One Website vs. Multiple Websites [Archive]

marcinsarasota

09-11-2005, 05:48 PM

Jiany

09-12-2005, 12:02 PM

Marinsarasota
Hi this is Jiany in Miami.
Funny you mentioned multiple site. Im in the process if doing the same strategy. I have www.Floridarealtyfinder.com and im in the process of getting another one built for Miami. I also have www.realestateresell.com.
How do you keep up the optimization for them?
Seems like it is pretty hard to handle one let alone 3!

Chief Tutor

09-12-2005, 03:01 PM

You truely are one of the the internet success stories. 70-80% of your business coming from the internet is amazing.

Anyway, I am a big believer in having multiple websites. We do not control the SE's and if thery were to change significantly, you might be out of business very quickly.

I am also a big beleiver of integrating a cost effective PPC plan into any overall website marketing plan. Not to target primary terms but secondary terms which can still be achieved in a cost effective manner. Cost effective manner is going to vary by market but should end up being between 20-50 cents per click.

Lastly and in addition, when you look at the primary reason you are achieving those results, I hope that not all businness is coming from one or two keywords. To achieve a successful long term strategy, you want at least 30%-40% of your buisness coming from a variety of keywords even when the majority is coming from your primiary organic rankings.
Just my two cents...

Jiany

09-12-2005, 03:37 PM

Hi Chief tutor
Yes your right. Although I HATE PPC, I do it to a degree.
Knowing how to be on top for organic key words is amazing.
The internet for me is truly where the power relies.
Be a realtor does not give me much time to research and be on top for organic keywords.
Do you have any tip on organic search terms and the process to get to the top besides key words, blogs?
PS is this Josh?

Nickie

09-12-2005, 04:57 PM

I really just got my website fully operational a few months ago and am now starting to see results. I have been considering developing a couple more, each one dedicated to one specific city. I think what you are doing, having multiple sites, is a smart decision.

I can see how getting too many things going at one time could easily become a headache. I'm not sure how many you have, but you mentioned consolidating some of them so you must have quite a few.

Sounds like another good decision to me.

Nickie

09-12-2005, 05:00 PM

Oh yes, I meant to mention, so far I have not participated in PPC, but I have been considering it. Do you feel that it is worthwhile?

I'm considering it for my newest site but have no experience to determine if it is a sensible thing to do.

marcinsarasota

09-12-2005, 05:56 PM

Lastly and in addition, when you look at the primary reason you are achieving those results, I hope that not all businness is coming from one or two keywords. To achieve a successful long term strategy, you want at least 30%-40% of your buisness coming from a variety of keywords even when the majority is coming from your primiary organic rankings.
Just my two cents...

Fortunately, I am getting leads from various search phrases. That is a great point though. With these algorithm changes it makes one nervous.

marcinsarasota

09-12-2005, 06:08 PM

How do you keep up the optimization for them?
Seems like it is pretty hard to handle one let alone 3!

Jiany,

The SEO is the hard part. That is why I am going to consolidate a few sites.

I think the Google, Yahoo and MSN are working hard everday to make sure their search engines are getting better. The websites with the most content and large quantity of quality links with do the best. (I know there is more to SEO than that). I still see sites with little content do well in the search results. In my opinion, that will change in the future. Ultimately, the search engines want the best websites to come up first.

So should we concentrate on one super rich content site or build multiple sites? There are only so many hours in the day to work on this stuff.

Just in case of another algorithm change I will continue to maintain multiple sites.

Chief Tutor

09-12-2005, 07:04 PM

Nicki,

You said that you just put your website live a few months ago. If that is the case, I would not even considering doing another website for a year. I would focus a least one year on your current website and then from what you have learned in getting that site working, put it back into a second website.

Most of the people of these forums have had their websites for a year or more so I beleive so you have to understand what they are basing their comments on.

Just my two cents...

Nickie

09-12-2005, 07:09 PM

Thank you. Excellent point.

I actually just got my second site up for my other business and it is doing quite well.

I think you are offering good advice, since I am beginning to get good results from both sites. I will wait and see how they develop until the beginning of the year.

Thanks again!

