It's all about attention. Everyone wants attention. In business and in real estate in developing web sites it's all about getting the eye balls to find you and read about your offering and decide to start working with you. There's the "stickiness" of the web site in how long people stay at your web site, or leave immediately bored out of their mind.
Most Realtors know to not have ads and websites that constantly talk about ME, ME, and ME, and instead provide valuable information about the areas they cover, and include home valuations, and searches on properties.
But a recent stat I saw said this about the source of total web traffic:
Typing the URL in the browser 52%
Links from other sites and ads 41%
Search Engines 7%
Now that was surprising, given all the extra work the Search Engine Optimization experts make all the non-techie types do to get a Page 1 rank or be at the top of Google for more business.
The point in web sites are they are just one vehicle like many to communicate your story to others about why you are the "dude" or the "lady" to do business with and be the trusted one in your area with your expertise and experience. Don't obsess about Search Engine Optimization but have a balanced approach to getting the word out that you are the one to work with. Heck just calling a former client up on the phone and seeing if they had a nice holiday with the family might work more wonders then tweaking a web site up to move from #4 to #2 when searching for homes in your city. Keep things in perspective and always remember that real estate is a PEOPLE business.
LOL, Gary..I LOVE your photo! Great article, too BTW!
Gary...Thanks for a touch of reality. We have to remember that the personal touch in every aspect of our life is important.
How did you get my picture? I deliberately used a different one on my profile page.
Thanks or No Thanks, Kathleen
Kathleen: You look much better than Mr. Ostrich.
Konnie: The big bird does get your attention, no??
Marchel: You summed it up with web, networking, referrals, past clients. Business comes to us in many directions.
I would be interested to see the source of that stat....
Although, it does seem that I get a whole lot more direct traffic than search engine hits.
Gary - Great post, you are right about the Realtor obsesion with the SEO. The website presence online is important but most important is to build your net of customers by doing business the old way, "because we are supposed to REALTORS first"
Hi Pat: Glad to hear from you again. Hope the dental work goes well. I am dealing with the withdrawal but these Celine Dion flicks should help out. Wow, many Alice in Wonderland images! And yes I have no patience. I'm working on it, but it is like oil and water with me. I know you can relate. I'll find your other comments on that other one. I didn't say I don't miss anything. Work eats up my time too you know. Take care of yourself.