Launching a new site . . . Help

[Layla T]

Hey all

Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help?

I've just set up an online advice centre for buyers offering a guide through the process of buying property in the uk from viewing to offering to move in. The site offers services in every aspect of property including most importantly financial advice, solicitors, surveyors etc.

I have a close friend who has his own SEO companies so he's working on building up position on google with a lot of mortgage related search terms. The idea is to make contact with potential buyers right at the start then through the FS follow their progress and refer other related services further down the line. The SEO will take some time as it's a brand new site. Whilst I have high hopes and every confidence in him i dont want to rely solely on that so I am dying to get the name out there and generate some business locally.

What I'd really like to do is launch the business in some way with perhaps an opening offer, exclusive to the first 20 clients or something . . . Does anyone know how I find out about events I could take part in to generate early business?

Was thinking of leaflet dropping (classy leaflets) to the areas around me I know to be mostly rented out aiming at the potential first time buyers. Also properties that are up for sale or under offer as so many people struggle to get their heads round the legal side and survey complications etc.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me whether this would be a worthwhile endeavour? Ust not sure if leaflets work and if they're ever worth the expense of printing them.

Any ideas or advice would be very much appreciated. I have a lot of ideas for the business in the future, I just need some inspiration as to how to get it going!!

Thank you

 

[profitmagnet]

You should try google adword for the initial response. It will definitely help you if you do it the proper way.

 

[Layla T]

To be honest I haven't thought about google ad word guess I'm a little worried about the spiralling costs. I'll look into it and have a chat with my SEO guy to get a bit more insight into doing it right!

Thanks

 

[cucumber]

What will play a massive role is the content of your site. In fact the content of your site is a massive part of SEO. And it sounds like you've got off on a reasonably good foot; you've based your site on stuff that who you want to attract will find (hopefully) interesting/useful/educational/helpful (an anti example would be if you'd made a website all about yourself and your business which is what so many people do - *the* marketing principle: it's not about you, it's about them). So, straight away, if this isn't happening already, just make sure the search engines are indexing your site (it's a very simple thing to start that happening).

I bet your content could be better - better for who you're aiming at. The content is tremendously important. Spend your resources on making it better. That's my advice.

My feeling is leaflets is not a good idea. Waste of money.

 

[Layla T]

Thank you so much for that. I think you're right in that as it's a web based business I need to focus all my resources into online marketing.

As to the content, before it went live I spent months designing it and writing every page and link in my own text. The content is very much based on my knowledge as an estate agent as to how buyers can expect to be treated by ( and how to get around the agents etc. My friend who is taking care of the SEO felt that the content was very unique so should work very well for the purposes of optimisation.

I've managed so far to get a fair amount of feedback from potential buyers as to how informative, interesting and easy to use the website is. I've had generally good feedback and a bit of constructive criticism so the layout and text is ongoing whilst the SEO does it's thing.

there are certain things I just don't have a clue about such as blogs and article marketing so trying to educate myself at the moment.

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated.

 

[cucumber]

I've managed so far to get a fair amount of feedback from potential buyers as to how informative, interesting and easy to use the website is. I've had generally good feedback and a bit of constructive criticism so the layout and text is ongoing whilst the SEO does it's thing.

Don't listen to users of websites. Observe them. No one reports correctly on their own behaviour or experience with website.

"First Rule of Usability? Don't Listen to Users"
useit.com/alertbox/20010805.html

Ok, that's just usability. But I think it applies more broadly. Test it. Observe users using it. Give a few friends/colleagues a few tasks/general goals to achieve on your site and watch them accomplish or fail. See how they get on rather than listen to how they think they got on.

 

[Layla T]

Point taken. Thank you again!

Very useful to get advice from someone who clearly knows more then me lol.

 

[cucumber]

no problem.

 

[Rich_Leadcall]

What about a housing expo?

http://www.housing-expo.com/

You could provide flyers/business cards to people there and with it being something you're dealing in, then they're going to the right people who receive said flyers/business cards.

 

[profitmagnet]

You can get adword coupons over the internet use them to test your campaign. Also make qr codes for your website with a headline ex: Looking for a home? and below the qr code for you website. Stick these codes in places where you think your target audience might go. In past I had a dating website and I posted qr codes in toilets of popular nighclubs and my conversions were excellent. Use your creativity. All the best

 

[Swapnil007]

Hey all

Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help?

I've just set up an online advice centre for buyers offering a guide through the process of buying property in the uk from viewing to offering to move in. The site offers services in every aspect of property including most importantly financial advice, solicitors, surveyors etc.

