Every once in a while, someone pitches one of our clients and tells them that their solution is the best thing since sliced bread. Our clients are bombarded by advertisers, software companies, real estate website providers, online marketing companies, you name it. They're calling and emailing and calling again.

Most of the clients who buy from Boston Logic take a highly measured approach. They figure out what they need,  what it costs, compare solutions, and we come out on top. We're fine with this process. We're happy to go feature for feature with any platform.

Here's what stings: it's when the client gets a call from someone and doesn't do their homework. They make an impulse buy because the pitch over the phone was just that good. We're constantly amazed that business decisions are actually made this way.

Do you really have 2 completely different buying processes? For some expenses, you take weeks to figure out the right solution, document features, develop a budget, and then make an informed decision. For other purchases, you decide to spend thousands of dollars in literally minutes?

Here's a recommendation.

Consider any purchase carefully. Make decisions based on numbers, whenever possible. Real numbers. I'm talking about data. For example, If you're considering a new online marketing media, try to understand a cost/user or cost/lead. If you can't do better than where you are currently investing, don't buy it.

Also, don't get sold on one feature or even one idea. Look at a solution holistically. It's easy for a salesman to tell you about a nice feature in their website product and ask, "Does your real estate website do that?" Indeed, it may not, but there may be 20 features that your site does have that the product he's selling does not. I can't tell you how many clients have chosen other vendors only to come back to Boston Logic telling us that they made a poor decision.

If you need help developing specifications or comparing real estate web site design solutions, we're happy to help. Just contact the real estate website team of Boston Logic. Thanks.

We started at Max's Restaurant for some breakfast, then headed over to the docks by the Boston Aquarium to board for our whale watching tour through Boston Harbor Cruises. It was a bit longer than a three hour tour, as we left at 10:00 am and returned around 3:30, but it was worth it. The high-speed boat took us off the coast of Provincetown, Massachusetts to see some whales.

The tour didn't disappoint. As soon as we arrived at our destination, we saw gorgeous humpback whales all around the boat, and we were able to get really close. We saw flukes, flipper-slapping, and were able to appreciate the sheer size of these animals as they swam about 10 feet parallel to our boat!

We ended the day at Boston's Durgin Kitchen in Fanueil Hall. After filling up on a variety of deliciously fried seafood (after being on the ocean all day, it felt appropriate) we went our separate ways to each take our perspective post-adventure naps. We had an amazing time!

Read more about the Boston Logic Team.

First, they can raise their head count. If we assume an average number of deals/agents - then the more real estate agents on your roster, the more real estate sales your real estate company will be a part of and the more commissions the company will receive. You can raise your head count by hiring more real estate agents or by buying other real estate companies. Sounds simple enough. Revenue is pegged to headcount.

Alternatively, a company can work to make ALL of their agents more effective. Remember that average number of deals per agent. Well, let's assume that the company doesn't want to hire more agents, just have their agents do more deals. The goal would be to raise that average. If your agents are doing 10 deals/year, on average, and you raise the average to 12, all else being equal, the office will make more money. By the way, so will the agents!

This somewhat assumes that the office is working on a classic split model - or does it?

Let me propose something radical. The best way to hire more agents is to have successful agents at your office. If your company has a reputation of making agents successful, then agents will want to work for you! Then it doesn't matter if you're on a desk fee model or a split.

Broker/owners, just imagine - instead of having 25 agents who do $50MM in transactions/year. You only have 10 - and they do the same sales volume! Sounds easier to manage, doesn't it. Or even better. Imaging you had 25 agents, 10 of them did $50MM and get a better split, the other 15 do another $50MM. You win either way.

So, how do you get your agents to produce more. Well, this isn't rocket science. First, they need leads. They need buyers and sellers reaching out to them. The office needs to be noticed. You have to stand out from the other guys in town. Next, you need to give your agents the tools they need to close deals with those leads. I'm talking about lead management, I'm talking about online marketing, I'm talking about social media and a great real estate website to serve as the foundation for it all.

If all you do is work on hiring agents and you don't give them the tools to succeed, they will come and go. They will under perform. Agents thirst for support, they want leads, and they want a company that gives them both. Real Estate agents will stand by a company that helps them succeed. If the agent was making $50,000/year at their last company and is making $60,000/year at your company, they're likely to stick around.

Also, the agents in town will take notice. They'll see your brand and your agents involved in lots of sales, on dozens and hundreds of yard signs. The agents will want to work for your company because you have the best website and your site has the best search engine placement.

Our clients see it all the time. Agents today want to work with a company that gives them what they need. They want a brokerage that provides leads and promotes their services.

The result is simple. The broker wins, the agents win, everybody wins.

Efficiency. Not only will you improve the image of your website with custom real estate website design features and templates, but you will also save time with our easy and efficient lead management system. And more efficiency for you means closing more deals!

Quick Turnaround. Our ONE System real estate software behind each real estate website allows you to simply chose a theme or template, and your website can be live in just 24 hours!

