The REALTORS Guide to Web Sites - Part 1.

So you just got your license and now everyone is saying you need a website. Why do I need I website to be successful in Real Estate?

1. More and more people that are looking for a REALTOR expect them to have a website.

2. It is a convenient tool for showing buyers your listings via the internet.

3. It helps you to make an impression upon a prospective client.

What are the basic things I should have on my website?

1. An area to show your and/or your office's listings.

2. A bio or mission statement page to allow you to make a personal impression upon you visitor

3. A contact page with your office name, address, phone number, and email address

What are the first steps to getting a web site

1. Choose whether you need to have a custom website designed or if you can get by with a template. I could go into the differences in detail but for now I will describe a template website as a pre-fab website that basically allows you to paste your name into the title, add your other pertant information and away you go. Most of these types of websites can be set up instantly through the use of web forms (to see what a web form looks like click here). They are a good solution if your in a hurry for a website or on a budjet, but be aware, if you plan on having your website for a while those monthly fees can add up. There are lots of design firms that will design a custom site for one up front fee for lees than the cost of "renting" a template website.

A custom website is a website that is designed from ground up to your specifications or to a professional web designers vision based on your feedback and needs. Custom websites allow for personlized logos incorperated into the graphics whereas templates can only have plan text. The diifereces in appearence are dramatic (click here to se an example)