Real Estate Website Design Solutions

Visit the GraphicalData Blog

2009-07-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

GraphicalData has additional information on their blog relating to GraphicalData websites. I would encourage you to visit the GraphicalData Blog for additional tips from several different contributors.

New FlyerMaker

2009-06-21T11:19:00.000-07:00

Create flyers quickly and easily with our new FlyerMaker tool.

This new, improved Flash-based system including new flyer templates allows you to create, save, edit, email and print quality flyers.

This product is the perfect productivity tool to supplement your real estate business. Many agents have flyers professionally created, and that cost can be considerable. Using this one tool can literally pay your monthly subscription fee.

Find this tool like other tools in the "Tools" section of your GraphicalData Dashboard.

Search Engine Optimization

2009-06-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

I have posted numerous articles about search engine optimization (SEO) over the years. Many techniques that were relevant 10 years ago are not today. In fact, many search engines that were around in the '90's no longer exist for all practical purposes.

Some of the underlying basics do remain the same, and that is what many of my posts have been about, so I would encourage you to dig back in the archives . . . or search for seo and search engine optimization to pull them up.

You can view this article on search engine optimization for some general information as well.

If you do have a GraphicalData website, and are not ranking as well as you might like, give us a call or email . . . we have a great history of understanding what it takes to help them rise to the top.

New Website Styles

2009-06-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

There are new website styles available for your GraphicalData style-based websites.

After logging into your GraphicalData Admin Center visit the website section and select the "Website Design & Style" section. You will find several new styles including styles based on wider monitor resolutions.

We will continue to add new styles on a regular basis, so check back often.

New GraphicalData Admin Landing Page

2009-06-01T09:42:00.000-07:00

If you have not signed in recently to your GraphicalData Administrative Center or your "Work Space" as we call it, you should do so.

It has been redesigned with many new features that will readily help you have a pulse on your entire web system...as well as updates and quick shortcut links to areas you use the most.

Visit your personal work space at www.GraphicalData.com and learn more today!

New FlyerMaker System

2009-05-30T15:36:00.001-07:00

Create flyers quickly and easily with the new FlyerMaker from GraphicalData.

If you are a GraphicalData subscriber, then you have the ability to create flyers for your listings as easily as 1-2-3 . . . literally. Then edit your flyers, arrange photos, save them, email to a mailing list, or print them out.

This latest release creates Flash-based flyers that are of the highest quality for printing . . . and yet easily emailed if desired. New fresh, contemporary designs included.

Check this new, upgraded product in the Tools section of your Administration Center.

Search Engine Optimization Hints

2009-05-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

In the good ole days, it was modestly easy to SEO a site and have it rank well on the search engines. It is much more difficult to do today, and there are so many factors. Content that is on the page, Content that is "behind the page", "off the page" factors such as links to your site and PR.

Often it is not even what should do, but what you should not do. Read this article on top SEO mistakes to avoid.

The good news is that a GraphicalData website in its pure form adheres to these criteria. However, sometimes in our rush to look cool or have bells and whistles on our site, we can actually hurt ourselves in the process...as it relates to ranking in the search engines. If showing well in the search engine results is not important, then this would be less of an issue. For most of us, we want to be on the front page of results, so this brief article provides some food for thought.

Open Houses from All Companies Now Searchable on Your Website

2009-05-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

Now available by popular demand: GraphicalData is announces the addition of Open House search options on your GraphicalData website.

If you are in an MLS that allows for searching open houses, then this feature can be available to you. Currently available in the NWMLS.

This feature is now integrated into your interactive search map options. Your website visitors can search for open houses using the standard search parameters.

Only open houses that MLS members have inputted into the MLS will be searchable and displayed. If you have not inputted your open houses into the MLS, then they will not display.

Automatic Email Notification

2009-04-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

We have recently implemented a new feature to our AEN module. When your clients receive AEN's for matches to their saved searches you now have the option of being cc'd on those emails. This will keep you up-to-date on how often your website clients receive information from your website about new listings meeting their search criteria.

To opt-in to this feature, click "Settings" in your "Website" section of your admin center, click "CC Me on all AENs", and click "Update Website Settings".

If desiring to deactivate this feature, repeat the above process with the "Do not CC me setting".

Show Better In The Search Engines

2009-04-17T10:36:00.000-07:00

Having a great website that instills confidence in the search engines is an important step. Just as critical is the ability for it to show well in the search engines.

Read this article on ten SEO (search engine optimization) tips that are bound to help.

Also, for a very affordable amount, GraphicalData can assist if you have a GraphicalData-driven website.

This is one area often overlooked by many website owners, and yet critical to the mission of being found on the search engines!

Now Is The Time To Refresh Your Website Content

2009-04-09T15:52:00.000-07:00

OK, the economy may still be in a state of flux, and the Banks may still be a bit tight with money, but the good news is that the season is here to sell real estate.

So, spruce up your site, make sure the content is fresh and appropriate for your market and what is hot and what is not!

The side benefit for good, relevant copy is that you nearly always get rewarded by the search engines. Read this article on writing great content for your website and blog for some good tips.

Freshen Your Website Up This Year

2009-04-04T17:26:00.000-07:00

Have you had your website up for a while now? Then it might be time for a remodel or at least a spring cleaning.

If you are looking to upgrade your existing site with a new banner, color scheme, content and the like, contact us at GraphicalData.

If a spring cleaning is in order, read this article for some good ideas.

GraphicalData Blogs now have RSS feed and Social Media Bookmarks

2009-03-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

RSS feed is now available on your GraphicalData Blog. Visitors can subscribe to this feed from your blog. RSS is a popular way to receive information from multiple sources using an aggregator (feed reader).

Del.icio.us, Digg and Stumble Upon have also been added attached to each post. They help facilitate social media sharing, storing or discovering web bookmarks.

All of these will provide your visitors with social media tools they will appreciate and add more sophistication to your Blog.

There is no need to do anything. If you have activated your blog, the RSS logo is already showing in the lower right column on your blog. Whether you understand this technology or not, it makes you look good!

Search Engine Myths

2008-12-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

We all have our thoughts on what might make a site rank higher than others . . . and question why our site doesn't beat out another site when ours is "optimized" better than theirs.

Read this short article that debunks "10 Search Engine Myths". An interesting read that I have to agree with.

If you delve back into previous articles I have posted over the years, most of which are still relevant, you will find the core components of good SEO.

If we can be of any assistance in helping your site to rank better in the search engines, contact us at seo@graphicaldata.com .

Tips From Experts in Today's Market

2008-12-06T11:06:00.000-08:00

Ten real estate experts share their views on what it takes to stay on top in today's marketplace.

With the economy looking a bit gloomy, "bailouts" taking place in the financial institutions and the "Big 3", the stock market zigzagging all over the place, foreclosures and the like . . . what is a real estate agent to think, do and plan for?

Read this article on philosophies and tips needed to survive.

Remember, someone is listing and selling properties. Make sure you are one of them!

Marketing in a Poor Economy

2008-11-28T11:09:00.000-08:00

If the economy is in a downturn, do you pull back in your advertising dollar? Do you advertise more? What should you do?

Visit this brief article fo find 6 Ways to Maximize Your Marketing in a Down Economy

Do You Need to Advertise Your Website?

2008-10-20T10:16:00.000-07:00

Many of us think that just having a website is enough.

The truth of the matter is that it needs to be optimized for the search engines through search engine optimization (SEO) and perhaps even considering other forms of advertising such as paid placement, newspaper, magazine advertising, etc.

Visit this article for a quick read on why you need to advertise your real estate website.

Marketing in Downtimes

2008-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

It is easy to feel that when times get tight that you should cut your promotional budget. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Visit this article to learn how to survive the economic downturn. When times are good, it's easy to run your business . . . learn some easy, economical ways to grow your business . . . even in times such as these.

Add Google Analytics to Your GraphicalData Website

2008-09-28T09:28:00.000-07:00

It's easy to add Google Analytics to your GraphicalData website.

Google Analytics tracks the traffic going to your website and can help you turn more visitors into customers. GraphicalData makes it as easy as 'copy/paste' into a single field to add the code to your entire website.

View our latest PDF tutorial manual on how to create your Google Analytics account and then add to your website.

GraphicalData websites have enjoyed Google Analytics as an easy add-on feature since early 2007. You can review earlier articles by searching for "Google Analytics" in the Search Blog field at the top of this page.

