Dear Valued Subscriber
|
October Edition Newsletter
|
|
Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter. Evidence that the property market is in recovery is streaming in and things are finally starting to look up. House prices are showing a decrease in price deflation and confidence in the market is building.
SAHometraders has also detected some signs that the market is starting to stabilise: Our web statistics for October show that we had 33% more visitors than last year at the same time and 29% more page views.
The jury is still out on whether or not the property market is moving into a new cycle, but there is no doubt that the future is looking slightly brighter than a year ago. |
In this edition:
- Set up 2 hassle-free ways to access Agency Admin
- We give you information on starting your own blog
- Learn how to network online
- And more …
At SAHometraders, our goal is to provide quality lead generation from our 6 genre specific national sites and 19 regional specific sites by meeting the demand for inventive forms of advertising with progressive online marketing ideas and state-of-the-art design features. If you have any queries regarding our various products or services, please don’t hesitate to contact us: sales@sahometraders.co.za.
Yours in online marketing
|
| New Features |
Distressed Sale Option
| |
|
SAHometraders had some requests from subscribers to add a special section for distress sales. As usual we’ve listen and made the following possible:
When you load a property you will now have the option to mark it as a Distressed Sale.
|
| |
The distressed sale notification will show up on your listing much like On Show property. Agency websites designed and hosted by SAHometraders can request that we create a button for distressed sales like we do with On Show or On Auction property.
|
Adding Documents to News Articles
| |
If you own a site designed and hosted by SAHometraders, and you are making use of the News section, you will be glad to know that you can now add a link to documents in you news articles. Documents can be in any of the following formats: MS Word, PDF, Excel and Text Documents. Please note that these documents should not exceed 1 mbs (1 Mega Byte).
|
Quick Access to Agency Admin
| |
Did you know that there is more than one way to access Agency Admin? Most agencies go to www.sahometraders.co.za and use the Agency Login button, however there are easier and faster ways to do this:
Bookmark Agency Admin: To bookmark the agency admin page go to http://agencyadmin.saht.co.za/default.asp. If you are using a Firefox browser, look for the Bookmarks button at the top of the page, click on it and select Bookmark This Page. Next time you need to go to the Agency Admin page, simply click on Bookmarks and scroll down to the book marked page.
Internet Explorer users can do the same by going to the Agency Admin page, clicking on Favourites at the top of the page and selecting Add to Favourites.
Make Agency Admin Your Homepage: To make Agency Admin you homepage go to http://agencyadmin.saht.co.za/default.asp. If you are using a Firefox browser, look for Tools at the top of the page, click on it and scroll down to Options. Select Main at the top of the box and click on Use Current Page. You will now land on the Agency Admin page every time you open you browser.
Internet Explorer users can do the same by going to the Agency Admin page, clicking on Tools at the top of the page and selecting Internet Options. Select General at the top of the box and click on Use Current.
|
Add Image to Business Services
| |
If you have a agency website designed and hosted by SAHometraders and you are currently making use of the Business Services section, please note that you can now add an image to all your business services. This can be done in Agency Admin under Business Services List.
|
| Subscriber Update |
Don’t Miss Out on ON SHOW Property |
|
The image below shows that SAHometraders appear on the first page of Google’s results page for the key phrase “property on show”. This means that you are missing out on some serious traffic if you are not using the On Show facility on our site. Need some more motivation to do so?
SAHometraders gets a substantial amount of visitors over weekends, and there are no doubt that some of these visitors are looking for property on show to view on Saturdays/Sundays. Shouldn’t you be getting in on some of the action?
|
|
Blogging 101 |
|
Blogging is a great way to drive traffic to your site/listings or to market your agency online. It is also effective for positioning yourself as an expert and even generating leads. Blogging offers you the opportunity to differentiate you/your agency from the competition while you do your bit to market you/your agency. But first things first…
What is a blog?
A blog is an internet-base journal, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Being internet-based means that the blog can be viewed by any web user and is interactive as readers are allowed to leave comments. Blog posts are organised according to time, meaning your latest post will appear first on the page.
