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Common Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up Your IDX Website
One of the most important aspects of having an impactful online presence is having an IDX (Internet Data Exchange) website, which allows you to display property listings from your local MLS directly on your website. While it's extremely beneficial to have an IDX website, all IDX feeds and websites are not created equally. There are several common mistakes to avoid during the setup process of an IDX website or tweaks to make to an IDX website after it's established that can make it much more effective. In this article, we'll cover these common mistakes and provide tips on how to avoid the pitfalls and create the most robust IDX website possible. Mistake #1: Choosing the Wrong IDX Provider Not all IDX providers are created equal. One of the biggest mistakes agents make is selecting an IDX provider without thoroughly researching their options. It's essential to choose a provider that offers robust features and user-friendly interfaces. Ultimately, the provider you choose should help you create a website that attracts clients and prospects but also gets them hooked and coming back for more. Mistake #2: Ignoring Mobile Optimization Over 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices, which makes it crucial to ensure that your IDX website has mobile optimization. Failing to do so can result in a poor user experience and deter potential clients from exploring your listings. Mistake #3: Overloading Your Website with Listings While it may be tempting to display as many listings as possible on your IDX website, overwhelming visitors with too many options is counterproductive. Instead, focus on showcasing high-quality listings that are relevant to your target audience. Mistake #4: Neglecting SEO Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a significant role in driving organic traffic to your website. Many agents neglect SEO when setting up their IDX websites, which can result in poor search engine rankings. Without proper SEO, your listings might not reach the right audience. Explore 'From Clicks to Closings: Supercharge Your IDX SEO Game' to learn nine tips to boost your SEO. Mistake #5: Forgetting about Lead Capture Your IDX website shouldn't just showcase property listings, but it should also capture leads. Many agents overlook this crucial aspect and miss out on valuable opportunities to grow their client base. Implement lead capture forms strategically throughout your website to encourage visitors to provide their contact information, whether it's subscribing to your newsletter, scheduling a meeting with you, downloading a value-driven piece of content, or inquiring about a property. Mistake #6: Lack of Customization Whether you are using a generic IDX website template or have a customized website built, look for opportunities for customization. If you're able, invest in opportunities that allow you to tailor your site to your brand and target audience. Constantly look for ways to set yourself apart and make yourself stand out. Mistake #7: Failing to Update Regularly Prioritize regularly updating your listings and blog content to keep your website looking modern and refreshed and keep your visitors engaged. The market is constantly evolving, meaning your online presence and website need to evolve with it. Mistake #8: Overlooking Security Measures Security should be a top priority when setting up your IDX website, especially because you are handling sensitive client information. Instill trust in potential leads and gain an immeasurable advantage over competitors by ensuring that your website is equipped with robust security measures, providing your visitors with peace of mind. Enabling HTTPS or SSL will protect against cyber threats and enhance your website's credibility. By avoiding these common mistakes and taking the time to set up your IDX website properly, you can create a powerful online platform that attracts and engages potential clients, ultimately helping you grow your real estate business. To view the original article, visit the IDX Broker

REALTOR® Grows Traffic by 700% by Leveraging Multiple .realestate Domains
Finding innovative ways to capture leads and drive business amidst the crowded digital real estate landscape is no easy feat. Our recent guest on the Tech Tips series, Marcus Reynolds, is a seasoned REALTOR® with a background in risk management and institutional transactions. Here, he shares his journey of success with diligence and strategic thinking. Marcus's approach to carving out his niche in the market is centered around the power of domain selection. Opting not for one, but three, .realestate domains, he strategically targets multiple markets in Colorado. Marcus was able to fully customize his Premium Plus .realestate website with separate pages for each city and point all of his domains to one single easy-to-manage website platform. This strategy has amplified his brand visibility and expanded his reach across various markets. The decision to utilize .realestate domains for these websites proved to be a game-changer for Marcus's business. Leveraging Google Analytics and incorporating Google Ads into his strategy, Marcus witnessed a significant spike in website