First - welcome to the forums.
Before I review your site, please understand that I am not making a sales pitch. I was asked to be a moderator on this forum because of my knowledge in real estate marketing, search engine optimization, and web design. My goal is to pass on information in real estate web marketing so that agents can make informed and educated decisions.
The overall design does not look professional and does not instill confidence in site visitors. I would guess that 90%+ of your visitors view only the home page and move on.
Overall, the site is very "old school". It uses flashing text, scrolling text, and frames. Frames are not the most efficient way to design web pages. Most search engines can navigate frames when indexing your site, but that is not always the case. This can cause problems for users that do not enter your site from the home page.
Overall, your site lacks content. Sure, there are listings. BUt your web site should be more than a listing service - it must be a selling tool. There is no ad copy that speaks directly to your target market or effectively sells the reader on your area, homes, and services.
When I clicked on the Innsbruck Golf link, it pulled up a framed page with the actual Innsbruck golf web site inside the frame! Why not create your own content page, or at least open the page in a new window and not in one of your frames? Innsbruck might even feel that you are "stealing" their web site.
Now, on to the
really bad stuff.
If you are trying to bring visitors to your web site from search engines like Google, Yahoo, and MSN
there is absolutely no way that you will develop search engine traffic. If you are only looking to bring visitors to your web site from your print ads, then the following info does not matter. But if you want to reach more potential buyers, read on.
I show that your domain was registered in 2002, yet the search engines only have the root domain of your web site indexed and no other pages. Technically, they have zero pages of your web site indexed. For example, here's what Google sees when it looks at your web site:
Your browser does not support frames. We recommend upgrading your ...
Why? Blame your web designer/web host. When I check your domain, I am actually re-routed to
http://edit-redirect.cisdata.net/bin...&ts=1117637512.
Not only is the site redirected - it is redirected using a 302 temporary redirect - something that search engines don't like. If a redirect is to be used, in this case it should be a 301 (permanent) redirect.
OK - this was all technical. Let me put it to you in easier terms - according to the search engines your web site does not really exist. Your domain name exists, but is then routed to another web site that gets credit for the pages.
Click on this link:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...et&btnG=Search
This shows you all of the pages that are attributed to the same domain name as your site. Click on one of the pages in this list. Why do these sites say they are designed and hosted by iHouse and your site says 3-Steps 2000? Are they the same company? Is 3-Steps 2000 a reseller? Something does not seem right.
From a sales standpoint, I do not see any systems in place - other than the obligatory newsletter - that is designed to engage web surfers and allow you a means of prospecting and data collection.
There is so much more, but what I have posted and what others will undoubtedly post should point you in the right direction. So, Back to your original questions:
Loading time: OK on high speed
Content: Poor. Even what little content that is there is not attributed to your site. There is no content designed to engage the web surfer to convert them into prospects and buyers.
Navigation: Poor. Frames are used, and they are not even used properly.
Overall Appeal: Poor. The overall web design does not instill a feeling of professionalism or trust. Building trust and confidence is the first key in developing prospects and buyers.
Please don't take this as personal criticism.
What really ticks me off is that someone convinced you to spend your hard earned money on a web site that will not develop prospects, leads, or buyers.