Here is an idea I've had that I'm not aware of anyone doing, at least not in my neck of the woods.

Domain names are cheap, in some cases $5.00 if you know where to look.

Would it be a smart idea to give each individual home its own domain name with corresponding web-brochure?

Since many people are afraid of using the phone, I know I have a phone phobia, they would feel more comfortable in exploring your listing online.

But why not just use 'janesmith.com', my name? I think for a few reasons:

-To accentuate a certain aspect of your listing. For example, if your listing features a unique atrium you could put 'uniqueatrium.com' in advertisements and for sale sign.

-To lend importance to a listing. I think people are still in awe of the internet and give credence and authority to websites. A house with its own website, it would seem, is not ordinary.

-To pull in fence sitters. Maybe a potential buyer is thinking of buying a house but needs a push. I think "DreamBrickHome.com" is more likely to pull in this class of prospect than "ProfessionalBrokersWithAMillionHomes.com".

There are other good reasons to give individual listings their own domain name but you get the idea.



[This message has been edited by James Veillon (edited 06-10-2004).]

Well, I thought it a good idea anyway.

Hi James,

The idea is not new so that may be why you did not receive much interest in the post. Some agents use a variation of the idea using subdomains for each listing.

The idea is a good listing tool especially if you can demonstrate that the domain or subdomain has good search engine positioning with the benefit of extra exposure for the seller.

This is somewhat self advertising - so, moderators, please feel free to delete or modify if I have broken any forum rules..

There are solutions available that integrate a "listing" solution with a content management system - this would allow you to have links from your listing to complete content pages - which could contain as much detail as you required - including additional images, etc...

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eListing Realtor Solution
http://cartikahosting.com/content/view/55/88/

Doug,

The domain name does have some value for search engine marketing but not much.

What I have in mind, and I'm sure others are doing this, is to market to people that may be passing by on the street. I have yet to see anyone, however, in my city do this sort of thing. Like I've read elsewhere on this forum, many RE pros put up a website without exploring internet technologies fully and yet complain when their websites fail to produce.

On another note and since we're advertising, I'd like to offer any newbie or even pro on this forum free website listing software.

I'm building a real estate listing CMS from the ground up and am just about out of beta with it.

It is being coded on Linux OS in PHP and uses mySQL database.

My offer is that I'll help you set it up and customize it, it's very customizable. You'll recieve free upgrades and support.

You supply the webhost and domain name -no strings whatsoever (well, maybe a bit of feedback would be helpfull).

Check it out: http://www.ebigman.com/REScript/index.php

Let me know if you'd like to check out the admin area.

James
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http://www.ebigman.com -Web Builder @Large

Domains are cheap enough. It's the hosting that can get a bit expensive.

Here's what I do:

Register domain names through a registrar like GKG.net, which gives you a free parking page. Those parking pages will allow you to set up a main page which will link to your main site. You get to mix and match URLS and meta tags, plus linking all URLs to all the other URLs is a good thing.

However, I wouldn't do this for listings. Listings should be handled in a database with easy editing capability. I use other domains to focus on something else like geographical areas, for example. All your secondary domains would link to the listings in the database on your main site.


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CCD Realty One

Well...it seems to me... that you would want to promote your main website everywhere all the time so I don't see the value in greatatrium.com or 123main.com. I'd rather have folks looking at greatrealtor.com or whatever. now adding a page greatrealtor/com/123main or 123main.greatrealtor.com might work.

Seems like buying seperate domains is an expense that actually steals traffic from yourself. After the listing sells then what? I say keep it simple, promote your home page and put a photo link on it.

I think a related idea that might go somewhere is WAP (cell phone browser) sites advertised on your sign so folks can see a virtual tour right there right now and get in conatact with you.

Just my 2 cents, and thanks to the miracle of the internet you get it free. :P

To be honest with everyone so far, just the difficulty of getting your "home's site" up, listed, and maintained correctly would be a headache... Most people use sub domains or if they have a bid enough website, an entire page... To my thinking, it would be some more expense and more maintenance that most of us Realtors just don't have the time nor the patience for... If you wanted to do the work yourself, the way homes sell in the areas I work around, you would need an assistant devoted to just about that alone...

