Tuesday 19 May 2009

Free Website Review

Nowadays, both estate agents and internet users demand more from a website. They want a property website to have a user friendly experience that is update in internet website trends, quality imagery with rich context that can keep users coming back again and again.

Not only do that, but property websites have to perform well in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). This is needed so that your website will appear on the top of search engines. For example, if someone types 'Estate Agent in Brighton' they will most likely click on the one of the first links given to them at the top of the page. Performing SEO on your property website gives you the maximum amount of traffic without having to pay for expensive online advertisement.

Do you feel that your property website does little for your estate agency? Well help is at hand. Resource techniques will provide you with a FREE website review service from our 20 years of experience in property websites. In the FREE website review, we provide:

* SEO Review
* Functionality Review
* Design and usability Review

There's no point in having a fancy website if no one goes on it or a website that has a lot of traffic but looks like it's from the 1990s. This report will help you expertly see exactly how your website is positioned and will suggest easy solutions for all levels of technical ability.

You can either call Resource Techniques on 0208 457 4777 or email us at freewebreview@restech.co.uk.

UK Estate Agents - Get ahead of the competition with the latest SEO report

The annual UK Search Engine Marketing Benchmark Report has been published by Econsultancy in association with Guava. Over 800 UK companies took part and the results should make you consider what other UK estate agents have planned for their website.

The key stats are:

* SEO (Search Engine optimisation) - 55% of businesses will increase their SEO budget for the next 12 months.
* Paid Search - 45% will be increasing the amount they spend on 'sponsored links' to their website. 10% less than SEO.
* Online Advertising - 24% will increase their budget and 60% will keep the same budget. This includes banners and advertisement on other websites.
* SEO ROI (Return On Investment) - 48% reported that their ROI had increased, whereas only 6% reported a decrease from SEO.
* Paid search ROI - 43% reported that their ROI was up and 15% said that it decreased. 9% less ROI than using a more natural SEO.
* Facebook - 65% of businesses reported using Facebook.
* Twitter - 49% reported using Twitter. A massive increase from just 3% last year.

The results are clear. Irrelevant of the current economic climate, companies are increasing their online Marketing budget and finding a greater ROI from using SEO. Using social networking websites and SEO, estate agents can improve the relationship with their customers and also vastly improve sales for their property website. Through SEO, UK estate agents can let the latest generation of internet users easily find their property website and show them that estate agents are embracing this culture change.

Estate Agents! Don't let your property website fall behind, give Resource Techniques a call on (UK) 0208 457 4777 for a free consultation on the SEO of your website.

Are you using Twitter correctly?

Since its creation in 2006, Twitter has gained rapid worldwide popularity. Many times it has been portrayed as the 'SMS of the internet' and hailed as the new/alternative 'Facebook'. Since it is still in its infancy, many people have made enough mistakes to make something from the virtual world become a reality. If you search 'Fired' and 'Twitter' into a search engine, you will find documented cases where people have lost their jobs because they have 'twittered' 140 characters.

Alternatively it could work to your advantage. Last year James Buck and his translator were arrested in Egypt for taking photos of an anti-government protest so on their way to the police station he 'twittered' the message 'Arrested'. A few of his 48 followers contacted the U.S embassy in Cairo and a number of press organisations. He was released the next day. Another example is during the Mumbai attacks of 2008. There were an estimated 80 'tweets' per five seconds. Users sent out vital information such as emergency phone numbers and the location of hospitals that needed blood donations.

Therefore the old proverb of 'A bad workman blames his tools' can apply to the virtual world. Estate Agents can use Twitter to their advantage but there are socialising rules that are seemed to be overlooked. Ideally estate agents should try to avoid: -

Mundane twitters - The most common mistake. People do not want to read that you’re eating a sandwich or that you have just sneezed. Easiest thing to do is try to empathise with your customers. They want to know about the latest house or the new enhanced mapping on your property website.

Irregular/overusing twitters - You have to find the right balance of not twittering too much and never twittering. People want to hear what you have to say, just not all the time. Please note that this rule tends to not apply to celebrities because of idolisation.

Angry Twitters - Avoid swearing and abusive language. Blind rage spilling onto Twitter will get you nowhere.

Gossip - Careful who you gossip about. Gossiping about another estate agent could be picked up by anyone. Keep it positive.

One sided conversations - We all know people who talk endlessly about themselves.

Endless self promoting - People are used to a little bit of self promoting but don't overdo it. Engage with people on a personal level and the rewards will be endless.

Auto Direct Messages or Auto Replies - No one likes spam.

For applications on your computer that are twitter based, have a look around http://twitter.pbwiki.com/Apps. You'll be surprised with the different uses and fun you can have! Twitter can be used for more than stating 140 characters. See what it can do for your estate agency.

Don't forget to use http://search.twitter.com to search for terms that are relevant to you. This gives you the ability to see what other estate agents talking about. You can use this feature to see the latest developments in real estate or even local property news. If there is no local news... great! There's a gap in the market to share your own property news.