I saw some great viewpoints, strategies, and suggestions that I agree with 100%! But there were also vital points missed in the discussion, as a lot of people focused on the technical aspects only. So here’s my two cents on tips for a great marketing website:

1. Be clear about who you serve. Is your business trying to be everything to everyone? Who do you help the most with their problems? A lot of businesses fear that having a niche will limit their exposure or lessen the opportunity for more clients, but it is the opposite. When you know your audience you know what their exact needs are. You are the expert, the go-to person for that specific client base in your industry.
2. Be clear about what you do. When people go to your website, do they know what it is that you do? Is it spelled out that you have the exact, unique solution your clients are looking for? Upon the first viewing of your home page there should be no doubt in your prospective clients’ minds how you can help them.
3. Have a call to action. People need to be told what to do next. Does your marketing message start out strong and fizzle at the end? Have you given your customers a wonderful appetizer but failed to tell them how to get the whole feast? Or maybe you’ve given the whole smorgasbord on your website and they have no reason to contact you for more. There is a balance of providing helpful information without giving away all your services – does your website reflect that balance?
4. Be interactive. Give your audience a chance to express their needs, viewpoints and opinions. Your customers and clients want to be the star of your business – it’s imperative that you provide a place for them to do so. Make it easy to find your Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and any other social networking links so they can easily join the conversation.
5. Simplify. The times have changed. Complicated, fluffy marketing websites that are laid out like a brochure are no longer relevant. Your website should be clean and simple, with clear-cut navigation and a prominent call to action. Less is more is the mantra of today’s market.

What about you?  How do you make your marketing website stand out? Let us know by commenting below or sharing it on Facebook.

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I was interested to read an article entitled “New Models for Resort Development” which talks about natural amenities. It makes me wonder if these demands can be seen in various development types across the board.

ULI 2009 Fall Meeting in San Francisco

The article details the ULI 2009 Fall Meeting in San Francisco. The brightest and most innovative minds spoke at the conference on the emerging trends of resort development.

The article emphasizes a focus on social and environmental responsibility integrated with simple amenities. This trend also speaks to the health and wellness focus that every aspect of our society is now addressing. Amenities that can help build relationships and make you feel healthier at the same time seem to be what we all are craving.

Based on emerging trends and buyer demographics; I think Brian De Lowe of Viceroy Hotel Group put it best.

“The resort development model of the past is dead”

A very blunt and straightforward comment, but it was what we need to hear right now.

Rebecca Zimmerman, president of Design Workshop, had this to say:

“Social connection is truly important” and “Now, people need people, and people find social nourishment by engaging with others”

It is an interesting take on resort development. Does this sound familiar to anyone? How about the emergences of social media?

Zimmerman pointed out a great statistic. 82% of the US populations enjoy walking outdoors for fun or exercise. Numbers indicate a growing trend for the future. This completely reinforces my blog from last week. Consumers are looking for something simple and natural. The good news for developers is that the startups cost for these amenities are low and require low maintenance expenses. Because of the concern over the economic future of real estate, these amenities also protect your bottom line while giving the consumer something they crave.

This article along with everything else I am reading, points back to a central theme or idea. The key to successful future building is simplicity. From housing to amenities, we are seeing a demand for simple design in everything.

Successful commercial Real Estate Brokerage and Development requires one to have a keen grasp of many fields. Going light on depth in any single specialty can evidence itself by creating holes in your practice or your development that can cost you business or clients or tenants or a certain quality in a project that may affect its profitability or sustainability. Strive to become precise and practiced in all these areas;

LAW. One must have grasp of the complexities of the field of law in order to even get off the ground. Protecting your fee or your equity, protection against unfettered litigation, an unscrupulous lender, or partner is imperative. Be prepared to lock horns with any practitioner in this field. Learn contract law so as to quote in your sleep. Do not fear, but respect legal issues and make sure to use them in your favor. You should hope to be outlawyered early in your career, before you have much to lose.

ECONOMICS. Should be a lifelong study. It is here where you will pass your peers. Free enterprise is only one economic system. Know the others. It is the most efficient, and the most efficient price is always determined by the intersection of functions of supply and demand. But this is of course a theory which is based on the precepts of perfect knowledge. Which does not exist. Distinguishing between theory and the real market is where one makes money. Having the most perfect knowledge comes with research, hard work, and homework.

ART. Yes we are actors on a stage and the best actor gets the part, gets the listing, wins the assignment, gets the financing, wins over the equity investor, and closes the deal. Likewise for the sharpest graphics and most artistically inspired presentation. On the tangible side, your architect and/or planner makes or breaks your deal, as design creates value. The most functional space is designed that adds a quality of life but is both practical and enduring. Being financeable can be a big help as well.

PSYCHOLOGY. Students of the human mind, how it works, what motivates it, what it fears, what it craves, and the various psychoses that affect decision making will always have an edge. When confronting a client or a decision maker on a deal, are you able to classify that person into one of the four personality types that person exhibits and how best to achieve a win/win outcome? Learn this and close more deals, not to mention saving you and your clients time and money.

I could go on here stressing like needs and importance for practitioners in our field to have dexterity also with MATHMATICS, FINANCE, HISTORY, POLITICAL SCIENCE, and GOVERNMENT, etc. You don’t need to know everything. But know someone who does, like Market Solutions Group.

Article Written by Bruce A. Davis, Senior Partner of Bryant Commercial Real Estate Partners, LLC of Atlanta, GA,  and member of Market Solutions Group.