Do you ever wonder how you're doing compared to other people who are using the same website as you?
Me too.
Here's what I know for sure.
- For every 100 people that click on your website...100 visitors...you should be getting at least 20 of them to leave their name and email address.
If you're not, here are the 2 most common reasons
a) You're using "content matching" on your google and overture accounts.
Since about mid-summer, google and overture have been increasing their revenue by offering both "Search Matching" and "Content Matching" results.
The difference is that Search results are people who have acutally gone to a search engine and typed in the words "Winter Haven Real Estate" or something similar to that.
When they do...you're listing shows up among the search results. That's what we're looking for. People who are ACTIVELY searching for you.
Content Matching means they show your ads on related "content" sites.
For example...someone could be searching on the WeatherChannel.com site for Winter Haven weather, and happen to see an ad that says "Search Winter Haven Real Estate" -- and click on the link as an "afterthought".
Their PRIMARY purpose was to find out about the weather...and they just happened to click on your site listing secondarily.
See the difference?
If you choose to turn the content matching option OFF on both Google and Overture...the quality of your visitors will go UP along with the number of people who leave their name and email address.
Here's the other thing I see...
b) You're bidding on Geography terms in addition to Real Estate terms.
I can understand this one, because sometimes it's less expensive to bid on "Winter Haven" than it is to bid on "Winter Haven Real Estate" -- and MORE people probably search on the geography term than on the real estate term...so it seems like a double win.
BUT...the reality is, the people who are searching on "Winter Haven" may be looking for hotels, or weather, or maps, or attractions...and NOT specifically real estate.
You'd be better off paying MORE money for MORE of the real estate specific terms than spending less money for more of the geography terms.
Here's what else I know for sure...
- For every 100 people that come in to your website...that means they left their name and email address at the front page, you should be getting at least 20 people who raise their hand and ask for something.
It could be MarketWatch, or Home Loan Reports, or they could engage you in a dialogue because of your get response messages...but at least 20 of them should be rasing their hand.
What if they're not?
It's probably because of the same reason you're getting less than 20 out of 100 leaving their name and email address. Quality.
Improve the quality upstream....and the quality improves downstream.
Here's the final thing I know for sure.
- People who connect with MORE leads SOONER make more money than people who connect with FEWER leads LATER.
Leads are a delicately perishable item.
They are like Bagels...they're better when they're fresh.
One of the best things you can do is make a concerted effort to talk to more of your leads sooner.
It's likely that at least HALF of the people who contact you for help WILL buy a home in the next 12 months.
The big question is how many of them are YOU willing to help?
Would you do me a favor?
Two favors actually.
First of all...if you're doing your numbers for the end of the year to see how you did...would you let me know what your actual numbers are?
It would be really helpful to me, and I'm sure everyone else would like to know.
If you tell me, I'll put all of the numbers together and let you see what has been happening around the country...anonymously of course. Just the numbers.
Second...if you would write a quick email about your experience with your website and some words of encouragement for new people who are considering a Money Making Website. I would really appreciate it.
Ok...one THIRD favor...but that's it I promise.
Would you also let me know anything you would like to see us add to the system, or anything you think would make your life even easier.
You never know. Jesse is kind of a genius, and he may be able to help us out.
Thanks...