Jiany

09-13-2005, 06:29 PM

Hi Marc
Hi Marc
Your right time is very limited.
In terms of marketing, I think that organic search is the best advertising available, but am afraid that the algorithm might change as you mentioned.
There has to be a formula to being on top besides content. I often see my competitors way on top with less content then my site! They must have something going on.
By the way are you the one optimizing you site?
Do you work by yourself or in a team setting?
Well Im off to the big apple, speak to you soon!

Phoenix Realtor

09-14-2005, 12:52 PM

My vote is for multiple sites.

I currently have six (two of these are blogs) and of those one is a single page (sort of aging it right now). Four of them, www.PhoenixHomes.com, www.ArizonaRealEstateNews.com, www.ParadiseValleyLiving.com, www.ScottsdaleAzLiving.com, place decent in the SERP's. I listed them in the order that they get traffic, PhoenixHomes.com being #1 in traffic and leads. My other blog, from this site: http://arizona.realestateforum.com/phoenix/mpellerin/ doesn't place well in the SERP's, but then again, I just started posting to it. I noticed that the few other blogs from this site are all using the old blog software. Take a look at mine and ask "Chief Tutor" here to set you up with the new software. Just don't copy my skin please, pick your own unique one! :D

***Deleted this paragraph for personal reasons***

ibuyhomes

11-24-2005, 04:11 PM

I have a different reason.
I think you should have one site that concentrates on the words home and the other the word house.

Also, I am ranked very high for various phrases like "sell my house fast" in google and msn, but I don't show up at all in Yahoo. So I am building a new site just for Yahoo search engine optimization.

I learned an interesting thing about Google yesterday to share. In the new release they are giving more relevance to sites that are registered for a long time. The thinking being that you are in it for the long haul. So go to your registrar and get the full ten years or most possible.

Make sure the multiple sites do not have duplicate content, because you may be penalized.

Jiany

11-25-2005, 04:52 PM

Hello I buyhomes
Good thinking
I had the same idea, and I went ahead and build a site name www.realestateresell.com The poit of the site is to have client post their property for free on it. If a deal comes up then I will try to jump on it.
Well it is friday and late happy Thanks Giving.

JohnHoward

11-27-2005, 08:52 AM

I am using two web sites. One is a template design and the other is a custom design. Not sure about the long run of having multiple web sites. They do take a lot of time to manage, but then again the web is were the action is at. John

shanebacker

05-11-2006, 05:59 PM

to phoenix realtor and mark

mark you have some great sites. two out of the three sites have a pr of 4 that’s very good, but in order to get to a higher pr you will need to spend some money. also i check some of your keywords and you are appearing on the first page of google. which is very good. you must be getting great leads from that. also you have 24 thousand back links to the site www.thesarasotamls.com. which is also very good

as for phoenix realtor your site had a page rank of 6 which is awesome. and you have about 8 thousand back links.

as for me i have jsut started a series of websites for my mortgage business, i just started last month, but i have tons loads of seo research. my first website is http://mortgageloan.us.com. which is going to be the main site, then every month im going to make a new site that is super keyword niche. then im going to put a banner on each site to the main one... at that time then i might be able to optimize for the word mortgage loan which is my goal.

shanebacker

05-11-2006, 06:04 PM

Business_with_Greg

05-11-2006, 06:41 PM

I have 2 but 1 get's about 50% of my business. It used to be a higher % but I hit the streets for local realtors. It balanced it out.

Since I can do all 50 states I bet this would be a great idea. SEO is easy for state specific web sites for mortgage loans. Except CA..

So less is not more.

jay19n64

05-26-2006, 06:58 PM

I made the mistake of using a lot of the same text for 3 out of 4 sites, and Google basically canned my #1 site and only indexed the other 2. I had to use the self exclusion tool to get my top site back in.

I also get around 70-80% of my business off the web.

northcaptiva

06-16-2006, 10:35 AM

I have multiple sites geared towards different keywords. I, too, still derive most of my traffic and leads from my main site. You can see my site by searching for North Captiva Island Real Estate ( #1 ).

kensmith

06-20-2006, 02:51 PM

Couple of important points about using multiple sites. First is the text must be unique, next avoid crosslinking, and IMO use different SEO tactics with each if you are trying to make sure an update doesn't kill your traffic.