Live Chat Help Now Available on Your GraphicalData Website

2008-09-27T10:33:00.000-07:00

For your convenience, "Live Help" is now available in your Admin Center! You will find the support you need quickly with "Live Chat".

It is designed to immediately connect with Customer Support here at GraphicalData. You will find the "Live Help" icon located in your Admin Center in the upper right side of each page . . . help is just a click away.

During normal business hours this help tool will reflect a "click to chat" status (which is basically equivalent to Instant Messaging) and when not manned, it will reflect the ability to send an email with any question you may have. Your email will be answered on our the business day.

GraphicalData Website Help Movies

2008-09-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

Announcing a new "Help" module in your GraphicalData Admin Center. After logging into your admin center, click the Website tab. On the left hand side of the screen you will see the Help icon.

It is designed specifically to provide you with the assistance you need to build out and manage your website. Included are movie and PDF tutorials.

Additional tutorial movies will be added on a regular, ongoing basis.

Get Rid of those Dashed Lines when in Tables

2008-09-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made a change to your website when in a table? And then wind up with small dashed lines around your content? If so, then you are probably using Firefox as your browser. The good news, there is a simple solution to this dilemma.

Click on the icon in the menu bar as found in the yellow highlighted area of the accompanying image. This removes the dashed lines . . . then select the "save changes" command at the page bottom.

Although the dashed lines will then continue to display on the backadmin side of your site for ease in future editing of the table, they will not display on the public side.

Now you have a much nicer looking page!

On-The-Page Text Improves Search Engine Rankings

2008-07-24T17:55:00.000-07:00

Use regular text to improve your SEO . . . and it's free!

Visit this brief article to learn more! Search engine friendly content is a bonus for rising to the top in the search engine placement wars.

Photo Galleries and Other Virtual Media on Your Website

2008-07-21T08:33:00.000-07:00

Studies show that visitors appreciate additional property photos and virtual tours when added to your website.

Fortunately your GraphicalData websites allow for Photo Galleries and any other virtual tours that are hosted somewhere to be added you your listings.

Visit this article that discusses what properties should have virtual tours. And additionally, if you have not added a Photo Gallery or virtual tour to your listings before, visit a previous posting as to how to add a Photo Gallery here.

How To Respond to Your Website Leads

2008-06-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

Responding to a lead from your website is important . . . how you respond is just as important. Are they ready for you to contact them by telephone . . . or email . . . or perhaps they feel they are "flying under the radar" and the response needs to be a very "soft" one. This can especially be the case if they are just supplying an email to receive something that you have offered on your site.

Michael Russer offers up a good article on "How to Respond to Online Leads" that is certainly worth the read.

Are You Missing Internet Leads?

2008-06-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Do you feel that you are not getting all from the Internet and your website that you should be? There can be many reasons. Your site may have not been optimized for search engines. Perhaps you need additional Online or Offline Marketing. Perhaps it is poor site design. Older sites especially may suffer from lack of lead generating and tracking solutions.

Regardless of the challenge or challenges, there is no denying that a substantial amount of sales begin on the internet in today's marketplace.

Read this article for employing good internet techniques to help you capture your share.

How Many Listings Can Be Place in the Recent Sales Section?

2008-06-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

A good tool to show your visitors that you are a real estate agent who has "actually sold a house or two" is the "Sold Listings" module which displays your recent sales.

You can add this to any page on your site by going to the Website section and after creating a page, selecting the "Sold Listings" module. Then edit this section by adding the MLS numbers of your sales. Not only can you place your listings that have sold, but you can also add the MLS numbers of sales you have made since you own half of that transaction.

Currently 40 fields is the maximum you can place in the sold listing section. Keep in mind that would seem like a lot for most folks scrolling through. Additionally, these sold listings will fall out as they are removed from the MLS, so they will only remain for 2 (or is it 3 years)....I would therefore recommend replacing the oldest MLS numbers in this section with your most recent sales.

Another alternative, if you are a selling machine and have a lot of sales to post and you really want to display more, would be to create two pages of "solds" with one being residential houses and the other as condos or the like...or even divided by high price rance and lower...or by area (ie "Seattle area sales" and "other area sales").

Website Lead Generation Is More Than Just SEO

2008-05-10T10:32:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder why even with a site that has been "optimized" for the search engines, you still may not be receiving the traffic you would like? There can be many reasons. Perhaps you are too general in your search area. Maybe you are going for too competitive a term in a really competitive market. Maybe your site is focused on the wrong town or target nitch you endeavoring to pull from.

This article is a good read for "Why Agents Fail Online - Even When They are No. 1 On the Search Engines". Check it out!

Good Website Design

2008-04-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

To engage a visitor to your website, you need to have a compelling site that is well designed and shows credibility. It must be intuitive, have good navigation, and actually contain information and content that is relative to the visitor's mission. Give them the way to accomplish their mission and you will acquire a happy visitor that will return to your site.

Visit this article that shares some top tips for web design.

Key Performance Indicators in Your Website Business

2008-03-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Web analytics, such as Google Analytics which we use in our GraphicalData websites, involve measuring how your website is doing with visitor count, time on site, pages served up, etc. If you understand some of the basic concepts, you can make your online business more productive.

There is so much data and information available, that for the normal person, you need to figure out what is important to you and your online presence and focus on it.

This article does an admirable job addressing Analytics and what to focus on, which many of us are probably failing to do.

If you do not have Google Analytics installed on your website, it is easy to do. Visit a previous post for some simple guidance through this process, or call us at GraphicalData for assistance. Phone numbers are on the GraphicalData login page.

Use Your Domain Name / MLS Number to Your Best Advantage

2008-03-09T17:35:00.000-07:00

You can place a listing's MLS number directly behind your domain name separated by a forward slash (/). For example (as long as this listing stays active and/or has the same mls #) if you click on www.ourvashon.com/28number then you will pull up this particular listing.

This is a great way to share a listing that includes your domain name as well, either in written advertising or adding the link to an email.

Also, since it includes Google mapping, school information, neighborhood information . . . and more, this is as good as creating an entire website for a particular listing . . . and a lot cheaper.

Achieve Better Rankings in Google

2008-02-16T10:35:00.000-08:00

We are all looking for ways to improve our rankings in the search engines. This article is a good read about how to do better in Google rankings. Actually, if you applied these for Google, they will benefit all the other search engine rankings as well.

This is not a complete list of course, but the author does cover many of the major items to consider in your site ranking well on the search engines...and I agree with all of them. My top 3 picks as to most important as well.

This is definitely a must read if you are trying to rise to the top in rankings and trying to do it yourself. Again, a GraphicalData website so lends itself to this sort of thing.

Do You Have A Web Strategy?

2008-01-30T07:42:00.000-08:00

There is more to generating leads than just having a website or websites. How you handle a visitor can influence whether you have a client down the road or not.

You need to understand what a visitor to your site is looking for...and that timing is involved. Is your visitor just starting their home search mission; or ready to buy.

To ensure success on the internet with your website(s), you need to better understand your client and have a web strategy. Visit this article to better understand marketing yourself and your website for profit.

Looking To Increase The Popularity Of Your Website?

2008-01-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

We all would love to have the most popular real estate website for our marketplace. It is not easy to do, but if you are creative, you can find ways to help achieve a website that is well received, and that folks will like and return to visit again...and even tell their friends about.

You need to be different; take a different or more unique approach. Focus on niches, specialties, specifics, and make it unique to you.

Visit this article for some general information. And, if you have not already done so, purchase "Real Estate Rainmaker: A guide to Online Marketing". It has some great ideas that may benefit you as well.

Create a "Listing" or "Property" Web Site

2007-12-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

Create your own Listing or Property Flyer Online.

In a GraphicalData environment, you can create your own listing website. Two options are available to you.

One option is free: Once your listing is in the MLS and has been swept into the GraphicalData MLS/IDX feed, then your listing will automatically show in your website (www.yourdomainname.com/mls#). This is pretty cool, because so much information is automatically available there...the property info, photos, mapping, schools, neighborhoods, printable flyer, etc. In fact, I have seen listed property sites that agents pay for that do not nearly look as good as this free available feature.

You then then use your domain name for any promotions, or even acquire a domain name if you like and point it to the address (www.yourdomainname.com/mls#) and use it in your advertising if you like.

