Recently new fields were added into the NWMLS data that IDX providers sweep to acquire listing information. In addition to the newer foreclosure fields, we are now able to sweep Photo Galleries that agents have added to their listing in this specific MLS.

Most photo galleries should sweep in automatically. If for some reason one fails to sweep in, you are able to add it manually via the listings section tab in your admin center. Merely copy the address link of your photo gallery, wherever it may be hosted, and then paste it into the appropriate listing.

If you need help on this feature, contact our customer support for assistance.

The interactive map search on GraphiclaData websites for the NWMLS now includes the ability to search for bank owned and short sale properties. Additional fields have been added into the search criteria which makes this an easy feature for visitors to use.

The NWMLS search now joins  other MLS areas having comparable foreclosure searches which we also service including Las Vegas, Phoenix, and SoCal areas.

Note: For us to include these fields into our GraphicalData MLS IDX search, they must first be provided by your local MLS as data that we are allowed to sweep. If it is not available from an MLS, then we are unable to provide it.

We all know that whether we mail out printed promotional materials, or someone visits our website, we need a “call to action”.

A GraphicalData website is full of lead generation tools that encourage your visitors to contact you. And that’s a good thing. But, as an individual agent, you can can go even further in customizing your website even further and optimizing it for generating inquiries.

If you develop a unique section on your site that displays your expertise in that venue, then follow it up with a sentence such as “For more information on this subject, feel free to contact me at 206-692-1234 or email me.”

Another solution would be to add a page of beneficial content, and then to add “If I can be of assistance on this subject, contact me:”. Then add the general comment form onto this same page beneath the content and the assistance line. The end result…creating a page of information with a convenient response form that your visitor can easily use to contact you.

In any event, as you custom out your site to better fit you and your real estate practices and goals, you can add easy “call to actions” to just about any page…or provide a link to your main contact form from any page.

Of course, if you do not feel comfortable in adding additional content yourself, call or send an email, and we would be happy to add this type of content…or assist you how to do so.

Google is in the process of preparing a new update to its algorithm that is used for ranking websites. It looks like it will be dubbed with the title of “Google Caffein”.

To rank well, it still comes down to each website having fresh content added on a regular basis and encouraging other sites to link to your website. However, more emphasis will apparently be placed on using social media, online videos and a well built website.

More attention will also be paid to certain ranking factors such as “clean code”, “page load time” (or site speed), “broken links” and the like. Over-all quality will now play a greater roll than in the past.

Search engines folks like Google do not normally go out of their way to share the specifics of their “magic formulas” that rank websites, so we do the best we can to determine what is there and what makes them happiest. What we do know is that the web itself continues to evolve, and so must we all.

The good news is that GraphicalData websites are by default search engine friendly. What should you do? You need to SEO (search engine optimize) your website for your area and real estate niche — or have someone do it for you. The underlying core criteria we use when we optimize a website takes advantage of the new power that Google will place under the hood of its overhauled engine. If you need assistance in optimizing your GraphicalData website feel free to contact us today.

We have posted numerous articles about search engine optimization (SEO) over the years. Many techniques that were relevant 10 years ago are not today. In fact, many search engines that were around in the ’90’s no longer exist for all practical purposes.

Some of the underlying basics do remain the same, and that is what many of our posts have been about, so I would encourage you to dig back into the archives . . . or search for seo and search engine optimization to pull them up.

You can view this article on search engine optimization for some general information as well.

If you do have a GraphicalData website, and are not ranking as well as you might like, give us a call or email . . . we have a great history of understanding what it takes to help real estate websites rise to the top.

Stay tuned . . . next article we will discuss some of the newer criteria that Google has indicated that they implement this year.

Studies show that visitors appreciate additional property photos and virtual tours.

Fortunately your GraphicalData website allows for Photo Galleries and any other Virtual Tours that are hosted elsewhere to be added by you to your listings.

If you have not added a Photo Gallery or virtual tour to your listings before, here is a quick 1-2-3 on adding a tour:

• Sign into your admin center, select “Listing” >>> “Inventory” and then “View” the listing to which you would like to add your media.
• Select “Virtual Tours” within this listing, and add your photo gallery/virtual tour/media link to the “Tour Link” field. You actually have the opportunity to add up to 3 different media links to each listing.

These links will then show on your actual listing each time a visitor views it in your site, as well as every site utilizing the GraphicalData database.

Learn how to  build a page on you GraphicalData website.  This class will cover how to  build a page in detail and will also include adding many different  features to that page.  Upon completing this webinar, you will fully  understand all aspects of building a page and should feel confident to  begin building many more pages on your site.

This class is scheduled for 2 hours, however the instruction should  be completed within 1-1/2 hours and then there will be time for  questions and answer.  Subscribe here for this webinar that will assist you in “growing” and understanding your website.