Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wolfpress - Word Press Site

Wolfpress - Word Press Site

Excellent Website Option for Keller Williams Agents

Wolfnet's Wordpress Site for Keller Williams Agents is a great replacement for the outdated eAgentc Site. Although the eAgentc site is free, it's really not adequate for a professional web presence in our opinion. The Wolfnet Wordpress site offers a slick modern interface that consumers expect now days. 

Powered by a Wordpress platform, the Wolfnet site offers far better tools for SEO (meta tags, titles, descriptions and permalink structures) than the eAgentc site. The site also comes with the powerful Yoast SEO plugin to make key word structure and placement a snap. The Wordpress platform is very easy to use as you organize the site and add pages and content, compared to the basic eAgentc site, which is cumbersome and frustrating for many Agents. Another great feature is fully automated XML sitemaps. Using the Google Webmaster Tool, every time you add new content, your website will automatically notify Google and tell it to come back to index your content. You can also check stats about the site on Google Analytics.

The back end of the IDX is the Wolfnet Backoffice that you are probably already familiar with for managing users. Keep in mind the KW Mobile App is also tied to Wolfnet Backoffice. All leads generated on this site will be brought into eEdge so you can easily add them to action plans.

The Wolfnet Wordpress Site also offers intuitive, user friendly, property search solution integrated on a subdomain of your root website address. Note: only the Elite package offers Indexible listings, which is important. We suggest if you go with a Wolfpress site, you select the Elite package for this reason. The Elite package also offers Sold search results, where available.

With a low $399 set up fee and a manageable monthly fee, it's a great option for any agent seeking to up their web presence with a professional website.
Here is a demo site for the Wolfnet Instant WolfPress Site

Getting a great site is just the first step in the process of building a web presence. Adding searchable local content through Pages and Blogging, optimizing the site and Blog posts for SEO, and marketing the site are the next steps.

That's where Real Estate Technology Associates can assist you. We can work with Wolfnet on your behalf to get your site up and running. We can research domain names and key words for you. We can build out the site pages, add local searchable content and start Blogging for you. We can also get all your other social media and real estate related websites looking cohesive and ensure you have a solid web presence.

Contact Us today to get started building your local web presence! 

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Choosing a Real Estate CRM

Choosing a Real Estate CRM

Contact Management and Transaction Management Solutions

Software Advice recently released a report Real Estate Software Buyer Review 2014, where they noted these key findings:
  • Real estate buyers were far more likely than other CRM buyers to have previously used industry specific CRM software.
  • While contact management was the top-requested feature, 41 percent of buyers also requested email automation—ahead of other core features such as lead tracking.
  • Real estate buyers were five times more likely than other CRM buyers to request an integrated suite; usually wanting sales and marketing applications.
We dove into this topic and researched all of the major players in the Real Estate CRM services field and sought the opinion of real estate professionals on which systems they are using in their day to day business.

To learn more about which Real Estate CRM system would work best for you in your real estate business, read our full Article: 


Sunday, March 30, 2014

Real Estate Marketing & Lead Generation Guide

Real Estate Marketing & Lead Generation Guide

Best Practices for Running a Real Estate Business and Utilizing Technology

With so much information out there and technology changing faster than you can keep up, most Real Estate Agents are overwhelmed. Real Estate Marketing and the role of Agents has changed in many ways in recent years. Technology plays an important factor in how you do business.

Don't let it overwhelm you. It takes so much focus and energy just to service your clients that it feels like you don't have time to do anything else. We get it. We work with many Agents just like you and we have been in your shoes as Agents ourselves.

We have attended countless real estate trade shows, watched hundreds of webinars and tried various systems, apps and ideas tirelessly. Our mission is to sift though all of the information out there and bring you what matters.

Get our 20 Page eBook Real Estate Marketing & Lead Generation Guide for tips and advice on managing your real estate business effectively.


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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Understanding the Keller Williams Mobile App

Understanding the Keller Williams Mobile App

We thought we would clarify some of the misconceptions of the KW Mobile App and outline some of the best ways to use it effectively. Many agents we work with were expecting instant leads by having a Mobile App, but unfortunately it's not that simple.

Does the KW Mobile App Generate Leads?


The KW Mobile App is tied to your eAgentc site and is powered by Wolfnet/Smarter Agent. When someone signs up to use your Mobile App they will NOT automatically become a lead. This was the first issue we had to dig deeper into to find out why. It would seem logical that it would be a great lead generation tool, but in reality it's more of a marketing tool.

It turns out that the consumer would first have to download the App but would ALSO have to register for an Account or request more info on the App in order to become an actual Lead. In other words, downloading the app does not create a lead.

