Well, OK, you’re not exactly hiding, but by not revealing your location, you’re leaving your web visitors guessing about what cities you serve. How will they know they’re in the right place?
This is a re-run of an article I wrote three years ago. Sadly, not much has changed.
At that time I reported that I’d been visiting agent websites and a strange commonality had me scratching my head in wonder. I’m still visiting real estate websites and seeing the same thing… agents are “hiding.”
Obviously, no one visits real estate brokerages in person any more. How could they, when so many real estate brokerages and real estate agents don’t reveal their physical location?
The vast majority of the real estate websites sites I visited not only failed to list a street address; they didn’t even reveal the City and State. (Some “agent sites” also failed to reveal the agent’s name, but that’s a rant for a different day.)
Visitors can try a home search – and see if the results give the name of the city and state.If the site is an extensive one, there might be a page devoted to community information, or links to city services, schools, etc. Most of the sites I visited, however, were not that extensive.
Going to the “contact us” page helps on some sites – on others all you get is a webform allowing you to email the agent.
Once in a while an “about” page will give a hint: “I have more homes listed here in Mytown than any other agent.” (And I’d better not get started on that “I, I, I” business right now either. That’s for another day.)
So – why is this? Why are agents hiding their location?
Do they assume that anyone coming to their siteknows where they are and where they sell real estate? Isn’t that a crazy thing to assume?
For a long time I’ve harped about putting your city and state in your email signature. After all, if someone forwards a joke or poem or some pretty photos and there’s YOUR signature at the bottom, they just might notice and call you when they need an agent. After all, what you sent is a reflection of your personality, so if they liked it they might assume that you’re the kind of person they’ll like. (Remember, people choose agents for some reasons that have nothing to do with their expertise.)
And if you’ve sent some good real-estate advice, people with friends who need an agent are apt to pass it along – and there you’ll be. You’ll automatically have status as the agent who knows more than the average bear.
It seems to me that when someone arrives at your site, it might be a good idea to let them know that yes, they’re in the right place to find the agent they want and the answers they’re seeking.
OK – I can hear someone out there saying “But what about you? Where’s your address?” And they’d be right – it’s not front and center. It’s in the footer. That’s because where I am doesn’t matter in the least. My clients come from all over the U.S., and some from other countries. As long as we have email and telephones, I can help them.
But YOUR clients either want to buy, sell, or rent something in YOUR town. By not revealing your location, you just might be missing out on new leads.
So – If you’re keeping your location a secret, go fix that! (It only takes a minute…)
Image courtesy of morguefile.com
