Real Estate Webmasters

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a realtor, team leader, and business development manager at Austin Luxury Realty.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Real Estate Webmasters?

We were trying to find a good host platform where we could build our websites in the way we like them. Additionally, we wanted to have a backend with CRM so we could receive leads and keep our leads organized so we could convert them into clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

REW hosts our website. We obtain a domain name through GoDaddy or other providers, then we build our websites through their platform. REW helps us build these websites to the best of their ability in order to bring on more users and convert them into leads. Then, in the backend, we convert them to clients.

They’ve helped with custom projects such as changing navigation bars, layouts, adding forms for contact details, searches, and so on. They’ve even pulled the listings directly. Their team built a dashboard and CRM where we can make adjustments to the websites accordingly. Those changes can range from modifying text, adding pictures, or changing layouts.

On the agent side, we receive leads and can organize them. We obtain as much information from the lead based on what they viewed on the website and what they’re interested in. That way, when we contact them, we have all the necessary information to know how to best approach them.

What is the team composition?

We work with an account manager, developers, and a technical support team.

How did you come to work with Real Estate Webmasters?

I wasn’t with my company when they started the engagement with REW. I’d assume we found them through research.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested over $300,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in August 2009.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The leads that have come through are both a result of REW’s efforts and SEO implementation. As a result of the changes they’ve helped us make, we get between 80–100 leads a week both in the Austin and Dallas offices. We’re getting over 3,000–4,000 daily visitors to our website as well as up to two million who view photos from our website.

How did Real Estate Webmasters perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform rather well with project management. I know they have a lot on their hands so sometimes things take a little longer than I’d like. However, I like their process of keeping me updated on their progress. I get in contact with our account manager and then if needed I jump on a Zoom call with the developers. Their team does a great job of keeping me up to date on a day-to-day basis by letting me know what they’ve done so far and what’s left.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their response rate and willingness to help us out. Also, I’m impressed with the flexibility of building our websites as we desire. Their communication and the options they offer are excellent. Likewise, their technical support is absolutely fantastic.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I’d like it if they notified us of a few things before jumping into projects. Once, they gave us 60 hours free for development work that was supposed to be used for fixing any custom work done on a previous site. We weren’t aware of that so we used all those to update our websites meaning we had to pay about $2,000 to have some of these things fixed. Additionally, they’re two hours behind us so it’d be beneficial if their phone services were a little longer.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Create a good relationship with them and they’ll definitely help you through everything. Know exactly what you want to do before getting the process started.