Rollo777

07-08-2006, 10:42 PM

Hey this is Stephan from realestatenexus.com, and right now i only handle one website, but am beggin to develope more to increase traffic for very similair reasons, and don't think that it will effect hits from your first websites traffic

frobn

07-09-2006, 05:17 AM

Has anyone thuoght about using multiple subdomains as opposed to multilple domains. Subdomains have unique characteristics in that they are treated individually by search engines.

Chief Tutor

07-09-2006, 07:44 PM

We have gone back and forth in regard to subdomains. What we have done is used subdomains for separate tools associated with the website. For example, forums, blogs, etc...

Also, if you are targeting different geographic areas in regard to real estate, we set up separate subdomains for each area.

Just my two cents

kensmith

07-09-2006, 09:46 PM

So you are using a sub domain per city?

Chief Tutor

07-09-2006, 11:43 PM

In our case, it is states by subdomain but it is the same idea. We then use folders for cities like as a example:

california.domain.com/city

John1

09-11-2006, 07:47 AM

will it make much difference to have multiple sub-domains instead of multiple domains

spjain81

09-15-2006, 02:18 AM

I have multiple websites for my area and 70-80% of my business comes from the internet. Most of my leads come from one site. I started to build other sites so I did not have all of my eggs in one basket. My goal is to have 3-4 sites producing consistent leads. This way if any one of the sites fell out of the search engines for any reason my income would not take a huge hit. As it stands now, if my Sarasota site (ranks well in Google) dropped in the rankings my production and income would suffer.

I was wondering how many of you are juggling multiple websites? How many of you are just concentrating on one site?

Any opinions on having one site versus multiple? I will always have multiple sites but am thinking about consolidating a few.

It's a good strategy to create multiple sites. You are right that if a site drop on search engines then your other sites will generate revenue and your revenue will not be effected. It's difficult to handle multiple sites but if you can handle then you must do it. you need to spend your time for each website and it's really a hard work.

John1

09-23-2006, 09:37 AM

Absolutely right... It is better to involve all your time to make one best site than makng many

-

For those of you with credit problems, a good source of bad credit lenders may be found

http://www.rebuz.com/Directory/Bad-Credit-Loans.htm Bad Credit Loans

http://www.rebuz.com/Directory/Bad-Credit-Mortgage.htm Bad Credit Mortgage

http://www.rebuz.com/Directory/bad-credit-refinance.htm Refinance

http://www.rebuz.com/Calculator/Mortgage-Calculator.htm Mortgage Calculator

kelouba

09-27-2006, 09:54 AM

I have multiple websites for my area and 70-80% of my business comes from the internet. Most of my leads come from one site. I started to build other sites so I did not have all of my eggs in one basket. My goal is to have 3-4 sites producing consistent leads. This way if any one of the sites fell out of the search engines for any reason my income would not take a huge hit. As it stands now, if my Sarasota site (ranks well in Google) dropped in the rankings my production and income would suffer.

I was wondering how many of you are juggling multiple websites? How many of you are just concentrating on one site?

Any opinions on having one site versus multiple? I will always have multiple sites but am thinking about consolidating a few.

In respose to that, you are better off with multiple sites, as you say one may get dropped from google and u have all your eggs etc.
The only problem with multiples is they are a lot more work than one site, and you have extra costs. All in all though multiples are better than one imo.

Mount_Vernon_Real_Estate

09-29-2006, 08:28 PM

Do not consolidate... from the looks of it you have good PR on each site (google sees you as a valid/valuble site) you have a good number of backlinks to two of the sites (these are worth their weight in gold) Perhaps a better plan would be to sink some money into the sites and create a consolidated backend, so an update could be reflected on all of the sites. Got to go... battery running out on the old laptop ;)

k3nn3th

10-06-2006, 07:49 PM

I am new and does not have a lsiting yet. What are the listings that I can use to put on my site If I do not have my own yet?

RentLocator

10-24-2006, 09:50 AM

The best Idea is to have multiple sites. I have 5 websites which all get leads. One my most popular sites is Florida Rent Locators which is a uniquerental locator that specializes Palm Beach County. The website offers the largest source of houses, apartments, and condos for rent in the area. FloridaRentLocators dot com.

Is a great site and has a large clientele. It helps people all over Florida Find Rentals in Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, Miami and more.