Good Idea, it may work in areas that it takes longer to sell properties in... or for different types of properties, like big commercial, development type property, etc...

Good Luck and just a couple of my two silly cents...

Duane

Domains can be had for as low as $5.00 -much less than most of other promotional activity that goes into marketing a home.

No traffic is lost becuase links to the general site can be included on the specific site -the specific site would act as an inducement to explore your other offerings. The major brokers in my area seem too generic and just a part of the clutter of home sellers -this is the way I see it at least.

I guess it is an extra step for many agents but it would certainly be worthy to seperate yourself from many agents!

Any agents in the New Orleans area wish to help me test this?

why don't you use dynamicaly generated pages for each listing from your main site - content page is changing based on QUERY_STRING request. Contact me if you need more details on it.

Hi James and Guests,

I am part of the Real Estate industry as I do mortgage loans. I as well own a business that does hosting and media design. My business does a lot of work for realtors and loan officers in New Jersey and New York.

I think that giving each listing its own domain name has no real value for you. I would suggest registering a domain name under your name own like JamesVeillon.com. From there you can give each listing their own subdomain; via an mls number such as 1698.JamesVeillon.com or you can also do page redirecting such as JamesVeillon.com/1698 and have the page call the mls listing page in your web site!

I give this marketing tip to all my clients because this helps your web site get hits and as well market your name online. In the long run this will help score big points with the search engines.

Setting up something like a domain name for each listing is not expensive; but the fees can accumulate and it is also time consuming if your planning on doing it on your own.

Visit my web site at www.kcire.net to see our hosting packages. I offer a package for $4.95 with 5GB data transfer and 100MB web space, unlimited email accounts, unlimited databases, unlimited sub-domains, ssl support and many free features.

Good idea for some markets, some agents.

Like you said, domains are inexpensive. Plus if you have your own server (I own a couple) or have a web host that's amenable to adding new domains without charging you extra or very little, and have the capability (e.g., your own staff, or like me, you can do it yourself easily), why not?

I won't bother with some low sales listings, but it helps make a good impression in trying to secure listings of multi-million dollar homes.

I work the Beverly Hills market, and the (former) top player of the LA Lakers has his place for sale as he's joining the Miami Heat. That's Shaquille O'Neal who likes to call himself Superman. Now, I don't have the listing (I wish I did --- it's a cool $7.5 million home), but you could get a domain like SupermansHouse.com or ShaqsHouse.com, or just go for the address like ?????AubreyRd.com (his house address). That might make an impression if you're making a presentation to list his house.

If you lose the listing, you dump the domain and lose $5 (or keep the domain and work it into you website link popularity scheme). If it ends up being the edge that gets you the listing, the $5 cost is easily offset by a 2.5% commission of $187,500. Cool. ;-)

Best of luck!

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Ruperto Elpusan, MBA, e-Pro
Broker/Officer
Beverly Hills-Malibu-Palos Verdes Real Estate
Torrance/South Bay Real Estate

I read an article in the WJS recently that described DROdio.com's method of buying a domain with the address of a home for sale (i.e. 123mainstreet.com). Of course, the article made it sound unique. If it was then, I'm sure it's not now.

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Marc
Leads from realtybaron.com

i do this for large apartment complexes and commercial deals, after closing i pass on the name to the buyer.



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Wes Murphree
Investment Realty
http://www.SCInvestmentRealty.com
http://www.3NetLease.com
http://www.MultifamilyListings.com

I've done this for clients several times. It's great for giving the client extra percieved value for your services as opposed to another agent. My clients think the $5 for the domain is worth it - and designing a custom site can be done in as little as 3-5 hours.

Here are a couple of examples:
http://www.burjanfarm.com http://www.3201sunsets.com

Just my $.02



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Cheryl Allin
VirtuAllin Administrative Services
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IVAA Certified Real Estate Support Specialist
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