Today's real estate internet marketing Article
The Next Marketing Tool: Design

Design sells. Its something that all of us know, but few of us consciously acknowledge. There is an age old adage that warns people not to judge books by their cover. In other words, we shouldnt judge people or products by their appearance. But this isnt true in America. We do judge books by their cover in fact we spend billions of dollars on products that have prettier covers.

Many people are aware how easy it is to create a web page and put your business online, but you have to ask yourself: is it going to be enough? Sure, you can get all the vitals of your business online and available for the whole world to see, but will your visitors remember your site? Will they trust it? More importantly, will your site cause them to contact you after leaving the web site?

iPods, cargo pants and cell phones

Oh my! What do these three items have in common you might ask? Design, of course.

Back in 2001 Apple Computers unveiled their new offering to the tech world: the iPod. This smart looking little gadget was an MP3 player, one of thousands already on the market. Against all odds, the iPod has risen above its vast competition and become a common household term. What can we attribute to Apples success? The iPod did not offer any features that other MP3 players were already offering, except a sleek design, stunning advertising and Apples clever branding. Great design has obviously paid off for Apple. In the first quarter since releasing the iPod, Apple more than tripled its net profits and sold nearly 900,000 iPods! Some may even speculate to say that the iPod has taken Apple from a failing company to the leader in portable music.

Old Navy started off as just another value clothing store spawned from the successful Gap Inc. While this company had the advantage of already having a multi-billion dollar brand backing it, it had no incentive for customers to actually buy the clothes. Old Navy has since become one of the leading clothing retailers in America becoming a multi-billion dollar brand on its own feet. Old Navys president, Jenny Ming, attributes this success to design. Old Navy has taken a new approach to advertising and clothing style relying on fresh, new design. It seems to have worked, attracting millions of customers to their cargo pants, PJ bottoms and fleece jackets.

Cell phones. Theyre everywhere: on the street, in cars, and even the hands of thirteen year old girls. No amount of numbers is needed to prove that cell phones have become an everyday accessory as common as a pair of sunglasses. Back in the early nineties, Nokia realized that cell phones might one day catch on and become something of an accessory. The idea was brought up that cell phones could be made in a variety of colors and in attractive shapes. Shortly after concept, Nokias rounded cell phones with changeable plates were introduced into the market. They were an instant success. Since then Nokia has come to be the world leader in cell phones, owning nearly 40% of the world market. Cell phone design hasnt been the same since.

Taking these ideas to the internet

Okay, so its understandable how design sells, but web sites arent tangible products like iPods or cell phones. Design of web sites goes beyond designing something that looks cool or uses fancy fonts. The design of web sites goes into the realm of usability, information design and graphical appearance. All three of these aspects must come together to create a great web site design.

First off, your web site must be usable. This means that the web site visitor must be able to read, navigate and use the different elements of your site. A web site is no good if visitors cannot find where your nearest office is located. Secondly, the information contained within the web site must be arranged in a way that visitors will naturally find the information they need in the least amount of effort possible. Lastly, your web site has to look great. It has to have a professional look and one thats both pleasing to the visitor and conveys the image you need your company to portray. Would you expect a criminal defense attorneys site to be composed of light blue and pink hues? Strong, vibrant colors project authority and power; qualities you would definitely want in a criminal defense lawyer.

Wrapping it up

Design is a major part of modern day business. Making sure your business has a well designed web site ensures you are giving your business the best possible chance. A poorly designed site can be a waste of money and effort. Dont take the chance; hire a professional to do the job.

Many people are aware how easy it is to create a web page and put your business online, but you have to ask yourself: is it going to be enough? Sure, you can get all the vitals of your business online and available for the whole world to see, but will your visitors remember your site? Will they trust it? More importantly, will your site cause them to contact you after leaving the web site?

iPods, cargo pants and cell phones

Oh my! What do these three items have in common you might ask? Design, of course.