They can use the App for as long as they want without you knowing - until they create an Account. In order to Save Favorites, they would need to create an account, so that is the only incentive, so to speak. We asked KW support why this is and the answer we were given is that it is a legal issue with permissions. Apparently downloading the app isn't necessarily giving permission to be marketed to, according to KW.

For those who have created an account on the App or requested more info, the Lead will first appear in Wolfnet back office and then eventually filter over to eEdge. Check your notification setting to ensure you are receiving requests immediately, and follow up ASAP. Note: if the contact already exists in eEdge, they will not appear in the new leads section.

To see which properties have been saved, you will need to log into the back office of Wolfnet, Click on My Leads, Reports and then click the radio button for Only users who originated via: myMobile App and Submit. We were told by KW that they are developing better reporting features for the App, but no timeline for completion.

All this being said, the App is a great marketing tool to give to people you already know who are in your database. It can be a lead generation tool with the extra step by the consumer. We would definitely consider it a lead conversion tool since the user will be loyal to using your app and will hopefully consider you their resource. It's a great tool to offer your buyer clients as they are out looking at homes. Give your App to friends, family and anyone you know. It's fun and easy to use too.

How to Get Your Agent Code and KW Mobile App Site URL


Log into your eAgentC site through mykw.kw.com. Go to section 4.5 Mobile Property Search. Here you will see your codes. If you have not selected your Region, do so now. Note: By clicking the box at the bottom, when someone goes to your eAgentc site, they will be redirected to your Mobile App. DO NOT check this box if you use your eAgentc site for marketing.


You can use the URL to frame into your Blog, post on Social Media, Google Ads, give to buyers you are working with and even add to your eSignature. There are also campaigns in eEdge that you can assign to Leads in eEdge that will send them a link to download the Mobile app to create loyalty to you.

KW Mobile App Best Practices


Once someone lands on your Mobile App page with the above URL, they will be directed to enter their phone number to get the link to your App. The link will take them to the download site.

Using your Mobile App at an Open House

Use your iPad or your cell phone to pull up your Mobile App URL at the Open House. Tell Visitors about your App and offer to give it to them to use while out driving around looking at homes. Enter the Visitors phone number for them on your App page. They will then receive a text and be able to begin using the App while they are out looking at properties! REMEMBER - do the next step with them there. Create their account so they can Save Favorites and Contact You. Now they will be a lead!

Step 1 - Sign into YOUR Mobile App on your iPad or Cell phone. If you have not downloaded your own app see instructions above.

Step 2 - click on the double lines at the bottom of the screen to reveal the bottom menu, as seen below. Click on Share App.



Step 3 - Input the Cell phone number of the person you want to receive the text link to your Mobile App. Or if you don't want to send them via text, you can send via email by clicking "for users outside the US" which will open the screen where you can enter an email address.

Step 4 - Click Send.

Note: The text/email they receive will say it's from Smarter Agent, not your email or phone number. And will say: Subject: Download Homes For Sale. A friend has recommended this free (Agent Name) real estate app.

Step 5 - If they are not already in your database, have them create an account so you will get the lead.

Get Everyone in your Database Using Your App

You can use this method above to enter people in your Database too. Just remember that the email they receive when you do this is not branded.

You may instead want to send them the link through an eEdge Campaign or just a personal email with your KW Mobile App URL. Ask them to Create an Account to get maximum benefit out of the system (and so you can see if they are viewing properties).

Remember this tool is designed as a marketing tool. It is something that can set you apart from other Agents and create loyalty with your database.

We hope you found this information helpful. Please Contact Us at Real Estate Technology Associates if we can help you better understand and effectively use all of your Keller Williams tools.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Grow Your Online Presence and Build Credibility

Content Marketing for Real Estate with Google+

Content Marketing is so important for real estate professionals who want to build an online presence and also gain credibility with consumers. Maybe you've heard the term "Content is King" when it comes to online marketing? This has to do with how Google ranks websites in their search engine. Original content is always more favorable than canned information. Google wants to deliver a great product to the consumer, that's their #1 goal. So, if that's your #1 goal too, Google will love you and reward you with better placement.

Read More Here about how to use Google+ for Content Marketing in Real Estate.

Monday, February 10, 2014

Create Content Using Hyperlocal Information

Hyperlocal Marketing Key to Creating Content

Hyperlocal Marketing is still the buzzword. We all know that you need to create original content that is hyperlocal and of a great quality, but
  • Are you doing it correctly? 
  • How is it going to help you? 
  • What content should you write? 
  • Where should you post it? 
Let me break it down for you!

Are You Doing It Correctly?

Hyperlocal marketing is information that is geographically targeted and local by nature. It would cover interesting topics and events about a specific area or zip. Google loves local information and original content. Research your topics well and write interesting in depth original information for the reader and in time you will find yourself on the search engines.

