Real Estate Website FAQ's
How can I be sure that my site will be consistent with Broker Reciprocity Regulations, and other important laws?
As the REALTOR®, you are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of all information on your site to within the rules laid out by your MLS Board. This is where we can help. Union Street Media already supports dozens of real estate sites, and we’re familiar with and knowledgeable about Broker Reciprocity Regulations.
We will be sure to build your site "by the book" and can stay in direct contact with your MLS board to make changes to your site when and if regulations do change. You can take comfort in knowing that USM will do the utmost to ensure your site's compliance with Broker Reciprocity Regulations.
Can I choose what MLS listings show on my site, and what MLS listings I automatically email to my buyers-or do I have to put the entire database on my site?
We know you need to manage your listings. This is why USM allows brokers extensive control over what MLS listings show on your site. Your site will display only the listings you would be willing to show based on nearby towns, within a certain price range, a type of property, or custom designation like "bargains" or "great estates." Since the Automatic Emails pull from your web site, your buyers will only receive listings that match their criteria and yours.
How Do I Update My Site? What is the Content Management System?
Our Content Management System allows our clients to update their own site without any more knowledge than it takes to write an email or surf the web. For each updating task on your web site, USM will build the necessary tool into your site, and show you how to use it. All site updates are completed online using the Union Street Media administration website, allowing you to update your site whenever you want, from any computer that can access the Internet.
What will be the turn-around time on my site?
There are 2 parts to the USM's development process.
1. Analysis. Our owners work closely with you to organize the tools that USM will need to begin development, which range from an in-depth understanding of your needs and goals to more tangible items such as any content that exists, a current logo or product photos. Depending on the project and your availability, this step in the process generally takes 2 to 4 weeks.
2. Development. USM creates your site design, submitting it to you for approval and builds a working test site for you to review and edit. This second part of the process usually takes approximately 4 weeks from beginning to end.
How do I measure the return on my investment?
The web is one of the few marketing platforms that allows you to track the return on your investment. The most obvious of these is your number of conversions, or how many orders/requests/reservations have occurred. By tracking your revenue from your web site, you can measure your return dollar-for-dollar.
A better gauge of your return is the tracking of traffic and web-influenced purchases and/or activity on your site. To help make this process easier for you and your company, Union Street Media uses industry leading Urchin statistics software for reporting and analysis.
How much of my time will it take for the site to be built and up-to date?
Nobody knows your business better than you do, which is why developing a web site for your business will require your collaboration. We also realize we're here to make life easier for you, which is why we have created a process that aims to minimize your time investment and maximize the results.
Web sites are as different as the companies they represent. As we being to scope your project, we will be able to gain better sense of what effort you will have to make for your site's development and upkeep and help tailor it to your schedule.
I know USM will come up with a design that's right for my business?
At USM, our designers are collaborators, not dictators. We use an interactive design process, which allows you to view a number of layout choices that combine our design expertise with your input. When we estimate your project-both in terms of cost and time-we assume you will have extensive feedback every step of the way. The result will be an image that speaks to you and your business.
Why Union Street Media?
People like us and we like people. Our open approach is apparent from the moment we sit down with a prospective client. We have your interest in mind and your project at heart. After all, your success is our success! We'll make recommendations maximize the return on your site, and generate an accurate estimate that shows you all of your costs and benefits up-front. No secrets here.
Superior Software. Thanks to Smart Features, you can update most of your site yourself, saving you time and money down the road. Our own team of experts developed Smart Features in-house, so we can continue to work with you to make it better and update you when we make changes to keep your site's performance at its best.
One-Stop Shopping. USM services are all under one roof. Hosting, email, technical support, internet marketing, design, strategy, and personal service are all accessible to you with just one phone call, making your life easier.
Big-Business Capabilities with Small-Business Service. At USM, we believe that capabilities are only as good as the service that supports them. We have big experience, but small-business accessibility. We've designed, built and maintained many complex web sites that our clients and thousands of customers rely on every day. Yet no matter how big or small the job, at USM, each and every client works directly with our owners and directors who are always available.