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Make More Money with These Lead Management and Sequoia CRM System Tips!

For those of you utilizing the great Sequoia real estate website platform, here are some helpful tips for using the LogicLeads Real Estate Lead Management and CRM system that will make you more money!

Enter each lead into the system. Regardless of source.
Setup nightly email updates.
Look at the searches your leads have performed, email them some listings and ask if they would like to see any of them.
Create a showing sheet and ask if they’d like to setup a time to see any of these listings.
Schedule tasks to follow up on.

5 Calls in 5 Days

Schedule a task to follow-up with each closed renter for 6 months later to see if they want to rent again (or maybe even buy!)
Ask every renter if they’ve thought about buying.

If "yes"...

Set them up with nightly email updates in the same neighborhood where they want to rent with their buying criteria

Send messages to leads directly from the system

*HINT: Make sure you’ve edited your profile to include a proper email signature!

Search through your lead activity to see who has been using the site and when and follow-up using that intelligence.
Enter each showing and make notes after so you know what each lead needs and / or wants.
Export calendar of events and tasks that you’ve set up.
Use export function to quickly get leads into your Outlook and phone.

Not set up with the best-in-class real estate website software? Contact Boston Logic today to make the investment in your business!

We’re Hiring! Boston Logic Seeks Experienced Web Developer

Ruby On Rails Web Developer Position:

Who You Are:

You have the desire to learn new technologies
Highly intelligent and creative
Comfortable working in a fast paced – sometimes high pressure – changing environment.
You learn new technologies quickly and thrive in a fast paced environment.
You can work both in a team environment as well as individually.
You have strong technical and coding skills.

Your Skills:

Experience in gathering project requirements and developing a feature set
Experience with AJAX technologies
Experience building dynamic, database driven websites
Excellent communication skills
Deep technical skills

Techie Things You Know:

Knowledge of the MVC framework architecture and Object Oriented Programming
Knowledge of at least 1 Javascript framework, preferably jQuery or Prototype/Scriptaculous
Familiarity with Linux and demonstrate a grasp of working with the command line
Knowledge of relational databases and SQL, preferably MySQL
Previously worked with at least one Source Control Management tool
Fluent in HTML and CSS

Bonus Points if You Have:

Experience with Ruby on Rails
Experience with Test Driven Development or Behavior Driven Development

What You Will Do:

Interaction with clients, project managers, designers, developers, marketing associates and our sales team are all in a day’s work.
Play a role in the planning, execution and success of client engagements as well as internal development projects.
Write Ruby on Rails code every day.
If you do not know Ruby on Rails, learn Ruby and the Rails framework in a relatively short period of time to contribute to the team.

About the Company:

Boston Logic is a technology and marketing consultancy providing web development, online marketing, and IT consulting services. We are looking for a dynamic technologist to join our team as a Developer. This is an opportunity to play a significant role in a rapidly growing company.

Is This You? Apply Now!

Submit your resume, cover letter, salary requirements and code samples, in the language of their choice to: techjobs@bostonlogic.com.

RESUMES WITHOUT CODE SAMPLES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

New Site Launch: Cabot & Company

Cabot & Company has been a Boston Logic client for several years. In search of more quality leads and better lead management and CRM tools, Cabot & Company upgraded to the Sequoia platform. Cabot chose to keep their existing design theme, but take the power of their web presence to the next level!

Cabot & Company wanted to give their agents the best tools in the business, as well as maximize their search engine ranking potential. With an existing design theme by Boston Logic, Cabot & Company chose a Mimic Theme for the Sequoia platform - letting them keep their unique look and feel while upgrading all of the functionality "under the hood" of their website.

Cabot and Company New Site Launch!

Choosing a mimic theme allows you to keep your existing design while upgrading the functional aspects of your website, as well as the potential for higher search engine rankings. This is a great option for anyone who wants to preserve their look and feel, while generating more leads on the web and working with the best tools in the industry!

