You spend a lot of money on marketing and trying to get your listings seen and sold. But, you should take a moment to be sure that your dollars are spent wisely. A large part of that is making your website work for you, and not just sitting hoping for visitors.
Take a Fresh Look at Your Site
In today’s market, presentation is everything. Your website should be visually appealing, informative, and easy to navigate. And let’s be real—I’m a photographer, so you know I’m going to emphasize that first part! A great-looking site doesn’t just impress; it keeps potential buyers engaged and makes you stand out from the competition, making your website work for you.
So, when was the last time you compared your site to top-performing REALTORS® in your area? Ask yourself:
- Is your headshot up to date?
- Are your featured listings actually showcased, or do they blend in like every other property out there?
- Do you have video tours, and if so, are they prominently displayed?
- Does your MLS listing properly integrate with your site?
- Do you have traffic coming on to your site and staying there?
If you answered no to any of these, it might be time to rethink your approach. And if you’re paying a monthly service to manage your site, it’s worth asking them: Why don’t I have these features?
Questions to Ask Your Web Developer or Service Provider
Before committing to (or continuing with) a website provider, make sure they can answer these key questions:
- How are my listings showcased?
- Can I feature video content prominently?
- Does the site automatically pull listings from MLS?
- Are my social media posts displayed in an updated and stylish way, or just in basic image blocks?
- Is my site optimized for social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn?
- How easy is it to update my site’s design and content?
- Do you provide SEO assistance to help me reach more buyers?
- Is my site responsive? (Mobile friendly)
A Website Service That Stands Out
If you’re looking for a sleek, effective website, one service that has impressed me is iHouseWeb. Their templates provide:
- Beautiful landing pages for each listing
- Well-structured designs to highlight different property types
- Customizable sections to showcase hot-selling neighborhoods
- Seamless Instagram integration to display new listings
- Eye-catching video headers to captivate visitors
- Fully serviced, they will handle any of your issues
- Fully integrated MLS IDX with automated SEO and CRM
- Example 1
- Example 2
If you’re interested in this service, contact Kelly Martin direct, mention you saw this post on Brownell Design Studios (Or mention my name “Henri Brownell) and get a discount on establishing your site!
kmartin@ihouseweb.com
916-246-2381
Blogging: A Simple Way to Boost Your SEO
One of the best (and easiest) ways to improve your search rankings is blogging. Every time you post a new listing, use your site’s blog section to include hashtags, keywords, and marketing links. This helps your site stay fresh in search engines and increases your visibility across platforms like Zillow and Redfin, making your website work for you.
Free Alternatives with Brownell Design Studios
If you’re considering a website refresh, keep in mind that Brownell Design Studios offers free landing pages with your orders. These pages can help improve your SEO through cross-linking. Plus, every listing includes a YouTube video, which can be embedded in MLS to increase your reach and engagement.
To maximize your online presence:
- Make sure your profiles are filled out on all your platforms
- Keep messaging consistent across social media
- At a minimum, have a Business Facebook and Instagram where clients can reach you easily
Quick Website Checklist
- Updated, high-quality headshot
- Clean, modern layout highlighting your best listings
- Social media links and integration
- MLS listings automatically synced
- SEO optimization
- Clear navigation and user-friendly experience
- Google, Apple, and Bing business listings
- Professionally designed logo
- Alt-text and metadata filled in for accessibility and search rankings
- Use video whenever possible—moving images grab attention!
- Professional photography (because blurry phone pics won’t cut it!)e
Be sure to come back and visit Brownell Design Studios for more tips and tricks for adding to your business growth! Have a topic you want us to cover? Contact us today!
