Myths About Real Estate Web Sites

Myth: My existing clients and sphere of influence will try to find my site when they are looking for real estate information even if I haven’t continuously promoted it to them.

Reality: When one of your sphere of influence wants real estate information
they will go to their computer and enter a search that will give them links to
hundreds of real estate web sites that have one thing in common, they are not
your web site. If they land on a well-designed site and make an inquiry by
form, email or phone at that site then you've lost them.

Myth: My past clients and prospects will remain loyal to me after requesting information from my competition on their web site.

Reality: Sure if that prospect is your mother--but maybe not even then.

Myth: If I have a well established base of clients, past clients, and prospects, I don’t need to worry about the Internet.

Reality: At least 85% of your past clients and prospects
are using the Internet either at home or at work. They routinely go to it for
information about whatever interests them. That includes real estate. If you
haven’t taught them to use your site and if your site is not useful, they will
end up contacting the competition who does have a useful site - guaranteed!.

Myth: People who come to my site are impressed by my standing as “Number One”, by my educational accomplishments and awards, by testimonials and by the length of time I’ve been in business.

Reality: What impresses them is ability to get information they're looking
for with a minimum of hassle. If they are impressed enough with that to contact
you then good testimonials will help--the alphabet soup after your name not so
much (but it can't hurt).

Myth: Prominently displaying and emphasizing my broker affiliation will impress my prospects.

Reality: Negative stories about a high profile broker go further and last
longer than positive ones, even with heavy duty advertising by them.
Clearly show that you are proud of your affiliation, but the emphasis should be
on YOU and what an understanding and competent professional you are, and how well
you are going to take care of your client. Testimonials are great in this
context.

Myth: I can be successful in real estate in the next decade without using the Internet effectively.

Reality: Who in the world told you that?

Myth: I can be a top producer and still have the time to design my web site, learn to make it interactive and keep it registered and indexed well.

Reality: Only if you can pat your head and rub your belly at the same time.

Myth: If my web page or web site contains inaccuracies, misspellings or grammatical errors it will not hurt my image or affect my success.

Reality: What do YOU think when you visit such a web site. Don't you
assume that if the owner hasn't even bothered to proofread their copy that their
attention to detail might be lacking? (By the way, if you find any typos
or inaccuracies in this copy, please let me know.)

Myth: Email is different from conventional mail in that I don’t have to pay attention to formatting, spelling, grammar and style.

Reality: Your business emails will be evaluated the same way as your business
snail mail. Make it as well thought out and effective as possible.

Myth: If I send email to thousands of recipients some of it will “stick”.

Reality: It will, but not in a good way.

Myth: Other Realtors really want to have me send them an email about each of my new listings.

Reality: Unless they have asked, this is an emphatic NO.

Myth: If you have a web page on the Internet people will find it.

Reality: What you want is for prospective buyers and sellers to find it.
That takes planning and money and expertise, period.

Myth: If people find my web page or site I will get leads from it.

Reality: One of the most lucrative scams is to promise to deliver
thousands of "hits" to a Realtor's web site for a fee. They may be
delivered, but do you need visitors to your web site that are looking for a
toothbrush comb or a new Subaru, or a gold fish? You want people on your
site who are interested in the service that you offer in the area that you
operate. Even then you must have a site that motivates them to contact you
or their visit is wasted.

Myth: If my page or site is entertaining people will come back to it and will call me or contact me about real estate.

Reality: If people want entertainment they go to television or the local Pub.
You want your site to be interesting and useful, then you've got a shot at a
business connection with some of your visitors.