Hi Ross,

That has been my focus lately also.  I have tried the color background and searching other top rated sites in the U.S. and Canada and reading everything I can about pay-per-click (which on Google adwords you can set the limit) which seems to be working, and SEO.  So far it is doing o.k.

I would like to know if you (or anyone) has found the 'magic' ppc pull for the consumer.  I am doing three campaigns right now and the one that clearly states it is an individual Realtors site seems to do the best.

I am finding that most websites that offer more hits are junk.  And expensive.  One I went to today boasted '83 sales in 8 months' from strictly internet marketing and when I googled the Realtor he was nowhere to be found...I had to do a very specific search to find him. Lets just say I almost needed his birth certificate..

I think we can all get the hits but how do you capture them without frightening them?

Hi Guys,

I am using the Homegain approach, so far so good. The leads are good and I only pay 29 bucks a month with a 30% split of commission Iam on 100% so it works for me.

Website design and functionality are obviously getting alot of focus.  My husband and I have put some thought into this and drew from some of his managerial background.  The first thing we were asking was what role the website plays within the business model?  Is it simply a lead generation machine?  Is it more for information? So forth and so on.  We then looked at some of the consumer studies being done to find out what the consumers are really saying as to how they are using the internet in the world of Real Estate.  The answers became pretty clear.  And we designed the website around the same philosophy as we would if we were constructing an office that the customer would visit for their Real Estate needs.  That means an attractive entrance, information available about the area and about myself and my Broker, pamphlets they could take with them, listings, advice, the ability to leave a message, and a place to come if they need assistance during the transaction process.  And it had to be comfortable and organized.  A full service Real Estate place.  Just like a brick-and-mortar office is.  

Ok.  So the buidling is set.  How do you get people to come in.  My website is posted just about everywhere I can and my picture.  I "blog" on a local online bulletin board with some bits of advice and note more is available by visiting my website.  I also use email campaigns which I've seen decent spikes in visitors after each one I send out.  And I make sure my customers are aware of the services available to them such as Utilities Connection/Transfer, local links, buying and selling advice.  I just "framed" in the Lowes Realtor Partner site and I love it.  It has great services for moving and selling and videos from HGTV.  

So how is it going?  Traffic is somewhat steady.  Not overwhelming or "write home to Mom about".  My customers are liking it especially the ability to access reports about their listing.   I don't want to get too consumed with it, because it would be real easy to rely too heavily on a website and deter from the real plan  . . . leads, listings, and sales.  It's a part of the business . . . not the business.  But we tweak it here and there and look for feedback.  Video seems to be real popular right now and we embedded in the Realtor video ad right on the frontpage as well to support that Realtor brand.  Oh, I really like those Smiley things and my husband and I went back and forth about that and the "professionalism" of them.  I won by the way and got the Smileys on my site.  

Sorry about being lengthy and I hope this helps.

Kathy West