traffic and lead generation. Within the first week alone, organic traffic soared by 600% to 700%, setting the stage for remarkable growth. That increase in web traffic has had a tangible impact on his business. With a 40% increase in phone calls and a surge in website engagement, Marcus's investment in .realestate domains has paid for itself many times over already. In addition to the increase in business, Marcus highlights the customization and support offered by the .realestate website platform. The seamless integration of MLS connections not only streamlines lead management, but also empowers his team of agents. With automated lead routing and round-robin distribution, Marcus ensures efficiency and transparency within his team. On the front end of the website, customers love the information and user interface of the website. With an average website retention time of nine minutes, Marcus's clients are not just visitors but active participants in his ecosystem. The website's intuitive design keeps clients within the fold, facilitating meaningful interactions and ultimately driving business growth. As agents and brokers seek to elevate their tech stack and differentiate themselves in the digital landscape, Marcus's success proves that by embracing and leveraging innovative technology, anyone can unlock new avenues for growth and solidify their position in the market. Get your .realestate website now and watch your success soar! Related reading Streamlining Success: How Simple Tech and .realtor Websites Revolutionize Your Real Estate Business Lead Gen for Every Career Stage: How to Scale Your Website with Your Business Friday Freebie: Get a .realtor Website Domain for 1

What Real Estate Agents Need to Know About Google Core Updates and Google Algorithms
Google regularly updates its search algorithms to improve search results for users. These updates can impact the visibility of websites in search results. While some updates are minor tweaks, others are major algorithm changes that significantly alter how sites are ranked. Real estate agents need to stay up-to-date on Google algorithm changes to ensure their websites and online content remain optimized for high rankings and traffic. Today, in this article from a series of specialized articles on real estate SEO, we will discuss this issue. What Are Google Core Updates? Google routinely releases broad algorithm updates, known as core updates, to improve its search results. These updates tweak how Google's ranking systems evaluate websites and web pages. The goal is to better match what people are searching for on the internet. Core updates can impact search rankings across the web, including real estate websites and listings. Your site and content may go up or down in rankings after an update. How Core Updates Impact Real Estate Website Rankings Google releases core updates a few times per year to improve its search algorithms. These updates can cause major fluctuations in site rankings as Google reassesses the quality and relevance of pages. Your real estate website may gain or lose positions, impacting traffic and lead volume. Preparing for Google Core Algorithm Updates To prepare for potential impacts from a core update, focus on optimizing your content and online properties. Double-check that all content on your website is high quality, accurate, and helpful for users. Google values content that provides real value to searchers, so prioritize giving website visitors useful information over overly self-promotional content. It's a good idea to monitor your search analytics and traffic closely after a core update rolls out. Check your search rankings and traffic to see if there are any major changes. If your rankings or traffic drop significantly after an update, it may indicate an issue with your website or content that needs to be addressed. Don't make major changes right away, but evaluate potential issues and develop a plan to resolve them. While core updates can be worrying, focusing on providing high-quality content and services, keeping your website optimized, and closely monitoring the impacts can help minimize negative effects. FAQs on Google Core Updates for Real Estate Agents Why Do Google Core Updates Matter to Real Estate Agents? Google is the dominant search engine, with over 70% of the search market share. Ranking prominently in Google search results is critical for real estate agents to drive traffic to their website and generate new leads. A Google Core update can significantly impact search rankings, either improving or reducing your position in results pages. Your website may gain or lose a large volume of traffic, impacting your lead generation. What Can I Do If My Rankings Drop After an Update? Double-check that your website is still mobile-friendly and contains no technical issues. Fix any problems immediately. Review your content and do an audit of page quality. Look for any content that seems low value, thin, or keyword-stuffed, and improve or remove it. Continue monitoring your keywords and ranking. It can take time for changes to fully roll out after an update. Where Can I Learn More About Core Updates? There are lots of resources about it, but the best and most trustworthy resource is Google Search Central. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna