The Essential Building Blocks for Your Business

The start of a new year is a time when many of us set goals and outline our aspirations for the next 365 days. Sometimes, however, we bite off more than we can chew!

With that in mind, we are introducing a new series focused on the foundational elements of building a successful real estate business. To dream big and aim high, it is important to have the right pieces in place as you set out to achieve the very biggest goals. So, let's take it back to the nuts and bolts.

In this first post, let's talk about your website. Is it working for you and delivering the leads you truly need? Read on to learn more about our best practices or check out our webinar with LabCoat Agents where Tristian Ahumada and I discuss what makes your website such an important tool for business growth.

Building Block #1: Best Practices for Building Your Website

Speed matters.

In real estate, there are often two distinct types of websites:

1. A "vanity" site that centers on the agent's accolades, years of experience, and market expertise
2. A site that is focused on lead gen and conversion.

Of course, there is value in building your brand, but in today's increasingly erratic marketplace, a site focused on bolstering your lead conversation is your best chance at achieving your 2021 business goals. For these sites, there are two big things to consider: load speed (how quickly the page actually loads in a browser as consumers hit your site) and mobile friendliness. These may seem like simplistic elements, but agents need to make it as easy as possible for people to search. Plus, that loading speed helps you rank higher for Google's algorithm, boosting your site to the top of the results page.

Give them a familiar face.

Some of your biggest competitors are likely Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and Redfin. For better or worse, consumers are used to a certain website layout and that includes property search functionality right up front. You definitely want consumers to feel comfortable when they come to your website. If they have to learn a new experience, they won't stick around.

That said, cookie cutter sites don't give you enough opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Consider striking a balance between offering some familiarity and separating yourself from others. Working with partners like Chime can help you mirror the most effective website elements and leverage our user friendly technology to change it up to reflect your brand.

Hone your leads.

Lead capture from your website is job number one. For the year ahead, how can you improve registration rates? First, we need to remember that not all leads are created equal. What type of lead do you want to work with? Is your website and your registration page set up to capture these opportunities? If not, make 2021 the year you sharpen your focus on acquiring those leads.

What other best practices for your website are you considering this year?

To view the original article, visit the Chime Technologies blog.