Tri-County, MA Real Estate Blog

So my last post kind of got me thinking about my personal website.  www.eringolding.com.  I've never been happy with it.  It just doesn't do everything I want it to. Maybe it's because I'm not sure exactly what it should do.

I know there are some important components:

1. IDX- duh

2. Personalization. Or maybe I should just say, make it about you.  Infuse it with yourself.  Tell the prospective client about yourself and why they will like you and want to work with you.

3. Ease of Use. Buttons that say what they do and exactly where they take you (the client), which is where you (the client) wanted to go in the first place.

4. Easy on the Eyes.  Yeah, it's gotta be pretty and fun to navigate.

5. Some way to capture the visitors.  Whether this happens through the IDX or a guest-book or what I'm not sure and my Newbie status is showing now, but that's what I have ActiveRain for right?  What do you find is the best way to capture the client?  To get an email/phone number/ etc?

6. Cost.  Not just a concern for me, but for all who are in their own business.  How much should a good website cost?  If anyone feels comfortable sharing, I would be grateful to know what you spend per month or year on your website.

7. Customer Service.  Is your website provider available for any questions or problems?  Are they interested in retaining you as a client?

8. Easy to update.  If you make your own changes, as I do, are you able to to it easily and quickly.  Is it user friendly to make changes on your own?

What else?  I would love to hear your suggestions or examples of personal real estate websites that you think are ideal.

What is the client looking for in a website?  Are there things about your website that clients have said, I loved that!?  It made me want to work with you!

If anyone is willing to share the name of their website provider, give them a shameless plug here!

I'm really looking to make the most of my internet presence and I know that one major component is my website.  How do you make yours stand out?