2.0 Blog or Not TOO blog..
September 8th, 2007 Categories: Maryland Real Estate News
That is the question…
Recently one of those real estate “website” companies came into our office to promote their product. They pulled the same trick they always do. “It’s normally $499 but if you buy today it’s only $199.” In 20 minutes they tried to sell what I would call a “web brochure.” To spice it up a little bit they let us all know that their improved site includes a blog. Sign me up…. NOT! Some of us in the room went looking for their credit card.
If you just add a blog to your template website you haven’t really grasped what is important about the future of the internet and our industry. There is a transition taking place on the World Wide Web. It’s called Web 2.0.
Web 2.0 is described as the progression of the world wide web from a collection of websites to a computing platform serving web applications to end users. It is expected to replace desktop applications in many ways. For just one example of this, check out Google’s suite of products such as Google Documents. Web 2.0 also incorporates hosted solutions such as social networking sites and wiki’s.
Blogging is just one part of this transition. It is more about creating communities on the web. That’s very interesting. Who better to create communities than a Real Estate Agent? Your web site, just like a community, will have to be a place where people want to visit, want to stay, and want to be a part of. See the difference yet?
This is something that you can’t accomplish by purchasing one of those template sites and adding a Blog. Instead you will need to place your website on a higher platform. And more importantly you will need to LEARN how to use this platform to your advantage. By learning all of the aspects of Web 2.0 and blogging you can achieve better results in the search engines as well as attract better leads. And you can have fun doing it.
You have no doubt heard of Myspace and Facebook. It’s just a place for the 20 somethings right? Well, maybe there is a lot of juvenile activity taking place but why is it so popular? It’s because people can express themselves, have fun, and share in an online community. Does your website do that?
Ask yourself another question: Who do you think will be buying homes in the near future? Who is going to inherit all of the baby boomers money? (other than the IRS?) The next generation of internet users will be accustomed to a whole new experience on the web. And they will expect a whole new experience from their real estate agent. Will they work with you? Will they even find you?
I am on a journey to re-create my web strategy. In the coming months I will be writing more about this as well as launching my new site. There is no doubt I have decided 2.0 blog. I am ditching my template sites (that never brought business to me). I have found a company that is going to TEACH me how to be a world class blogger. I will gladly share this with you too.
If you would like to know how to take your website 2.0 the next level as well please contact me.
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