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New Video About the Sequoia Platform!

There's no doubt that the Sequoia platform encompasses the most cutting-edge real estate website software available on the market. But how is this done? What features are available on a Sequoia website? How does Sequoia help you succeed in your real estate business?

We've put together a great real estate website video that breaks down exactly what it takes to make your real estate online marketing campaign to be successful. Click the image to view the video, or visit the Boston Logic YouTube page.

First, you need to drive traffic to your website. To do this, the Sequoia platform helps your site rank higher in search engines for highly applicable search terms. The platform also helps you leverage social media websites like Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. All of this is tracked using state of the art Analytics so that you can hone your campaign based on performance and actual usage statistics.

Next, when users arrive at your site, they should intuitively know where to click, and they should be able to quickly find what they came looking for. For example, many users on real estate websites arrive and want to immediately search for their perfect home. Once they’ve found what they want, or feel like they’re getting close, we want to compel them to provide their contact information. This is when the visitor converts from an anonymous user into a lead.
Throughout the user experience, prominent calls to action give easy access to tools which allow your customers to contact an agent, schedule a showing, save a favorite property, take notes on listings to help organize their search – even share a listing by broadcasting it to social media sites or emailing it to a friend.

How Can Sequoia Help?

The Sequoia Platform educates your clients by showing them the complete MLS listing. In addition, we’ve integrated the Sequoia platform with Yelp!, Walkscore, Education.com, Google Maps, Zillow, and myriad other data resources to provide relevant information about the town or neighborhood where your customers are looking to buy or rent. All of these tools help educate the user and ensure that your website becomes the foundation of their search for a new home.

Now that you have generated lots of leads and your site has become the foundation of their online home search, you’re going to need tools to incubate those leads until they’re ready to buy or rent. Not all leads are ready to close at the moment when you first identify them. So, we’ve built extensive functionality designed to maximize the ease of workflow and help you manage your pipeline.
We’ve also automated many of the tasks that you perform most often. The Sequoia system makes it quick and easy to create and print listing sheets, communicate with clients, schedule and coordinate showings, print showing sheets, search your MLS or rental database, send listing updates, follow up, and never forget a task.

While you’re at it, you’re going to want a record of your communication with each client. The Sequoia platform helps you precisely track your website’s user activity. You’ll know exactly what your clients are doing on your site, including how often they’re coming back, what they are searching for, homes they’re looking at, which listings they liked the most, and much more. All of this data will help you serve your customers better and close more deals!

When it’s time to put in an offer, the Sequoia platform helps you stay organized with our deal tracker component and virtual documents feature, making the process an organized procedure, rather than a mess of paperwork and tasks to juggle.
By facilitating this process, Sequoia makes your real estate online marketing campaign successful while making you more efficient! The Sequoia platform even helps you sign new seller clients by making your listings look great and maximizing the exposure of those listings on sites like Facebook, Trulia, and Zillow.

To learn more about Boston Logic, and how we can help you achieve results online, please give us a call or contact us for a demonstration.

The Truth About IDX For Real Estate Websites: 11/4/2010

IDX search is a buzz word in the real estate website design industry. Agents toss "IDX" around as if it means something that it does not. Also, lots of companies will sell you an IDX solution that is going to hurt far more than it helps.

These companies are, in fact, counting on agents' lack of education to sell them an IDX solution that is cheap, low quality, and far less likely to help their business grow. This post is intended to be help you become an educated consumer of IDX.

Here's some truth:

IDX is an acronym for Internet Data Exchange. An IDX feed is data fed from an MLS that can be shown on another website.
"IDX search" is often referred to as an MLS search.
IDX is simply a search of MLS listings on a website but, as defined by NAR, without logging in or providing any contact information. Once you log in, the site can show you more property information. This is defined as a VOW or Virtual Office Workspace.
An IDX search can be implemented in several ways:
- IDX searches should be an integrated part of your website. This does *not* mean that when you visit a site, you simply see a search. The search forms, search results pages, and listing details pages and ALL of the information found by searching needs to be a part of your site. If the search is implemented in an iFrame or a subdomain, then the search is NOT a part of your site. See below to figure out if your IDX is implemented improperly by one of these methods. Your search results and listing detail pages should all have unique web addresses. For example, all of these pages are parts of our IDX search solution a client's site. Notice that all of these pages have a unique page name.
  - Search page: http://www.jackconway.com/searches/new
  - Search Results page: http://www.jackconway.com/searches/241335
  - Listing Details page: http://www.jackconway.com/properties/Boston/South-Boston/East-3rd/606551
  - Another Listing details page: http://www.jackconway.com/properties/Boston/South-Boston/East-6th-St/791827
    Note that each listing detail page has a unique name which includes the property address. Also, note that the search results page has a unique ID at the end. This allows the user to send that search results page to anyone they wish and the criteria will be saved for the lifetime of the website. These functions are critical to achieving better search engine placement AND providing a superior user experience.
- IDX search in an iFrame - If you're using a search tool and the web address at the top of your browser screen never changes (ex: all you ever see is www.yourwebsite.com/mls_search) as you navigate from page to page and listing to listing, then your search is in an iFrame. An iframe is, in fact, one web page within another. Search engines see iframes as black holes. The content in those iframes is, in fact, on another site. The search engines will not be able to count any of the content in your search as a part of your site. None of these pages will show up in the search results - or are very likely to show up, anyway.
- IDX search in a sub domain - On a lot of websites, the user clicks to search and is then taken to a sub-domain. For example, you might be surfing realtorx.com. Then, to search, you're taken to realtorx.idxvendor.com or even idxvendor.com/search?user=23734636. Similar to the iframe folly, this means that you're now on another website. The content is on idxvendor.com and not realtorx.com. This is a slightly better solution because the pages might actually be link-able. Still, this will not help your search engine placement at all. Plus, if you send someone to one of these pages, then you're not sending them to your website, but to someone else's site.
- Snippet of search code that takes you to another site - Sometimes the search form is part of the site, but the results are in an iframe or sub-domain. So, the search page has a unique url, but again, the rest of the pages don't. This isn't any better.
It is critical that the pages of your IDX search are index-able by the search engines. Search engines do not fill out forms. They only click on links. As you know, links are most commonly blue and underlined. If you can't get to the listings on your website simply by clicking on a link or series of links, then your IDX, again, is holding you back from ranking more prominently in the search engines.

Here are some examples of great integrated IDX searches:

We'll be writing more on this topic soon.

Real Estate Website Q&A Tuesday: SEO and Sequoia 10/5/2010

For today's installment of Q&A Tuesday, where we discuss Frequently Asked Questions we receive from clients or potential clients regarding our Sequoia real estate website platform, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about website optimization. We are constantly being asked about search engine optimization and how our Sequoia websites can help our clients in their search engine marketing efforts.

Here at Boston Logic, we realize the importance of search engine marketing and optimization for your real estate business. Search engines are the way most people find information and services they want- and if your website is not optimized, it is less likely that potential clients will find you.

Even if you've never heard of Search Engine Optimization, a Sequoia website will make optimizing your web presence easy!

Q: How will switching to a Sequoia website help me with SEO?

A: The Sequoia platform was designed specifically with search engine optimization in mind! Sequoia is a cutting edge website platform that integrates the most advanced real estate website features enabling leading-edge marketing campaigns- and we're constantly improving it! Whenever there is a Sequoia system upgrade, your site is upgraded automatically, so your website will always be using the best technology in the real estate industry.

Q: I don't understand SEO. Will I still be able to benefit from the SEO features of a Sequoia website?

A: Yes! With a Sequoia website, adding important Meta Data (such as Page Titles, Page Descriptions, and Keyword Tags) to your website pages and creating custom URLs (essential elements of a well-optimized page) are as easy as filling out a field on a form! You don't have to be an SEO specialist or know HTML to improve your search engine ranking! Simply fill out the fields provided as you create your pages!

Adding Essential SEO Elements to a Sequoia Website is EASY!

Adding Essential SEO Elements is EASY!

Q: Is there support available if I need help with my SEO?

A: Yes! Your Sequoia website comes with a very informative Users Guide tab you can access from your Admin dashboard. We are constantly adding easy-to-follow demos and step-by-step instructions to the Help Section of this blog, and articles on SEO best practices on our blog at RealEstateSEO1.com.

Here are a few suggested links to help get you started:

Real Estate SEO is a Process

Optimize Your Site to Get More Traffic and Leads

Simple SEO for Your Blog

Q: I heard that using Social Media could help my SEO; how do Sequoia websites integrate with popular social sites?

A: You heard correctly! Utilizing social media sharing and social media websites are integral parts of any good search engine marketing strategy. We are constantly upgrading our system to keep up with social media trends.

Sequoia websites also give you the ability to add Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn icons to your website's footer that link to your profile pages on these social media sites. Setup is easy! Simply copy and paste the URL of your profile page into the 'Social Media' fields on your 'Configuration' tab from your Admin dashboard, click 'Save' and your icon links appear automatically!

