLS Number, Neighborhood, and City specific searching
  • Ability to choose between sliders and drop-downs
  • List view for results
  • Enhanced statistics
  • Additional map search tools
  • More fine search options
  • Better integrated market statistics
  • More obvious VIP features
  • Larger map workspace

Stay tuned for a whack of upgrades in Q1 2010…

October 19, 2009

Free Google Advertising (with video)

Filed under: Marketing, Prospecting, Real Estate Websites — Sam Prochazka @ 4:35 pm

Ever wanted to get free exposure on Google? Now you can!

Google has a service called the Local Business Center, which allows you to add and edit a listing for your business so that it’ll appear in some search results and on Google Maps.

Here’s the deal:

You can access this service at: www.google.com/lbc. If you’re in Canada make sure to use the SMS verification process as the phone verification doesn’t seem to work.

This will work best for those who sign up first. Make sure to get on it!!

UPDATE: Similar services provided on Yahoo and Bing:

The Biggest Website Mistake You’ll Make This Year

Filed under: Buyers, Real Estate Websites, Sellers — Sam Prochazka @ 3:09 pm

What will be your most costly mistake this year? Vacationing at the wrong time? Not working hard enough to lower your sellers’ expectations? Being late for a big meeting? Not being on Twitter? Guess what… it’s none of these.

The biggest mistake you’ll make this year is not being reachable by your customers.

You’re probably thinking:

“This doesn’t apply to me - I’m always reachable through my office; I even give my cell phone number to serious customers…”

Don’t be fooled:

Definition of Reachable: “… To succeed in getting in contact with or communicating with …” (courtesy of The Free Dictionary)

The key word is, “succeed.” Unless your customer succeeds in getting contact with you, then you’re not reachable. Ask yourself honestly, “how many times during the day am I TRULY reachable.” I bet the answer will surprise you.

Top Producers look at things differently - though they themselves might not be reachable, their “services” are. For example, when you call the office of a Top Producer you’ll always get someone on the other end of the phone. In most cases they’ll be able to help get the basic information you’re after, and if not they’ll be able to tell you when to expect a call back from the Realtor™.

Many Top Producers take, “reachable,” to the extreme:

  • They put their cell phone numbers on their listing signs and websites, and rarely use answering/paging services at all.
  • They provide a wealth of information through their real estate websites including listing information, detailed explanations of the entire real estate process (looking/listing, moving/mortgages, etc.), MLS® Searching, and much more.
  • They are fluent in, “E-Language“.
  • They are efficient and know when to cut to the chase.
  • They rely on systems in their businesses to keep them, “reachable.”
  • They set explicit expectations for themselves and staff about, “rechability.”

Here are some simple things you can do TODAY to make yourself more reachable:

  • DROP THAT PAGING SERVICE!!! Make sure your office gives out your cell phone number and/or website URL
  • Be accessible on the internet - Realtors™ without websites are dead in the water
  • Keep your cell phone voice mail message short and sweet, but make sure the caller knows when you’re going to call them back

September 15, 2009

Step-By-Step: Keeping Visitors Coming Back

Filed under: Marketing, Real Estate Websites, SEO — Sam Prochazka @ 8:41 am

Most agents think of their websites as a single-use tool, capable of delivering value only once to each visitor. The key to being successful is keeping the website useful so that visitors keep coming back. Here’s how to do it, step-by-step.

Step 1: Determine your niche

Every successful Realtor® has self-reflected and chosen their particular area of specialty. Here are some common niches:

  • Rental property sales
  • Multi-family building sales
  • Land parcel sales to developers
  • etc.

Successful Realtors® will only choose a niche that meets the following criteria:

  • There is a big enough niche demand
  • it is not over-filled with competition
  • it has entrance barriers (connections, training, experience) that will prevent competitors from entering
  • it can be easily advertised (doesn’t require long explanations)

Step 2: Profile your customer

With a niche in chosen, it’s now much simpler to zero-in on potential customers. To profile a niche customer, begin by asking the following questions:

  • What is the customer’s income?
  • What is the customer’s age?
  • What are the customer’s extra-curricular interests?
  • Where does the customer spend his/her time?
  • What does the customer search for on Google?

Successful Realtors® take their time with this - and are often be surprised what they come up with.

