Everyone’s telling you to use Facebook and Twitter to boost your business. As you step up your social media efforts, don’t let your website fall by the wayside. It’s still the cornerstone of your online presence and likely your strongest source for Internet leads. A poor website will send potential customers running to your competitor down the virtual street.
 
Here are the top elements your real estate website needs in order to bring you more business.

AN EASY-TO-USE MLS SEARCH TOOL
Most of your visitors are looking for real estate and have certain criteria in mind. Make it easy for them to find the perfect match on your site. Daily updated listings with detailed info and photos are a must.

FEATURED PROPERTIES
Be sure to show at least one property prominently on your home page so home buyers can see you’ve got what they’re looking for and sellers can see the type of exposure their property may get if they list with you. Rotate through several properties to keep people interested longer.

A FORM ON EVERY PAGE
Make it as easy as possible for visitors to get in touch with you by including a simple form on all pages of your site. Include a call to action to encourage more leads (for example, “Contact an Agent Now”). Include your phone number in the header of every page.

E-MAIL UPDATES
Your site should provide visitors with a way to sign up to receive automated MLS listing updates for the specific searches they are interested in. The upside for you: an invitation to contact customers regularly and
without manual effort, rather than relying on them to come back to your website.

A TESTIMONIALS PAGE
Have a page for positive quotes from past customers. They help inspire trust, particularly when they focus on very specifi c ways that you helped the customer. Feature some of the quotes on your home page.

—Elissa Giroux, director of internet marketing, Union Street Media,
www.unionstreetmedia.com