How to Use Your Web Site to Build Business

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Niche real estate expert offers insights into how to use your Web site to its fullest advantage

RISMEDIA, Feb. 21, 2007-With the advances in technology that the real estate industry has experienced over the last few years, just having a Web site is not enough today for Realtors to succeed. Today, industry professionals need to take their Web site one step further and be able to use it as a business-building tool to win business and increase profitability.

Designing a Web site with this is mind includes not only creating ease-of-use, but also a showcase for each home listing on the site. In a sense, it's like "digital staging," says Barbara Greenhill, CEO of Horseproperties.net, a Web site dedicated to horse enthusiasts.

"The surroundings of a property on a Web site set the tone for the home buyer," says Greenhill. "Agents can impress the seller too by just using the right design and site for their property. This ‘digital staging' presents the house in the best light."

Greenhill started HorseProperties.Net as a unique Web site created with the horse enthusiast in mind. The site caters to discriminating buyers and offers them a place to view and compare properties all over the United States and Canada especially suited to accommodate horses and their owners.

"We understand that horse property specific information just isn't available on a typical real-estate site," says Greenhill, which differentiates them from the competition and makes them a true expert in the space-something home buyers in today's changing market are looking for. "We want to provide a visually appealing and informative resource to make our buyers' search for the perfect horse property an enjoyable experience," Greenhill says.

Tasteful designs, easy to navigate and multiple photos where all the information is quickly accessible and there is no requirement for viewers (potential buyers) to sign up are other ways to use your site to build business, Greenhill says. She also suggests eliminating third party advertising, which can distract attention away from the listings.

"Traditionally Realtors are the best professionals in using the right light for their listing, whether it's verbally, through open houses, print advertisings or glossy flyers," she says. "Yet on the Internet we see million dollar houses on free classified lists, which is fine since they are free, but it looks much better with a classy display, and, most important, the seller expects it."

To learn more, visit www.Horseproperties.net.

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