Home > Blog > BL Company Blog

2010

We’ve been hard at work keeping Sequoia sites head and shoulders above the competition. We recently released a round of system upgrades that improve the performance, user experience, and functionality of the Sequoia platform. Among many others, here are a few of the highlights for your custom real estate website:

• Multiple MLS search capability. Now we can display listings from more than one MLS in the same search results view, so brokers and agents who belong to more than one MLS can give their leads access to more properties than ever before.

• The ability to choose which property types are available for public search. Now Sequoia customers can control, through their Settings tab, which property types are searchable, on a per-MLS basis. Don’t want your users searching for commercial listings? Only want multi-family houses on your site? You can choose any or all property types.

• The ability to choose which towns appear on public search forms. Also on the Settings tab, you can now select as few or as many towns as you like from the list provided by your MLS, so you can broaden or focus the area your site represents at will.

• Faster search! We’ve upgraded the technology behind our property tools to greatly increase their speed.

• Multiple sets of search criteria for Daily Email Updates. Both users and agents can set up multiple searches to return results through Daily Email Updates. This lets users refine their results even further, showing them only the most relevant properties for their needs.

• Agents’ own listings can now be displayed on their Agent Details pages! Agents can now choose to have their bio include their exclusive listings.

• Direct-mail friendly lead export. Agents can now export their leads’ names, email, phone number, and address – handy if you want to send postcards or other direct mail pieces.

• Companies can now have multiple offices! Sequoia clients can now enter multiple offices and associate agents with each specific office. Offices can also display any exclusive properties listed by the agents in that office. All office locations can have a full profile and are displayed on a map, just like searched properties.

• Dynamic forms! Our newest optional feature, Dynamic Forms lets you create customizable forms for your users to fill out. From simple lead capture forms and requests for information to full questionnaires and more, you can build your own forms with checkboxes, radio buttons, required fields, file uploads, calendar selections, and much more! You can view all form submissions on the admin panel of your Sequoia site. Contact us to learn more.

Upgrade to Sequoia from z57

A client asked me for a list of reasons why they should upgrade to the Sequoia Real Estate Solutions platform instead of using z57. Here was my response:

Here's a list of just some of the upgrades that you will get:

Integrated property search with more picture, google maps, and interactive user tools
1. Currently, the search on the site is placed in an iFrame. This impedes search engine placement.
2. Additionally, the current search is labeled, in big bold red letters: Listings last updated at Monday at 02:12PM. This means that the data is a day old and as many agents come in after the long weekend to update their listings in MLS this morning, the searcher is looking at old data. Our data is updated hourly.
The site is not currently designed in a fashion that will maximize lead conversion. Our sites are created to convert anonymous users into leads at superior conversion rates. The current setup of your website isn't likely to produce nearly as many leads.
Lead management - The site will have a comprehensive lead management/CRM package to track and manage leads, see their site activity, etc.
Users will have access to tools which make the site the foundation of their search including
1. Save favorite listings
2. Save Favorite searches
3. Sign up for nightly property updates by email
4. Ability to RSS search results
5. Ability to take notes on listings
6. Mortgage calculators
7. etc.
When we met and demonstrated the product for you, there were a number of features that you identified would save you time every day. This was over a month ago. So, I can't remember them all, but for example, featured listings don't need to be entered/uploaded into the site. They're pulled directly from MLS.
Our platform will allow the team to create as many pages on the site as they wish. They'll have the power to edit and update pages as they see fit.
I remember you being attracted to our developments component. This would give them the functionality to create profiles on developments in Andover, surrounding towns, or even downtown Boston. The team would enter content on each development and the tool will then automatically populate the pages with inventory from MLS.
Our new forms tool will allow the team to configure custom forms on the site asking the user to provide any information that they request. For example, they could have a "List My Home" form which asks for information on the seller's home. This information is of course stored in the Lead Management/CRM system and an email with this information is sent to the agent as well.
Each agent in the office can be given a lead management account and leads can be assigned. This allows all of the agents in the office to direct their clients to the office website, if they wish.
If agents want to have their own website (Example: johnsmithrealestateagent.com) Our agent site product gives the agent 1 place to manage leads from their own site as well as lead generated on the office site which are assigned to him/her. Agents also get advanced property search features and as many pages on the site as they wish.

I could go on - Suffice it to say this represents a *major* upgrade to the site with many many capabilities, features, and functions that the z57 current site lacks.

The Importance of Websites for Realtors

A few years ago, it was difficult for Real Estate agents to acquire leads. With the constant utilization of the internet, this has become much easier for realtors. The vast majority of clients are now seeking homes by turning to the internet as their first means of search.

However, this is not to say that hard work isn't involved with this process. True, there is potentially no limit to how big your business can grow online - but it is up to each realtor and real estate broker to put in the effort. It is up to you how far you want to stretch, how much money you want to spend, and how much time and effort you are willing to invest in your website.

Without a functioning, aesthetically pleasing web presence (or without a web presence at all), your realty company risks becoming obsolete: customers and leads trust agencies with good websites. The fact is that your brick and mortar office is no longer your biggest sign of significance, it's your real estate office website.

Consider a new website or website makeover as an investment in the success of your real estate brokerage. Sequoia Real Estate Solutions provides a high-quality, customized website option for you at a great price. Click here to read more about how you can market your real estate brokerage - and all the advantages and features that go along with it!

Major upgrades to the Sequoia platform released: 6/4/2010

Related Links:

Upgrade to Sequoia from z57

Related Links:

The Importance of Websites for Realtors

Related Links:

Search

Archives

What is the Sequoia System

Recently Written

Categories