Of course we all want more traffic to our websites, after all isn’t more traffic better?  More traffic is certainly desired, but you also want to get maximum results out of the visitors who are already coming to your website.  Think of it this way, adding more traffic to a website that doesn’t convert visitors is like putting a Ferrari Engine in a 71 Ford Pinto.  It’s great to have the power but the Pinto can’t do much with it.

So, how do we make sure that we have a Ferrari car to match our motor?  Well it really starts with taking the time to make sure we have every opportunity to convert those visitors into contacts.  Instead of just focusing on different Calls to Action we could make, I thought it would be helpful to discuss some tools that can compliment your calls to action.  Using any one of these on your website will honestly take you less than 3 minutes to implement, so maybe even try about 10 minutes to get them all up and running!

Give your website the power to talk! - Ok, so audio on websites has been around for quite some time.  For real estate professionals though, there has been a slow adoption and often some awful uses.  Placing audio on your website, using easy tools like Instant Audio, where you give the website visitor the opportunity to turn the sound on or off is a powerful way to make your website come to life.  Here are just 2 ideas of where you could use audio on your real estate website:

1. Home Page – Place and introduction audio clip on your home page.  Here you can bring out key items on your website like your MLS feature or Featured listings.  Make sure you direct your visitors to areas where they can input their information!
2. Testimonials – Have your clients’ record testimonials of their experience with you.  People will be able to connect to the different stories that end up being on your testimonial page.  We have found on our Long Beach websites that these can get played more than 100 times in a month!  This can give the casual web visitor confidence that finding their Realtor® online is perfectly normal.

TextMyMLS – Here is a product that has been around for awhile, but many people haven’t had a chance to learn about it.  With this product you can allow someone to text to a certain number and they will receive information about one of your listings.  So, they don’t have to call any special 1-800 number, they can simply use their cell phone to get the information they wanted.  It was designed to be used in front of houses on listing signs, but it’s a great tool to use on your website.  Put the text # next to your featured listings and watch the leads start pouring in.

1. For those real estate professionals in California, we have arranged a discount if you decide to take advantage of this great service.  When you sign up, type in the code “ORES” and the $149 set-up fee will be waived!
   1. Other States – You can still sign up, but post here if you would like a discount.  We have been spreading the word about this product so we like to get our community members some savings.  Let us know if you want a discount in your state!
2. Area Pages - Give the other pages of your website life using TextMyMLS by putting a text code on area pages where when the user texts they can area information and a picture of what a house in that area would look like.

MLS Listing Tools – There are many different vendors out there that can provide you with an MLS tool to put on your website so you can display the listings in your area.  Each state has different regulations, but most allow you to display the listings in some format.  This is a truly powerful tool that can convert visitors for you 24 hours a day.  We use a product made by Wolf Net called MLS Finder and it has added an additional 50 leads a month for our team!  It is available in many areas and is pretty affordable.  If you want to use another vendor just make sure they have some key features:

1. Request more Information – When the visitor is looking at a particular property make sure they have the ability to ask for more information.  After all they will be asking you!
2. Save Properties – Website visitors often like their anonymity, but they also want a way to keep track of properties of interest.  Give them the power to save their “favorites” as that way they have to give you their information.
3. Search by Map – Having this feature can compliment your pages that speak about different neighborhoods.  A great feature that can increase the time a user spends on your website.

MLS Tools are really easy to put in as the website vendor usually just gives you your own link to use.  You can send it over to your webmaster or put it up on your website yourself.

These are just 3 ways to allow the visitors on your website to turn from “just looking” to contacting you.  Remember each one literally takes just minutes so try them on your website to start increasing those leads and start earning more commissions.  Concentrating on converting visitors on each and every page will bring you the leads you want to achieve your goals.  Small improvements in conversion rates will have much more impact than your traffic improvements so take time to see which conversion tool is working best for you.

To your continued success online!