Being a newly licensed real estate agent can be terrifying, we get that. You’re spending a ton of money, with no actual income yet.
You might not even make any money for months! Yet you’re hemorrhaging cash on real estate fees, memberships, marketing… all while trying to remain motivated enough to get up and get to work at 6:00 am.
That’s quite a high-risk career choice – not just anybody can become a real estate agent, and even fewer still succeed at it. It takes nerves of steel, self-confidence, gusto and a burning desire to thrive. Successful NEW REALTORS® are pure entrepreneurs, fueled by impressive amounts of motivation, coffee, and the fear of not being able to afford food!
Pssst... Read to the end of this article for an exclusive deal for NEW REALTORS®
While there’s always going to be some struggle in the beginning, there are also steps that new agents can take when starting out. These steps will help them earn their first client (and, hopefully, their first commission check) sooner than anticipated.
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It’s my job to promote and sell RealtyNinja real estate websites to Canadian agents every day. Some brand new agents, some 20+ year veterans, some in between. One thing I only ever hear from new agents is:
“Can I just get a basic website and then purchase a design customization after I close my first deal?”
The technical response that I always start with is “Yes of course, you can purchase a design customization at any time.” ……. But that’s not all I tell them.
I also explain that:
- A REALTOR’S® website is the foundation of their online marketing efforts, and while a “basic” foundation technically works, an optimized foundation is going to do more and faster, and
- In real estate there is no farm league. You are against the Gretzky’s of the industry from day 1. Why should anybody work with YOU instead of a verified pro?
One major reason: because the foundation of your online marketing (your website) is solid and beautiful. Sometimes that’s all it takes to turn a website visitor into $$$.
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“A well-designed user interface could raise your website’s conversion rate by up to a 200%, and a better UX design could yield conversion rates up to 400%.” (Source: Forrester)
You don’t need to be a mathematician to understand… 200-400% higher conversion rates on your REALTOR® website easily justifies paying a few hundred bucks for a design customization.
The cost of a customization is especially justified considering your first commission check will likely be somewhere in the four-figure area – maybe even five-figures if your web design is REALLY nice ;)
Since I’m not technically a design expert, I’ve asked Roxanne Dupuis – Lead Design Ninja at RealtyNinja – to shed a bit of light on what I’m talking about. Here’s a note from Rox, explaining why a beautiful, branded website is going to be helpful when you’re starting out in this crazy industry!
I know that when you’re starting out in business, it’s not easy to know where to invest your money for the best ROI. It’s hard for any entrepreneur, but especially hard in the real estate industry because the industry is packed, the market’s full, and everyone wants to be a real estate agent to get in on that sweet commission (or so they think!)
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The best thing you can do when starting out is to put your best foot forward. Do your very best to stand out, to show off your professionalism, your personality, and your credibility.
Show people WHY they should work with you, and WHAT your competitive advantage is. Show your VALUE.
Design customizations are there to help differentiate you from your competitors – based on who you are and who you identify as your target audience. You don’t even need a logo, branding or identity design done right away – we can help get you started with a style you love and that suits your inherent brand.
In my 4+ years of designing REALTOR® websites, the main goal I keep hearing from customers is: “I want my site to generate leads”
While it’s definitely not the only way, a design customization is a great way to put you on the right path – especially when you’re just getting licensed. So let us know your business goals, and we’ll help you setup a website that meets those goals.
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Some questions New Agents should ask themselves, in preparation of getting a new real estate website:
- What sets me apart from other agents in my area?
- Which niche market or areas am I focusing on through my site?
- What do I want my website to say about me?
- Do I want to focus on marketing me and my services, or focus on providing visitors with an awesome search experience?
The answers to these questions will help you put your best foot forward upon becoming a REALTOR®. They will also help your Design Ninja create a beautiful, lead generating site for you.
Looking forward to building you something beautiful!
Take a look at some more examples of RealtyNinja customer sites that have been professionally customized by our Design Ninjas.
These sites belong to your peers, and perhaps even your competition… If you’re a RealtyNinja customer who wants a website design upgrade, email support@realtyninja.com and let us know you want a customization, we’ll let you know what to do. If you’re not a RealtyNinja customer yet, start here.