Get a good designer and put a site up. Then get SEO optimization!
It should work great!

bigzane

10-30-2006, 06:01 PM

fresnosells2u

11-02-2006, 09:16 PM

hey, I just started a new post, but i am working with a company that does what most do for a fraction of the cost. intagent.com They seem to have there stuff together and offer really good sites for very cheap.

- Greg

Hi Greg,

I never thought of getting multiple web sites before this thread but it really sounds like a great idea if they all generate business! :)

I'm curious about your experience with intagent.com. I came across them recently while looking for a web site and have been looking at them and a company called Z57. An associate at Z57 told me that the rumor around the industry is that one of the other big established design firms has a big legal case building against them. I guess it was the big conversation at the California Association of Realtors convention a few weeks back. In any case, i thought you should know since you have a web site with them.

bigzane

11-03-2006, 02:29 PM

building a case with Intagent.com or with z57? I've not heard anything like that before with Intagent. they've always been friendly and easy to get ahold of. Maybe it was just a marketing trick they were trying to pull?

spanishproperty

12-12-2006, 08:34 AM

I think quite a lot of companies have several domains, as you said "having all your eggs in one basket" can be a gamble especially when you are a small company and most of your leads come from the net.

We are in the same boat as you, we don't advertise anywhere except the internet and if we only had one site and for some reason the one site that we had lost its ranking in the SEs then what would we do.

I believe it's harder to look after 5 or 6 sites instead of one as you have to be careful not to made them too simular and copy content etc. But I find it easier to have separate domains to cover all angles.

brokersuccess

12-12-2006, 09:20 AM

The key to this is to have Target sites for specific prospects. For example: FreeBoulderCMA dot com or BoulderMLSSearch dot com - they have specific purposes and capture specific leads.

Just make sure you have a Target specific drip campaign for each type of site. Email me at rob@agentbrokersuccess.com if you have any questions. I'll be happy to help.

RBCONDO

01-02-2007, 08:31 AM

I have three sites for different segments of my real estate market. It works very well for me but it is a full time job running and promoting the three sites not to mention a ton of money. I do not recommend it for the novice webmaster. It's difficult managing one good site let alone three or more.
I also have a few test sites, image hosting sites, specific community sites and forums etc etc.... I guess you could say I'm a full time nerd.

brokersuccess

01-02-2007, 04:24 PM

As an agent our dollar productive activity is NOT being a webmaster, sitting behind a computer or developing materials. It should also not cost you a ton of money to make it work. Your ROI is maximized when you are "belly to belly" with prospects and clients.

The right website should be automatic: capture - cultivation - conversion. The only time you should even know it's there is when you are responding to the email or phone from someone who says, "thank you for keeping up with for the past.... I have narrowed it down to 6 houses in 2 neighborhoods and I would like to go see them on Friday."

Leave the web evelopment, implementation and systems up to the experts. Take a look at: www.TargetSiteSecrets.com (http://www.TargetSiteSecrets.com) - it will give you some ideas and answers.

All the best and Happy New Year!

Robert

__________________
www.AgentBrokerSuccess.com (http://www.agentbrokersuccess.com/) | www.AgentSuccessSite.com (http://www.agentsuccesssite.com/)
REAL Solutions for Real Estate Sales Success!

vanbao

01-20-2007, 10:40 PM

Hi, I am new here and I think having multiple websites can do more harm than good. One, it is a lot of work to maintain multiple websites. Two having more than one website can decrease your credibility. And last but not least, your customers will get confused.

I think a better way is to use CRM to maintain close relationships with your clients. Some people get a a lot of referal this way.

brokersuccess

01-21-2007, 06:51 AM

While it is good to hear different opinions on every subject - I completely disagree with "vanbao"....

1) Agents should not have to maintain multiple websites IF they have the right solution and system. As a matter of fact - the only thing an agent needs to know how to do is use email. The websites should be completely automated for capture, cultivation and conversion of leads. Your dollar productive activity is NOT in front of a computer... it's in front of people! While you can use and setup this type of system with almost any webhosting company - I recommend www.AgentSuccessSite.com (http://www.AgentSuccessSite.com) - it is completely hands off and automated.