Moving to Sequoia gives Cabot access to vastly more powerful tools, such as our recently launched CRM functionality, Sequoia's new lead management system, our easy-to-use LogicCMS, our proprietary content management system, which now features sidebar menus and HTML widgets, and of course the huge Search Engine Optimization potential built into every feature of the platform. Our sites are designed not just to help you manage your leads and workflow, but to get you more leads in the first place!

Contact the Boston Logic sales team today at 617-266-9166 to learn more about the Sequoia platform and our various design options.

Cabot & Company represents residential buyers and renters in Boston's premiere Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods and beyond.

BL Company President to Speak at Upcoming PASS Event

Boston Logic's company founder and president, David Friedman, will be speaking at an upcoming exhibitor breakfast event on Thursday, March 24th, 2011.

The event, "Tools of the Trade", is designed for attendees to learn about current applications used for SEO, PPC, and Social Media. During the event, attendees will hear a brief overview of each participating SEO vendor specialist, and can visit with each vendor for demos and to gain in-depth information on their products. We'll also be talking about our newest and most popular services, The Social Media Accelerator. SEMPO members attend for free, and non-members pay $10.

The event starts at 7:30 AM at Constant Contact’s offices in Waltham:

Reservoir Place
1601 Trapelo Road
Waltham, MA 02451

Here is the itinerary for this great networking opportunity:

7:30 – 8:00 am - Breakfast and networking

8:00 am - Scott Smigler, SEMPO Boston co-chair opening remarks

8:15 am - Vendors presentation to entire room of attendees, including Boston Logic.

9:00 am – 10:00 am - Attendees visit with vendors at the table-tops displays

So if you are interested in the real estate web design and real estate internet marketing services provided by Boston Logic, this event is the perfect opportunity to meet with us to discuss potential ways to leverage SEO best practices for success. Visit the SEMPO Marketing event site for more information.

We hope to see you there!

New Sequoia Feature Launches: 3/7/2011

While the Sequoia real estate website platform already has the best real estate website features available, read up on the latest in Sequoia feature upgrades for your real estate website!

1) MLS rental listings now show in rentals searches. Our RentJuice clients can now show off rental listings from their MLS in rentals searches! Thanks to recent upgrades to the RentJuice API, Sequoia sites with this component enabled will now show users any MLS rentals that match their search criteria in rentals searches. This can be turned on or off at your discretion in your Settings section.

3) Featured Properties Page Company Listings. You can now choose whether your company’s listings automatically show on your Featured Properties page. Controllable in the Settings section of your Sequoia realtor web design, you can now opt to have all of your listings automatically show up here when listed, or not – for those of you who wish to hand-pick only the best listings to feature!

4) XpressDocs Single-Token Login Tool Integration. For those of you who use XpressDocs for your print advertising needs, we’ve integrated their single-token login tool to the back end of your Sequoia realty web design. Simply enter your XpressDocs account info into your Settings section and your brokers and agents will have access to an XpressDocs login button on their Dashboards, allowing them to access this web-based tool without needing to log in twice!

Not a Sequoia client yet, but like what you see? Contact us to get started on your own real estate website design today, and to have access to all the features above and much more!

New Sequoia Site Features: 2/28/2011

1) Rentals Search Code Generator Tool. Based on the success of our sales search code generator tool, we’ve built a companion piece for rentals searches. Any broker or agent can now generate a search form code from their My Profile page on the back end of their Sequoia site. Pasting these codes onto an outside site creates a search form, for either sales or rentals, which returns users to their Sequoia site to see the results of their search. Best of all, those leads get captured and assigned directly to the agent that generated the code!

2) Waterfront or Beachfront Town Pages. Real Estate Town pages can now feature Waterfront or Beachfront listings only thanks to checkboxes we’ve incorporated into the setup forms for these pages. Want to show off only your high-end properties right on the beach? Now your users can see these with one click once you’ve set up a corresponding Town Page!

