Canned websites, suggestions?

[Memphis]

Hey folks, I have a wonderful REW website and won't part with it, but I have a few friends that are looking for one that don't have the time or money to put in to a nice site like that. Any suggestions on canned and ready to go websites? AA comes to mind, is Z-57 any good? It would be a stepping stone for them for a year or so.

Thanks for the input.

[Discover Davis Homes]

Why not suggest they start a blog instead. They can start with a post here and there - just don't think for the most part the canned sites will help them in the long run - too much duplicate content. Yes, they are likely to think that a blog is too much work - but let them know they can write about what interests them. They don't already have corporate or company sites?

[jessiesc]

I agree with Carolyn,

You can host a WP blog for as little as $5.00 a month and IMO is great way to start out.

Also, maybe they can talk their broker into purchasing an REW broker site, and get an agent site to accommodate their needs and budget?

[Memphis]

Good suggestions, thank you. The broker idea would be bad timing on the brokers part. The blogging I think they MAY do in addition to but not in lieu of. Everyone has to have a website, right? Or at least that's the mentality. I will definitely stress the power and ease of the Blog. Thanks again.

[Discover Davis Homes]

I think that some agents are doing blogs in place of websites - they can get canned idx feeds for the blogs - look at something like Jay Thompson's blog phoenixrealestateguy.com - obviously he is doing a ton of things on that site, but he does have access to an IDX feed. Then if the agents want to do more, they can get REW sites or talk the broker into getting a REW site.

[Memphis]

I will pass that on to them, and that is a very good example he did a nice job. I don't think they are wanting to spend the dedicated time for a properly done blog / website - but, it's theri choice.

[ScottFicek]

All of my sites are actually Wordpress under the covers. WP give you the ability to show a static page as the home page. Therefore, it looks like a "standard" website, but I can blog in the background at my leisure and still build content which is good SEO.

I would recommend the $5 per month and WP. There are tens of thousands themes out there. You can get the site set up in a Saturday afternooon.

[MikeNY]

Nice sites/blogs Scott, how did you get the quick search on the right side of your stpaul-real-estate site?

[ScottFicek]

Thanks. Actually, very easy. My IDX provider (Wolfnet) supplies the code. I just cut and pasted it into the WP theme sidebar.

[MikeNY]

Nice Scott I like that a lot.