You wouldn't pick up a $500,000 buyer
in a 20-year-old junker
and you won't get quality leads
with a ho-hum web site.

When a visitor enters your web site, it must catch his interest immediately. It should be inviting, attractive, interesting, and informative, as well as convey a professional image. Your visitor will take from 10 to 20 seconds to decide if your site is worth staying around long enough to find out what you have to offer. There are so many other Realtor sitesout there, he can instantly click to another one. He won't be back. Opportunity lost. Like they say, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

For many people, your site will be their ONLY introduction to you, so it better do its job well. Your web site should look as good as you do.

The Importance of Personalizing Your Site

Real estate is a highly competitive industry, even on the Web, and many sites offer the same services. So a site visitor's choice can come down to whether or not he likes the Realtor. How does a visitor learn to "like" a Realtor online? By his reaction to the web site!

As with your preferences in home decor and model of car, your personality comes through in your web site. Your choices of color and typography, what you want to emphasize, the images you select, and your overall look tell something about you. They also convey your approach to business, such as high-tech or traditional, "schmoozing" or down-to-business, soft-sell or aggressive.

Just as important is the personal information you give out. A little personal info is appropriate on a Realtor's site - - not a lot - - just enough to make you a "realperson" and approachable. You and your visitor don't have to share the same interests or have the same background (but it's a big plus if you do). It's the feeling of "knowing" the Realtor that people respond to.

Real estate is a business of building relationships. A good web site with that "human" touch can get the relationship going.