By: Debbie Morris, Director of Online Services

Want your site to yield 2-5% of website leads? Sure! We all want traffic to our sites, but we want people to BUY! How do Homebuyers buy our homes online? We make sure our sites have the basic qualities that make people want to perform any of the 3 "C's" - call, click or come by! Everyone wants to know that secret formula, but it shouldn't be a secret. There are certain traits that compel visitors to act and some homebuilders have that formula down pat.

Meredith Communications has had success making sure these 3 traits are implemented in each site MC builds:

• 1. Simple, friendly navigation - Having no more than 6 primary navigation links make it easy for the visitor to find what they are looking for - HOMES! Suggested links for your navigation include: Find A Home, Financing, Welcome Realtors, Owners Circle, About Us, Contact Us.
• 2. Find A Home in 3 clicks or less - Homebuyers will visit up to 7 real estate websites before ever getting into their car to see homes. They are trying to eliminate you from having to go visit in person. Having to hunt and peck for what you are looking for on a website can be frustrating, which can lead a homebuyer to eliminating you before they even see what you have to offer.
• 3. Invitation to Contact you on every page - Homebuyers should be able to access your contact information from every page on the website, but more importantly you need to ask them to! Giving buyers a call to action will increase response - one of the 3 C's.

Your ACTION:  Implement these three simple traits of successful homebuilder websites to start enjoying more website leads and more sales!