A second option is that when you already have a GraphicalData website, you can have any number of additional sites for $20/mo hosting each. Many agents opt to go this way, and have an entire website devoted to a property. This may be a good way to go for a high-end property that you would like to promote. Again, you can acquire a unique domain name, such as in the first method above, and point it to this site as well.

Two methods to promote a listing...one free...one at an affordable cost. Should you have any questions on either of these means of promotion, contact Agent Support Center for more details.

Is Your Website All It Can Be?

2007-12-24T08:46:00.000-08:00

Graphical Data is continually adding new tools...that are available to you...and at no additional cost. However, I find that many GD site owners are not always aware of the new products. Usually a new feature or tool is noted on the landing page when you sign into your GD account. And I try to post a note here as well upon a new release.

Regardless, going into the new year, you might review if you have implemented tools that would be of interest to you. Or if not sure how to do so contact us so that we can do it for you. Additionally, there will be new tools released on a regular basis going into the new year.

Some of the tools that you may have missed, that are currently available to you...are the blog, the neighborhood search (not all areas), and the "What is your home worth" tool, to name a few.

Also, for those in Kitsap County, Agent Support Center has created a great Kitsap County video that can be added to your site (this does have an affordable, nominal fee as it is not a GD product and did cost us a nice penny to have produced).

And, if you should want any custom content added to your site and not sure how to go about it, we are happy to assist you there as well.

Since this post is near the end of the year, I would like to take this moment to wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Make Your "About Us" Page Work For You

2007-12-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

Most Good websites include an "About Us" or "Meet Jane" page. However, do we really know what to place on this page that will do us the most good. Sometimes one can ramble on way too long. Or perhaps get carried away with one's lifetime credentials. Or maybe worse yet...nearly nothing of substance.

I recently came across this article and although not targeting real estate in general, I believe the author has some great insight on what should be included.

Take a read, and modify your page as needed . . . or send the verbiage to Agent Support Center, and we can certainly do it for you.

Busy Times

2007-12-07T12:42:00.000-08:00

It has certainly been a busy fall. We have been neck deep in building out real estate offices.

I thought it might be fun to review some of the more recent editions:

Windermere Real Estate - 3 Kitsap County Offices + Commercial Office
RE/MAX Elite - Redmond, Wa
Windermere Real Estate - Spokane (7 offices)
Windermere Real Estate - Ballard
Windermere Real Estate - Northwest
Windermere Real Estate - Tacoma

And, several more lined up in the hopper...

Stay tuned for new exciting tools that GraphicalData will be releasing between now and the end of this month. They will be very exciting additions to your site going into the new year!

And speaking of the new year...wishing you all a Merry Christmas...and a great New Year!

Think Now for a More Profitable 2008

2007-11-19T06:44:00.000-08:00

Start planning now for next year's business. Develop stratagies for increasing your current level of business. And, just as important where can you trim the fat on your expenses so that your bottom line looks healthier.

Visit this article for Walter Sanford's take on what to put in place for a more profitable new year.

Free or Paid Search Engine Marketing?

2007-11-10T15:35:00.000-08:00

We would all like to show in the top 10 search engine results, especially Google, for a search phrase that would send folks to our web site. The more competitive the search phrase, the more difficult it is for good placement.

There are two primary ways to show in the top 10 results . . . either using proven SEO tactics, or pay to be there. The first route is probably the best route if it can be achieved . . . however, it takes time, patience, and can cost if you have someone SEO (Search Engine Optimization) your site for you. In this day and age, you almost certainly need the help of someone experienced in this realm as there are a myriad of "on the page", "behind the page", and "off the page" items that need attention,

The other route is pay for inclusion . . . and probably the most well-known is PPC (Pay-Per-Click) advertising on the internet. Here you can achieve almost immediate and tangible results, but it can be much more expensive in the long run. And also, as soon as you stop paying, your presence is gone.

So, ideally you may want to do both . . . especially in the early days of a new website/domain name. That way you can achieve immediate results while you work up your up in the free or organic listing results.

Visit this article to learn more about these two facets of positioning yourself on the internet.

Search/Map/Print Upcoming Open Houses with the TourBook

2007-11-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

The TourBook is a new tool used to map and create driving directions to selected listings. These listings can include Open Houses as well as your Favorites.

Locate open houses . . . view details . . . map with driving directions and drive times. Then, print out your tour for easy reference.

Multiple listings may be loaded into a TourBook and you can arrange the order of you tour as well. Your tour then provides a mapped route from Listing A, to Listing B, to Listing C . . .

The TourBook is accessible to a visitor after creating an account, and logging into that account. Of course there are other benefits in creating an account including saving searches and favorites, and opting in for notification of new listings by email, to name a few.

For an example of this new product, vist http://www.windermerespokane.com and select Open Houses". There is also a good example of the new open house mapping program.

VOW Revisited

2007-11-01T04:58:00.000-07:00

I have visited this topic before, and feel it is important enough to bring to the for-front again.

First, what exactly is VOW? This acronym stands for "Virtual Office Website". A VOW real estate web site allows you to provide your site visitors with access to the most information available in the MLS, in exchange for their contact information. A VOW is where the public can create their own password-protected user account, provide their own contact information, describe their property interest, and then conduct searches of all available listings within that MLS.

This all sounds cool and is probably pretty much what we expect the public to view on our websites. However, once the VOW has been "activated" by you via your admin center, all listings and additional information details can be displayed.

What do I mean by this? In some areas, the public is not allowed to see addresses, driving directions and other selected pieces of listing information . . . unless an account is created by the visitor on your website. Display rules are set by the MLS and once the visitor has created his/her account, they become a bona fide customer/client and are allowed to view this additional information.

Of course, they can save their searches and their favorite listings. And, they can opt in for email notification of new listings meeting their search criteria from this account as well.

So, how does this all work? What must you do to provide VOW to your visitors who sign up? In a nutshell, here would be the process:

When a user visits your web site for the first time, typically they will do a search and if they want to save it, or save their favorites, or opt in for additional features not available to the general public, they are presented with two options: register as a new user or log in as an existing user. A new user is required to enter his/her basic contact information and the criteria for his/her first saved search. Upon registration completion, the new user becomes a “registered user” and is notified via email with instructions on how to activate and access their account. You, also receive an email notifying you of this new registered user.

NOW HERE IS THE IMPORTANT PART . . . when you receive your notification via email that a new account has been created, you need to go into your GD Admin Center and activate the VOW to their account.

How do you do this? Simple! Sign in to your GD admin center. Go to your "Website" section. In the left panel of navigation icons is the “Contacts” section (as denoted by a small page icon displayed there). This section displays your website users. Select the “edit pencil” for the contact that just created their account. You will see the “VOW” access option which is probably turned “off”. Merely click on it to turn it “on” and you have activated their VOW.

In a nutshell then, GD Sign In Page > Website > Contacts > Website User > Edit > Turn On (VOW)

Any time the registered user returns to your site, they may log in as a registered user. Upon logging in, registered users are directed to own their private "Dashboard". From this screen they are able to manage their profiles, search home listings, save searches, save homes and request more information.

This is a great way to provide something special and lock in a visitor to your web site.

Real Estate Tips Trends For The Coming Year

2007-10-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to be planning for next year...the strategies we put in place now will reward us in the months to come...especially with the change in marketplace, financing, etc.

Here is a good article by Walter Sanford as to what he perceives great agents should be doing. Have a good read.

Good Website Design Habits

2007-10-13T11:56:00.000-07:00

There are many things you can do right or wrong in website design, and of course entire books have been written on the subject.

Review this article for some good guidelines and simple mistakes to do and don't :~)

And, the mentioned book "Don't make me think in this article is one of my suggested reads as well.

Dashed Lines When Using Tables In Page Layout Tool

2007-10-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

So what is with those dashed lines anyway?

OK . . . you have gotten better at using the Page Layout Tool in your GraphicalData website . . . and in fact have even started using tables for better alignment of text and graphics in certain instances.

But . . . whoa . . . what are those dashed lines that appear around the table when you save the page and view in your browser? [Dashed lines do appear when you are actually editing the table so that you can see what you are doing]

Well, just one of those things, I suppose. But what I did want to offer up is a solution that I have found for this issue.

Compose your table as you normally would on the page you are working on. Then, on your final save to the page, click to HTML mode at the bottom of the page (just above the save button) and then Save your changes. Your page should now look normal in your browser . . . not dashed lines.

