Online leads? Too good to be true?

[Tim7332]

I'm a broker in Southern California and I am developing a site right now that will focus on generating leads in San Bernardino and Riverside County, which are inland counties from Orange County.

Sales prices are kind of high but there is a whole gamut ranging from crap shacks to mansions in these counties and I was wondering if anybody could advise me on what kind of leads ill be getting if i get in the top 5 for searches that are searched 350+ times a day?

You think a goal of 3-5 buyer transactions per month is realistic or am I dreaming? I guess it seems too good to be true that you can get that much business online only. What can someone who's had experience tell me?

Thanks.

[justchris]

I have several clients who generate 3 to 5 transactions per month with thier sites. However, it's just a few. To be truly successful from your site, it requires good marketing both on, and offline. Most of your business will come from offline marketing. Search engines are too wishy washy to rely on for consistent traffic of "qualified" buyers/sellers. The best strategy is to include IDX and more links of local resources than ANY of your competitors.

[Vlado Tovarnak]

I work for realtor, which is on larger market than you probably. He get about 1500 leads in four month and average closing is 2-3 from 100 leads so it is about 9-10 transactions in one month.

[justchris]

Maybe I didn't understand your question. My customer who is the most successful online is in Oahu. The majority of my clients are in Seattle. I also have a couple dozen in Wyoming and New Mexico. I was offering you some info on who and why they're successful. Maybe you can rephrase what you're asking?

[Vlado Tovarnak]

justchris,

my answer was for Tim7332 - as an example what money could do succesfull site.

[justchris]

[Tim7332]

My market is in southern california and its a pretty hot market. There are 350+ searches per day for the searches I plan to capture.

I want to close 3-5 deals per month from online business

What market does your guy who gets 9-10 deals per month work? Can I see his site?

[Tim7332]

bump

[justchris]

His website is www.AlohaLuxuryHomes.com. His name is Noble Turner and primarily works with luxury homes on the island of Oahu. That island includes Honolulu, Hawaii Loa Ridge, Hawaii Kai, Diamond Head, and a couple of other markets.

The other week he was #3 on Yahoo for the city, "Hawaii Loa Ridge" Because search engines change so much, he not longer getting that placement. However, today he's #5 in Yahoo for "Hawaii Loa Ridge Homes" He's also had/gets great placement in MSN & Google. It's really difficult to rely on those searches and it fluctuates regularly.

The reason he get such great placement is because he updates his site quite often. Therefore, search engines love his site because he always has "unique" content on his site. If you have IDX, including direct search links on your homepage help as well. Search engines are attracted to the HTML links, and the information within that link changes regularly. Also, his website only frames if linking to an outside source. If you frame within your navigation, is separates the website from the content. He gets most of his QUALITY traffic from marketing offline, as opposed to more "looky loo" prospects navigating through search engines.

Do you have good traffic from people visiting your site directly? This is a necessity if you plan to get search engine placement. Also, most of his leads for new sellers are coming to him from other agents he reciprocates with and buyers/sellers filling out his home search form.

[Tim7332]

you know anyone who's had any success in southern california?