2) This does not confuse prospects and/or clients/customers. The sites are used for different purposes. Lead Capture is completely different from Lead Cultivation and Conversion. The mis-perception by real estate agents that they only need one site and it needs to have "I Love Me" marketing on it is what is keeping them from being successful and keeping the lead generation companies in business.

3) Having multiple sites will NOT decrease your credibility - in FACT: it will increase it tremendously because you know what you are doing. Of course, I guess that Google/Yahoo/Microsoft aren't credible as they have MANY different web sites for many different purposes.

Just my thoughts.....

All the best,

Robert

vanbao

01-21-2007, 06:57 PM

Robert.

I guess it is different solutions for different people. Some people choose to have multiple websites in the hope of catching a lot of new leads. Then they try to turn these leads into clients.

Some people choose the route of cultivating close relationships with their existing clients and get them to make referals. I like this method better as the referals tent to be more quality clients.

I guess it is just different methods.

brokersuccess

01-21-2007, 07:23 PM

It is a proven fact that an agent who solely relies on referrals does not build a business as fast and as growth oriented as one who uses both referrals and lead generation.

On another note: I had a feeling that you weren't a agent.... :-)

vanbao

01-21-2007, 09:30 PM

Robert,

I did not say that agents should solely rely on referals. All businesses and agents should explore all options in trying to find customers. Some use several of websites to try to find new leads, some find new clients through their existing customers base, others do direct mailing. Whatever work for them.

To me, I just think having several websites can be a lot of work maintaining them. I think you get better results if you concentrate on one website and focus your remaining effort on another method like trying to cultivate your relationships with your existing and former clients. This could lead to lots of referals.

If you read my comments carefully, you will find that I am merely suggesting that cultivating good relationships with your existing clients can lead to good results. This is my opinion and others might differ. A lot of people I know don't use the web to look for a real estate agent. They only go on the agent's website do learn more about the agent once they have found one some other way. Some people people might use other methods.

Anyway, I guess we each have our opinions.

brokersuccess

01-22-2007, 02:53 AM

Here's my final statement...

I am counting on the agents being much smarter, working much smarter and NOT listening to those who haven't actually done it! This of course leads to them making and netting much more $$$.

HHI Golf Guy

01-22-2007, 12:17 PM

vanbao

01-25-2007, 10:17 AM

The only good reason for having multiple web sites is if the ad content on the site targets unique buyer demographics.

99.9% of real estate web sites take the "one-size-fits-all" approach to content or focus only on the agent instead of the buyer. Each ad that you run (print media, TV, radio, web, etc.) should be targeting a specific buyer demographic. McDonald's does it. Coke does it. All the big boys do it.

My favorite example of targeting a specific buyer demographic were the Cadillac commercials that they ran a few years ago. You may have noticed Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" playing on the background. Cadillac and Led Zeppelin are not what you consider a natural match. BUT - Cadillac was trying to sell to that 40-50 something demographic that grew up listening to Zepellin.

It's a simple fact that if you target your advertising to a specific demographic you will have more conversions. You may not have as many web inquiries (most of which are junk anyway) but if you're good at what you do you will convert more sales.

Totally agree with Golf Guy above. Marketing is extremely important and it must be done correctly or else you will waste a lot of money and time. We all have 24 hours per day, no more no less. If you can learn to run your business better and more efficient, you can save a couple hours a day. With that time you save, go play golf, spend it your family, or do whatever.

Having a good website is very important in these days and age. A good professional website tells a lot about the agent who owns it. So to me, having one good website with all the right content on it is important. If you can implement a CRM system on the website, that would help tremendously. This will definitely increase your referals and help you acquire those high quality clients. Companies like Dell and Apple all use these system to help them became so successful in selling their products.

I any one want to learn more on how they can implement a CRM system on their website, contact me and I can show you how.

Trust me, I know what I am talking about because I own a marketing firm here in the US my my wife's family owns a firm in Japan.

brokersuccess

01-25-2007, 12:13 PM

I have to comment on these posts ....

No offense, but I took a look at your site designs. They are very pretty - the problem is that they are not funtional in the real estate world. These are the same pretty - "I Love Me" sites - that have been taking agents money and producing no results for so many years.

You talk about CRM systems on Dell and Apple and how that is why they have become so successful. No offense, but you are not even close to being correct in why either of them are successful.