What can you blog or write about?
As a real estate agent, you can provide valuable property information that demonstrates your expertise. It is good to focus on topics that readers will find helpful and interesting, like local property news, tips and advice when buying/selling property or interesting property facts. Remember that even though a blog is a marketing tool, it is best to not to add promotional material like brochures and ads on your blog. Rather use the blog to drive traffic to your listings by adding links to your blog posts.
How can you get started?
The easiest way to get a blog is to sign up for an account at one of the many blogging services. One of the most popular “blogspots” is Blogger. Visit https://www.blogger.com/start to get started. Creating an account is easy and FREE.
Below is an example of a page where you create/write a blog post:
|
|
Below is an example of a blog post once it has been published:
|
|
SAHometraders will be happy to place a link on your website to your blog. Remember to research different ways to market you blog online. For a good example of a real estate blog visit: http://www.theratandmouse.co.uk/weblog/ or click here for some more tips on writing a blogging.
|
Business Networking Online |
|
Online social networking allows people with similar interests to discuss, contact and interact with each other within an Internet-based community. Members of these social networks can send messages to other members, chat, post video, share files and post to blogs. This has become the ultimate business tool and millions of businessmen and women from all over the world look to it to expand their contact lists, connect with like-minded professionals and to gain knowledge on topics in their field.
As an estate agent you can also use online networking to attain new clients, connect with other estate agents, find suitable candidates for vacant job opportunities in your agency etc.
The World Wide Web offers a large amount of networking sites. We recommend LinkedIn, an international networking site for business professionals, as well as MyGenuis – a local business-networking site. Also consider Xing, a network aimed at helping you expand you contacts list.
|
Netcash – Simple, Cost-Effective, Efficient |
|
Netcash is a service that provides online access to a range of services, which provide you with the ability to exercise control and manage your debtors and creditors effectively. For a nominal monthly service fee you will have access to multiple services at no additional cost. Their range of services currently consists of:
- Debit Order Collections
- EFT Payments
- Credit Card Terminal
- Credit Card Gateway
- Credit Data
- PaySpace
To find out more about Netcash and what they offer, send us an email and we will get them to contact you with the information.
|
We Welcome Aboard |
|
Online advertising spend in South Africa reached R319 million in 2008, up 32% from 2007. For 2009, this is expected to reach R419 million. This can only mean that more and more people are discovering the many advantages of online advertising. This month we welcome these subscribers:
- Grace Manor
- Di Burtler Properties
- Jacques Potgieter Properties
- Aida Jeffery’s Bay
- Rawson Properties Malmesbury
|
- Engel & Volkers Nelspruit
- Realtors International Centurion
- Eltec Properties Bedfordview
- Remax Fish Hoek
|
|
These agencies put themselves ahead of the pack by getting their own site designed by SAHometraders. Here are some examples of our quality designs: |
|
| Marketing Services |
National Site |
|
SAHometraders has over 600 subscribers, marketing 35000 properties for sale, 4000 rentals and a selection of farms, businesses and commercial developments.
|
Product Range |
|
- List Management
- Monthly/Quarterly Newsletter
- Electronic Signatures
- Newsflashes
- Various SMS Options
We would be happy to design an appropriate package to suit your particular needs. Should you be in the process of setting up a similar arrangement elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a competitive option. |
Agency Website Design and Hosting: |
|
| In addition to the national site, SAHometraders has designed over 200 agency sites. These sites are based on a proven core property search engine and listing technology, that is constantly being enhanced and updated at no further cost to you, and are personalized in terms of look, feel, branding and any additional information that may be required. |
The Bottom Line: |
|
- Subscription fees: R228 p/m for 10 listings or R399 p/m for unlimited listings (T&C apply).
- Once-off all-inclusive cost of R3876 for agency website design
- Thereafter a charge of R171 p/m for website hosting
- All costs include VAT
We look forward to hearing from you and are more than happy to discuss further detail telephonically, or where practical, it can be arranged for us to call on you. You can email us at sales@sahometraders.co.za. |