I have a close friend who has his own SEO companies so he's working on building up position on google with a lot of mortgage related search terms. The idea is to make contact with potential buyers right at the start then through the FS follow their progress and refer other related services further down the line. The SEO will take some time as it's a brand new site. Whilst I have high hopes and every confidence in him i dont want to rely solely on that so I am dying to get the name out there and generate some business locally.

What I'd really like to do is launch the business in some way with perhaps an opening offer, exclusive to the first 20 clients or something . . . Does anyone know how I find out about events I could take part in to generate early business?

Was thinking of leaflet dropping (classy leaflets) to the areas around me I know to be mostly rented out aiming at the potential first time buyers. Also properties that are up for sale or under offer as so many people struggle to get their heads round the legal side and survey complications etc.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me whether this would be a worthwhile endeavour? Ust not sure if leaflets work and if they're ever worth the expense of printing them.

Any ideas or advice would be very much appreciated. I have a lot of ideas for the business in the future, I just need some inspiration as to how to get it going!!

Thank you

you can create FB and twitter fanpages and also write blogs for your subject concern daily atleast 3 to 4 a week and provide internal linking to keywords in the blog.

 

[Layla T]

Both very useful suggestions, I'm pretty sure first time buyers use club toilets too lol. There's so much to think about :|

I'd never even heard of housing expo, just spent some time on that site and I have to say you might be a bit of a genius, that's exactly the right sort of platform to grab my target audience. Thank you thank you!

 

[lgco2012]

graphics and content plus easy navigation., you can also hire a company that will give you great leads like The Lead Generation Company UK., can't post the url am new

 

[Rich_Leadcall]

I'd never even heard of housing expo, just spent some time on that site and I have to say you might be a bit of a genius, that's exactly the right sort of platform to grab my target audience. Thank you thank you!

No worries Glad i could be of help. If you want any more help or advice on getting leads or enquiries let me know and i'll see if theres anything else i can do.

 

[tony84]

I like the site, it looks quite simple and easy enough to navigate. One thing i do think though is that it reads more of an information site... there doesnt seem to be enough pulling the client in to get in contact with you.

I think fb page would be good, get people saying how helpful you have been etc. Updates on information people might find interesting etc.

On a side note... what do you do with your Mortgage leads? If you dont have a mortgage advisor in place i would be happy to discuss those with you, feel free to drop me a PM.

 

[Layla T]

Hi thanks for your comment, you're absolutely right, the web site as it stands is really all about the information. This is temporary . . . I spent all my time initially getting all the information on there and the site itself was put together very quickly to be put live and for the SEO work to begin, I'm working now on redesigning its layout to make it much more current and much less boring. I have a web designer looking at it in the coming week to make significant changes.

For instance there will be a feature where a buyer can upload their survey and I'll have a look at it, break it down and make recommendations. I've been in estate agency for years and I can't tell you how many people get a survey back and don't have a clue what it means or how to take it.

There will be a mortgage rates board updating daily to show the best rates as and when they come out. The financial services button will be more prominant and will take the buyer to a more detailed contact me page.

There's a lot more to go into it, it's just a matter of turning the ideas into reality. And the SEO element is absolutely crucial, mostly focusing on mortgage related phrases to generate mortgage leads.

I have an IFA already, he's very good and I've worked with him for a long time. I would be interested in having a secondary contact though if you want to send me an e mail tell me a bit about yourself

 

[mlbmarketinguk]

I'd be concerned that your friend is "Doing SEO".
As there's no such real marketing activity.

SEO is at most on-site optimisation followed up by off-site link building.
The off-site work should be as a result of activities being conducted as part of an integrated marketing plan. If it isn't, it's probably just spammy links from a variety of poor quality sources which Google is constantly cracking down on.

AdWords is something to be looked at although in your industry it will likely be saturated and you'll experience very high cost per click and aquisition.

I'd look at ways to generate interest locally, including offline marketing methods, using your site as the nexus for your strategy. Word of mouth will likely be the winner for you, with people who have used your service being so impressed they will tell others to use it.

Try a wide variety of things and don't fall into the "Google 1# spot" trap.

 

[fisicx]

For instance there will be a feature where a buyer can upload their survey and I'll have a look at it, break it down and make recommendations....

There will be a mortgage rates board updating daily to show the best rates as and when they come out....

Not with a weebly site you won't.

If you want be taken as a credible source of information drop the whole free website thing and invest in some cheap hosting and a decent website.

