Feedback Is Greatly Appreciated

[arscherer]

I have two sites that I would love to hear some feedback on. I just created my Connecticut Purchase and Connecticut Refinace Website, and I also just created my Loan Officer Training blog.

I would love to hear what everyone has to say about the two websites!

[webmaster]

Andy, welcome to REW - it's nice to have you - because you are new, you likely do not know to look for stickies at the top of our forums, please try to do so in the future - what you missed in this forum, is that there is a golden rule to follow if you would like a site review - that rule is, if you are going to request our members to review your websites, you must first take the time to review someone else's who already posted http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread14601.html in this way we ensure everyone is both giving and receiving to the community, and we get lots of great feedback for our sites.

Thank you

[arscherer]

Andy, welcome to REW - it's nice to have you - because you are new, you likely do not know to look for stickies at the top of our forums, please try to do so in the future - what you missed in this forum, is that there is a golden rule to follow if you would like a site review - that rule is, if you are going to request our members to review your websites, you must first take the time to review someone else's who already posted http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread14601.html in this way we ensure everyone is both giving and receiving to the community, and we get lots of great feedback for our sites.

Thank you

Thanks for that information! I'll be sure to read through the "stickies" prior to posting, and I'll get right on the review portion of this!

[arscherer]

I just wanted to see if I could bring this back up to the top of the "new posts". If it's not acceptable to do that, please just let me know (I don't want to step on anyone's toes). But, I have responded to several people's request for reviews, and I haven't gotten "critiqued" yet.

Thanks again for everything, guys and gals!

[gregharaksin]

well, the 1st site looks like a template site with no original content other than your family foto, and that won't sell anyone. you say it;s a connecticut refi and purchase website but i see nothing about CT. I clicked on a couple of your links but had no idea how to get back to the main page. There doesn't seem to be any SEO work done. however, if it is just an informative site for your clients and you don't expect to be found in an internet search, then it is fine.

The 2nd site is a blog. i have limited knowledge of them, but again, how is it going to be found?

It's tough to get started with a website. I toyed with a couple of sites for years and got nowhere. I found this forum, and probably read every post. stick around, read some tips, and maybe even buy a REW site. you won't regret it.

[Brian Mc]

I looked at the 1st site and didn't see any quick way to get pre-qualified or mortgage calculator or anything of value for the user to entice anyone to contact you. The SEO is non-existent from titles/descriptions/content aspect if you are looking for organic placement. Just me but I steer clear of anyone with pics of their kids or babies, you working for your family or me? I am kind of cold-hearted like that though.

[ericbadgley]

Looks great, the only thing I don't like is the picture of your family on the index page. You should put a proffesional picture of you, then move the family to the about us section.

[TwoMoores]

I would have to agree with what other people have said about the family photo. I would put a photo of just yourself on the front page.

I tried to click the navigation going across the top and it didn't work, although the side navigation did.

[arscherer]

well, the 1st site looks like a template site with no original content other than your family foto, and that won't sell anyone. you say it;s a connecticut refi and purchase website but i see nothing about CT. I clicked on a couple of your links but had no idea how to get back to the main page. There doesn't seem to be any SEO work done. however, if it is just an informative site for your clients and you don't expect to be found in an internet search, then it is fine.

The 2nd site is a blog. i have limited knowledge of them, but again, how is it going to be found?

It's tough to get started with a website. I toyed with a couple of sites for years and got nowhere. I found this forum, and probably read every post. stick around, read some tips, and maybe even buy a REW site. you won't regret it.

Thanks for the feedback, Greg! I, quite honestly, don't know all that much about SEO stuff. The only thing that I really "get" when it comes to SEO is the link juice. Other than that, I am like Giligan on the island. With regard to the navigation back to the homepage, I will definitely contact the company about that.

With regard to the blog, I have a couple of things in the "blueprint" stage right now. As soon as I am able to release that information, I will definitely do that to all of you. I just wanted to see if the layout was ok with everyone, or if the theme should be changed, etc.

Thanks again, and any other tips are definitely needed and appreciated!

[arscherer]

I looked at the 1st site and didn't see any quick way to get pre-qualified or mortgage calculator or anything of value for the user to entice anyone to contact you. The SEO is non-existent from titles/descriptions/content aspect if you are looking for organic placement. Just me but I steer clear of anyone with pics of their kids or babies, you working for your family or me? I am kind of cold-hearted like that though.

Brian, I definitely appreciate that input! I'll tell you that I am a mortgage/real estate person first, and a website person second. I generate quite a bit of referral business and have bought several thousands of leads over my LO career. So, I figured that I would venture into this whole thing and really try to generate the leads myself. Any help or advice that you can give is greatly appreciated!

Oh, and with regard to the picture, my clients seem to like it since they are mainly referrals at this point...