I can hear the virtual crickets chirping on the page, so I thought I might try to start a new thread. How do the folks on the top of the Google Rankings for the main keywords in your areas compare to the leading realtors? Is there a correlation? In Maui, we have had the same guy ranked number one on Google for Maui Real Estate for at least six months. I can't say I have watched every transaction that closes, but I have yet to see his name associated with a close. How does your leaderboard stack up against the first page for Google rankings?

__________________
Pete Jalbert (R)S Jim Sanders Realty, Inc. Paia, Maui, Hawaii.

I checked out the number one result for "maui real estate" in Google and I'm not surprised that he's not doing well. Black backgrounds and the animated fish don't do anything for me. It's one thing to be number one in Google, it's a whole other thing to have a site that converts.

If you do have a good site and it ranks high, you really have to be prepared to handle the volume of inquiries. I never thought I would have the "problem" of too much business, but it's getting close to that for me and my partner. I have to cherry pick the best leads to follow up on. If I had the time, I know I could convert a lot more leads. I'm trying to build up a network of referral agents who I trust to be able to follow up and close my overflow. I'm also thinking of hiring an assistant just to handle the phone calls and emails in a timely fashion. Once the phone starts ringing and you're out doing the business, it's hard to find the time to work on the systems.

I know how Morgan detests the Me too posts... but your spot on with the above statement Tim

There's a lot more to having a successful website than just being #1 on Google. It has to be appealing and compelling to buyers. You as an agent also have to be able to convert the leads.

The biggest problem as stated above is keeping up with all the inquiries. We have had to come to terms with this even after adding several agents, we still can't keep up.

My feeling is the best way is to hire a single agent who's job it is, is to keep up with all the leads, bringing them forward until the time comes for them to actually need an agent to take them out. This would be a great job for an agent who doesn't or can't leave the house or office. They need to have the gift of gab and know real estate and the area. Most buyers call wanting information; either eliminating areas or gathering info on them. If you can respond quickly and intelligently you will develop a repore with them...the sale will follow.

This example is one way, the other way is to only work with the people who really "stick" out. The NOW people who are serious and need a home in the immediate future. The far out people are a total pain. I don't even respond to the "late in 2005 types...they just waste time"

A single lone agent cannot keep up with being #1 for a popular keyword, if the site is good. You really need a team and a process. That is if you are in a good area...

__________________
Kristal Kraft, ABR, CIPS, CRS, Webmistress
Denver real estate and relocation

Buy / Sell Denver Homes
Denver Lofts

My client RudyMayer.com has ranked in top 3 (usually #1 though) on Google for well over a year - consistently on virtually any keyword search (i.e. Nashua real estate, Nashua homes, Nashua property for sale, Nashua realtor, etc) in this area. And yes, it is paying off in a big way. He receives 5-10 people a day registering on his site to receive MLS listings. He receives a new listing virtually every week from his site. And he's totally stressed and too busy. He's the first to tell you that 90% of his business is from his website (the rest is from referrals).

At this point he is picking over leads, taking the good ones that he feels are best, and referring out the others to people in his office. He does not have an assistant, so it's been very stressful, however the feeling is that it's best to position himself NOW while the market is hot, so when things cool off (and they will.. they always do!) he will be sitting pretty (unlike many Realtors who wait until business DIES and then try and fix it with instant band aids)

So, the answer is: YES. A top position on Google definitely pays off, but you have to have a website that works as well, otherwise your competitor is just a click away. Pretty basic stuff I think.

If he is giving his business away, it sounds like he should get an assistance instead.

__________________
My real estate web site and webmaster web site. Got a bit of everything, just look.

I can tell you that even with 3 buyers agents right now..plus myself I dont have enough people to keep up. Getting leads from the web is like building a pipeline..as the pipeline grows so does your business. This takes time to develope and after it does the sky is the limit.

I have a friend that last year closed over 40 million in business from the web. Now not all cities will be able to do that kind of business but it is out there. As long as you have a good follow up and I believe myself and my team do. The closing volume you can do is unlimited.

As mentioned in this post it seems even the more agents you add the more leads you try to convert.

A quick note about the http://www.rudymayer.com/ site, the image for his contact info and address is overlapping with his links, you might want to get him to fix that. ITs on IE 6.0

__________________
Webmasters who spend their energies upholding the spirit of the basic principles [Of Google] will provide a much better user experience and subsequently enjoy better ranking than those who spend their time looking for loopholes they can exploit. Google.com

We just went to the number one spot on google (from 2) so I haven't noticed a significant increase yet. The site we overtook doesn't have half of the information that we do, so it could be that we were already getting a lot of those clients anyway.




___________________________________
Las Vegas Homes | Las Vegas Real Estate | Jade's World

My site is only ranked #5-7 on Google for the KW's Phoenix Real Estate usually, depending on what day you look. Today though, I came in at #4.

For Phoenix Homes, I have been at #2 for awhile now, since late Feb. 2004.

I have to say, I am drowning. My wife hates it. But I am reluctant to hire help as I am very controling and kind of anal (IE my cd's are alphabetized).

I am asking the assistants in my office for feedback and advice on how to hire, but am still nervous about taking the first step towards a team. Though Jim M. offered some inspiration in a PM to me about starting a team. Ten+ years of being on your own is a hard habit to break, but with all the leads coming in, I have to do something besides refer the 'under $150K leads' to another agent for a measily 25%.

I have heard many agents talking about hiring buyers agents at a 50% split. Anyone else doing that and how 'thankful' is that agent? Are they difficult, or happy to have 50% of something vs. 100% of nothing?

Any input?

Jade 456, I would think 1 and 2 are the same in the consumers eyes, so i wouldn't expect a big jump. But, maybe a slight one. Everything I've read says consumers typically don't go past the 3rd page of results, but do check most sites on the first page if the description on Google is relevent. Hope that helps.

__________________
Matt Pellerin - REALTOR, e-PRO
Realty Executives Paradise Valley, Arizona
Phoenix Real Estate
Scottsdale Real Estate
Paradise Valley Real Estate