Step 3: Target your customer

One of the most successful Realtors® I know targets doctors who like golf. He’s from humble means, and needed to save up for over a year to pay the $15k membership fee at an exclusive central golf club. It took a few months and a little networking, but he managed to work his way into their circles and sold several large, centrally-located houses to some of the most exclusive customers in the city.

This is an excellent example effective customer targeting.

Step 4: Provide a point of reference

When you enter your niche, you’ll be amazed at how referrals start coming to you. It’s at this point that your website begins to play a critical role as a point of reference for this inbound business. Make sure your website achieves the following:

  • Ranks at the #1 spot on Google for your name
  • Provides your niche information on your front page
  • Provide hot-links to other key sections of your website (MLS® Search, contact page, blog, etc.

Step 5: Give them a reason to return

A good website is one with fresh information. Here are the must-haves on a good, up-to-date website:

  • Latest MLS® data
  • Market statistics
  • Market news

Visitors MUST be able to consider your website as the gospel about your niche. Make sure to invest adequate time in keeping your information current, and relevant.

September 14, 2009

Top 4 Listing Detail No-Nos…

Filed under: Marketing, Real Estate Websites — Sam Prochazka @ 4:44 pm

Even the slightest difference in wording can turn a killer listing description into a wet noodle. Here are the top 4 mistakes you can’t afford to make:

1. Being Bland

Check out this lack-luster description:

“Good 1 bedroom apartment on the second floor, new kitchen, new fridge and dishwasher, hardwood floor, new paint, ceramic tile in kitchen and bathroom…”

Have you ever bought something that’s, “Good,” if there’s something right next door that’s, “Great?” Maybe, but only if it was $10k less.

Words like, “Excellent,” “Great,” and, “Fantastic,” will attract more buyers and showcase your listing better.

2. Too Short

Having a description like,

“Great condo on Howe Street, appliances, view, secure building. Shows beautifully.”

will frustrate potential purchasers and tell sellers they’re not worth more than one line. Make sure to include the details people are looking for - bedrooms, bathrooms, exposure, view, amenities, back yard, area.

3. Too Long

Long descriptions bore readers and increase the possibility of spelling or grammatical errors. Keeping descriptions between 80 and 140 words will ensure the perfect balance of enticement and brevity.

4. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

Spelling and grammar mistakes are by far the biggest mistake Realtors® make when writing listing descriptions. Such mistakes are inexcuseable in this age of spelling and grammar checking software. For an excellent, completely free wordprocesser and office suite, check out OpenOffice.

September 11, 2009

Your Real Estate Website’s Most Important Feature (with video)

Filed under: Real Estate Websites, Technology, Video — Sam Prochazka @ 7:02 pm

For a professional website, take our trial:

Full Name:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Website:

Agents are often sold on websites because they are great looking or they are “all about Twitter.” Unfortunately, most of them lack the most important tool…

To capture business online a good MLS® Search Engine is a must-have. It’s as simple as that. See which category your website falls into below:

1. Real Estate Websites With NO MLS® Search

Have you ever gone into a book store and not been find any books? Probably not. Imagine what visitors to a real estate website think when they can’t find MLS® Listings?

It’s seems obvious doesn’t it, but still there are tens of thousands of real estate websites out there without even the most simple of an MLS® Search. These websites offer virtually nothing of value to their visitors other than a good photo or a twitter feed. These are the Internet versions of roadside billboards - some are attractive, others are ugly, all are useless.

2. Real Estate Websites With Gated (Blocked) MLS® Search

Do you like going through airport security? Me neither - and if your website forces visitors to register before they can use your MLS® Search then you’re turning away lots of business.

Some websites will partially block, prompting you for information every time you click, but giving you the option to continue without registering. That’s almost as annoying as a little paperclip icon popping up and saying, “It looks like you’re writing a letter…,” almost…

3. Real Estate Websites With a Good MLS® Search

If visitors can access the most comprehensive and complete information possible, quickly and easily, you’ve got yourself winner, and a fantastically useful tool to offer you clients. A good MLS® Search offers:

  • map-based searching of listings
  • 1-click search results - users never need to hit a search button
  • simple and advanced search options
  • all MLS® listings in your area, updated at least hourly
  • can generate leads by offering additional resources (market snapshots, specialized searching, etc.)