Back in 2001 Apple Computers unveiled their new offering to the tech world: the iPod. This smart looking little gadget was an MP3 player, one of thousands already on the market. Against all odds, the iPod has risen above its vast competition and become a common household term. What can we attribute to Apples success? The iPod did not offer any features that other MP3 players were already offering, except a sleek design, stunning advertising and Apples clever branding. Great design has obviously paid off for Apple. In the first quarter since releasing the iPod, Apple more than tripled its net profits and sold nearly 900,000 iPods! Some may even speculate to say that the iPod has taken Apple from a failing company to the leader in portable music.

Old Navy started off as just another value clothing store spawned from the successful Gap Inc. While this company had the advantage of already having a multi-billion dollar brand backing it, it had no incentive for customers to actually buy the clothes. Old Navy has since become one of the leading clothing retailers in America becoming a multi-billion dollar brand on its own feet. Old Navys president, Jenny Ming, attributes this success to design. Old Navy has taken a new approach to advertising and clothing style relying on fresh, new design. It seems to have worked, attracting millions of customers to their cargo pants, PJ bottoms and fleece jackets.

Cell phones. Theyre everywhere: on the street, in cars, and even the hands of thirteen year old girls. No amount of numbers is needed to prove that cell phones have become an everyday accessory as common as a pair of sunglasses. Back in the early nineties, Nokia realized that cell phones might one day catch on and become something of an accessory. The idea was brought up that cell phones could be made in a variety of colors and in attractive shapes. Shortly after concept, Nokias rounded cell phones with changeable plates were introduced into the market. They were an instant success. Since then Nokia has come to be the world leader in cell phones, owning nearly 40% of the world market. Cell phone design hasnt been the same since.

Taking these ideas to the internet

Okay, so its understandable how design sells, but web sites arent tangible products like iPods or cell phones. Design of web sites goes beyond designing something that looks cool or uses fancy fonts. The design of web sites goes into the realm of usability, information design and graphical appearance. All three of these aspects must come together to create a great web site design.

First off, your web site must be usable. This means that the web site visitor must be able to read, navigate and use the different elements of your site. A web site is no good if visitors cannot find where your nearest office is located. Secondly, the information contained within the web site must be arranged in a way that visitors will naturally find the information they need in the least amount of effort possible. Lastly, your web site has to look great. It has to have a professional look and one thats both pleasing to the visitor and conveys the image you need your company to portray. Would you expect a criminal defense attorneys site to be composed of light blue and pink hues? Strong, vibrant colors project authority and power; qualities you would definitely want in a criminal defense lawyer.

Wrapping it up

Design is a major part of modern day business. Making sure your business has a well designed web site ensures you are giving your business the best possible chance. A poorly designed site can be a waste of money and effort. Dont take the chance; hire a professional to do the job.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kyle Neath is an experienced web designer, developing dozens of successful web sites across California. See more of his work at www.neathdesign.com

A Short real estate internet marketing Summary
Bookcase DMI - Four Door Barrister Bookcase - Mission Oak Executive Office Furniture / Home Office Furniture - 7661-06

Download Catalog (PDF)

7661-06 Features: 4 Glass doorsOpen top shelf Constructed of selected wood, veneers and wood products Fully assembled Finish:
Cured Oak

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36"(W) x 15 1/2"(D) x 72"(H)

See our FAQs section for complete details.

Price: 747.58

Casual Oak Bar - Powell Furniture - 651-473

651-473 Features: Bar coupling framed, hand matched flat cut oak veneers Solid bull-nose edge oak framed top Antique Brass foot rail Black laminate top for serving 2 adjustable shelves 2 bottle storage shelves with room for up to 10 bottles Drawer for barware Fully assembled Finish:
Medium tone distressed Oak

Dimensions:
48"(W) x 22"(D) x 42"(H)

Price: 620.08

48 Inch Round Resin Multi Purpose Table - Office Star - BT48

BT48 Features: Durable construction Light weight sleek design Powder coated tubular frame Ideal for indoor or outdoor use Easy storage Meets or exceeds test standards (BIFMA and MTL) Dimensions: Overall Size: 48" dia. x 29.65" tall Leg Tube: 1.125" x 1.0mm Table Top: 45mm thick

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Armoire - CLOSEOUT SPECIAL! - Largo - Spencer-Margaret Armoire - JS-S500-36B-T

JS-S500-36B-T Features: 100% Wood solids and veneers English dovetailed rears and French dovetailed fronts Screwed on wood backs Felt-lined drawers top to bottom Steel on steel ball-bearing underglides Dimensions:
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Price: 872.74

Kids Chair and Seating - Kids Chairs Set of Two

JJ99 Features: Solid wood and wood veneers Handy washable finish that is also non-toxic Easy to assemble Finish:
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Price: 79.00

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SPIN Selling

SPIN Selling

The international bestseller that revolutionized high-end selling!

