If you’ve been putting off getting a website because it’s too expensive or too time-consuming, think again. With over 80% of buyers using the Internet to start their home search, a website is a necessity. Fortunately there are free and low-cost, easy-to-use websites readily available. They’re called template sites. The two most common real estate-focused providers of template sites are Point2Agent and Advanced Access.

These sites are specifically designed for real estate professionals and have most of the necessary real estate related functions built into their templates such as the Featured Homes and the Search For a Home sections.

Do You Like Getting Things for Free?

Both of these providers offer free websites, but to get more advanced or customized features you’ll have to pay a nominal fee.

Benefits of Using a Template Site

There are several advantages to using a template site.

• They are free or low-cost

• They are easy to use

• They have helpful customer support

• The forums available provide opportunities to learn and share ideas

Still Not Convinced?

These providers offer a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) format that allows you to easily change the content so there’s no need to learn HTML. They can also be customized (usually only with the paid version). Point2Agent offers a unique feature called “Handshake Listings” where users share listings across multiple sites. They also provide options for adding your listings to popular sites such as Yahoo, Craigslist, Google Base and more. What’s more, there are certified, competent Virtual Assistants that can manage your site for you. Both of these providers have a list of VAs specifically trained to manage their templated sites.

Rank Higher on the Search Engines

I’m sure you’ve all heard, “content is king.” Well, for the search engines that’s certainly true. Changing the standard content on these templates is imperative. It is necessary to have custom content in order for the search engines to separate your site from all the others. Be sure to update your content regularly too. Search engines hate stagnant, never-changing content. These changes don’t have to be drastic – a few words, sentences or paragraphs occasionally will suffice. I’d recommend changing a little of your content about once a month. Debra Higgins with Four Seasons Virtual Assistance advises, “Make changes often. The search engines pick up on sites that ‘update.’” She also offers these words of wisdom, “The public doesn’t want to know about the agent. They want to know what the agent can do for them.”

Customize Your Template Site

Ann Brown of Virtual Admins Plus says, “Just because someone has a template website doesn't mean they can't make it look fantastic. Here are some things to remember if you're working with a template-based website: 

1. Call the website's customer support line and ask them exactly what can be done with the site. Can they add HTML code? Flash? Video? Find out the full capacity of the website so you can get the most bang for your buck.

2. Take out any "included" text. For instance, each Advanced Access website has standard text that is on the homepage and the "About Me" page. Get rid of this! Just because you're using a template-based website doesn't mean that you have to look like everyone else. Replace any included text with your own customized wording. If you don't know what to write, hire someone to write it for you – it is well worth the money!

3. Stand out from everyone else. Make an extra effort to make your website different. Use a personalized graphic, banner, etc. to make it your own. Change the template every quarter at a minimum – repeat visitors to your website want to know that someone is "watching the store" and will look for new additions. The main thing is to do something different to attract more attention.”

Anne Grove with Brokers Aid recommends identifying your target market before customizing your site so that you are giving your specific audience the information they are looking for. She says, “If you try and speak to everyone, chances are no one will listen. Also, be familiar with ALL of the material available from your template site. Organize that material with your target market in mind.

It’s a good idea to have your website organized like a book with pages for each main area of interest (buyers, sellers, new homes, etc.). Place appropriate material within each section using pull-down menus or menus on the main page for each area of interest.” 

Anne believes, “It’s fine to place links to the same information on different pages. Don’t have all of your content available from buttons on your main page; it’s too overwhelming and disorganized. Create a uniform look to your site that will be reproduced on each and every page.”

So, How Do I Decide Which Template Website Service to Choose?

Caroline Wright of Wright Solution suggests considering “these simple questions to find the provider that’s right for you:

1. What’s the main objective of your website? What do you want to accomplish? When determining your website objectives, remember that Internet marketing is most effective when incorporated in your overall marketing plan and not treated as a separate entity.

2. How much do you want to spend on your website? Consider both time and money. How much money do you want to spend? How much time do you want to spend developing content? A cheaper service is not necessarily the lowest cost if you need to create more content or buy missing features from elsewhere.

3. Who is going to maintain it? Don’t forget to consider the cost of maintaining the site and how much effort it will require for you or your assistant to maintain.

4. How do you plan on growing it? Build a budget to grow your website, adding and changing content over time. As you develop new marketing initiatives, make sure these are reflected in your site content.”

Whatever your marketing objective and budget are there is a template-based website provider and VA who can help you get your site up and running in no time, at little or no cost. Concentrating on getting or improving your website should be one of your first goals when marketing your business to a global audience.

Evy Williams is our VA QUICK TIPS columnist. She specializes in designing marketing materials to sell homes through her company, BrochuresByDesign.com. She holds a Master’s degree in Administration and is a certified Master Virtual Assistant, Military Spouse Virtual Assistant, Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant, Real Estate Support Specialist and is EthicsChecked. Contact her at Evy@BrochuresByDesign.com.

(NOTE: Mr. Internet®, his company and staff receive no compensation whatsoever from any third party vendors or service providers. Also any virtual assistant or consultant mentioned in this publication is not to be construed as an endorsement of their services by Mr. Internet or his company. Always remember to do a thorough due-diligence before hiring any kind of assistant.)