The real estate industry lends itself well to hyperlocal marketing by nature. Generally you aren't selling homes nationwide or even statewide, but by city and neighborhood. If you use national data and stats, relate them to the local market. How does this information translate to your market?

How Is It Going To Help You?

When you write great credible hyperlocal content Google will show your information in the search engines for years to come. Main stream marketing would cover larger geographic areas. The smaller the niche you hone in on, the more specific the buyer / reader / target market you will attract. If your keywords are correctly used and your work is well written and interesting - people will find your writing, find it useful and hopefully share it. Refer to previous work you have written by linking back up to your own posts. Build credibility and a following of potential buyers and sellers as you become branded the expert in your market!

What Content Should You Write?

When you write articles on very specific information you are drilling down to a target market that is very unique. If you are selling real estate in Raleigh, NC for instance, offer information on subdivisions in Raleigh. You could go down to more specific knowledge like golf subdivisions or historic homes. Then you could go even deeper and talk about the golf pro, the golf club or the golf course. In historic areas, you could tour a historic home and write a blog about it, then talk about homes in the vicinity and how the neighborhood has changed over the years. The smaller the niche, the better the more targeted the buyer. Don't just think of topics in terms of buying an selling. Think local. Local businesses, parks, restaurants, commute times, etc. Research City-Data, a website used by people who relocate to an area and ask questions of locals. See what they are asking and then write blogs based on your answers.

Where Should You Post the Information?

You could post the information in your blog or you could add a page to your website. You could start a page on a particular City on your website, for example Raleigh NC and give a general overview. Then write an article on Trendy Uptown Raleigh, then choose a particular complex or condo building and write about that. These could all be subcategories of Raleigh. The more original content, well written, researched and informative pages you have on a subject area the more credible you are and in the eye of the public you are soon known as the expert in that area. That is exactly what you would be trying to achieve. Potential sellers like experts and buyers like credibility - win win.

When you write hyperlocal information, don't forget to add pictures or better still, video's to make your post more interesting and before you know it, your writing can be rewarded with a page one Google position. Be authentic, be interesting and write original content from the heart.

This is a long term process. It doesn't happen overnight. However, we do have blog posts that reach page one rather quickly for certain key words because they are original content and very specific.

If writing is not your forte and you are the area expert, call us and let us do your work for you. You do what you do best and leave the rest to us!













Monday, February 3, 2014

The Long and Short of Keywords for Real Estate Marketing

The Keyword and the Buying Signal

Real Estate Search Terms to Drive Traffic to Your Site

We all know the need for good keywords. You have been taught to choose your keywords carefully. How many agents in your area, let alone your office, use all the same keywords? If you are all selling homes in Charlotte NC how many agents have their websites keyword rich for Charlotte NC? Everyone? Well then how can everyone appear on page one of Google? You have to be more unique. Think out the box!

Let's analyze the buyers thought process and see how he starts his search and where you, the agent should be hooking him. His search could resemble this

Mr Buyer is moving to Charlotte NC - so he enters a search saying something like
  • What is it like to live in Charlotte NC? (Short tail keyword which is broad)
then
  • Where is the best place to live in Charlotte with children (etc)? - now it gets interesting
perhaps (the long tail keywords begin with some buying signals
  • Schools are near City/Town NC 
  • Shopping in City/Town NC 
  • Restaurants in City/Town NC 
  • Things to do in City/Town NC 
  • Hiking trails in City/Town NC 
  • Cycling in City/Town NC 
  • Waterfront properties in City/Town NC 
  • Golf Course homes in City/Town NC 
  • Parks in City/Town NC 
  • Public transportation in City/Town NC 
  • Commute time to xxxxx from City/Town NC  and the list continues..
Great blogging and content creation opportunities are here using the relevant long tail keywords

then

Where can he live? What suits his needs?
  • What subdivisions are in xxxxxx
He may be doing quite a bit of research here, so you can build content rich blogs and pages with this hyperlocal subdivision information

then
  • Homes for sale in xxxxx subdivision (neighborhood)

long tail keyword which are highly targeted and a great buying signal
  • Agents selling in xxxxx
He may even ask for Recommended Agents in xxxx and read reviews if there are any

The prime buying signal would be when Mr Buyer has drilled down to the subdivision, however you would probably want to hook him with any of the above information and keep him coming back for more quality, original content and hyperlocal information that Google wants for their searchers!

It takes time to build quality content. Choose your farm area and keep building hyperlocal content and most importantly, solicit reviews.

Do you have enough time to create your own quality content? No? 
Let us do your blogging and content creation for you using the correct keywords and writing hyperlocal  quality information that we can add to your website.

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