Comments on: Wisconsin’s Shorewest Realty Shows Up On Radar – Others Don’t

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 06:47:07 +0000

@Steve. SM is just one component of what should be a balance RE marketing scheme. As for hype and data, these items blow in the wind as the hot air bags dictate. SM is a horrible marketing tool, in fact, when used inappropriately. And here is the rub. The real estate agents I am writing these to, want to know how to help their businesses. The real estate agents I am writing these posts about are generally pompous money bags who “THINK” they know something. At least this is my experience.

In between, clinging to both ends of this Phil Butler perspective, there are all manner of folks in RE, gravitating toward one end really – buying and selling commodities to feed kids, or play another 18 holes, and/or both. What’s important, or what should be then, is considering that while ANY of these people were puttering about in the real estate jackets, counting their beans thisa way or datta way, me and my team were here. Right here. Analyzing, reporting, advising, and even in some cases creating the digital web you see.

I am just trying to help, but I understand your chagrin. Maybe read mine and WIHP Hotels Paris’ Martin Soler’s piece on SM and marketing over at Search Engine Journal. Then the data makes more sense, at least for RE on Facebook. http://www.searchenginejournal.com/industry-discussion-the-true-nature-of-social-media-roi/39421/

Meanwhile, we are working on a Marketing 101 for RE. It is a task, as you might guess. Coming soon.

Always,
Phil

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:27:12 +0000

I love the hype over social media being the end all of RE marketing. The data shows it is next to worthless. Don’t get me wrong, you have to have a presence on the web, but social media doesn’t sell.

By: Cheeseheads & Online Homes Sales

Cheeseheads & Online Homes Sales — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:47:19 +0000

[...] aforementioned agent ranks third in the SERPs for Milwaukee Real Estate. Please read the assessment on this firm from yesterday. Clearly though, the Wisconsin sellers do sit atop the heap there in [...]

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 03:34:34 +0000

Shorewest is my go to local listings site. But, the new main web page from a desktop is a big hassle. You are correct in that the required drop down city list is way too long. How about start with zip and narrow down from there.

Also, the required county, city and other fields slow you down. The old site wasn’t great, but I felt it was quicker to navigate. Once you get the search results, the listing pages are very nicely done and organized.

You didn’t mention the mobile App. Shorewest has a good mobile App on the iPhone but sometimes the map pins get locked up. You’ll click on a pin and can’t get to the next one. Despite the quirks, overall I like it a lot. The lasso tool doesn’t work well. First Webers App was awful and I deleted it. Realtor.com App is no peach either. When you zoom in on the map and say search here, it brings you back to the entire US map. Frustrating indeed.

By: Phil Butler

Phil Butler — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:30:19 +0000

@Katie. I was referring to the Fist Weber site as being in line with bottom tier sites. As for the social aspects, I said “residual” – not bottom tier. I will elaborate on the exactitudes here in another post, now that your state’s real estate engagement has come into view.

Having social profiles, and using them, these are two completely separate things. I will explain in more detail.

Always,
Phil

By: Katie Huebschen

Katie Huebschen — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:36:37 +0000

Hello,
I am curious why you consider firstweber.com bottom tier? What sugestions do you have for improvement? We do have numerous active social profiles as well.

Thanks for your input.