Website Marketing
For those wondering whether or not a website is worth the cost and effort to implement into your Marketing program...the answer is YES !! The real question here is: Why wouldn't you use a website to generate leads for you?
- It costs too much!!
I paid a one time fee under $30 for one year of hosting, used the free website builder to make my site, took me 20 minutes, I think a domain name goes for about 10 bucks, so if you shop around you can set it up for about $40. So it isn't expensive and you don't need anything too fancy. Keep it simple and SHOP around.
- Just How effective can it be?
I ran a one week newspaper ad in my local paper to build a buyers list when I was preparing to jump into wholesaling. My ad went something like this "Handyman Specials! I have the best deals in town, 555-5555, www. my website .com" The first day it ran, on a Sunday, I had 12 leads. Then the next 6 days I recieved any where from 4 to 8 a day!! This is from my website, I had maybe 1 or 2 a day contact me by phone. The point is I had about 45 leads in one week, from my website alone. How effective does that sound to you?
- What are some advantages to having a website?
Well for me it "broke the ice" for me. When I followed up with my leads, I knew a little bit about the person, and it gave me a sense of confidence as to what to say to them.
Many people would rather fill out their information online, for some reason, rather than discuss it over the phone, helps them get over any nervousness they may have..
They can read about you on your website, and you get to read a little about them, this is what I mean about "breaking the ice".
You get to know what they're looking for, what they're looking to do.
If you're just starting out and your home phone is also your business phone, well a website can eliminate a lot of unexpected calls at inconvenient times, and then you can follow up with them at your convenience.
And the best part is you get ALL their contact information
I have 3 websites that I personally use:
www.jaxinvestor.com
www.jaxsellnow.com
www.tiredlandlord.net
A website is just a great way to generate leads... even while you sleep!! Good Luck !!
JB
Great Article. With the advocate of the home computer, alot of people would rather sit at their computer and fill out an "online sellers form" than haggle over the kitchen table. If you implement a website into your marketing campaign you can generate leads right into your inbox. You can also use an "auto-responder" feature that will automatically follow-up for you on a weekly basis. You can have "automatic robots" working for you if you set your website up like this.
Jeffrey Adam
AH HAH! This is exactly what i needed to read. I've toyed with the idea of a website for months, i even have my domain name, just needed to sit down and remember how to use an FTP.
Good article, thanks for the encouragement and experience sharing. I can see where it would pay to even just get your name out there and i love the idea of not getting odd hour phone calls. 
becki
I hear about auto-responders with nearly every article on internet marketing/selling. This post was no exception (HEY, thanks for the great, hopeful article, jbinvestor!)
1. Where do auto-responders come from?
2. Which are the best ones (best value)?
Alan
Thanks a bunch for the encouragement. What website host do you use for such a low cost?
If you are considering developing your own website I would think twice. The cost for development, marketing and advertising a website could cripple a newbie like myself. I have found an great alternative. Go to "WeBuyHousesForCash.com" and check out there "Affiliate" program. I signed up a couple of months ago and could not be happier. I do not want to get into all the benefits "WeBuyHousesForCash.com" offers here. You cannot compare the cost for programming, developement and hostings versus what they charge. Good luck.