The more ways you give potential clients to connect with you, the better! We can also help you set up MLS and rental property searches on your Facebook Fan Page that connect to the property searches on your website, and help you set up an RSS feed from your blog to your social media profiles!

Modal Windows : Myths, Fears, & Conversions

What's a Modal Window?

You may already be familiar with the Modal Window feature of your Sequoia website for realtors, especially if you attended our LogicClassroom about Maximizing Lead Conversion! We hope you've had your Modal Windows turned on since your site went live!

We have seen our clients' lead capture rates increase significantly time and time again once they utilize this basic, yet crucial feature of their new Sequoia website design for realtors.

A Modal Window functions similarly to a pop-up window in that it is a small dialog box that appears in the center of the screen above the contents of the page the visitor is on. Pop-up windows are easily dismissed or ignored, however, whereas a Modal Window requires the visitor's attention before allowing them to proceed to the rest of the website. Modal Windows will still appear even if the visitor is using a pop-up blocker on their system.

How Modal Windows Work:

On your Sequoia website, the Modal Window (once enabled) will appear when a new visitor uses a property search on your site. The search results will be displayed, but will be elegantly faded out and disabled so that the visitor can only see the list of properties that match their query, but they won't be able to click on any of the properties on the list for more information until they fill out the contact form in your Modal Window.

If the visitor tries to scroll down the page, they can see the extensive list of properties in the background scrolling, but the Modal Window will continue to hover over the disabled results until they fill out the form or hit the 'Back to Search' button.

The ability to see the extensive list of properties behind the window helps assure the visitor that you have the information they are looking for, and that there is a large list of properties matching their criteria to choose from upon submitting their contact information.

Some of clients have expressed concerns about implementing Modal Windows on their site. They are concerned that Modal Windows will drive visitors away from the site entirely and cause them lose quality leads. This could not be further from the truth! We've had clients disable their Modal Windows in hopes of capturing more leads without prompting visitors to fill out their contact information in exchange for listing information, only to have the clients turn the Modal Windows back on within less than a month of testing the site without them!

Modal Windows are becoming more popular for websites across the internet and users are getting used to the requirement to sign up for an account in order to access information on a large variety of websites- everything from social networking sites, to news archives, and even e-commerce websites. Visitors will see that you offer the information they are after with the ability to scroll the results behind the Modal Window, and if they are serious about finding a new home or apartment, will have no issue with filling out your contact form.

Enabling Your Modal Windows:

If you haven't done so already, here is how you enable the Modal Windows on your new Sequoia website:

1. Log into your website, and go to the 'Settings' Tab.

2. Select 'Configuration' from the sub navigation menu on the Settings Tab.

3. Scroll down the Configuration settings panel until your reach the section titled 'Lead Options'.

4. From here, you can simply check the boxes next to where you want to Modal Window to appear.

We suggest enabling the Modal Window for Rental, Sale, and Luxury Developments to get the most leads. To make your Modal Window less intimidating to visitors, you can leave the 'Require Lead Phone Number' option unchecked, so the visitor doesn't have to supply that information, only their name and email.

Now that you can see how easy it is to enable your Modal Window, we hope that you will make use of this great feature to help you capture more leads within your realtor internet marketing campaign!

If you still have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us for support!

New Realtor Web Site Design Launch! Sherrygrancey.com: 8/12/2010

Sherry Grancey wanted to employ one of our expertly designed, ready to deploy themes, but she had a unique problem.

Sherry is a Gibson Sotheby's agent, and Sotheby's has strict rules about how their brand can be represented on the web and in print. In order to get Sherry the site she wanted and also comply with Sotheby's regulations, we changed fonts, colors, and logo positioning on the template Sherry knew she wanted to use.

Compliance with brand identity standards is a necessity for many agents, and Sequoia's real estate website designers are ready and able to make sure the custom real estate website design theme you want will comply. If your agency requires certain fonts, colors, or logo placement, we will be happy to incorporate them into the theme of your choice. Of course, we will also work with you to choose a theme that will respond as well as possible to the changes - Sherry Grancey's Theme looks right at home with Sotheby's corporate colors and fonts.

The following quote is a testimonial from Sherry:

"Boston Logic was immensely patient and hands on in helping me with my new website. I was skeptical due to a previous bad experience with a real estate website designer, but Boston Logic's staff listened to my concerns, answered my questions and provided the training I needed for someone like me who is clueless regarding web technology. I would recommend them highly."

Sherry Grancey is an agent with Gibson Sotheby's International Realty. She specializes in distinctive city and waterfront properties in Boston and Charlestown.

