BiggerPockets

What are some good ideas on real estate websites. I've seen some very good ones. 2 Questions:

1. How important is having my own real estate website?

2. What are your recommendations on website building companies?

Michael,
Thank you for the quick and excellent info!

im starting in blogs. if i got money for the hosting, i might start my website as well

I think a great place to start is to ask yourself what your purpose is. If you're going for credibility and trust building, a branding site is what you want to build, e.g. a FAQ , About Us, Home and so forth.

If your looking to build your buyer's list, a simple opt- in page is what you want, e.g., First name, Primary email address.

A blog page is great if you want to interact with your subscribers.

And last, a sales page for, you guessed it, if you want to sell a product or service.

It really depends on what your goal is for a website.

I don't think most investors think long term when it comes to branding and web strategies. What we as investors today will not be what we do a few years from now.

For instance, in today's market, The Norris Group focuses on rehabbing houses. In a few years when the market in California bottoms out, we'll be optioning land. A few years later we'll most likely be building homes and dealing with sellers directly.

Those websites can look VERY different. Do you create websites that are catchy or do you build a name and a brand that can roll with the times? It all depends on your goals.

When we start dealing with sellers directly, having a more robust website will be necessary along with an 800 number, signs, and mailers all integrated for a complete marketing campaign. There are a few sites that bring it all together but it's typically expensive. However, redesigning brands and websites every few years could be even more expensive then if you do it just once.

I recommend investors start with something like LinkedIn if they are just looking to start simple. I think this gives them good guidelines on what other professionals will be looking for including background, education, professional affiliations, and testimonials.

If the investor feels they need to take it to the next level, I suggest they find a great designer only after they've fully explored exactly what they want the website to do and who their audience will be in the long term. Designers aren't investors and won't know what you need. If you refuse to learn minor web design, you will forever be attached to someone who will be doing it for you. Be careful of designers who disappear and always get those passwords!!! Also keep in mind constant changes add up.

Do plenty of homework. Come to a designer with your three top websites that you love. Look for other investors that are doing what you are successfully and try to raise the bar or make it your own. Don't just copy. Build a lasting brand that you're proud of.

Keep it simple. Less is more. And follow the three click rule. If a visitor can't find what he/she is looking for in three clicks or less, you're doing something wrong! And please don't load up the site of your site with calculators and a million buttons! It looks horrible.

Great comment, Duncan! You sound like a guy with some marketing background. Thanks for helping.

A web presence may be optional today but is becoming more critical for the future. I personally advocate blogging if you have the time to commit because it invites consumers into a conversation with you and acts as an immediate trust agent.

There are many great ways to start blogging (there's even a blog button up top of this page you could use to get started on one) and the advantages are many. Blogging is how many people are investing their time as preparation in a down market for the coming upswing while others ignore it, they'll benefit greatly. Think about it: you're building content while others don't exist and if the content is Google friendly, *you* will be the search result over someone who has just started because Google trusts you.

Regardless of what direction you head, shop around, there are many rip-offs out there but there are great deals (some as low as $0) to be had. When you've narrowed down your search, come back and ask the group their thoughts- chances are we have happy or horror stories about web development companies you're looking at!

I would definitly obtain a website, but make sure you get a good domain name. You can buy a domain at godaddy.com and they usually give you a free Website Tonight account. This is a very easy and straight forward design template and DIY website software. They even provide free hosting as long as you don't mind them running advertising across the top of you site. So really your cost is about $10 and a few hours of your time. Good Luck!

For initial developments, i think you should start with a blog posting and do some research work through it.What are the main concerns you should add them in your websites.

I recently tried to find out some sales statistics for property guys and the only information I found was that they are not publishing their statistics anymore.

The reason I ask is because I know someone who had their home for sale with property guys, it sat for months and they finally hired a Realtor. The home sold.
The thing I found odd, was that when I went to property guys website, the house was still on their site and it said "congratulations on selling your home with property guys"
When I phoned property guys to report that the house was sold by a Realtor not property guys there was silence on the other end. Property guys said they would look into it and get back to me, but they never did.