However, you will need to follow this step each time you have edited in that respective Page Layout Tool.

Don't Make Search Engines Mad

2007-10-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

Search engines have guidelines in place to prevent the unfair manipulation of search engine rankings. These search engine guidelines, or algorithms, are modified on an ongoing basis by the search engines as new deceptive practices are discovered. If flagrant, websites can actually be dropped from the rankings of search engines.

If your site is banned or dropped from the search engine rankings, it can certainly have a negative impact on your website traffic, online sales generation and site popularity.

Read this article if you would like some tips in avoiding making the search engines unhappy with your website.

[Note: Most of these points are big time baddies...a couple reflect just good practice to avoid...unless there is a good reason to do so]

The Pillers of an Effective Website

2007-09-28T14:29:00.000-07:00

There are many factors that one needs to consider when creating or maintaining a website that needs to appeal to both your visitors and the search engines.

To find a good synopsis of some of the considerations in what a good, effective site should have, visit this article. Concentrate on focus, depth, and stickyness as laid out my this author.

Your GraphicalData Blog Is Now Available!

2007-09-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

The rollout of the new GraphicalData Blog has begun! GD clients with a GraphicalData website can now easily add a Blog to their website...and at no additional cost!

The option of adding a Blog to your website should appear in the lower left side navigation when editing your website within the Website section of your admin center. It is entitled "Website Blog" with a green bubble beside it. Just click on it to pull up your Blog, and get to know it. You will complete some simple set-up options...and then go ahead and create a Blog Entry.

Once you have played around a bit, it should become more intuitive, as it is a modestly simple environment to work in...

If you are reading this message and have noted that your "Website Blog" option is not available to you, email: systemupdate@graphicaldata.com with a link to your GraphicalData Website and you'll be pushed to the front of the line to resolve this availability issue!

Due to the fact that many GD clients have custom website designs, or have done extensive content editing, some may experience an easier adoption than others. If after creating an entry and viewing it, you find the layout is broken, please email: systemupdate@graphicaldata.com with a link to your blog, and GD will review it. Inquiries are handled in the order recieved. GD has requested that you avoid calling Customer Support on this topic, as it needs to be routed to the tech crew at the email address above anyway, so go this easy route if you experience anything strange.

Thanks for your patience as GD begins this roll out! For most clients this will be an easy, additional tool to use in your business. More details to follow!

Making Mistakes On Your Web Site

2007-08-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Some folks with websites think that just having a website up should bring them traffic...and therefore business. It is true that having a website is an important tool not only for establishing credibility, but for generating leads as well.

However, there are many common mistakes that can actually hurt your business! Your site must have the looks and integrity of a business site that instills confidence in your visitors. It must have the content they are looking for. It must have lead generating systems. And certainly it must be search engine optimized so that visitors can find your site in the first place.

Well, each of the above could be an entire seminar all in itself. So for a quick 1-2-3 read, visit this author's take on "Do You Make These Mistakes With Your Web Site?".

Hopefully you will find something that you can do to make your website even better than it is.

Differentiate Your Home Page For More Business

2007-08-17T15:52:00.000-07:00

How well does your website explain in a sentence or two, on your home page, what your business does and its competitive advantage?

Since we know that your website has only a few seconds to convince a visitor to stay, both design and message must stand on their own.

Read this article for more info on this important topic.

Spam Revisited

2007-08-17T07:24:00.000-07:00

There is so much Spam out there, that many companies and email providers have implemented anti-spam type of filters to help solve the problem. This in itself can create another problem…missed or undelivered emails to you.

After analyzing this situation, I have found that many legitimate folks that use free email systems such as hotmail, gmail and the like often fall victim to many of the spam filters. The reason . . . many spammers use the free services . . . and so what is actually happening here is that the good are getting thrown out with the bad.

The net result to you…the email from a legitimate party may be lying in a spam mail file. I would highly recommend that you check your spam mail at least once a week to see if a potentially important message is waiting for you. Your email provider may have spam settings, as well as you having spam settings on your own computer . . . so just be aware of this challenge.

A good solution for GraphicalData website owners lies in your GraphicalData back door admin center. The current interface of the admin center provides you with the latest 10 emails that have been sent to you via any form from your GD website . . .right on the entry landing page. Now this doesn’t solve the delivery issue of other emails from other sources, but at least those lead generating emails from your website will show here.

This is a great idea for quick monitoring of one of your most important means of communication.

Horizontal Navigation Bar Now Available

2007-08-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Horizontal Navigation is now available in GraphicalData websites.

In the past, we have been limited to using the vertical navigation bar on GD sites...but no more! Horizontal navigation is now available.

If you should like to modify your site, please contact Ozzie at Agent Support Center to discuss this new venue now available to GraphicalData website owners.

New Page Layout Tool Replaces the Venerable HTML Editor

2007-07-21T11:05:00.000-07:00

There's a new tool in town! The Page Layout Tool. It retires the older HTML Editor that has seen its better days.

This new tool brings much more potential and in fact, will do most anything you will ever need. If you are proficient in Word or Publisher, it will look similar to you.

It also brings in current HTML standards as well as CSS benefits. A big deal for the "behind the scenes" world of internet and browser standards.

So, if you have been working much in the old HTML Editor, this will seem much different to you...if you are going in for the first time to edit/add content to your site, you won't even give it a second thought.

Enjoy the new interface!

Neighborhood Maps for Spokane

2007-07-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

Neighborhood maps are now available in both Spokane and Bellingham, Washington.

They are a great way for visitors to your website to search for listings in the diverse communities around our region. Of course, they are also available to agents in Portland, King County, Tacoma/Gig Harbor area and Kitsap County areas as well.

Neighborhood Maps are available immediately and can be added to any page on your website.

Any questions contact GraphicalData or Agent Support Center.

Create An Additional, Affordable Website

2007-07-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

IF you already subscribe to a GraphicalData website, you can create a 2nd, or 3rd, or more websites for only $20/hosting each.

What does this mean? Should you want to develop an additional website for a unique marketing venue, with all the full features of your existing site, it is affordable for you to do so.

For example, perhaps you would like to target or focus on a specific neighborhood . . . or perhaps a different aspect of real estate such as waterfront properties . . . or you may need a website totally focused on a special listing you might have (see an example of this here).

Each website would, of course, have its own domain name to reflect its unique roll in your marketing efforts.

This can be a great way to continue expanding your presence online.

For more information on on creating additional sites (with the same agent profile), contact Ozzie or Shelly at Agent Support Center.

Major Enhancement to the GD Automatic Email Notification System

2007-07-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

NEW! A major enhancement to Graphical Data's Automatic Email Notification system. One of the exciting tools in the contact management realm has been the Email notification system where a visitor creates their own account and can save favorites, searches, reports and the like.

The new instant AEN now allows users who have saved listing search criteria on your website to have listings Emailed to them the INSTANT that new listings matching their search criteria enters the GraphicalData system. That means that many times your visitor/client may know about a new listing even before most agents do.

Users can now log into their "dashboard" account on your website and select one of the three listing delivery schedules: Instant, Nightly or Both!

Personalized "Welcome" Bar Now Greets Return Visitors

2007-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

In the event you have not "signed in as a visitor" to your website, a recent upgrade has added.

Once a visitor has logged into your site, a personalized tag/dashboard appears at the top of each page welcoming them back to your site. It then appears on each page they visit for easy access to anything they may want to do within their account.

E-Commercial Has Been Updated

2007-06-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

The e-commercial has been updated providing a leaner, meaner presentation. If you have not used this tool before, now might be a great time to check it out. It is a great format to use when sending a new listing to your clients.

When you have created an e-commercial , it then provides you a URL address that you can paste into an email and send to a client...ie "Click on the link below to view a property you may be interested in" or whatever...and then paste the link.

http://sharonjaffee.com/eCom/27027410/

The above is an example. You have control of the background image and the color of the commercial. [Note: this tool is branded to Windermere only.]

SnapViewer Has Been Updated

2007-06-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

For those who have SnapViewers embedded into your website there is great news! It has been upgraded.

It looks the same...it works the same...but behind the scenes, it has been reprogramed to operate more efficiently. On some sites, depending upon how it had been embedded into the page, it would occasionally not update correctly. That has now been fixed and you will find a product that functions as it was so designed.

