Real Estate Forums

GaMtnRealtor · 05-31-2005, 07:47 PM

I have seen some of your web sites and they are knock-outs!

When you have a minute - please visit and review mine.
I would welcome any suggestions -
Thanks in advance for your time and expertise!
http://www.GetGeorgiaMtns.com

HHI Golf Guy · 06-01-2005, 08:21 AM

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.

GaMtnRealtor · 06-01-2005, 09:12 AM

What great information.
I have so much to do - it makes my head swim.
I will print out your comments and try to do what I can from MY end.
Unfortunately- the gal that helps me on the 3 Steps side- is about to leave on vacation- to Hawaii no less.

She is very helpful and does whatever I ask in a timely fasion.
I don't want to bum her out before her trip.
But I WILL send her a copy of all your notes when she returns to see what the deal is on their end.

You gave me a lot to "unscrew."

Thanks!

San Diego Real Estate · 06-01-2005, 10:42 AM

Harriet... don't let it get to you! We all have a lot of work to do! Thats what so great about the internet it changes every second! HHI has given you some great advice... He knows Real Estate SEO very well! We are all here to help you!

HHI Golf Guy · 06-01-2005, 11:37 AM

Please understand that it looks like your designer/web host only designs sites that redirect web surfers to their own domain name. Even though the page info refers to your business, it is still their domain and not your www.getgeorgiamtns.com.

Again, I am not picking on Harriet and her site. I just want to point out some red flags to her any any readers of this forum.

Can they optimize your site for search engines using that redirect method? It is possible, but not probable. Why? Here are some things from your host web site that SCARE me:

How Any REALTOR® Can Dominate The Internet And Make An Automatic $6-Figure Income Using This Ingeniously Simple And Affordable Web Site System.

OK, I'm pretty good at what I do for my clients in regards to real estate web marketing - but I NEVER guarantee even search engine traffic, let alone conversion results. What if interest rates go up 15%? Heck, a top ranked web site on Google does not guarantee $$$. It is the knowledge, ability, and salesmanship of the agent that sells homes - not web sites. What is the guarantee? Money back or will they pay you six figures?

Using our advanced options, you'll get automatic submission of your web site name to the Top 15 Search Engines - the right Search Engines. Not just once, but every month. You'll also get our online quick reference guide to the major search indexes and directories.

The only three search engines that you need to worry about are Google, Yahoo, and MSN. They drive over 90% of all search traffic. And guess what - you never have to submit your site to a search engine! See my article on web marketing myths for more information.

We'll show you how to design your web site with the right Meta Tags and Keywords to you get top priority when prospects search for real estate with you or your market area.

The only truly important tag is your TITLE tag. Search engines pick up your keywords from the content of your site, not META tags. KW meta tags were important back in the early days of search engines, but not now.

State of the art Pop-Up Windows built into your web site appear offering valuable consumer information on buying and selling or offering to sign your Guest Book, thereby automatically capturing the lead for you.

Pop up windows - don't we all love pop-up windows.

Of course, most people now how pop-up blockers installed.

Now, this company may offer great information regarding other forms of marketing - that would be a plus. But they don't know diddly about search engine marketing.

After all, what good is a web site if no one can find it?

P.S. I did a couple of searches for town name + real estate for your area, and you did come up at #5 for one of the searches. That being said, your competition level is very low for most phrases (less than 100,000 competing pages, in some cases less than 20,000. We consider a moderately competitive marketing to have between 1 million and 5 million competing pages.

What does that mean to you? You probably don't have to invest very much money - if any money at all - in optimizing your web site for search engines. A decent, content rich site that is easy for both search engines and humans to navigate should easily do the trick for you for almost all of your keywords.

Jade456 · 06-01-2005, 04:22 PM

Here are some other things that need to be changed. Your site has no title <h > tags or headline tags. They should be used for your keywords, like North Georgia Mountain Real Estate. Although I would suggest being more specific, down to the city name that you are specifically targeting. Then a similar title for say city name MLS search using h2 tag. As mentioned prior, add more content----a lot more. One page per market that you sell in. Also, add alt text to your image reflecting your target market keywords. I would also use full justification----but thats just me.

KeysToFlorida · 07-17-2005, 02:09 PM

Much of my family lives in the Blairsville GA area. I have been to Helen many times threw the years.

I would try to include a photo that includes the beautyful mountains on your home page.

I also suggest that you include a little more about the local area. (or maybe I did not find it in my quick review.

I like the Property search by category that you have included.

Of course like the others, I share there concern with the framed site.