It’s Time to Build A New Virtual Model Home
What kind of an impression would you make if people searching for a new home show up at your model home and you have no furniture, a small desk in a dimly lit corner and weeds in the flower beds? When they ask for a brochure, a salesperson hands them a crinkly piece of paper with the prices scribbled on it. Needless to say, I’m sure you wouldn’t expect a return visit from them any time soon.
Sadly, this may be what’s happening on your website. How many browsers abandon their online search after visiting your homepage because of the lack of information, complicated navigation, “under construction” pages and poor or outdated design? If 90+% of new home buyers are starting their search online (have I hammered that statistic home yet?), then it is highly likely that your website will be their first impression of you as a builder.
Ask yourself: What kind of impression is my site making? Does it accurately reflect the image I have in the community? Maybe you don’t know…maybe you think you know. You must look at your site with a fresh eye and make sure that you have all of the pieces of the puzzle in their proper positions – and that they’re easy to access.
Don’t pucker up too much when it comes to attracting qualified prospects.
The “cool kids” club
I had the great pleasure of presenting to the Builder 20 Group #33 “The Survivors” in Cleveland this week. By the way, Cleveland has a really clean downtown. Moving right along…I love presenting to 20 groups! You can be much more open, honest and transparent.
This was really a cool group of builders ready to kick this economy’s (you know what). If you are a builder looking for a powerful way to connect – you need to talk with the NAHB about their 20 Clubs. Here is a quick description:
The 20 Clubs are comprised of similar type builders or remodelers from non-competing markets who meet several times a year to share their wisdom and learn from each other ways to improve their operations and increase their bottom lines. Members share and compare financial information, look for trouble spots, and offer each other advice on how to increase their profit ratios and improve their performance
I also shot a quick “So what are you going to do when you get back” video. Thank you for the opportunity guys!
Mobile Websites for Home Builders
Are you Third Screen Marketing enabled?
For years, I have been asking “Do You Convert”? Now I have to ask does your website convert for the mobile internet. Internet enabled phones hit today’s market at an astonishing rate, resulting in a mobile internet boom. Hence, third screen marketing. With this trend we must now ask, does my website allow for a positive consumer experience on the mobile web? If not, do not feel alone because less than one percent of today’s websites are optimized for the mobile internet. This is no accident, the mobile internet operates by a different set of standards than the PC internet we all know and love.
While in Las Vegas for the International Builders Show, I had the opportunity to meet with mobiManage and learn more about how they help businesses leverage the mobile internet to reach potential customers. They build certified .mobi websites and are leading the mobile website industry from Tulsa, Oklahoma! Founder & CEO, Jeff Beasley, is committed to helping real estate professionals understand the mobile internet and apply a strategic solution in today’s market. Jeff is one of thirteen individuals who sit on the international .mobi Advisory Group Steering Committee and has been recognized for his achievements in technology. Talk about insight into the world of the mobile internet and how to develop a relevant mobile strategy for your business.
Not sold on why you need to direct attention to the mobile web. Here are a few statistics from a July 2008 Nielsen study:
- In Q1 of 2008, 144 million US mobile subscribers were data users.
- 95 million US mobile subscribers paid for access to the mobile internet.
- Internet users: Ages 25-34 made up 27.4% overall usage while ages 35-54 made up 37% of overall mobile internet usage. Do any of these age groups represent your home buyers?
- The U.S. leads the world in mobile internet usage penetration.
Bottom line, today we are challenged to find cost effective ways to reach buyers. Oftentimes, all we need to do is seek a different solution to our dilemmas. Yogi Berra said it best when asked about a hitting strategy, “You have to hit it where they ain’t.” So try marketing where your competition “ain’t?”
You can learn more about mobiManage by visiting them on your mobile phone at www.mobimanage.mobi or on your PC at www.mobimanage.com
Check out this example for Coldwell Banker Select in Oklahoma. Their mobile site is cboklahoma.mobi
I welcome your feedback on what you are doing to leverage the mobile web in your business.
Big News for 2009 – Consulting for Homebuilders
It’s official like a referees whistle! I am jumping in heads first and will now be providing consulting services full time. I am excited to do this with the support and encouragement of my friends, family and many of my respected peers in the home building industry.
I look forward to applying my passion and experience to help builders polish their online presence, drive more traffic and convert more browsers into buyers. Plus, now I will also be able to spend more time creating content to share with you to help improve your business.
My services will be focusing on Internet Sales, Marketing, Lead Generation and Leads Management. Here’s a quick list of how I can help you:
- Strategic Consulting Services
- Executive Coaching (to help you avoid costly mistakes and deliver killer ideas)
- Speaking, Seminars and Workshops
- New Media Implementation
- Leads Management Optimization
- Follow-Up Process Improvement
I would love the opportunity to discuss your needs and help you increase sales in 2009. Please feel free to Contact Me at any time.
Stay tuned for some great changes on the site!