Also, from a designer's perspective, we have greater control as to how we can place it into a page, so that makes us happier too :~).

However, *this is important*, to activate your SnapViwer into the new venue, you will need to go in and "edit" your existing SnapViewer to do so. What does this mean? Just go into your SnapViewer module, go to existing SnapViewer, change out a listing number (or not), set the color that you want, and then click the "Build SnapViewer" button. This sets the new format in place. Again, it won't look any different on the front of your web page, but behind the scenes, it will have generated leaner, meaner code...and a more responsive tool.

Article on an Internet Buyer versus Traditional Home Buyer

2007-05-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

A study was recently conducted in the California marketplace for last year in comparing how the new Internet Buyer thinks and uses the online tools available as compared to the traditional home buyer. Interesting read. Visit this interesting article.

The more that we learn about this important internet trend forces us to adjust in a positive manor to keep...or even increase...our market positioning and share in today's marketplace.

Schools Are Now Mapped

2007-05-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

The latest new upgrade is in the school information section attached to each listing.

Now when a visitor views a listing...and then selects the school information button...the schools are mapped for easy reference. Really cool! One can actually see the location of the nearest school...no more guessing which school is nearest the subject property.

Of course, we all know how school boundaries are drawn and that the nearest school does not necessarily mean it is the designated school for that property...but this does assist the visitor in their investigation...it makes your site more complete and a better source of information...and it just might help generate that lead for you...and then you can help them discover the home and school for them.

Lead Generating Tools

2007-05-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

One of the primary goals that most of us have for our websites is to generate leads.

On a real estate driven website, that usually comes to us in the form of an email...from one of the lead generating forms that we have employed on our site. A GraphicalData site is a natural for this as nearly everything is built with a lead generating in mind.

However, you can create your own additional lead generating pages yourself. Since you can add a form to most any page, consider writing something that would be of interest to one of your visitors and then adding a simple form for them to contact you after the read if they would like more information.

This is a simple concept and can be developed with a buyer or seller in mind. It can be area/community information, something on agency, your area of expertise...whatever you might like. One that I have found that tends to work well is just offering a simple "relo packet" or "newcomer packet" or "get to know our area packet" or whatever you might like to call it. The more "lead generating" tools that you have on your site, the more inquiries you will have :~)

And the bonus...since you are adding new content to your website, the search engines see this, and you are rewarded accordingly.

By Ozzie Nohre, Agent Support Center

Statistics / Analytics For Your Website

2007-05-03T06:33:00.000-07:00

Analytics are now available for your website. Hooray!

All that a GraphicalData website user now needs to do is create an account in Google, and then sign up for Google Analytics.

This is very easy to do...just go to http://www.google.com/analytics/ and if you already have a Google account for some reason, just use it. If not just follow the steps for creating an account and you are on your way.

Once you have created an account, you can then sign up for Google Analytics. Again, just a few more steps...and you will be done!

This powerful Web-based statistics package used to cost $400/month before Google bought it and now makes it available to anyone for free.

Once signed up a small snippet of code wil be displayed. You will need to copy the account number within this script of code and insert it into the appropriate place in your admin center...which will activate it.

[NOTE: GraphicalData has provided a manual to walk you through this whole process. Go into your admin center>website>website statistics>New! Google Analytics (or view manual here). Also take note of the field where you will paste in your Google Analytics account number. Then click the "Update Analytics" button and you are good to go.]

After this process is completed, you will be able to log into your Google Analytics account from any Web browser and see up-to-the-minute real time statistics on everything you could ever want to know about your site visitors and their behavior. All kinds of charts and graphs and information.

Website statistics are highly useful if you have the ability to a) understand what they are saying about your site's ability or lack of ability to convert visitors to clients, and b) they can be used to help create a strategic plan of action.

Have fun with your new tool!

ozzie - agentsupportcenter.com

Did You Know You Can Place MLS#s Behind Your Domain Names For Easy Reference

2007-04-26T20:39:00.000-07:00

You can now place a listing's MLS number directly behind your domain name separated by a forward slash (/). For example (as long as this listing stays active and/or has the same mls #) if you click on www.ourvashon.com/27017270 then you will pull up this particular listing.

This is a great way to share a listing that includes your domain name as well, either in written advertising or adding the link to an email.

Is Simple Good on the Web...or is Complex Better?

2007-04-18T11:50:00.000-07:00

We never really know how much glitz and glitter that we need to sprinkle on a web site. My philosophy has always been keep it short and simple. From a usability experts take...they would probably agree with that.

Here is another good read on simplicity vs complexity in a website. Visit this article for an interesting viewpoint on when to be simple and when to be complex.

Main Factors That Influence Ranking Well On Search Engines

2007-04-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

I know we all would like to be in the top 10 when it comes to ranking well in the search engines. It takes time, knowledge, tweaking and patience. It can actually be a full time job...and the professionals make a LOT of money in helping you get there.

So, if you don't have a lot of time to devote to the search engine optimization (SEO) of your site...and you don't have a lot of knowledge about this important topic...and you don't want to spend a lot of money...what do you do?

Visit this article on the top factors that influence how well you rank on the search engines. A nice simple article on the main things you can do to help your site do better.

You can also contact Agent Support Center for affordable assistance in "staging your website" for the search engines. We provide good, front end optimization and submission of GraphicalData websites.

More Traffic To Your Website

2007-04-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Is your site not receiving the amount of visitors that you might like? Maybe folks do not know your site it there. If it is not showing modestly well in the search engines, and if you are not promoting offline, then chances are your potential visitors have not found you.

What can be done? Well, many things. For starters, a site needs to be optimized for the search engines (SEO) and the search engines need to be aware that you are there so that they can crawl and index your site.

Additionally, your site must stand on its own as far as content is concerned. Is it pertinent? Is it quality? Is it unique and not mimicking verbiage from another site?

And, over time it is important to develop links from other sites that point to your site. This is not an easy task, but I have found that if you are truly providing good, quality content that is valuable, other sites will link to you as a resource.

Visit this article, and view some strategies you can use to promote your website.

Ways To Drive Visitors From Your Website

2007-03-24T12:52:00.000-07:00

Many website owners still make fundamental mistakes that drive visitors away from their website, rather than offering a pleasant and rewarding environment that people will return to.

The primary goal of a website should be to establish your message quickly and simply. Visitors scan sites quickly, and want to move immediately to the information that benefits them. Visit this article to find a somewhat humorous take on some of the ways that sites stop them from doing that...and in essence, drive visitors away!

Neighborhood Map Searches Now Available For Kitsap County

2007-03-11T16:40:00.000-07:00

Kitsap County Neighborhood Maps are available and can be added to any page on your website.

But wait there is more! In the event you missed it, they are also available for the Portland area, Seattle/King County and Tacoma/Gig Harbor as well! Soon to be available in Spokane.

Neighborhood maps are a great way for visitors to your website to search for listings in the diverse communities around our region. Neighborhood Maps are available immediately and can be added to any page on your website via your administrative center.

View an example of this great new tool on my demo website found at CommercialKitsap.com. [Note: Since I demo different areas, your specific area may or may not be showing at any given time.]

How Important Is Link Popularity Anyway?

2007-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

One of the important aspects that Google uses in ranking a site is "link popularity" based on links pointing to it. An interesting article can be found here in regards to this important issue.

Probably the 3 most important things in a site ranking well, are a good "Title Tag" in the head section of your site; good content in your site; and good quality links pointing inbound to your site from other sites. Obviously the latter is the most difficult to achieve and usually takes place over a period of time.

The above linked article reflects on this topic much better than I could write it, so if this topic is of interest, then enjoy the read.

Top 10 SEO Mistakes That Are Easy To Make

2007-02-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

In my last post, I provided a link to an article about "10 Real Estate Web Site Commandments". This post is a follow-up article in regards to what can provide barriers to search engine spiders or robots trying to crawl your website.

Visit this article to find a brief look at the top 10 mistakes made by website designers or those endeavoring to optimize a site for the search engines...and how to correct them.

10 Real Estate Web Site Commandments

2007-02-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

What makes a good real estate agent web site?

You would like to know how to maintain the best possible agent website that nets you the most buyer and seller leads and prospects.

Visit an interesting article for "10 commandments for real estate websites" representing the ideal towards which every new or existing real estate agent website should aspire. This is an article that I totally agree with and hope you will find interesting and rewarding...and short and concise for easy reading, as well.