You may want to read the following books to educate yourself:

Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry (Collins Business Essentials) (http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Dell-Strategies-Revolutionized-Essentials/dp/0060845724/sr=1-1/qid=1169755553/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6250810-2429768?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Michael Dell and Catherine Fredman (Paperback - Jan 3, 2006)

How Dell Does It (http://www.amazon.com/How-Dell-Does-Steven-Holzner/dp/0072262540/sr=1-2/qid=1169755553/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/102-6250810-2429768?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Steven Holzner (Hardcover - Dec 19, 2005)

Apple Confidential 2.0: The Definitive History of the World's Most Colorful Company (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Confidential-2-0-Definitive-Colorful/dp/1593270100/sr=1-1/qid=1169755604/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-6250810-2429768?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Owen W Linzmayer and Owen W. Linzmayer (Paperback - Jan 2004) - Illustrated

The Apple Way (http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Way-Jeffrey-L-Cruikshank/dp/0072262338/sr=1-2/qid=1169755604/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-6250810-2429768?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Jeffrey L. Cruikshank (Hardcover - Dec 19, 2005)

Please don't take this offensively - but I am pretty straightforward and don't candy coat things.

The majority of real estate industry suppliers have absolutely no idea of how to Capture/Cultivate/Convert real estate leads. They produce pretty sites that feed the agents ego and don't provide what the consumer actually wants. If you want to see what the consumer wants, take a look at the largest internet informational and sales sites in the world. Then make your own decisions on web site design and methodology.

Good luck all!

Robert

vanbao

01-25-2007, 03:17 PM

Hi Golf Guy,

Good luck on your endeavor to finding the right system that works best for you. In addition to the system, also look into the people providing the system.

You want to make sure they give you good support, have a great customer service, and care whether the system work for you or not and not just try to sell you a product.

You don't want to waste a lot of time buying a system and find out later the customer service is horible.

Good Luck.

brokersuccess

01-25-2007, 03:35 PM

I 100% agree with that - service, support and success with the system are critical. Oh yes - 1 other ingredient... actual proven training on how to use the system and get the highest Return on Investment.

Good luck!

Robert

vanbao

01-29-2007, 10:45 AM

Hi flam79.

I received an email from the system saying you asked for my opinion regardting HK Realestate. This is my reply.

In general , I prefer to custom websites over generic ones. The reason is you are a real estate agent. You have to sell yourself first before you can sell your services. Your success is highly dependent on people being able to identify with you and feeling comfortable about you. Thus, having a generic website, I don't think, will help you with that. If I was a customer looking for a real estate agent, I would not pick an agent whom I don't know and all he/she has is a generic website that many other "part-time" agents out there have.

Think long term, spend a little more money and build yourself a custom website that is unique for you. It takes a few days to build a website, but a life time to build a person.

Just my two cents.

duru

02-03-2007, 04:31 AM

I used to have multiple listing sites. I then realized how much of a burden it was to manage all. So I then decided to put everything under one umbrella (goDuru.com). Its alot easier to manage now that I have one (also when you have a great team behind you). So yes, I will go with having ONE that works, than having awhole bunch of sites anyday...

CS_Laura

02-03-2007, 05:06 AM

I have only one site, and have found it to be much easier to not only control and track, but to also maintain quality fresh content. This has helped me with SEO and to drive traffice to my site. I'm not sure if multiple sites would help out in the long run for SEO or not. But I find that I'm busy enough with real estate that one site is all I can handle. Personally I would rather have one site full of quality content that is updated on a regualr basis, than three sites that I can't control.

brokersuccess

02-03-2007, 06:03 AM

Here's the problem and the solution guys/gals.

1) the public doesn't want to know you
2) the public doesn't want to speak with you
3) they want information anonymously
4) they want it with ease of use

This places us in a "Catch-22" when it comes to Lead Capture - Cultivation - Capture. The ONLY solution to this - and this is proven - not theory - is to have multiple websites with different focuses. Those being specifically Capture - Cultivation - Conversion.

Now, if you are going to continue with 1-single site with everything on that one site then you will have the same results as Yahoo and Microsoft in their fight with Google - you will lose the battle of Lead Generation. (Sidebar: look at Microsoft's new search engine - Live.com vs. the old msn.com - BIG statement).