Customizable. Because Boston Logic specializes in  real estate website design, each website theme is designed to offer a unique aesthetic. Whether your real estate office desires a website with a classic layout or a sleek, modern style, we have just the theme for you. Additionally, we offer all-encompassing themes of the real estate market: so whether you specialize in rentals or sales, small towns or cities, traditional or contemporary, we can match your business style with a theme that reflects you.

Access to Countless Features. Purchase of a high quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing website also includes access to countless real estate website features innovated by our development team. Among the standard and optional feature upgrades available, Boston Logic websites are  SEO Ready, Google Analytics installed, Mapped IDX Search, Blog, Live Chat, Neighborhood Profiles and much more! A few more additional standard features that are included with your real estate web site are mortgage calculators, saved searches, virtual tours, ConstantContact integration, and college search. Still not enough? We also have optional upgrades like Yelp! neighborhood info, Development profiles,  Zillow property valuation, and Dynamic Forms. (Find a complete list of features and read more about optional upgrades at our Sequoia brand's website here).

So what are you waiting for?  Take a step in the right direction towards a new and improved real estate internet marketing campaign today!

Contact us to get started!

617.266.9166

We discussed Facebook Fan Pages; what they are, why they're good for business, how to create one, and how to get people to 'Like' your page (aka 'Become a Fan').  We covered the brand new changes to Facebook Privacy Settings (yes, they changed AGAIN); how create 'Friend Lists' to categories the types of people you associate with on Facebook (friends, family, clients, etc.) and how to completely customize who sees what on your profile utilizing these lists.  Once your employees view this slideshow, they will know how to protect their privacy and be more willing to 'Like' the company Fan Page and interact with it.  This presentation was designed with businesses in mind, but is valuable to anyone with a Facebook profile!

If you weren't able to attend the Logic Classroom, you can view the presentation below!

We host a new LogicClassroom on the second Tuesday of every month.  Our next LogicClassroom will be on May 11th. Please email Katrina if you would like to attend or sign up for our Newsletter at the lower right-hand corner of our home page to receive reminders and information about the next LogicClassroom.

Modified Template Themes start with one of our readily deployable template themes, and provide a distinctive look while adhering to a compressed timeframe and a lower cost than a fully custom design. Of course, all of the best-in-class functionality of the Sequoia platform is still present under the skin!

Boston Apartment Hunter specializes in apartment and condo rentals in the Boston area.

Adding to the already robust rental property search functionality built into the Sequoia platform, Tri State Realty Group opted to employ a customized graphical search map. This feature allows users to click on the areas of the map they wish to search, select a few quick parameters and get fast, accurate search results tailored to their specific needs. The tool can be customized to suit any desired range of locations and themed to match the style of your site.

In addition, Tri State added an MBTA Search tool to their rental property search roster. This tool, which can be added to any Sequoia site that already uses our Neighborhood Pages feature, allows users to search for rentals near any major MBTA line with one click. This tool can be readily deployed for any site that already utilizes Neighborhood Pages, adding to the already significant boost in search engine rankings the Neighborhood Pages component provides.

Tri State Realty Group specializes in residential sales and rentals in the Boston area.

You may have noticed a new tab on the dashboard of your Sequoia site. We've added a thorough, written user guide that will walk you through all of the major functions you need to know.

Have a question about how to do something with your site? Look here first! We're constantly updating the guide as we add new features, and soon the guide will feature visual aids as well as the step-by-step instructions

We learned about the importance of the consistency of the user experience from when they begin their online search to when then land on your website, and various ways to KEEP them on your site.  We also talked about  lead capture and management as well as how to leverage social media, email, and other marketing techniques to help convert your leads into clients.

Don't worry if you missed this LogicClassroom session, you can view the slides below at your convenience. Enjoy!

We host a new LogicClassroom on the second Tuesday of every month.  Our next LogicClassroom will be on May 11th. Please email Katrina if you would like to attend or sign up for our Newsletter at the lower right-hand corner of our home page to receive reminders and information about the next LogicClassroom.

When a user registers on your site, what's the first thing you do? How do you follow up? How many times? How often should you reach out to your customers? The answers to these questions and the techniques you use will make a big difference in how you can convert leads into deals. As part of this presentation, we'll also look at some of the tools you will use when following up and how to use them most effectively. We’ll be looking at sites that efficiently convert users into leads. We’ll also discuss how leads are best incubated, and we’ll delve into a concept we’ve been preaching here at Boston Logic for years: consistency of the user experience.

You are welcome to attend at the Boston Logic office, or participate through an online webinar. Take this excellent opportunity to learn how to utilize search engine marketing to grow your business.

You can attend in person at our offices or you can sign in to the webinar. RSVP to Katrina at 617-266-9166 or ksierant@bostonlogic.com to attend. Please specify if you will be attending in the office or online via webinar. We look forward to seeing you all there!