3) Searching and Viewing Search Results Features. We’ve added a number of helpful features for searching and viewing search results. Companies can now choose whether their listings are sorted by price in either ascending or descending order – and this applies to search results, Town Pages, AND real estate Developments property profiles lists! Also, we’ve added a Bank Owned Only option to all advanced search forms – if you’re looking for a great deal, this can be a perfect way to start your search!

4) Email Updates. Daily Email Updates now feature up to fifty relevant listings in order to show your clients as many possible new homes as possible. In addition, both you and your leads can now view the results of these searches at any time right on your Sequoia site! Brokers and agents can see these searches on leads’ profiles on the back end of their Sequoia sites, and leads can visit their My Account pages to do the same. Viewing these searches shows all properties that meet the set criteria at the time the search is performed.

Keep checking back for more features for your Sequoia real estate website platform!

Not up to the latest real estate web design and real estate online marketing technology? Contact Boston Logic today to get started on your new real estate website design!

Twitter & Tweeting for Your Real Estate Business 11/11/2010

Why Use Twitter?

As we discussed previously on utilizing Facebook for your business, leveraging social media is an important part of any real estate online marketing campaign. Twitter is one of the leading social media marketing sites, and it is an excellent tool to promote your web presence and start interacting with your clients.

Twitter puts a personal face to our business and connects you with others who share your interests, both personally and professionally. Once you start following these people, you can get a steady stream of ideas and links that you can then use for your own business and realtor web design.

Be sure to also check out Boston Logic's upcoming webinar on Twitter for Business, and other helpful LogicClassrooms!

Twitter Basics and Set-Up

1. To set up your account, go to Twitter.com and click the orange "Let Me In" button that will take you to a list of fields to fill out with basic information.

2. Click "Create My Account" when you are finished, and you are ready to start Tweeting!

3. Don't forget to use keywords relating to your business when filling out your profile, and upload a photo to gain credibility - it may also be helpful to potential clients to add your location. Also be sure to list your website in your profile so users can easily find you.

Twitter for Real Estate

Now You're Ready! What Should You Talk About?
·    Share great resources and links that you find
·    Share relevant information about the real estate industry
·    Reach out to potential leads or clients
·    Link to your blog posts to get visits to your blog and ultimately your website.

Tweeting Keys / Cheat Sheet
@username = to reply or refer people

D username = to talk privately with another person

RT = Click on "Re-tweet" on other people's tweets you find interesting: it's considered respectful

#topic = Create a custom results page on the topic that you have just tweeted

Twitterfeed

Did you know that it is possible for your content to be auto-syndicated, or sent out automatically, to multiple social media profiles at once?

A great example of this application is called Twitterfeed, which consolidates all of your status updates and posts. You can set it up so that your published blog posts, Facebook updates, Linked In profiles, etc. will all be automatically Tweeted - that is, you will generate even more of a following and audience with more venues of social media.

To read more and to find out how to get started, visit the TwitterFeed Website.

Some Last Realtor Website Marketing Tips for Twitter

* Tweet often: daily, if possible.
* Let people know that you tweet by adding a Twitter button to your blog and website.
* Be authentic when tweeting, as it's a tool to help people get to know you professionally as well as personally.
* Don't push your services too much or too often, as you won't gain too many followers (Would you want to follow a constant salesman?) and the endless promoting could get you banned. Twitter is all about sharing information to become an expert in your field.

So what are you waiting for? Start Tweeting, if you haven't already!

Don't forget to follow Boston Logic on Twitter for the latest in real estate online marketing news, and future helpful tips!

New Sequoia Features on Websites for Realtors: Lead Management, Town Page Changes, System Upgrades: 11/1/2010

New Automatic Lead Assignment Options

Agents can now be taken out of the lead auto-assignment rotation if need be – each user’s profile now contains a checkbox that allows brokers and administrators to choose if that user should be included in automatic lead assignment.

