FAQs
Why do I need a web site, I get most of my business from buddies and customer referrals?
That’s great, referral business is great, and it indicates that you are good at what you do. But, wouldn’t you like to have some additional leads and new clients. The real estate market is one of the big success stories for the internet. Most people shopping for properties today use the internet. With ARES web sites and management tools, you will get leads with virtually no time commitment. You will be promoting yourself and getting leads while you are on the golf course, eating lunch or asleep.
I’ve already got a web site, why do I need another one?
Nearly all the "pre-packaged" web sites for Agents and Agencies are filled with fluff. Many companies offering these sites make money by selling space on your web site to other vendors: mortgage brokers, moving companies, etc. Visitors to your site do not want to see this clutter, they want to view your listings. In general terms, you’ve got about 15 seconds to "capture" a visitor to your site. If they do not see what they are looking for in this time, they are gone...to one of your competitors. ARES web sites feature your listings first!
Another thing to think about is how long it takes to load listing images on your site. All photos on ARES web sites are optimized for fast loading, even with a dial-up web connection.
Also, we are, on average, 50% less expensive than other Agent and Agency web site vendors.
How can my web site be "always up-to-date" with out me having to do any data entry or up-load photos?
ARES web sites "talk" to your multiple listing service’s database of listings. (In geek talk, IDX or internet data exchange) When you set up your Profile in the site administration area, you enter your MLS code. This allows your web site to download all your listings along with their photos.
I’m not a computer geek or a programmer, I’m a real estate agent. I don’t know how to build a web site.
If you can point and click a mouse, you can do it with ARES. You will prompted to enter some information about yourself...like your name, phone number, the company you work for and your MLS code. Then you will be asked to choose some colors and some images, which will set the theme for your web site. If you can handle this, you can build your web site.
Do ARES web site management tools measure the activity on my web site?
Yes, Agent Essentials and Agency Essentials both include sophisticated statistical tools. You can quickly quantify: how many visitors, where they are coming from, and what they are looking at.
You don’t have to guess about your marketing decisions. You will know who is sending you clients and who is not.
I already have a domain name, can I use it with ARES web sites?
No problem. In the web site administration area, you will be prompted to enter your domain name. Once your domain name is transferred, your visitors will automatically be directed to your new web site.
I don’t have a domain name, what do I do?
If you don’t have a domain name, we will provide you with an address on our site. You don’t have to do anything, but tell us (when filling out your profile in the site administration area).
I want a custom domain name ...something like bestrealtor.com... how do I do that?
Again, when signing up for an account, you will be asked if your want a custom domain name. If you do, we will re-direct your request to dotster.com (a domain name registrar) who will see if your domain name is available and, if it is not taken, register the domain for you.
Is my new site reliable? What if something breaks, who fixes it?
Your website is hosted at CrystalTech. CrystalTech’s network is built upon a 22 GIGABIT fiber optic backbone and guarantee (and actually provide) 99.5% up-time. If you have a problem with your ARES web site, email or call our Customer Support Hotline.
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