Take the following quiz to determine how well your personal web site measures up. Answer each of the items "True" or "False."
I have a personal web site as well as a web page on my company's web site.
My web site is up-to-date with all my current inventory.
My web site has been registered with the primary search engines such as Yahoo and Excite and is updated on these search engines on a regular basis.
Visitors to my site can be linked to a mortgage lender and a mortgage calculator.
I have "branded" my web site with something more than just my name (e.g. "Selling Boston, Boston style," "StoneLakeBuyers.com" or "Contact Susan Price—Where Getting a Great Price Matters"
I have linked my web site to http://www.mapblast.com or some other source that allows visitors to obtain a map of the area.
I have linked my web site to the Chamber of Commerce and other sources of local information about my community.
I have "protected" my web names by securing not only the ".com" name, but ".net," and ".org" as well.
Visitors to my web site can easily find data about local schools.
Visitors to my web site do not "leave" the site when they connect with outside links. Instead, a second window to the link appears within a frame on my site.
There is a place on my web site where visitors can request a CMA on their property.
My site has a description of my services as well as letters of recommendation from past clients.
Scoring
Give yourself 1 point for each "True."
11-12: Congratulations! You have done a great job on your site! Make sure your web address is included on traditional marketing materials such as your business card, name riders, brochures, and other print advertising.
9-10: You've done a solid job and with a few additions, your site will be generating even more leads than it is now!
7-8: You're up and running but definitely have room to improve. Go through the list above to add the items you are missing.
6 or less: Time to hire someone to help you get started.
Need a model? Try incorporating some of the ideas from the two web sites below. Also take time to visit the web sites of the top producers in your area.
If you're a novice, this web site demonstrates how a single link to Realtor.com can add a wealth of information to your web site. Visit: http://www.urbansolutions.com
Click on the inventory page and look for the single link to Realtor.com. This web site is also an excellent example of effective "branding."
For a much more in depth example, visit: http://www.labuyers.com
This site is an excellent example of how the items discussed above and many more can be included in your web site. This web site also uses branding effectively because the emphasis is on "Los Angeles Buyers" not on the agents.
Published: October 24, 2000
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