There is a reason that companies like househunt, homegain, justlisted, etc. are in business and making millions. It's because our typical real estate agent has no clue as to how to capture leads on the internet. You have to give them credit, they have found an industry that is more fed on ego than results - hence the proliferation of "I Love Me" marketing (including the websites).

The solution: mulitple web sites for specific purposes controlled by a single "back-end" to control each site... :rolleyes: All of which are automated to Capture - Cultivate - Convert prospects to your clients/customers.

If you want to continue listening to the "web designers" or "marketing experts" or "part time failed real estate agents" out there - go ahead or if you want to listen to the top agents in country ... either way, your choice.

Everyone has heard the old adage: "A wise man learns from his mistakes."

Did you know there are 2 additional parts to that saying....

"A wiser man learns from other peoples mistakes."

"The WISEST man learns from other peoples successes!"

Model success if you want to succeed - not failure.

If you want help, send me an email - I'll be happy to help!

Good luck!

Robert

vanbao

02-03-2007, 10:20 AM

Robert,

You crack me up.

axemedia

02-16-2007, 04:55 AM

For the most part I agree with Robert. Particularly this;

1) the public doesn't want to know you
2) the public doesn't want to speak with you
3) they want information anonymously
4) they want it with ease of use

But the Lead Capture - Cultivation - Conversion can be accomplished with one site.

I do like the idea of multiple sites that target different demographics though. But would be tough to implent SEO wise. Are different demographics using differnt keywords? Generaly no. "your city real estate" is used as commonly by 30 year olds looking to purchase thier first home as it is by 55 year olds looking for the dream home.

Using multiple sites to reduce the risks associated with an algorithm change sounds good in theory. But if your using multiple SEO strategies for each why not combine that effort into one site. Taking a diverse appraoch to SEO would make the site a more trusted authority in the SE's eyes. With a very diverse link profile. Should there be an algo change it may cancel only part of your efforts. Your other tactics should help it maintain rankings, or at least allow you to work your way back up easier.

Unless your up to some obvious dirty tricks that you know will eventually backfire.

I think there are too many agents here that are trying to do all the webmastery themselves when it would be more cost effective to hire that out to a pro. Paying an experienced SEO to manage your site should get you the rankings you want sooner as you dont waste so much time on the learning curve. And free up your time to service clients instead of endless hours browsing forums for ideas, doing link exchanges, tweaking your site, submitting to directories, etc.....

vanbao

02-16-2007, 07:55 AM

axemedia (http://www.realestateforum.com/member.php?u=4351)

My exact point. Time is extremely important and we each have only 24 hours per day, no less no more.

Spending your valuble time trying to manage multiple websites, in my opinion is not the most efficient use of your time. Have one complete and professional website should be sufficient. The rest of the time, spend it building relationships with your past and present clients and the family.

If I was looking for a real estate agent, the first place to go is to ask my friends to recommend me one that have used and like. I will not go on the web to look for a real estate agent.

Not all but a lot of those people who go on the web to look for a real estate agent probably don't have good judgement and you don't want that kind of clients any way. So be careful with using the net.

axemedia

02-16-2007, 08:25 AM

Yes, but.

The reality is that most people are turning to the internet. Buying a home is a huge commitment and many people take months or more to think about it, research the market, look at listings, etc.

They use the internet to do all that. So when they search for "my city real estate" and land on a real estate agents site, that agent has a great opportunity to attract new leads.

If the site is easy to find, has lots of usefull info + listings, and can portray a sense of trust, the site will pull in lots of quality leads. The agents who are doing 70% of their business because of their well ranked websites can attest to this.

vanbao

02-16-2007, 08:29 AM

I agree. In this internet days and age, you need to have a web presence. That is why I say to have ONE complete and professional website.

YourOrlando.com

02-17-2007, 12:01 PM

I have multiple websites for my area and 70-80% of my business comes from the internet. Most of my leads come from one site. I started to build other sites so I did not have all of my eggs in one basket. My goal is to have 3-4 sites producing consistent leads. This way if any one of the sites fell out of the search engines for any reason my income would not take a huge hit. As it stands now, if my Sarasota site (ranks well in Google) dropped in the rankings my production and income would suffer.

I was wondering how many of you are juggling multiple websites? How many of you are just concentrating on one site?

