In this month’s review we look at one company that truly makes having your own website simple and cost effective. Homestead is a template based all-in-one stop for everything in personal websites. If you can edit a Microsoft Word document or have any kind of experience in creating a sales flyer, you will be able to edit and maintain your own website.
Homestead offers a library of over 200 professionally designed website templates. If anything, there are too many. After awhile the sites all blend together and choosing can be frustrating. And, the template is just the starting point. What you finally end up with may not look like the original at all because you can easily change colors, add your own graphics or delete certain design elements. It’s best to have an idea of what you want prior to beginning your search.
Homestead allows you to create an unlimited number of pages. Be careful here because you don’t want to create too large a site because ultimately you will need to keep it all updated. Also, remember, you are not inventing the wheel here. There are plenty of agent sites already in place. Look at other sites and pick out what you like and don’t like. You can model your pages after a compilation of sites you have reviewed. Laying out the pages is not as hard as you think because most all agent sites have the same core of informational pages. For example, everyone has an “About” page and a “Featured Listings” page.
Many agents have a fear of making changes or screwing things up. With Homestead those fears are erased. The user interface is friendly and not intimating at all. The preview function allows you to see exactly what you are doing as you are going along so there is no reason to ever “publish” a site that is not exactly what you want.
Homestead also “hosts” your site. In the 3 ½ years with them, I have had only one minor instance where there was a short interruption of service.
Support is always available from Homestead. The team is very knowledgeable and will correct whatever issues you bring to them. The only negative I have ever experienced with Homestead is, at some times with support, there is a bit of a superior attitude.
Prices begin at $19.95 a month. You get the website, hosting and support for under $20 a month. I can’t imagine it getting much better. And, don’t discount the fact you are dealing with a long-time industry player, and not some temporary fly-by-night. (Homestead is owned by Iniut, maker of Quickbooks)
Having your own website adds tremendous value to your business. With Homestead, it’s easier than you think and the price is realistic. We recommend Homestead highly!
Copyright© Wynd Realty 2010