Just Went Live

[joehayes101]

http://www.maplewoodhomes.com/

I know I've got a ways to go. I've learned a lot since Feb 23rd when I got the template. Thank You to all who helped answer some of my questions. Hopefully, as I learn what I'm doing I'll be able to contribute more instead of needing to ask questions all the time.

So anyway, hows it look so far?

[OCTeam]

You have a good start, but I notice you must not like to use H1 and H2 tags, as seen on your About Us page. I would change it up a bit by using H1 and H2 tags, and float your image to the right side and center your Facebook icon. Not sure if you that works for you, but I think it cleans it up a bit. Just my opinion. Remember, whatever you do, do it thinking about the visitor.

I know it is work in progress. Just keep at it and your make improvements all the time.

[dmyre]

You're off to a good start.
It's always exciting launching a new site, and REW makes it so much easier.
Nice mockup, OCTeam. It's great to see that type of involvementat REW.

[joehayes101]

You have a good start, but I notice you must not like to use H1 and H2 tags, as seen on your About Us page. I changed it up a bit by using H1 and H2 tags, and floated your image to the right side and centered your Facebook icon. While my page is narrower, take a look at http://www.hartanovteam.com/test1.php. Not sure if you like it, but I think it cleans it up a bit. Just my opinion. Remember, whatever you do, do it thinking about the visitor.

I know it is work in progress. Just keep at it and your make improvements all the time.

PS: I am going to take the page down once you view it.

Thanks!! - I appreciate it. I need to go through and add in H1,etc. Didn't realize until recently that it mattered. I also need to learn to place picutres, etc a little better. I did see your mock up and printed it out so you can delete it now. It's a definate improvement.

[Logan UT Real Estate Gal]

I think it looks good and you do have a ways to go on the content side. But that takes time. One thing, are you planning on forcing registration? I went through your listings and it never asked me to register. I would, if you're serious about lead generation, think about forcing registration.

Good looking site though.

[joehayes101]

Thank You Lisa. With regard to content, do you think I need more content on each page or more pages? (or both?) And which would be most important?
Thanks!
Joe

[Logan UT Real Estate Gal]

In order to rank better, it helps to have unique content on each page. Also, long tail keywords will help you start ranking faster. In order to rank for those longtail keywords, you have to have them on the page. For example on this page: http://www.maplewoodhomes.com/Manist...s-For-Sale.php - You could add a couple paragraphs about some neighborhoods in that area, schools, and market conditions. Then if someone is searching for market conditions in that area, they'll find your page. Or, if they want school information in neighborhoods in the area, you can be the go to resource.

I'm not perfect, but here is a page I did that gets some nice traffic from longtail keywords and picks up some nice leads: http://www.lisaudy.com/ogden-utah-real-estate.php.

[joehayes101]

Thank You So Much sharing your expertise

[TweetMyHome]

Very simple and clean, I like it! I would suggest adding a blog or news section and making the latest post(s) a part of your main page. This will keep your site fresh and allow you to showcase your expertise my commenting on trends and news within the industry and local market. I think a lot of people get scared by committing to blogging, but your posts can be a simple as two paragraphs that give your thoughts on a related article you found somewhere.

Very good though, and I like that you do not force registration to view listings. Yes, it helps to track who's coming in, but many people will simply leave and go to another competitor's site where they won't have to register to view homes. It's definitely a trade off though, good data on fewer people, or less data on more people. Only you can make that decision. I tend to think that those who are truly interested will contact you anyways though.

Keep up the good work!


Jon

[bryner123]

Looking good. I am a flash hater, so i am not very much in love with your top picture. If I were you, I would think what to do with the listings on homepage, looks a bit plain to me.