Written by Neil Rackham, former president and founder of Huthwaite corporation, SPIN Selling is essential reading for anyone involved in selling or managing a sales force. Unquestionably the best-documented account of sales success ever collected and the result of the Huthwaite corporation's massive 12-year, $1-million dollar research into effective sales performance, this groundbreaking resource details the revolutionary SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-payoff) strategy.

In SPIN Selling, Rackham, who has advised leading companies such as IBM and Honeywell delivers the first book to specifically examine selling high-value product and services. By following the simple, practical, and easy-to-apply techniques of SPIN, readers will be able to dramatically increase their sales volume from major accounts. Rackham answers key questions such as “What makes success in major sales” and “Why do techniques like closing work in small sales but fail in larger ones?”

You will learn why traditional sales methods which were developed for small consumer sales, just won't work for large sales and why conventional selling methods are doomed to fail in major sales. Packed with real-world examples, illuminating graphics, and informative case studies - and backed by hard research data - SPIN Selling is the million-dollar key to understanding and producing record-breaking high-end sales performance.

Customer Review: How to Find the Hot Issues that Mattered Most to Your Customers

If Solution Selling: Creating Buyers in Difficult Selling Markets is the comprehensive guide to selling intangible, complex solutions, then SPIN Selling is the comprehensive guide to asking customers questions to find our what mattered to them most.

SPIN Selling is definitely NOT the first book that guides sales people in the art of asking questions, but it's definitely the one that puts it in the most elegant way.

That said, it will be a mistake to assume that SPIN Selling is the cure-all for asking customers. The Science of Influence: How to Get Anyone to Say "Yes" in 8 Minutes or Less! will be a good companion to better understand the human psyche.

Customer Review: Spin Selling Review

I am account manager for an ERP Consulting company. This book really opened my eyes for the first time to the different styles of selling. Neil does an excellent job of exposing flawed selling styles and techniques in major account sales: such as using high pressure sales, using closing technigues, giving advantages and not direct benefits, and not solving problems for the client. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking to learn how to do sales well; specifically in major sales.

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Crossing the Chasm

Here is the bestselling guide that created a new game plan for marketing in high-tech industries. Crossing the Chasm has become the bible for bringing cutting-edge products to progressively larger markets. This edition provides new insights into the realities of high-tech marketing, with special emphasis on the Internet. It's essential reading for anyone with a stake in the world's most exciting marketplace.

Customer Review: Crossing the Chasm

I've bought copies of Crossing the Chasm for two customers and one associate. I guess that means I'm impressed.

Few books, IMHO, can have a profound "life altering" effect on a business. E-Myth Revisited was one. This is another. It provides a very well thought out and persuasive strategy for transitioning a high-tech product from a geek market into the mainstream.

A must read if you have a highly advanced product and are struggling to get traction in the market place.

Customer Review: How companies "grow up"

Having already read the sequel, Inside the Tornado, I wondered whether this book had essentially been summarized in that one. While the basic premise of the technology adoption lifecycle is common to both books, this book, as the name implies, gives much more focus and detail to the stage of "crossing the chasm". This translates to the time between the first few big sales (from innovators) and the point where there are steady (and growing) sales (from pragmatists). This is a particularly troubling time for most companies because what worked on those first few will FAIL on the next customers, because they are more risk-averse. This book does a fantastic job of not only explaining what needs to be done, but WHY as well.

Blower Wall Heater, 10K BTU's

Blower Wall Heater, 10K BTU's
Easy add-on during the initial heater sale. Fits all 2003 and newer Kozy-World infrared and blue flame models above 10,000 Btu's. Auto thermostat control. Requires 120V grounded outlet.

Stain Steel

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Cross-promotion

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