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A

Anonymous

  • #1
    Hi Everyone!

    A few months ago I bought a 'clone' website where people can advertise their own house for sale. There are different packages, depending on the number of words in the description, number of photos and the length of time vendors want to advertise.

    However, getting the site 'out there' has proved difficult and I would welcome any suggestions on promoting it.

    Initally, I offered friends and colleagues the opportunity of advertising for free and have been submitting the website to search engines on a regular basis (via some software that came with the website). I also joined an affiliate program and have links on a few sites but, so far, no sales.

    thanks
    Jean
    www.i-movehouse.co.uk
     
    J

    Juvanescence

  • #3
    Hi welcome.

    All the pictures are broken apart from the homepage. This would be a good reason why there were no sales. :)

    I wouldnt recommend using software to submit your website. My opinion would be to manually submit.

    Have you tried adwords?
     
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    G

    GraemeKerr

  • #4
    Hi Welcome,

    I would also recommend submitting to as many free directories as possible. This will increase the number of links to your site and will enhance your search engine listing.

    They will also hopefully create business for people searching through these directories.

    I can give you a list of free directories with addresses etc. Just send me an e-mail.

    Another thing is keywords, these are vital for good search engine listings. Focus on your title bar, page headings and the first paragraph of copy. This is generally the only parts of your site search engine spiders will look at. Try and include words and phrases that people are likely to search for.

    I hope this is of help.

    Cheers

    Graeme
     
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    A

    Anonymous

  • #5
    Thanks for the suggestions and comments, guys! All adverts originally had photos - they were provided with the site - but the s/w house has obviously removed them now. Annoying!

    If anyone has a house to sell they wouldn't mind placing on the site, or if there's an estate agent out there who would like to post property details and advertise for free, please email me. I need to make the site look as if it gets some traffic.

    Thanks
    Jean
     
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    B

    broadband-engine

  • #6
    Hi Jean

    Welcome to the forum!

    Go for the directories, submit to as many as possible. Away from the World of the Net why not do some promotion of the site by offering free listings to local sellers. Drop a leaflet off at houses with a for sale board with either a free offer or a reduced price offer voucher that they can use when ordering online. This will give the site the all important content to inspire others to part with their money.

    Another idea is to contact the smaller estate agents in your area that possibly do not have a website and offer to advertise their houses online and maybe get your url on their boards...

    Good luck with it.

    Phil
     
    Upvote 0
    S

    Steve

  • #8
    Hi,

    Has Fast-Data recently stopped trading?

    You have the classic chicken and egg problem. You won`t get paying customers with the site as it is now, you have to find a way to get properties on quickly, this usually means FREE.

    You will have little chance of competing with the big boys with a clone site.

    Most people moving house move local, the only reason for anyone to advertise on your site, would be if they thought local people would come accross it, so unless you are planning a national advertising campaign they would be wasting their time.

    Your only chance is to offer a local service, maybe just one or two towns to start with. Visit some of the local housing estates and knock on doors with For Sale signs, offer them FREE advertising (what have they got to lose), you will need to do a lot of local advertising (it does`nt have to cost a fortune). Get the site known locally, get 100 houses on it and you might be able to start charging, but not before.

    If you are serious about this business, I would seriously consider getting rid of the clone site and having one built (this does`nt have to cost a fortune either).

    I am doing something similar (not houses), my site should be ready soon. If you want to share some ideas, let me know.

    Good luck.

    Steve
     
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    A

    Anonymous

  • #10
    Fast-Data haven't gone out of business, their website is still accessible and selling their 'clones'. It seems they make the photos for the 'dummy' properties only available for 3 months after the sale of a 'clone' website, on the basis that they assume their customers will have many, many customers of their own after that time.

    When I bought this site, Fast-Data recommended advertising in newspapers to advertise the website, and I contacted a local paper and the Manchester Evening News but neither would accept the advert as they promote their own property websites. Many newspapers are affiliated with Fish4homes, etc.

    The suggestion of contacting small, local Estate Agents and asking them to advertise for free is good.

    Thanks, everyone, for the offers of help and advice.

    Jean
     
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