Any opinions on having one site versus multiple? I will always have multiple sites but am thinking about consolidating a few.

I only have time for one. But, if I had the time to do several well than I would agree with not having all your eggs in one basket.

brokersuccess

02-17-2007, 01:06 PM

Here's the bottom line:

1 website will not capture - cultivate - convert leads effectively. To do that you must have specific sites for specific purposes.

Here's where all of you are missing the point. You should NOT have to deal with ANY of the multiple websites - only the converted leads when they reach the point of buying and selling. You dollar productive activity is NOT working on your web site(s) - it's belly to belly with people... PERIOD. If you are spending even an hour each week working on your web site - you have the wrong web site and host.

With the right web site(s) you don't have to work on your web site - just cash the checks.

Good luck,

Robert

gregreed

02-20-2007, 01:27 AM

Which type of site brings the most qualified traffic?

What keywords work best? I noticed somewhere somebody mentioned 25-50 cents per click. The keyword "real costs" $5/click in Australia!

Any other suggestions?

tung108

02-25-2007, 04:37 AM

I think muct have multiple site, at least each one can have inbound link to the another one, so the serach engine can see how inportnat of our sites.

builderscut.com

03-02-2007, 12:53 PM

After going through the multipul site stuff..I work for coldwell banker in New england we have nemoves ,coldwellbanker,ect. number of sites designed to bring in buisness..So I decided to operate a site that everyone could use at least for new construction and land.My name is Harry Christopher feel Free to contact me at Info@builderscut.com

luinlenora

03-04-2007, 08:21 PM

Of all of you that are using multiple websites whats the chances that streaming video on websites will increase seo does anyone know are people aware that putting video on your sites is now easy and cost effective please let me know your thoughts for those of you who have websites with or without video also are people designing their own websites or paying someone else to do it please send me your thoughts etc

luinlenora

03-04-2007, 08:23 PM

email me your replies or questions if you want more info luinlenora@helloworld.com

OneFeePlus.com

03-19-2007, 08:55 PM

I currently own 97 domain names and my goal is to develop each one of them. My first sites YourMortgageDoctor.com , InvestorMortgage.org are usually in the top 10. I own domains having to do with InvestorMortgage for each state except Texas and Florida eg "AlabamaInvestorMortgage.com" "AlaskaInvestorMortgage.com" etc.

A large part of Search Engine optimization is Keywords in the domain name which is what is driving my desire to have individual states. i also have many supporting sites. (RealEstateInvestorArticles.com MyLoanPrograms.com etc.)

My goal is to have all of these sites to generate interest and leads. Once the leads are generated then it is up to me to convert the leads

Danny

spanishproperty

03-20-2007, 06:37 AM

I have already posted on this thread early on in the discussion, but it is interesting what others have to say.

brokersuccess - quote
"1 website will not capture - cultivate - convert leads effectively. To do that you must have specific sites for specific purposes."

I must agree with this - I am trying to get people from the UK to purchase a property in Spain, think of how many different keyword searches there are for Spain ! Thousands, and my sites only cover a smal fraction of the Spanish property market, so if you think that one site can capture the leads to keep the ship steady you are wrong.

We have about 10 sites, maybe more - but the point is that they all bring in leads, some more than others but they work and that is what we are looking for.

Deana

03-21-2007, 03:15 AM

I just got a website up over the holidays after working at it for about 6 months. The learning curve was incredible with having to put up forms, get e-mails going, etc. Not having done a site from scratch, it was a lot and now the SEO is where I focus all my energy. It's like chasing a moving train!

My broker provides templated sites and I maintain that one as well, plus a Point2Agent site. My strategy is to use each site not only for a particular area, but a particular area of expertise. My hand made site is pointed at Condo Buyers and Sellers in Macomb County, MI. My Point2Agent is pointed at home buyers and sellers but because it allows the creation of virtual tours the big benefit is that you can link the free P2A tours right to the MLS instead of paying a tour company. And then the broker site is . . . . well . . . the typical template site with not much room for wiggle.

In the future I'd like to create a condo site for other area counties, then maybe an investor / foreclosure site, a luxury home site, etc. Each set of customer is unique. The best thing is that you can link YOUR sites to YOUR OTHER sites and offer unique information in each.

Deana Vitale
MacombCondoGuide.com