Thread: Need site design thoughts...

Just a quick look at the site and it looks good. The image you have up as a demo has a basic layout that can be followed, looks easy to navigate. I can tell you more about useablity when you have it up.
Possibly think about "Featured Properties" section. Maybe have one home you list on your landing page that changes daily, weekly, or however. Just an idea......
I would also think about adding a mortgage calulator, so home buyers can see their spending ablities. It could be small but just something else to help your clients and keep them on your site.

Do the same for me, if you could. Give me some feedback on one of my sites: http://www.applytorefinance.com

We are always updating the site and would like to hear what you think....

Thanks BCE,

Some of those will be addressed. I just went back into real estate and wanted to get my website up to par before really going gung ho into landing business. In other words, I have no featured properties (hehe).

The mortgage calculator will be there, in the quick links.

Was my business card too much?

Hi Canadian Realtor
On your site I would add a link that say deals, and pitures with a house that was bought at a low price and re sold at a higher price. This will give your clientel a reason to want to call you. And it will make you stand out from the rest.Late

Originally Posted by Jiany

On your site I would add a link that say deals, and pitures with a house that was bought at a low price and re sold at a higher price. This will give your clientel a reason to want to call you. And it will make you stand out from the rest.

Be VERY CAREFUL how you word any information regarding returns on investment. Real estate law allows you to state facts, but it is a violation of real estate law to promise or even imply that future gains can be made from real estate transactions.

Well Rod, I'm going to have the nerve to be rather unkind.
But why -- just why -- would anyone think of contacting you?
You give them no information about yourself, what you've done, or what you're capable of doing. All they get is a list of comunity events or a link to MLS databases -- none of which is likely to result in a call to you (about real estate, at least), is it?
Admittedly, you're at the starting point in creating (and filling out) your website. But, surely it has to have a purpose?
Assuming anyone will ever find it -- and I can't see the search engines being any more excited about it than I am -- what are you telling them?
For website to be any good, it has to have content and enough of it to keep people reading and provide some good reason(s) for them to get in touch with you.
In that you're with Royal LePage, why don't you do some browsing of the innumerable excellent websites some fellow agents have? And, if I remember my own time as one of their agents correctly, isn't there a whole service aimed at helping you build a topnotch site of your own?
Right now, though, I can't help thinking that you're simply taking up cyberspace!!

Duncan

haha, no hard feelings Duncan.

I am happy to report that you are wrong. That site has been live for less than one month, is posting #1 in MSN for a competetive phrase and has generated 4 solid leads this month.

As for RLP's 'assistance', everything they want cost $$$ for not great work. Just and FYI Duncan, I have worked for 2 of the biggest real estate web designers here in Canada, and all our research shows that people want listings first, community information second and to contact the realtor third.

I appreciate your input, but as for taking about 'cyberspace'... you are wrong, G, MSN and Y! bots are back everyday and big time...

PS: I visited your website... umm, you may want to look at your own website downfalls before harshly (and wrongly) criticizing others... IMO.

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree.
But no hard feelings on my part, either.

Duncan

I don't think it is a matter of agreeing to disagree... It has produced results when you stated that it wouldn't (and that was the first month). You are the first person to critique it negatively, so maybe that is why I became defensive. I am quite happy with the self design of it. Google is not sandboxing me, which to me means something, and I work hard to make sure the information is what the consumer wants.

Originally Posted by Canadian Realtor

haha, no hard feelings Duncan.

I am happy to report that you are wrong. That site has been live for less than one month, is posting #1 in MSN for a competetive phrase and has generated 4 solid leads this month.

As for RLP's 'assistance', everything they want cost $$$ for not great work. Just and FYI Duncan, I have worked for 2 of the biggest real estate web designers here in Canada, and all our research shows that people want listings first, community information second and to contact the realtor third.

I appreciate your input, but as for taking about 'cyberspace'... you are wrong, G, MSN and Y! bots are back everyday and big time...

PS: I visited your website... umm, you may want to look at your own website downfalls before harshly (and wrongly) criticizing others... IMO.

I agree with you that listings are the most important content--at least for visitors--but I am curious as to which key word phase or phases you are targeting.