Lead Searching

You can now search for leads in the Unassigned Leads list, Unverified Leads list, All Leads list, and Agent Stats list by email address.

Lead Ownership

All assigned leads now have an associated Owner, which is shown on tables like All Leads and Agent Stats to brokers and admins, and on My Leads for agents. A lead's Owner is either the last person to assign the lead, for example the broker who assigns a lead from the Unassigned pool, or the person who manually added the lead to the system. This lets brokers and admins track which leads they have personally assigned out, allowing them to see at a glance which leads they may be responsible for.

Page Permission Level Added for Office Managers

We’ve added a CMS page permission level for Office Managers. This lets Office Managers access pages restricted to their level or above – so if you want to put content on your site that should be seen by people at the Office Manager level or higher, but not agents or other employees, you can restrict the page accordingly.

Default Price Sorting for Searches

We’ve added a Price Sorting option on the Settings tab of all Sequoia sites. This lets you choose whether your customers see search results sorted by price with the highest first or lowest first (ascending or descending).

Sales Town Page Changes

We’ve added the ability to search for any open houses in the current week. Just check the “All This Week” box on any search form and you will see any properties with an open house between the current time and the coming Sunday at midnight

We’ve also added the ability to include search keywords on Town Pages and on Daily Email updates. This lets you and your customers search for anything in the property description, from architectural style to flooring type and everything in between.

Rental Town Pages Changes

You can now set rental Town Pages to show only your own listings – just check the Exclusive box when setting up or editing the page.

System Upgrades

We’ve been hard at work making website for realtors page load speeds much faster! This improves not only the user experience but also you Sequoia site’s SEO potential. Here’s what we’ve done:

All Javascript is externalized
All Javascript and CSS can now be cached locally
All images (with the exception of client uploads) can be cached locally

What this means for you is that these files no longer need to be downloaded every time you view a page, vastly increasing the speed with which search engines and users can navigate your custom real estate web site.

Want in on the action? Contact us to get started on your very own Sequoia realtor website design today!

New Sequoia Real Estate Website Feature: Type-Ahead Search Forms 8/27/2010

We've recently introduced another great Sequoia broker web design feature - type-ahead search forms!

Now instead of scrolling through lists of towns and neighborhoods when performing a search, setting up email updates, and creating pages with search forms, all you need to do is start typing the name of the town or neighborhood.

Once you do, the system will automatically provide a list of all towns and neighborhoods that match the characters you have entered- for example, typing B-O-S will give you Boston and all Boston neighborhoods. Keep typing to make the list smaller until you see what you want, or just scroll the list and click on the choice you want to make. If you make a mistake while making a page, or want to remove a town or neighborhood, just click the "x" to the upper right of the place name.

This feature gives Sequoia web sites for realtors two great benefits. First is, of course, the ease and simplicity with which users can perform searches, and agents can set up pages. Second, pages with search forms on them now load much faster, since your browser doesn't have to load the list of towns provided by your MLS. Both of these improvements make the user experience of your Sequoia site that much more enjoyable, and will contribute to increased lead traffic.

This is just one of the many features we have recently introduced for the Sequoia platform - part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining Sequoia's position as the highest-quality real estate website platform in the industry.

Read more of Sequoia's Latest Feature Upgrades available on our Websites for Realtors.

Easy Google Analytics Installation with Sequoia

Google Analytics is a great way to measure the success of your real estate online marketing campaign. You'll have access to a variety of tools that will provide you data on how you can make your website more appealing to potential users. With Sequoia real estate websites, set up is easy!

First Thing's First: Set Up An Account!

Here's how to set up an account with Google Analytics:

Visit the Google Analytics home page and click "Sign Up Now" on the upper right, below the blue Access Analytics button.

