Hmm, Teresa. I'm not sure that this is the most effective way to go, and it can get REAL expensive.  You are better off working on your SEO, keywords, etc. and getting business that way. I'll be interested to hear if anyone jumps up and says YES, do it, and here's the program for you.

Jeff

I tend to agee with Jeff, You are better off working on your SEO, keywords, etc. and getting business that way.

i think there is a lot of trial and error with web marketing.

best thing to do is start right here in the AR yard and read, read read then apply, apply tweak, and apply.

There is a wealth of FREE info here that will make you very happy!    Pay, not really necessary!

Teresa,

Thanks for the post. I am open to of things on every level. However, I just can't wrap my head around paying for "unqualified leads". I don't need leads on people who are looking long term to buy. I get those in the course of my daily business. I need buyers who are ready and able to perform today. I get these qualified leads from my nail campaigns and networking. Example, I picked up some "just sold" cards from the printer., who happens that her son is in the market for a home, NOW. This is a qualified lead that works and I didn't pay extra for it.

William, you use your mail campains. What do you mail?

Teresa Johnson & Associates; RE/MAX Greater; Serving the Metro Area of Atlanta,GA
http://www.atlantahomestore.com/(770) 888-0021;  TeresaJohnson@remax.net

OK........ Devil's advocate here.......

Firstly, I'm on a tight budget. Advertising in the newspaper is costly.

Example: I would run an ad for my Home Inspection business in the Sunday Real Estate supplement.

3 lines with my company, a phone number and my web address. Cost= $84.00 per month.

Tried it for 6 months got one call.

Then I decided to try PPC.

I went to Google AdWords and started an ad campaign.

The nice feature is that you set your monthly budget. For instance, I started out with a $75.00 per month budget.

You get to pick the "keywords" that your ad is targeted at and show up on web searches for those particular keywords.

You only pay if your ad is clicked. In the meantime your "name is being put out there without cost.

In three months my ad has appeared over 15,000 times. the results are not what I had expected but, the "name" is out there.

If I do not reach my monthly budget, I add the balance to next months budget. The higher your budget the Higher rank you will get in the ad placements.

and... contrary to what you will be told, Google shows preference for its "business partners" when issuing "page rank"  (of course they'll deny it)

Sidenote: your ads also show up on appropriate google partner sites.

I will add to the corus of work on your seo, get your site seen naturally in the search engines

I have considered pay per click as well, but hesitate to spend money on something I am so unsure about.  Consumers know you paid for the spot, and are more likely to click on the organic listings in my opinion.  Unfortunately, it can be very, very difficult to get that coveted first page in google organically.

What is the best way to get my site higher on the search?

Teresa Johnson

Teresa;

buy the book "Search Engine Optimization for Dummies"

It will take some work but, I went from non existant to first page when you google

Home Inspection Services in Myartle Beach

Working on SEO takes time, but worth the time.  I'm still lear more.ning, but my site shows up a lot

Teresa,

In this market a closing is cause for celebration, so I share the joy with "Just Sold" cards to the neighborhood, pre-foreclosed properties, foreclosed properties and my sphere of influence. I also mail "Open House" cards to the same group, as well as move up buyers who's home just went under contract, as well as expired listings (potential seller gets to see me in action).  

It works, it takes some thought. I have good organic ranking and use pay per click also. You want to be specific on your targets. it will get people to your site and then your site has to hold them. You can get creative,set budgets, target words and much more. Google Ad is the way to go. If your site will not hold a visitor then your money is wasted. 

Sounds like most do not think that Pay for Click is a good investment but Search Engine Optimization and mailing are a Great idea.

Teresa

I would put money into Google Ad and into direct mail with PURL capability way before I spent anything on Pay Per Click.

What is PURL?

Teresa

pay per click can be very expensive in most areas.  Your web site needs to have stopping power if someone clicks.  For me I found it cost too much money and I was having many people click by didn't manage to get any business from it.  I am trying organic SEO.  I am moving up, the clicks are up but now Ineed to get them to turn into a live lead.

If you have listings, they will generate more leads then pay per click adds. If you place your listings in the major real estate portals like google base, yahoo classifieds, trulia, craigslist etc.

pay per click adds are fine if you want to brand yourself, but it's cost effective in todays market to use your listings as lead generators. It can also be a listing tool. 

I definately love my pay per click campaign and web site. I have over 200 leads in 5 weeks and all 4 buyer agents are busy. I will tell you all about it, if you want to call me. Just don't want to write too much here. You can look at the site at http://SearchAnnArborHouses.com

I will definately call you next week. Thank you! Teresa

Pay per what!! Never!!

We have never spent a dime on pay per click, submissions or any other web promotion, We place well in most searches on most search engines for one if not both of our sites and do not believe in the pay per click route. But that is us in a small community that has about 40 local agents and likely another 60 to 100 who also work in the area but are from outside the area.

If you are in a very large community with lots of competition then pay per click is a way to get your link showing along side all the top links. Before you spend any money ask your friends relatives and coworkers if they ever clicked on a pay per click listing.

Your pond is much bigger than ours you may need a lily pad (pay per click) to help support you.

If so many do not like "Pay per click", what do think about Housevalues?

Teresa

Do not use HouseValues. I did for 6 months, no business and tons of CMA's. I was spending 700 per month. Don't forget to call me. MIssy

Google sent me a post card in the mail and gave $50 to try Adwords for free.  I just started my campaign last week.  Maybe you could contact google and ask them for the same offer so you could try it out.

Teresa- I sell real estate in Southwestern Colorado and am having a fairly successful year. I say that to tell you that I am in the business and have a sense of what you go through on a daily basis. I am working with a Pay Per Click team that does it right. I think a lot of the above comments are true and valuable. However, pay per click can work very well for you if you have someone who knows what they are doing. It's about more than just good search engine placement. It's about content, calls to action, split testing keywords, tracking results, etc.

We have put together a team that can totally manage your PPC campaign and generate more business for you. It's that simple, and we will do it all for a 30day money back guarantee plus $100. We will give you a free consultation on your current internet campaign/marketing and if we can't help we will definatley tell you with no obligation.

I would enjoy chatting with you about this more if you are interested. And truly, no hard sales. If you're not interested or we can't dramatically and cost effectively improve what your doing then we won't waste your time.

Floyd Magee