Call To Action!

2007-02-04T14:59:00.000-08:00

We all know that whether we mail out printed promotional materials, or someone visits our website, we need a "call to action".

A GraphicalData website is full of lead generation tools that encourage your visitors to contact you. And that's a good thing. But, as an individual agent, you can can go even further in customizing your website even further and optimizing it for generating inquiries.

If you develop a unique section on your site that displays your expertise in that venue, then follow it up with a sentence such as "For more information on this subject, feel free to contact me at 206-692-1234 or email me."

Another solution would be to add "If I can be of assistance on this subject, contact me:" Then, just add the general comment form onto this same page under this content. This would create a page of information and a convenient form for the impulse contact.

In any event, as you custom out your site to better fit you and your real estate practices and goals, you can add easy "call to actions" to just about any page...or provide a link to your main contact form from any page.

Of course, if you do not feel comfortable in adding this type of content yourself, give Agent Support Center a call or send an email, and we would be happy to add this type of content...or show you how to do so.

Customize Your GraphicalData Website

2007-01-28T11:04:00.000-08:00

If you currently have a standard GraphicalData website and now feel that it is time to upgrade to a customized look, that is easy for Agent Support Center to do!

Whether you acquired your standard site directly from GraphicalData, or from us here at Agent Support Center, we can take you to the next level.

A customized look would include your own banner, designed with you in mind. Also your background color would be created, button colors and the like.

We can beef up the look and text content on your home page, and have additional content that can be added to increase the functionality of your site, including buyer and seller tips, interest rates (refresh daily), privacy policy, your loan officer if desired, area links, and other contents that you might have or want.

If you would like a more sophisticated look...the cool thing is that a GraphicalData site can become just about anything you would like it to be. And, it's affordable too! Contact Agent Support Center for more information and an estimate for your customized site.

Additionally, if you should already have a website that we have previously created for you, and you would like it modified or new content added, do feel free to contact us anytime...we want your online presence to be successful!

Time to Consider a BLOG?

2007-01-18T09:50:00.000-08:00

It just might be time to consider adding a blog to your quiver of real estate tools.

The first, most important step is developing your website. Then, when the time feels right, and you feel like dusting off your writing skills, it just might be time to develop your own blog.

Visit Inman News for an interesting article on blogs. There are additional links from this article showing what some folks have done with their blogs. A good real estate blog that is not over the top and has generated leads for its owner can be viewed at Dave's Blog about Kitsap County real estate.

Visit other articles that I have posted previously on this blog The Essentials and Do I Need One.

Add A Photo Gallery To Your Web Site

2007-01-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

When a listing is displayed in the search results on your GraphicalData website, there is a lot of information displayed to the end user. All the photos submitted to the MLS are displayed, the MLS information is displayed, the area schools and info about them are attached to the listing, the area demographics are attached to the listings, recent sales comps are attached, and Google mapping affixes as well. The cool thing is that the ability for the visitor to contact you in nearly every one of these venues is there as well.

So, what additional content can you provide for each of your listings. You can attach a photo gallery or virtual movie to each listing as well.

How? Sign into your admin center, select "Listing" >>> "Inventory" and then "View" the listing you would like to add your media to...

Select "Virtual Tours" within this listing, and add your photo gallery/virtual tour/media link to the "Tour Link" field. You actually have the opportunity to add up to 3 different media links to each listing.

These links will then show each time a visitor pulls up your listing in your site as well as every site utilizing the GraphicalData database.

If you should have any questions on this, feel free to visit Agent Support Center and contact me via email...or telephone.

Your Name in Lights in Google Base

2006-12-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

Since January of this year ('06) GraphicalData has been feeding listings into Google Base on a trial program. GraphicalData feels it is so important that when someone is interested in your listings on Google they are directed back to your own website where they can find every available property in the MLS...as well as all the other information and lead generating systems you have on your website.

"Your name in lights" as you can see in the image to the left your name will appear on all of your listings. All of this with you being the primary point of contact. As buyers are becoming more and more rare, and competiton is heating up for buyers and sellers, this is just another arrow in your GraphicalData quiver.

This service is available to any GraphicalData client who chooses to take advantage of it and wants to incorporate it into their marketing program. If you would like this additional service, there is a one time $50 assessment to set up your account with Google and to prepare your nightly feeds. You will also be given access to your Google Base Admin so you can track your traffic from Google to your website. This service is not time sensitive and can be started at a later time if you like.

How to Post Rentals onto Your Site

2006-12-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

It is easy to post rentals onto your site and it only requires a couple of main steps.

The first step is to create your rental page onto your website. This is easily done by going into your admin center and selecting "Website". Create a new button...standard type of page. Create a free form page, and then "shoot over" the "Rentals" module. This now sets the stage for any content that you add. Of course, you must turn on the page for it to show when ready to do so, and perhaps arrow it up or down to achieve the order that you would like the button to be displayed.

Next, and on any subsequent additions, modifications, or deletions of rentals, visit the "Listings" tab found in your admin center at top just a couple tabs left of the "website" tab...and then select "Rentals". Just follow the 1-2-3 setup. First select the title you would like for the rental (ie West Seattle View Home). As you click through, you will add the address, rent, deposit, description, rental status and most any other information that you would like to impart. You can also upload a photo to accompany your rental listing.

You can upload any number of rentals. And the public picture/information display of the listing is great.

Showing Well in the Search Engines

2006-12-17T11:34:00.000-08:00

Understanding how to show well in the search engines can prove to be a daunting task for most website owners. You need to be knowledgeable in what Search Engine Optimization (SEO) involves...and stay up with the changing trends and algorithms. Even then, anything less than specializing in this new "art" may not be enough. Most folks have no idea how to improve their ranking...and even for those that have taken notes at a seminar or the like, I have found that many times, the speaker's notes are out of date.

Many criteria and strategies change frequently...others last longer. Visit this article to find procedures you should follow to climb steadily to the top of the search engines, while still ensuring that you attract traffic that will be interested in the content of your website.

Another Method for Adding Text to Your Website

2006-12-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

One of the nice features of a GraphiclData website is that you have the ability to add pages and content to your own site. We often use the "Page Layout Tool" (found in the Page Content Options)when adding content to your website pages since it has a friendly interface (like a simple Word or Publisher program) that you can use.

There is another means to add plain text, or paste simple HTML, directly into your website called the "Text" tool found near the bottom of the Page Content Options. This is a good vehicle to use if you have created the text in Word, for example, and you are going to paste it into your site.

Sometimes the "Page Layout Tool" tool can modify content the next time you open the page in it. In other words, you can paste something into the editor...save it...and all is cool until you open it again to tweak or the like. On opening, it tries to "clean up" or "modify" certain pieces of HTML that it perceives as incorrect, and in the process things may change from your original look. This can be confusing and frustrating.

If pasting HTML into the "Text" tool, it leaves the code intact. And if pasting text, it goes in easy too. Of course if you know some basic HTML you can embellish here as well.

This tool might be worth experimenting with, if you have a challenge with the "Page Layout Tool". You could create a test page with the light bulb turned off so that it doesn't show to the public, play with it and see how it works for you. Worth considering those few times when things seem to not work correctly with the other Editor tool.

Good Writing Makes for Good Search Engine Rankings

2006-12-03T19:06:00.000-08:00

I like to compare optimizing a web site to that of staging a home. The home must first be sound and in good condition or buyers very easily might pass on it. But if you do have a home that is sound, well-located, will be priced right, and you have taken the listing for an adequate time frame to achieve a normal sale, then all you have to do to it (other than the other types of normal promotion) is make sure it shows well. And we know how to stage homes that show well thanks to folks like Barb Schwarz.

A web site is really no different. Sure, there are a lot of things we do when "staging" a web site for the search engines (SEO / Search Engine Optimization), but the web site must be well built on the front end, and one of the requirements is ensuring that you have plenty of relevant, keyword phrase body copy.

To understand this concept better, visit a recent article entitled Search Engine Optimization, It's All in the Writing. This is an article that is pretty good at showing how important that is if you want to show well in the search engines. If you get the basic content right, we can optimize and get your site showing well on the search engines.

Your Listings Featured in Google Base

2006-11-24T09:20:00.000-08:00

Did you know that your GraphicalData listings can also be found in Google Base??