Sign Up for Google Analytics using your email, and follow the prompts to get you started.
1) Enter your website, and/or blog, into the "website URL". Name your account.
2) Enter your contact information.
3) Agree to the terms and conditions, and then hit "create new account"
Activating Google Analytics on Your Website

1. Log into your website www.yourcompany.com

2. Select Settings > Configuration

3. Scroll down to Google Setting Options

a. There will be 6 fields you need to fill out

i. Google Webmaster Tools Code
ii. Google Analytics Tracking Code
iii. Google Analytics Login
iv. Google Analytics Password
v. Google Analytics Account
vi. Google Analytics Profile

4. Google Analytics Login and Password are the credentials you use to log into your Google Analytics Account

5. Adding Google Profile
a. On your Google Analytics homepage scroll down to "add website profile" and select
b. Select "add profile for new domain"
i. Your website should appear (if you have more than one website, select website you would like to create a profile for)

c. Enter a profile name
d. Select Create
e. Once your profile has been created, select Edit
i. Copy and Paste the Profile ID into your settings under Google Analytics Profile

6. Google Analytics Account
a. Account Name is located in the orange heading bar at the top of your overview page.

b. Type the name in your Google settings options exactly how it appears on your analytics screen

7. Tracking Code
a. The tracking code can be found next to your profile name in BOLD

8. Retrieving Webmaster Tools Code
a. Go to: http://www.google.com/webmasters/
b. Enter the same Login and Password that you used for Google analytics
c. On the homepage, select "add a site"
i. Enter your website (www.mycompany.com)
ii. Select Continue
d. A code similar to this will appear: <meta name="Google-site-verification" content="tx4q7cUBTzGeK6a5iVyMp8F2IQ8FpvGWK15CfnDk0vo" />

e. Copy ONLY the red text code in the above text

f. Paste text into your Google settings on your website under "Google Webmaster Code"
g. Save your settings in the CMS
h. It may take up to 24 hours for Google to be able to verify your website. Check back to webmaster tools occasionally.
i. You may need to select the Verify Button again
ii. A site is verified when there is a check mark instead of a caution box in the profile of your

9. All of your information has been attached to your website and within the next 24 hours you are able to start using Google Analytics on your site under the REPORTS tab in the backend of your site.

Understanding Google Analytics

Once you have Analytics installed, we recommend tracking your website progress at least once a month, by noting increases or decreases in visits or traffic.

Additionally, if you want to judge effectiveness of your real estate internet marketing campaign strategies, such as website ads or networking events, check in on Google Analytics to see if your traffic has increased after the marketing action / event.

Important things to note:
Once you have your account, you'll notice that Google Analytics provides you with a great deal of data. Click "View Report" to visit your dashboard of your account to view your website date. You can avoid being overwhelmed by information by focusing on these two major areas.

Go to Visitors section on the top left side. This general overview will tell you how many people have visited your website, how much time they are spending on it, and your "Bounce Rate", which occurs when people land on your site accidentally and leave. You want the lowest bounce rate possible

Now visit Traffic Sources. Here, you can see which Referring Sites are giving your site traffic, how many people are coming to you from Search Engines, and what Keywords people are using that is landing them to your website!

Make More Money with These Lead Management and Sequoia CRM System Tips!

Related Links:

We’re Hiring! Boston Logic Seeks Experienced Web Developer

Related Links:

New Site Launch: Cabot & Company

Related Links:

BL Company President to Speak at Upcoming PASS Event

Related Links:

New Sequoia Feature Launches: 3/7/2011

Related Links:

New Sequoia Site Features: 2/28/2011

Related Links:

Twitter & Tweeting for Your Real Estate Business 11/11/2010

Related Links:

New Sequoia Features on Websites for Realtors: Lead Management, Town Page Changes, System Upgrades: 11/1/2010

Related Links:

New Sequoia Real Estate Website Feature: Type-Ahead Search Forms 8/27/2010

Related Links:

Easy Google Analytics Installation with Sequoia

Related Links:

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