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Directories Int'l Realty US Realty
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Increase Success With Your WebsiteBy: Alice Held, CRS, GRI
CONNECT WITH PEOPLEOffer what they want. Users rule the Internet and vote with millions of mouse-clicks every day. A customer-oriented website that's easy to use and full of useful information and content will get the numbers to make it successful.
CONTENT IS KINGDecide what the purpose and the main message of your site is before you develop a visual strategy.It's important to create a target profile of your potential visitors. Visual design is successful when it takes this message and makes your site pleasant to visit. Therefore, while planning and developing your content, it's a good idea to think of and refer to your target audience as readers. Focusing on what your reader wants in the way of information is the key to creating a compelling content that will attract visitors and keep them coming back to you. The main content of your site should interest, aid, educate or entertain your reader. Of course, it should also be relevant to the focus of your business. Remember, web users are always on the lookout for commercials. If your content starts to sound like advertising, you'll probably start to lose your readers. In providing meaty content, your readers will view your website as a resource to come back to again and again. Therefore, you will want to continue to update and add fresh content from time to time. The Web is a new advertising medium, but we DON'T want ads on our website. Readers want to learn something, find information faster and get immediate assistance.
YOUR COMPANY OR YOU?Ask yourself, who is my site or content reflecting? Myself, my company, or my readers? When visitors to your site first hit it, they don't care about you, or your awards, or all the links you provide. They care about only one thing: What does this site have in it for me? Aim your content at finding the fastest, most compelling way to get your readers to feel they've come to the right place.Readers today want high-quality information, entertainment or interaction that is meaningful and relevant. Your readers will judge your site's value primarily by its content. Information is what they want. Give them that and they're yours. That's the key element in connecting with people, and connection is the most important step in web marketing. One Internet myth is that the flashier your website is, the better it is. No, the faster it is, the better it is. Another myth is that it's more important to be perfect than to be first. What would have happened if Amazon.com had waited until it got bookselling exactly right? The Internet demands you act fast, then make frequent tweaks.
BETTER WEBPAGE RESULTSEducate your visitors on buyer and seller topics such as pricing, financing, preparing a home for showing, etc.In other words, let your site offer value to your target group.
TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF YOUR OWN WEBSITENotice whether it has continuity, is easy to navigate, and leads to information of value. Be objective, if you can. Look for areas in need of stronger content. Don't attempt a complete renovation of your site. That can be overwhelming. Make small changes on a continuing basis. Then watch your "hit" count and transactions grow.
Please think of me for your real estate referrals in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area!
ALICE HELD
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