Just as Windermere uploads to Google Base, your GraphicalData listings can also be uploaded to Google Base. The difference is that in the Windermere venue, when a viewer selects a listing from the Google Base, it loads your listing into the Windermere wrapping and brands it to you...whereas in the GraphicalData venue, when a viewer selects a listing from the Google Base, it loads your listing right into your own website.

Either way, you are a winner, as it is your listing, and both are personalized to you. The GraphicalData solution also allows them to take advantage of the rest of your website's content and tools, as well as branding it to you via your own website vs the Windermere look.

If you would like to take advantage of the GD upload to Google for your listings, contact GraphicalData toll-free at1-866-850-4674.

The bonus: your listings will show up two times in the Google Base...once branded to Windermere, the other branded to you and your website. That's double cool!

Your Website Will Be Offline November 21st

2006-11-19T10:49:00.000-08:00

Downtime Notice for November 21st 2006

(Note: This process was successfully completed after a loooooooong evening/morning and back online by 7:30 am :~)

Please be aware that GraphicalData will be moving to a new server colocation facility on November 21st between 6pm and 6am the following morning. During this time your personal website and the GraphicalData.com website will not be available.

For those who have email accounts attached to your domain, your email will not be disrupted.

GraphicalData is facilitating this move in a time frame that statistically shows minimum traffic to websites in our area. We apologize for any inconvenience. Once moved, this new server location boasts superior performance and reliability for sites hosted.

Ranking Well In The Search Engines

2006-11-12T16:11:00.000-08:00

There are many factors to consider in ranking well with the search engines. And, as luck would have it, each search engine has its own recipe (or algorithm) for the criteria that they apply to this end.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) "sets the stage" for the engines. Optimizing a website is sort of like staging a home for buyers, except in this case, you are staging for the search engine 'bots. If you have good content (which is very important) it still needs to abide by other factors that search engines build into their formulas for ranking websites.

Here is a good article on some of the factors that can help put you in good standing with the search engines.

If you would like Agent Support Center to assist you with SEO and help position you correctly in the search engine wars, please feel free to contact us at ozzie@agentsupportcenter.com or toni@agentsupportcenter.com

Don't miss this critical step: "staging" your website correctly and increasing your chances for being found on the search engines.

Good Writing Techniques for Your Website

2006-11-03T22:00:00.000-08:00

Writing content for your website means good content...quality content...relevant content...unique content and writing it at tight as possible.

Here is a great article for writing good content into your website.

More Traffic to Your Website – Revisited

2006-10-29T13:33:00.000-08:00

Last post we reviewed what Direct Navigation was and how it could be implemented and integrated into our marketing to increase the traffic to your website.

This post I would like to revisit the Direct Navigation concept and look at a few more zingers or slight variations on the previous examples. As you can see they are only limited by your imagination. You should review your strengths, what you are offering on your web site, and your marketplace...then promote with the appropriate "zingers" that would entice folks to visit your website.

· Visit My NEW Website
· Search All Area Homes for Sale Anytime
· To Visit Every Listing, Visit YourDomainName.com
· Request a FREE Relocation Package (if you provide one)
· View My Online Real Estate Newsletter (if you provide one)
· Request your FREE School Report [or] Free Neighborhood Report
· View Properties utilizing Google’s Earth Mapping Technology

I have had agents tell me that upon mailing out postcards promoting their websites (spheres and farms), when reviewing their stats, they saw substantial increase in traffic.

Whether using postcards, magazines (ie Homes and Land) or whatever, you will have an impact on the traffic to your site. And like anything we do in real estate, it is numbers and timing. The more we send, the greater the return.

Don’t be afraid to promote your website. Do have good quality content when your visitors stop by.

Direct Navigation For More Traffic To Your Website!

2006-10-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

Did you know that “Direct Navigation” accounts for as much traffic to your website as does search engines…perhaps even more?

What exactly is “Direct Navigation”? It means that visitors typed your domain name, or URL directly into the address bar of their browser. This also includes links from emails and bookmarks.

This means that all the “off-line” marketing we do can make a difference to our traffic. The benefit here of course, is that many of these are “low-tech” and inexpensive.

What might some of these marketing solutions be? Business cards, direct mail, magazine ads, newspapers, signage, etc.

So, how…what would you do??? If I were an agent, I would get busy with my “off-line” marketing. I would focus on driving folks to my website as my primary focus.

For example, in Homes and Land…or newspaper advertising, you could continue to show 2 or 3 listings or whatever, but would devote the thrust of your message as to why they should visit your website with 2 or 3 zingers…maybe even only one if it is a biggie.

And another idea...send out those postcards. You could display an image of your website on the card, and then list a zinger or two as to why the recipient should visit your website. Agents that have done this say they could see the increased traffic to their websites via their stats.

And, with even more new tools to be released in the weeks to come, what a time to get on board this bandwagon!

The cool thing is that you could probably reduce the size of your advertisement one notch down because once a visitor visits your site, they have even more content to become excited with…and interact with! They just need that “sexy” reason to go to their computer and type in your URL (your domain name).

Here is a list of zingers that you can place in your advertising.

NEW! Search homes by neighborhood!
See Photos of your favorite listings!
View all MLS listings from all real estate companies.
See what homes sold for in your neighborhood.
Estimate what your home is worth.
Save your favorite listings for future viewing.
Save your search for future viewing
Find information on schools, and neighborhoods.
Receive the latest email notification of new listings matching your search criteria.
Send listings of interest to family and friends by email.
View Buyer and Sellers tips.
Calculate how much home you can afford.
Calculate your mortgage payments.
Get creative...you can come up with even more reasons

You need to integrate your marketing strategies…offline marketing and online marketing…then watch your traffic grow!

GraphicalData Is Upgrading Agent Sites to the Next Generation

2006-10-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

GraphicalData is currently upgrading all sites to the new Build 4 platform.

This is exciting news as this new build will enable more exciting tools to be released in the upcoming weeks. Soon the Blog system will be here...new homesearch mapping system and more.

As with all upgrades, you may have experienced some strange things materializing here and there over the past couple of weeks. Most of that should be behind us now. Just some tweaking going on.

For those with standard banner designs, they have been updated as well, and you have been automatically converted over. I believe a handful of agents may have not had an equivelant replacement banner if that specific banner had been retired. If that is the case, you should have received an email from GraphicalData to that effect. Just go to your design section in your admin center and select a new style and color...or if not sure, feel free to give us a call and we can walk through it.

In any event, stay tune for the exiciting new products that will be released as the dust settles. There has never been a better time to have a site with GraphicalData than now...

Online Marketing: Real Estate Professionals Focus Marketing Dollars Online

2006-10-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

As an individual agent or brokerage, what can you do to be on the Internet and achieve success?

Visit this article to find some interesting online advertising facts...and a couple of good ideas.

Commandments for Website Design

2006-10-14T09:45:00.000-07:00

Everything on a website should have a purpose for being there.

This online article provides some simple guidelines that might help you in writing text and adding content you your website.

Check out these tips...this is an easy read and well worth the few moments it takes to read.

Resize Your Images Before Uploading to Your Website

2006-10-11T05:15:00.000-07:00

OK...you have taken a great photo and you want to upload it to your website. The challenge...with each new generation of cameras, image mega-pixel counts continue to increase. Unoptimized images are appearing on websites across the nation (around the world) with sizes approaching 1, 2, and even higher megabytes, bogging down servers and frustrating users. What does this mean? Website page bailout rates are on the rise as visitors are less likely to wait around for slow loading pages.

The solution: down-size your image...this reflects not only the physical size of your photo, but also the kilobyte (kb) size of the image which influences the download time. You need some form of photo editor.

Perhaps the easiest solution for the average user is to downsize the photo with a nifty little program that is available for free from Microsoft. It is called, interestly enough, Image Resizer and is found in their PowerToy section.

Sure, you would do even better if you were an experienced PhotoShop user, but for average website owners who do not have the time or inclination to learn a high end program, this could be the perfect fit.

You can find Image Resizer and download it from this location: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

Once you have downloaded the small file, just install it into your Program files or wherever, Windows will know where it is located.

The cool thing is that this PowerToy enables you to resize one or many image files with a single right-click. So, find the image on your computer...right click...select "Resize Pictures" and either use one of the default sizes provided (probably the smallest), or customize to the exact size you want with the simple "Advanced Feature" setting.

