Real Estate Forums

Jared · 10-30-2007, 02:20 PM

Well I went off to prune the user database moments ago and found that only a few people registered in the past week that were legit. Numbers after removing, not banning, SPAM bots is dismal and it looks almost like the forums are brand spanking new with fewer than 340 registered members.

I'm open to suggestions?

~ Jared

NealRM · 10-31-2007, 10:45 AM

The only way I know to stop the spam bots is to require verification of an email address. I'm not sure that is even 100% foolproof.

Tony Sena · 10-31-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealRM

The only way I know to stop the spam bots is to require verification of an email address. I'm not sure that is even 100% foolproof.

Its not because they still register, they just can't post until they verify their email address. You still have to spend time removing them from the database. I have the same issues on my las vegas real estate forum

Jared · 10-31-2007, 04:43 PM

Well there is a technique using CAPCHA images but even those can be compromised. I've also thought about other options to prevent bots with certain email addresses from registering. I'm amazed that every day I return here to clean up the forum I find at least a half dozen names @mail.ru in the domain and the rest appear to be bogus hotmail accounts among others.

BTW when I said I was open to suggestions I mean suggestions to increase attendance and interaction in these forums. I have many good ideas but I can't move an inch without Mack or Als approval so I'm still in research mode.

~ Jared

jessiesc · 10-31-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared

Well there is a technique using CAPCHA images but even those can be compromised. I've also thought about other options to prevent bots with certain email addresses from registering. I'm amazed that every day I return here to clean up the forum I find at least a half dozen names @mail.ru in the domain and the rest appear to be bogus hotmail accounts among others.

We had/have a vbulletin forums, it's not very active except for the spam botters and a few customers. I just turned it off as it was more a pain the behind to keep banning.

What I did do (I'm sure you're aware), I banned all unusual dom's such as .ru, .it etc. That really helped cut down the spam bots. I also added the usualy banned names which also helped quite a bit. Even with all that they still sneak in. *sigh*

Quote:

BTW when I said I was open to suggestions I mean suggestions to increase attendance and interaction in these forums. I have many good ideas but I can't move an inch without Mack or Als approval so I'm still in research mode.
~ Jared

A few things you might consider to increase traffic:

I'd like to see more non agent posts in a forums. All the RE forums seem to be filled with agents clamboring for a lead that slips in once in awhile. Reminds me of Shark Feeding in the caribbean. So, I would recommend going out to a few of the social sites and trying to get some movement from their.

Also, perhaps posting blogs on some places like AR and such. Agents are all trying to jump on the "already left the train station" forums train, specially at AR.

Just a few thoughts

Jared · 10-31-2007, 05:11 PM

jessiesc;

All very good information and thank you for your input.

I've actually got three programs or should I say promotional offers in writing presented to the top dogs for approval and your mention regarding blogs is acurate. After my recent post in my own blog I received emails asking for me to write on techniques I've used to get my clients to rank high using some of the blog tools that are proprietary and given the interest in that I may seek to make it available for clients and members of The Brokers Edge.

Since these little triplicate tools are rather proprietary to The Brokers Edge and the work being done there it will be Macks call but I think of all my ideas to generate traffic and membership increases, my top two stand the best chance because A) no one is doing them and B) they address a niche and void in real estate forums to bring in new blood that are not entirely REALTOR based.

I test a lot and I talk to Realtors more than a lot and I've said it many many times that If I were to ever become a Realtor I'd be pretty effective knowing what I've come to know working with so many. A few things are absolutely for certain. I'd use the forums, a blog and build a solid site before I quit my day job to become a Realtor. Then after it ranked and got rolling, Id maintain each daily.

I guess we can ask members what they like and what they want.

~ Jared

jessiesc · 10-31-2007, 05:23 PM

I thought of one more thing:

I know for me personally, when I go to forums the first thing I notice is the last posted date. If they are old, I know the forum isn't very active.

So you might consider updating or prunining the old posts at least weekly (of course not the stickies

)

Just another in a pool of thoughts

Jared · 10-31-2007, 05:58 PM

I agree and I had been more active prior to a personal event that was rather unexpected kept me away for an entire month.

Its on my task list early every morning to make a bare minimum of 10 posts per forum I administer. I already have 50+ blog posts close to or relatively close to completion which I'll start publishing on down my list.

The thing is to get others to commit in a way that first of all benefits the community as a community and secondly themselves because the very name of this forum includes "network" for networking people.

I had toyed with the idea to implement more social networking features I had already drafted for The Brokers Edge and I may still.

Lots to do and desperately little time to do it.

~ Jared

NealRM · 10-31-2007, 08:04 PM

As a non-Realtor, I can say there are many reason to visit a forum. The most important is new content. The first button I normally click when visiting a form is the "new Post" button. I also look for suggestions and tips I can't get elsewhere.

Seeing a bunch of post by Jared doesn't really thrill me, I would rather see 50 posts by different members.

jessiesc · 10-31-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NealRM

Seeing a bunch of post by Jared doesn't really thrill me, I would rather see 50 posts by different members.

I agree 100%.

However when the user base is small or not active, there are ways to 'fudge' to remove the 'ageness' of posts.

I'm like you as well, I click the new posts to see what I've missed since my last visit. I was referring more to new visitors then returning ones. My bad for not clarifying