 

[lgco2012]

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Here are some tips before you launch your site. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]1. Have scalable web server resources[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]2. Get all of your social media accounts beforehand[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]3. Have content ready to publish for at least a month[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]4. Drop hints about the upcoming launch to build anticipation[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]5. Plan your tasks for at least a month after the site launch[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]6. Triple-check the technical details before going live[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]7. Launch on schedule[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]8. Contact your friends and family about the site launch[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9. Provide easy ways of contacting you[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10. Show site visitors a road map of what’s to come[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] “yahoo.com”[/FONT]
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

 

[Baz Watkins]

If you want to get a quick return then go with PPC (Adwords). There are no guarantees of course, but for most business wanting to get out of the blocks fast it’s worth doing...if you have the budget!

Keywords in your market will be moderate to high in price; I don't expect there are many bargains in that field as it is too competitive for Google to ignore making money on it, although your advisory based niche may generate a good return from long tail keywords.

As for cost of implementation and management, that’s a piece of string, it depends on the campaigns you want, the time it takes to manage them and how long you want them to run.

Some firms will charge the % of spend, others by the hour, and some will charge based on results, nearly all will charge you for setting up. The best advice is to go with a low spend early on, bearing in mind that low in your market could still be a few hundred a month.

Phone around, get some idea of the PPC firms out there, talk to previous clients, do anything you can to reduce the chance of throwing your money away.

If you decide to do it yourself, spend a week doing some basic learning, it takes longer to learn obviously, but you should still learn enough in that time to avoid some of the standard mistakes. Once you have done that, start with a Google voucher, do not use your own money.

Other than PPC, it sounds obvious but networking works, get on forums in your market, add posts on blogs offering snippets of advice that link back to your website, the leaflets you mentioned might work, maybe create info packs that affiliates might be interested in, but generally be prepared to kiss hands and shake babies.

In the end there are no guarantees, you have to try a little of everything, and over time you’ll find out what works.

 

[dandcouk]

Hey all

Looking for a bit of advice if anyone can help?

I've just set up an online advice centre for buyers offering a guide through the process of buying property in the uk from viewing to offering to move in. The site offers services in every aspect of property including most importantly financial advice, solicitors, surveyors etc.

I have a close friend who has his own SEO companies so he's working on building up position on google with a lot of mortgage related search terms. The idea is to make contact with potential buyers right at the start then through the FS follow their progress and refer other related services further down the line. The SEO will take some time as it's a brand new site. Whilst I have high hopes and every confidence in him i dont want to rely solely on that so I am dying to get the name out there and generate some business locally.

What I'd really like to do is launch the business in some way with perhaps an opening offer, exclusive to the first 20 clients or something . . . Does anyone know how I find out about events I could take part in to generate early business?

Was thinking of leaflet dropping (classy leaflets) to the areas around me I know to be mostly rented out aiming at the potential first time buyers. Also properties that are up for sale or under offer as so many people struggle to get their heads round the legal side and survey complications etc.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me whether this would be a worthwhile endeavour? Ust not sure if leaflets work and if they're ever worth the expense of printing them.

Any ideas or advice would be very much appreciated. I have a lot of ideas for the business in the future, I just need some inspiration as to how to get it going!!

Thank you

There are two things here :

1. Reach of the Website
2. Usability of the Website

When you talk of Reach of the Website, you can give freebies but how are you going to reach them. PPC is easy to penetrate. Even Google is giving freebies to take a survey. You can test your PPC campaign with this. They will post your links in blogs, articles, etc. But my opinion is that SEO would give a better conversion than PPC.

When you come to the usability, you need to test the functionality of the website thoroughly. Give what the customer wants. Don't think from your perspective.

Hope this helps.

 

[Advink - Mark]

Some advice to try and help from me would be get yourself some high quality business cards. Your clients are trusting you with hundreds of thousands of £s so make sure you invest in a great design and great quality. (Thats just what id expect if I was in the process of a house move)

Also, your face to face meetings are going to be important and you need something for your customers to remember you for. Therefore I agree flyers are probably not right for you.

You need to think what your customers will be doing when they might need you... They will probably be trawling the internet searching for houses so maybe think about a promotional item that they will be using whilst house hunting. If you think creatively you can increase (ie a screen cleaner keyring with your company details and a tag line of "need some clarity when moving house...") If you need a few more ideas drop me a message.

My recommendation would be certainly invest in google adwords to start to drive some traffic but also think about some creative items that will help drive customers to you, you would probably be suprised at the ROI of promotional items that are created properly...

 

[Layla T]

Just want to say thanks to everyone offering advice, I think I started off pretty clueless as to what getting this site off the ground was going to entail but since joining UKBF I've learnt so much as a result of everyone's advice and suggestions.

It's helped me formulate a much more structured marketing plan and I feel much more positive about my business and ideas going forward. Thank you all !

 

[SessionIQ]

Hi Layla - just sent you a PM as we have a product that could suit you just right. It is about creating social media campaigns for your genuine likers/tweeters - in a quick, easy and affordable way !