Some quick hints, tips and tricks to make your listings Web-easy
Research suggests when visiting a web site, people develop an impression in the first 3 seconds, if not less. Viewing a listing is very similar. During testing we received feedback and noticed the following user patterns that we feel could improve the impression of your listings:
We have noticed that properties with titles of more than one word are more likely to be viewed. As you have probably noticed, the property title displays on the search. Although title space is limited, consider what your title says.
Not surprisingly, people reacted more positively towards listings that had a photograph. People indicated they felt the listing page was more complete, and spent more time viewing those properties. Pictures are good, even general ones.
Our listing concept is designed to provide enough information to encourage buyer action. Encourage a client to contact you by writing 4 concise highlights. People spent more time on pages with highlights, and were more likely to print a listing or enlarge the listing photo.
Use the description to add a little meat to the listing. This does not have to be a book, but it is something more to give a reason to call the listing agent. If you are drawing a blank, try expanding on the highlights (it's one of the reasons why they are still there).
Additionally, try to keep your description paragraphs to 4 sentences or less. Block text is considered tougher to read. When the description is multiple paragraphs, which is ok, hit the carriage return (enter, new line) twice. The first return creates a new line; the second return increases readability by creating a line of space between the paragraphs.
Again, a premise of 1031store is to promote people to contact one another within the community, therefore, we have decided at this time to not include marketing packages to listings (which might seem across the grain).
Our experience within the industry is that non-professional clients tend to get lost reading marketing packages, which amounts to a lost opportunity for the listing agent. Further, we feel there is more to gain by having a talking point in reserve. However, we are constructing an update to provide property representatives the ability to add marketing packages to display according to user type (meeting indusrty professional needs).
We believe that all listings will get visitors. We expect the listings that are visually more appealing will result in higher viewing to contact ratios. We hope that this helps, and ask that you keep us informed of your related successes.