Hey there,
Newbie here. Really have been in the research stage at this point, but ready to make my move into the 'real' world. I have some great prospects and am in the process of prepping for the exam and getting started.

My question is - it really seems like in these times you need a website presence to be known to help to have people take you seriously. I'm convinced it will go a long way to making people see you as someone serious in the business.

So...what tools to use? I have researched this a TON and have narrowed down to what I think is the best website tool out there, but wanted to check with folks before taking the plunge?

Thanks in advanced for the advice!
Mike

Here's the site I am thinking about:

http://realestate.sitesell.com/sitesthatwork.html

Has anyone out there used this? It seems to have a good view of the real estate market - but I'd love to know someone who uses it?

I've seen better. that's not really getting a bang for your buck to be honest.

Michael,

Websites serve multiple purposes, and they are essential in today's market. People who have the means to buy a house have a computer, and they use it. These days, they use it at work. Yellow pages, print ads, and other traditional marketing methods are ancient, blunt objects.

Choose carefully. Ease of use may also limit your capability.

Think like your client or buyer. They are busy. The web allows them to save a lot of time. Serve that mind set.

First, your website is your gateway from your offline advertising and networking to online presence. All of your offline marketing materials should feature your website. Get a domain name that is easy to remember and "type in".

Second, your site serves to display and feature your own listings, and prefereably the local MLS listings as well. Whatever solution you select, it should have that capability, or the capability to add it.

Finally, if you are interested in garnering seach traffic to your site (and you probably should, but suprisingly, many agents ignore this completely), your site must be prepared and structured to get it. It does not happen automatically, and don't assume that your webmaster will do it for you. You need to understand what it's all about and become and engaged participant.

Here's a multi-page document about search engine optimization that was specifically written for real estate professionals, using real estate examples:


Search Engine Optimization Basics For Real Estate-Related Websites

I hope it helps.

You can 'me too' with a templated system or spring for a reasonably priced custom site where you own and have full control of your server.

I use Point 2 Agent which seems to be pretty good. They have some good tools for a reasonable price. I have received many leads and closed deals from the site. My website is www.SouthShoreHouseHunting.com if you want to check it out.

here is a site we are about to launch for an agent

beta site for agent -- link here

check out the mls search its pretty sweet

here is my company site
link to my company site

Massrealestateguy - great website. I'm still working on mine (slowly) and am always checking out others. Yours is really clean, concise and classy. I like the way you placed the MLS search right on the front page. Nice work....

I built my website through Imagepro.com You have everything you need to customize it and it's free for thrity days. It's $79.95 to start it and pick your domain name. After that $35/month is all you pay to maintain it. I consider mine the best in my city.

www.liveinvisalia.com

Mike-
Forget that system.
Go with P2A...it's free with
great support.
http://agent.point2.com/
Tom

Massrealestateguy, yours really is a nice site. Mine is built in P2A Standard, but I keep reaching capacity. Can't fund the Professional version quite yet, but so far, I've been able to get content there within the Standard version which is free.

I'd recommend go join webmaster forums like DP that way you'll learn all you need to know about building websites. It's pretty simple actually.

I found a GREAT service...finally. check this system out. www.eRealtorStudio.com $15.95/month and you get every single option that some of the services that cost $125/month cost.

I emailed Bruce (the owner) and he promptly got back to me. The listings service they offer is one of a kind- you add your listing to your website and it is automatically submitted to ALL the major search engines AND all of the listings are available for RSS feeds to, which really impressed me. Not to mention it has a VERY easy Agent Control Panel that is something I personally find very usefull, check it out.