Online Marketing Trends for Real Estate

Considering leveraging your business with an online edge through SEO or a new real estate website design? The recent growth in the online real estate presence is an excellent opportunity for you to create a more dynamic presence in your market, as the majority of online visitors now represent an ideal demographic. The average visitor frequenting an online real estate website has a median income of $60,000+, and their homes are valued at $200,000. As realtors, you have a great opportunity to capture these visitors through online advertising: this not only includes your website, but also real estate seo and online ad programs.

In 2009, online real estate ad spending reached 1.8 billion, with speculation that this figure will double for all of 2010. This is taking place as more focus is shifted to online demographics rather than traditional outlets like newspaper advertising (where real estate classified ads were down by 8% in 2009). By the end of 2010, newspaper advertisements will account for only 30% of real estate advertising dollars.

These stats aren't the only reason for making the transition from traditional format to online. Online advertisements offer more of an investment opportunity because you can track every click of users on your ads, which is much more effective, efficient, and reportable. That is, you can easily track the success of a campaign by checking how many clicks are made, rather than guessing which ads worked when you see a change in sales.

Search Engines:

Showing up in search engine rankings by being indexed isn't enough. Especially for real estate websites, SEO and website configuration must be done properly to rise quickly up the ranks, and SEO best practices are required to get this done. Traffic drops off substantially after the first result of the main page search listing. In other words, the first page of search listings garner more attention then any or all subsequent pages combined. Even on the first page of search results, the traffic distribution is uneven.

This makes sense: if traffic consists of a specific and sought after demographic, and if more and more website leads are converting sales, then having a site which brings in traffic through high search listings makes sense. Now, search engine optimization is one of the fasted growing segment of real estate website expenditure. Get in on this new wave of real estate online marketing today, and contact us to get started.

Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you!

Continued Innovation with New Sequoia Features: 6/30/2010

We are constantly innovating new real estate website design features here at Boston Logic, and here are some exciting new releases for the Sequoia platform!

We've added the ability to send leads to iContact automatically. Boson Logic has been integrated with Constant Contact for some time now. Clients requested that we add iContact to this short list. Now, your leads can be automatically sent to the iContact realtor internet marketing system too.

Email marketing through iContact allows you to create, send and track your email messages with ease and efficiency. For this feature, all you need to do is create a list in iContact and enter the list name and your client number into your Sequoia System's settings - the system will then send your leads' info to iContact whenever they sign up on your site and every time you enter a lead using LogicLeads. This eliminates the need for exporting and importing lead lists.

We've also added a college search option for LogicRentals clients. Now users can search by proximity to the college or university of their choice! The search will return all properties within a mile of the chosen school that meet the searcher's criteria. You can see a great example of this feature in action on the Warren Rentals website.

We've now added the Similar Properties feature to rental searches. Just as for sales, you can choose in your websites for realtors settings whether or not to display similar properties on your property details pages. As many as six properties will be displayed, all within 10% of the price or rent of the original property and from the same town or neighborhood!

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

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.

Sequoia is like Panty Hose

If you've read the book Freeconomics, you'll remember a chapter about Panty Hose. The story goes that before Nylons, women's leggings were made of silk. They cost $10/pair and the average american bought only 1 pair every 2 years.

When Nylons hit the market int he 20s the price came down dramatically to roughly 1/3 the cost. In the first years Nylons were on the market, American women bought an average of 2 pairs per year. that's a 4x multiple. This is what happens when a high priced product is suddenly available for a much cheaper price.

Well, Sequoia Real Estate Solutions has done just something quite similar. It used to cost you at least $10,000 to have a custom real estate website built on top of Boston Logic's ONE system. Then you'd have to pay your monthly software costs. Well, we've brought this price down substantially.

You can now have a website built on the same best-in-class software for only $250 upfront. If you want to customize your theme, it's just $2,000.

Of course, you can still pay $10,000 or more for a custom strategic design process with Boston Logic, but if this is out of your reach, we have a solution you're going to love.

New Video About the Sequoia Platform!

Related Links:

The Truth About IDX For Real Estate Websites: 11/4/2010

Related Links:

Real Estate Website Q&A Tuesday: SEO and Sequoia 10/5/2010

Related Links:

Modal Windows : Myths, Fears, & Conversions

What's a Modal Window?

How Modal Windows Work:

Enabling Your Modal Windows:

Related Links:

New Realtor Web Site Design Launch! Sherrygrancey.com: 8/12/2010

Related Links:

Online Marketing Trends for Real Estate

Related Links:

Continued Innovation with New Sequoia Features: 6/30/2010

Related Links:

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

Related Links:

Sequoia is like Panty Hose

Related Links:

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