Question Of The Day: Can Real Estate Blogsites Replace Websites?
Can Blogsites Replace Websites?
A number of people ask us about blogsites versus websites and whether or not blogsites can replace websites. In a nutshell, the answer is “yes.”
Know that websites can do a number of great things, features depending on the company building them; however, blogsites differ in that they allow the layperson unlimited publishing without any need for programming. It’s a huge advantage for the average business person concerned with visibility, time, resources and cost because search engines [and most humans, for that matter] favor sites that produce timely coverage. Unless you pursue additional advertising, SEO services or PPC, you’re unlikely to drive visibility or traffic with a website; whereas, blogsites can make visibility standard, cheap & simple!
Blogs also auto-prepare content for syndication, meaning that all content can go anywhere it is wanted or needed. Another huge advantage!! Blogs can also support the optimization of an existing website, via strategic linking strategies… so they can easily work well together.
“Kinetic has the comprehensive platform [branded design, self publishing, lead capture, SEO, IDX Integration, service] to provide exactly what I need! Goodbye status quo website, hello dynamic blogsite!” – Kathy Schmidt Edmonton AB Real Estate.Summarized, blogsites [used correctly] are advertising, branding, lead capture and direct marketing tools… all in one!
With Sites, What Do Real Estate Marketers Need?
Ultimately the question stems from what *the real estate marketer* needs online and that probably includes:
1)Brand Design… Sustainable, Long Term Repeat Impressions
2)Search Engine / Web / Social Network Visibility… Broad Advertising
3)Subscription… Repeat Direct Communication
4)Lead Capture… Get Them Whenever Possible
5)MLS Search / Featured Listings / Lead Capture / Email Drip = IDX / MLS. IDX / MLS is integrated into a website or blogsite environment in essentially the same way.
6)Customer Service… got to have it!
7)Marketing / Advertising Education… Without it, Learning Curve Can Be Enormous”
The average age of sellers is 57 while the average buyer is 32… We are now in a buyer’s market, so there is a strong need to ensure that our marketing appeals to a younger demographic. NAR stats support the decision to focus on the web, with the majority of buyers beginning their search online. I just knew I wanted to have a site that was absolutely current, and a forum where I could communicate with clients and the public about local real estate. We are aiming to use the current market as an opportunity to increase our market share in 2009 and see our new Edmonton AB Real Estate Blogsite as an integral part of that process.” Kathy Schmidt Edmonton AB Real Estate.
Get in touch, we’d love to answer any questions you might have.
Contributed bychris@kineticknowledge.com
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Comments
We are in the middle of replacing several product specific Websites with an equivalent blog. Maintaining content is so much easier using Wordpress (we use the Thesis theme) and SEO is much better. So I def agree that a blog can replace a Website.
I think it’s a pretty common occurrence out there. And Stephen, are we speaking togther in MA come January?
I agree with your main points but still believe the key to success is a well-written website, where a fuller introduction to the local market and the realtor can be done in an easier to navigate manner. A blog makes a great adjunct to the website.
Yes,maybe. Websites can be replaced by blogs,according to the main point,blogs do great on optimization process that’s why. But I also agree to Janet,a very good content of the website is the most important. And it depends on how the website is maintained,the status of the website will stand.My SEO routines do great.
Blog sites are great in creating good backlinks that may help in getting potential clients specially in real state business. But good contents of the website would do better.
Websites don’t get updated content like a blog that is real time. The posts are locally taylored to what is happening nationally. The days of listing, marketing, peddling just sticks and bricks are over. You as a real estate broker are branding yourself while telling the viewers in videos, readers of blogs what your area is all about. Folks eight states away want information on your locality..you the broker timely post it daily on a blog. Have both, and they are a real estate tag team.
All good points, thank you!; however, there are blog platforms that offer an ability to do all of the standard content mentioned above as well as the timely content, search visibility and branding a standard blog platform offers. Here’s a good example of someone demonstrating that live: Top Edmonton AB Business forgoes Website for All Encompassing Blog
http://kineticknowledge.com/blog/kinetic-blogs/top-edmonton-ab-business-forgoes-website-for-all-encompassing-blog
I see the need to bring my blog to my website (maybe the same URL – somehow?) but I don’t think I will ever do away with the website. Some content needs to stay the same over time. Some blog post may deter potential customers…? A good example is my most recent post on mt blog http://www.DeepCreekRealEstateBlog.com announcing that I also have firewood for sale at Deep Creek Lake, MD. This is a great post for people who already know me but not something I want on the front page of my Deep Creek Lake real estate website http://www.DeepCreekRealEstate.com. Both sites have different function.
I see your points all, but the best strategy is probably to have them seperate! Why?
Be careful with websites and/ or burying your active content inside one. Your presence and a crucial pipeline for future leads and sales is content!!!, which accumulates more and better key phrase indexing, more back links, email and rss subscriptions, bookmarks, feed [to other site] connections, choices from the serps, content movement and overall activity. It’s advertising visibility everywhere possible and blogsites make this happen!
Websites, in lieu of blogsites that can do anything a website can PLUS more, may NOT be the important long term tool or solution.
Wordpress, for instance, is designed to be agile – it scales!! It enables virtually any feature plugin and it keeps evolving and advancing [when managed properly] so that one is never working with a website that will one day be obsolete.
If there is any chance you may do away with the website one day? If so and you want to maintain all the things mentioned above [established with the blogsite], we’d argue the best strategy is to have them seperate!