Oh sure, every Realtor needs a website, right? Technically, yes—but only if you’re willing to put time, money, and creativity into making it a great website. And unless you understand the “why” behind website development and content, maybe you’re just wasting your time and your money.

So why do you want a website in the first place?

1. It authenticates your brand
2. It speaks for you when you’re not available
3. It helps you train and educate your customers
4. It establishes easy two-way communication
5. It helps you stay current

1. Your website authenticates your brand. It tells your clients and potential clients exactly who you are. Do you specialize in vacation homes? Relocating seniors? Why are you good at that particular niche? What is your most recent success story? If you were a yoga instructor, you’d paint a picture of peace and tranquility. If you were a financial advisor, you’d set the stage for your clients to see themselves making money. You want to paint a picture of coming home.

Think first about your key selling proposition, about the overall benefits you offer your clients. How will the information on your web site help you build your brand?

2. It speaks for you when you’re not available. You have no idea who’s viewing your site, or when. Some soldier in Afghanistan, about to come home and marry the love of his life, may be visiting you at 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning. What do you want him to know? He wants to know who you are, what you do differently, why he should choose you over a dozen or more Realtors he’s already viewed. Obviously, you can’t sit down with him and spend an hour telling him why you’re the best choice. However, your website can do that 24/7 as long as the real you is present there. With the technology we have available right now (check out our special offer here) you can establish instant credibility across the globe.

3. It provides a way to train and educate your customers. Not only do you want your clients to know and love the real you, you also want to train them in the way you do business, so that when you sign that listing contract or buyer representation agreement, they are already prepared to work successfully with you. A Client’s Bill of Rights, for example, establishes in their minds the services you believe they are entitled to receive from you. Your calendar, office hours, schedule of open houses, and similar details let them see your work pattern. If you take one day a week off to be with family, or if you don’t return calls before 9 a.m., let them know ahead of time. Managing client expectations is an important component of your success.

4. It establishes easy 2-way communication. Whatever else you do on your web site, make your “Contact Us” information easy to find, complete, and simple to use. Don’t make a prospective client scroll through screens of copy to find your “Contact” link in tiny type at the bottom of the page. Make sure to list both your mobile and business phone numbers, your physical address (with a link to Google maps or similar), and, of course, your email.

5. It helps you stay current. We’ve all been there—to the web site or blog that says “Last updated February, 2011.” Bet you clicked right off that one, didn’t you? Your clients and potential clients want to know that you’re right on top of current market trends, financing, and relevant local happenings. For example, if you provide a current mortgage rate page, make sure it shows the date when it was last updated. Delete information that is no longer accurate, or better yet, update the page with current information. Keep adding new posts and pages about events that are happening, and never let your blog, if you have one, get stale.  It shows you are only half in the game, if at all. If you don’t like to write, or find yourself not having the time, let us do it for you.   Winning Agent can keep your blog current with original content weekly, bi-weekly or monthly – your call.

Winning Agent knows you. We know you’re not a webmaster or a web site developer. That’s why we created Winning Agent Pro, a WordPress theme designed specifically for Realtors with most of the work already done for you. Give us a week after you provide your content and you’ll be good to go. We have that special offer going on right now—click here to get the details.

Photo Credit – Brian Shamblen