You can either overwrite your existing photo or save as a new smaller image (recommended). And, as previously mentioned, you can save time by resizing multiple images simultaneously.

This is a simple program...but effective. Run through a couple photos and you will have it all figured out.

The Result: Now your website will load much more quickly, and your visitors will be more "happy".

Neighborhood Map Search - Revisited

2006-10-06T20:16:00.000-07:00

The Neighborhood Map Search is really a hot item in my opinion. In fact I think it is one of the hottest tools going. Review my first article here.

There is however one critical item I forgot to mention in my earlier post. That being...once you have created the page with this tool in place, you need to "set the neighborhood map" to the appropriate area. Currently neighborhoods exist in Portland, Seattle, and the Tacoma areas (they will eventually be expanded to other areas).

How do you do this? Edit the module by finding a neighborhood that you know exists in your area. Select it and save the page. I have found that I now need to leave this module and then return to it. Now, all the neighborhoods for your area will show in the selection menu on the page. From here, if you have a specific neighborhood which you would like to be the default neighborhood that shows, repeat the process. Merely select your default desired neighborhood to show and save.

Normally you will not select the "displayed neighborhood only" option as you will want your visitors to be able to explore all neighborhoods for listings available in each.

Do You See Weird Characters When You Copy-and-Paste Text Into Your Website?

2006-10-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

When we copy-and-paste from one application (such as Word) into another application (such as your website), you are usually also pasting (though not obvious) all the original source formatting. This usually does not translate well, and can cause weird characters…or just as frustrating…not allow you to change your formatting to something else (changing font size for example).

Perhaps one of the easiest ways around this is to use a program called “Pure Text” that you can download free from the internet. It has its own set of instructions that you can print out as well. It is very small in file size and compatible with all Windows programs.

Basically it removes what is called “rich text formatting” from text and just leaves the pure text behind, along with carriage returns, tabs, spaces and the like which you may want to keep.

You can down load this small, helpful program at http://www.stevemiller.net/puretext/ and discover how it can help make your life easier.

Neighborhood Map Search is Now Available

2006-09-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Due to overwhelming demand for neighborhood-based searches, GraphicalData has developed Neighborhood Maps.

Portland Neighborhood Maps are available and can be added to any page on your website.

But wait there is more! Seattle/King County neighborhoods are also available!

Neighborhood maps are a great way for visitors to your website to search for listings in the diverse communities around our region. Neighborhood Maps are available immediately and can be added to any page on your website via your admin center.

View an example of this great new tool on my demo website found at CommercialKitsap.com.

Enjoy!

A, B, Cs of Web Site Promotion

2006-09-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

If you might like more traffic to your website, it takes more than just launching a website, "and they will come"...

It actually takes a little bit of work...I want to share some of the ways you can drive more traffic to your site. Some may seem obvious and easy, while others are less obvious and may take a moment of your time. But, all will benefit you in the promotion of your website.

a). Make sure that your office internet coordinator has added your domain name to the online WRE agent roster;

b). Include your domain name (and email) on your business cards, brochures, flyers and any other promotional materials that you might produce;

c). Ensure you have incorporated these same items into your email signature and any email-driven newsletters that you might send out;

d). Do you advertise in Homes and Land, the local newspaper, or other types of printed medium...then be sure and include your website domain name here as well;

e). Whenever there is a newsworthy event, submit it to the local newspapers for inclusion. Often it will get printed...especially if it is community-worthy. Don't forget to include your domain name!

f). Write articles for online newsletters and the like. Show yourself as an authority. Be sure and include your domain name. You can submit to various online entities such as ezinearticles.com and isnare.com;

The ways to promote your site are limited only by your imagination...just remember, by driving folks to your site will give them most of the information they need. All listings...schools...communities...area links...even what nearby homes have sold for and differing types of featured listings that you might have on your site. And a way to contact you!

And remember...include that domain name on everything!

Managing Links in Your GD Website

2006-09-13T12:01:00.000-07:00

There are a couple of different ways to add links in your GraphicalData website.

One way is to add them in the normal course of events in the HTML Editor. You can view a previously written article on this method.

Another way is to utilize the built-in link feature found in your site.

Easy to do...go to the "Website" section in your admin center. Then in the left column, select "Manage Your Website Links". From here is is pretty self evident that you can add a link, what the link is named, and even a description of the link if you like. This is, in essence, a master list of all your links.

Then, you will need to create a normal page on your site and "shoot over" the "Link List". Then edit your link list that appears. All you need to do "check" each item you want to show on that page. You can actually set up sections if you like for differing content and use more than one "Link List". Throw in a Title between each one with either the Title tool or the HTML Editor, and you are on your way!

You can view an example of this method on Wayne Paulson's site BigWaterProperties.com.

Drip Marketing System

2006-09-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

If you're not on the "Drip Marketing" bandwagon you had better figure out how to get on it and enjoy the ride. The number one mistake most agents make when meeting a new customer whether online or in real life is lack of communication. Most agents are trained to get the clients name and phone number.

So now you have a name and phone number what next. The typical salesperson will try the phone number 3 or 4 times then leave a message and if they don't get a call back the consumer is usually put back into the fish bowl. Now by adding drip marketing to your routine your customer is learning more about the person that is trying to get them to respond to left messages. With "Drip Marketing" you can provide in-depth knowledge about your expertise, your background, or whatever you want to share.

Below are the subject lines for a 10 step open house drip campaign that has been very successful for agents whom have chosen to implement it.

Open House Follow-up
Your Future Home
Open Houses
Dynamic Market
Save Time & Effort with Prescreening
Working with me
Real Estate Financing & You
The 21st Century Home Buyer
Location, Location, Location
Thank You

You get to become the local expert whether you actually get the consumer on the phone or not.

*** Guest Article by Allen Benson***

Are Internet Leads Different from Other Leads?

2006-09-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Are Internet leads different from other types of leads, such as referrals or floor calls? Should you handle them as you would sign calls? Or like open-house leads? Are they all the same? Or are they different???

The distinction is VERY IMPORTANT and can make the difference between maturing an internet lead vs scaring them off and losing them. An excellent article on this topic is found here.

Learn the difference and change the profitability in your internet business.

GraphicalData now has Google Mapping

2006-09-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

GraphicalData has implemented Google's earth aerial mapping as part of the presentation for each listing pulled up on a GD web site.

What does this mean...well, if you pull up a listing in a GD environment, then select the "map" feature button, you have several options. You can view the default "street" level mapping, or select the "neighborhood" level, or the "city" level, or even the "county" level. The new "aerial" level now maps to real virtual earth...cool!

And for Portland and Seattle, another bonus for selected areas...a "parcel map" shows as well!!! Other areas will be phased in on this one as resources permit...

More information for your visitors...more reasons you can use to promote your website...and why folks need to visit. And ultimately more leads for you...

Stay tuned for even more exciting tools coming online...near you...soon!

Content Is King

2006-08-27T18:10:00.000-07:00

It is imperative to have good, quality, unique content on your web site…especially the home page which tends to be the page often used by the search engines to rank your website. The search engines…and especially Google…have tremendous appetites. They actually want more than we usually want to give them

Since many agents are often too busy to supply us with good quality content when we build out your home page, we will use some standard filler text, tweaked to the agent’s area. This is a good starting point, but it is very important that each agent modify the verbiage to be more original and reflect themselves in it as well.

Do not write junk or filler content, or copy someone else’s. The search engines are very smart and can see through that. Create or modify to your own content. And, it is important that you use the keyword phrase(s) within your content. Don’t get too carried away and use your keyword phrase too many times though…as it could be considered spamming.

A good rule of thumb for keyword phrase usage would be top of the page, middle of the page and then wrap up with it again at the bottom of the page. A good test would be to read it out load. And if it sounds good go with it. If it sounds different than you would use in a normal conversation, then change it. Search engines are into proper syntax these days as well.

Feel free to develop additional pages within your site as well. Good for the engines. Good for you. Write about our real estate industry. Write about your services. Write about something you do better than the other guy. Be sure they have the appropriate keyword phrases for the page content.

By developing your site with more content, your visitors have more to digest, the search engines have more to confidently rank you higher…and everyone is the winner.

The phrase has been around for a long time…and it has been used a lot…but it is still true…CONTENT IS KING! For a more detailed article, click here.