So, when you’re shopping around for a real estate website, make sure you ask - what kind of MLS® Search Engine do you have?

September 2, 2009

6 Vital Real Estate Website Must Haves

Filed under: Marketing, Real Estate Websites, SEO — Sam Prochazka @ 10:30 am

Ever wondered why some Realtor® websites make it and others don’t? Here are 6 vital must-haves that can make or break almost every website:

1. Personalized Content

Whether it’s testimonials, profiles, marketing information, etc., successful websites must have customized content on all pages. Leaving generic content on a website earns absolutely no loyalty from visitors whatsoever.

2. Targeted, Graphical Links

Big graphics that grab the attention of visitors are a must for a website to be successful. Graphics like this,

Catchy Graphic

Catchy Graphic

will direct visitors from your front page to the lead generating pages on your website

3. Customer Relationship Management

A good website will automatically keep you in touch with new leads generated from your website, as well as your existing sphere of influence. Realtors® with websites that don’t offer a blog and a well-designed Customer Relationship Manager are missing out on huge dollars.

4. Search Engine Optimized Website

A successful website must be designed with search engine ranking principles in mind. Achieving a good search engine ranking for keywords of your choice relies heavily on how your website is designed. Make sure your hosting company knows what they’re talking about when it comes to SEO.

5. Scalable Design

A good website must be able to grow with your business. Being able to add pages and content without worrying about increasing costs or bandwidth limitations will save frustration and potentially disasterous consequences in the future.

6. Full MLS® Catalog

We saved the most important for last: a good Realtor® website MUST have the full MLS® catalog on a Map-based search engine.

August 27, 2009

Which Online Classifieds are Worth It?

Filed under: Marketing, Real Estate Websites, SEO — Andy @ 1:27 am

There are any number of online classifieds that Realtors can post listings to, but which ones are actually going to improve sales?

Here are the metrics I’m using the gauge the effectiveness of various classified services:

Popularity of site in your market - Popularity of classifieds sites are very location-dependent.

Relevance of users in your market - Sure, it might be popular, but what type of people are actually using the sites? Does the site’s search engine allow for very precise classifieds searching?

How quickly can listings be posted - Some sites make it quick and easy, others make it ridiculously cumbersome.

Back-links - Are they allowed? Are they free?

So, on to the list…

1. Kijiji.ca - 4/5 (just because back-links aren’t free)

Popularity: 645th most trafficked site. Most popular in Canada. Less popular than Craigslist in Vancouver
Relevance of users: 4/5. Search engine is friendly,  pages are indexed by Google for relevant search terms
Postings: ~30 seconds. No account required.
Back-Links: $4.

2. Craigslist.org - 5/5

Popularity: 25th most trafficked site. Popular in the USA, and Vancouver.
Relevance of users: 3/5. Search engine is not very user-friendly and therefore traffic won’t be as targeted. Pages are indexed by Google for relevant search terms.
Postings: ~30 seconds. No account required.
Back-Links: $0.

3. Google Base - 2/5

Popularity: Unknown, although Base does not have a lot of listings compared to the others in this article.
Relevance of users: 4/5. Search engine is very targeted. Pages with relevant content appear on generic Google search as well.
Postings: 1/5. You need an account, and need to enter all kinds of personal information. Once done, it is easy to add listings, but still not as convenient as the above.
Back-Links: 5/5. $0.
Notes: Base may pick up steam in the future, but for the time being, your most time-efficient posts are with it’s alternatives.

4. Facebook Marketplace - 1/5 (unless you have a big business network on Facebook, or are investing in building one)

Popularity: Unknown. Facebook is a closed system, so search engines can’t access it. Also, people commonly complain that your listings are accessible to people in your network by default.
Relevance of users: This depends entirely on what your Facebook network looks like. If you do a lot of business on Facebook, you probably already know about Marketplace. If not, give this one a miss.
Postings: 3/5. You need a Facebook account, which most people already have.
Back-Links: 0/5. Don’t exist - Again, Facebook is a closed network and cannot be indexed by search engines, so forget SEO if you decide to use Marketplace to market listings.
Notes: If you’re big into online social marketing, Marketplace will be useful for you. For everyone else that is trying to drive the most traffic for the least amount of time and money, Marketplace should be at the bottom of your list.


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