What website designer or package deals would you recomend? And what are the monthly & or set up charges?

Would you recomend using the hosting features? Aproximately how much do those run?

How or what should I choose for a domain name? Some recomend using ones name, others the particular area in which work in?

Thank you for your help!!

LD



[This message has been edited by sblindade (edited 08-04-2004).]

Hi LD,
Lets start at the beginning

What market are you in? What are the keyword phrases you want to compete for. Are you an individual agent or a company owner?

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Rich
Real Estate Websites
Search Engine Optimization

I am a REALTOR in Santa Cruz County (mid to south county) & North Monetery County, CA. I am an individual agent.

There are just so many option out there that it makes it confusing to dcide what I need. I now that there are certain websites that offer all the bells and whisels, but do I need all that?

Not all of my clients are computer savy, but these children are.

I just feel that it is time.

As for compeating for key words.... I want to be able to put a website address on my marketing materials, not necesarrily
'compeate' for the first website to pop up on google. I think that there will be always someone that is willing to pay an arm & a leg to be on the top of that list & I do not think that would be the best alocation of my budget.

I would honestly prefer to have a bilingual website (Spanish & English) but I relize that I need to take baby steps. For example first I need to choose a web address.

Opinions are split in the area. Some say it is all about name recognition others about advetising the area tin which you concentrate in. For instance there are many websites that are JohnDoeSellsHomes or LiveinSantaCruzCounty.

What is the best way to go? As you can see, I am not the best speller (in english nor spanish), but my honey is. Should I try to have a web host?

As you can see I need more information in order to make a educated decision.

PLEASE HELP!

Any & all suggestions, coments, experiances are greatly appreciated.

LD

LD, do you know why you want a website? Why do you"just feel that it is time"? I think a lot of agents think to themselves "I have to have a website" but you should also think through the strategy of how you will use your site when it's up and running.

If you want it to be simply an online business card, there are quite a few packages out there that are pretty affordable. Some services out there charge $100-300 for initial setup, and about $30-40 a month, including the hosting, the domain name setup, etc. If you want more "bells and whistles" that will cost more.

Maybe you should wait until you really know why you want the site and what you want it to do. You should set up a website if you want to generate leads and market to your customers online, whether through email, search engines where buyers and sellers can find you, and so on. Setting up a website that you don't maintain, or actively use to market yourself, or that gets no hits, is a waste of money!

Sue Caskey





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Sue Caskey, Esq.,Realtor(R)
http://www.pa-home-sales.com
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