Real Estate Web Site Design by IDXCentral.com - theInsider » Design Tips http://theinsider.idxcentral.com Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:50:24 +0000 en hourly 1 Animoto – Real Estate Video Marketing http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/animoto-real-estate-video-marketing/ http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/animoto-real-estate-video-marketing/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:50 +0000 Esther http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/?p=2203 Read More »]]> Today, we present to you Animoto – one of the most creative ways to create real estate videos and slideshows. The technical age has made promoting and advertising real estate listings easier than ever, and Animoto is one of the best advertising techniques available. This amazing software allows real estate agents to create professional video presentations that showcase agent listings, neighborhood profiles, and introduce agents as professionals in their field.

How it Works
Animoto allows real estate agents to combine high-quality images and short video clips with music to create beautiful slideshows. Best of all, Animoto is inexpensive and easy to use. You start by uploading photos and video clips, or sync Animoto to your Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, Photobook, or SmugMug account. Then, you choose music from Animoto’s large music library, type in the text you want included, and Animoto produces a beautiful video slideshow within minutes. If you aren’t satisfied with the result then Animoto makes it easy to resubmit the video until it meets your expectations. You will find this part somewhat addicting as you resubmit to see what new combination Animoto will come up with.

Create Featured Listing Videos
Imagine using high-quality photos complemented by rhythmic music to showcase a featured listing. Animoto offers an excellent way to make a seller’s listing available to a lot of different people. Agents even have the option of making a branded or unbranded video. An unbranded video is preferred when you want other real estate agents to make it available to their clients. This will increase the number of viewers and sell properties faster. If you choose to include your contact information, Animoto offers a customizable button that can be displayed at the end of the video to give viewers instant access to you.

Create Neighborhood Profile Videos
Animoto videos are the perfect way to introduce a neighborhood or community you serve. They give you the opportunity to show a large number of pictures in a short amount of time.  Writing neighborhood profile pages is a great way to educate your visitors, but taking it a step further and adding video is a  fantastic way to really engage your audience.

View the example Sonoma  neighborhood video at the top of this neighborhood profile page. We specialize in real estate WordPress add-ons and found Animoto to be a perfect fit with the neighborhood profile add-on template. Animoto videos have the potential to make your real estate site more appealing and hands-on than other sites.

Create an Agent Bio Profile Video
What better way to introduce and promote yourself as an agent then to show potential clients a personalized video of all you have to offer. This personal video could include the area you serve in, homes that you have sold, testimonials from clients, family images, hobbies, extracurricular activities, and more. A personalized video will allow potential clients to “connect” with you before they actually meet you in person, making it a great addition to your website. There is no substitute for writing a real estate agent bio, but adding the video touch adds that personal touch. View some of Animoto’s real estate videos and get your creative juices flowing.

Sharing your video with the World
Animoto videos can be viewed in HD from Animoto’s website, posted to a website or blog, shared on Facebook or YouTube, or burned onto a DVD. These videos are unbranded, meaning Animoto does not put their logo in the video or anywhere else, so your clients will never guess how easy it was to create this stunning presentation.

Animoto App
Animoto also lets you share videos on the go. With their Animoto mobile app, you’ll be able to create, share, and watch your videos everywhere you go. The app will easily let you share your videos via email, Facebook, Twitter, text, or save to your Camera Roll. Go Animoto!

With more and more people spending their free time on the Internet, real estate agents have the opportunity to look for creative ways to reach potential clients. Animoto offers real estate agents a creative and simple way to promote featured listings, the area in which they serve, and themselves. All it takes is a few clicks of the mouse and Animoto will add a great deal of spice and creativity to your real estate marketing campaign.

]]> http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/animoto-real-estate-video-marketing/feed/ 0 Free Social Media Icons for Your Website http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/free-social-media-icons-for-your-website/ http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/free-social-media-icons-for-your-website/#comments Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:39:04 +0000 Mark http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/?p=1523 Read More »]]> I am always amazed at how long I will spend looking for that perfect graphic, free or paid, so our sites keep their clean / professional appearance. I am also amazed at how many really talented people are out there and willing to provide their work for free. I found a great set of icons that I want to share with you.

The following icons are free to use for both personal and commercial websites provided you either link to their site or spread the word about them online…so here you go, enjoy. The designer has a very nice collection. Free Social Media Icons

Updated March 24, 2011
It appears the original icon set we linked to is no longer available. We did want to share these sites as well. I liked this social media icon set by Elegant Themes. Other social media icon sets.
]]> http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/free-social-media-icons-for-your-website/feed/ 2 Where To Get Quality Photos http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/where-to-get-quality-photos/ http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/where-to-get-quality-photos/#comments Mon, 21 Jul 2008 02:35:14 +0000 Esther http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/?p=52 Read More »]]> You have spent the money and time to get a website developed that gives you a professional appearance…so take the time and add photos that show your attention to detail and professionalism. Sure, you can surf the web for 20 minutes (or more) and try to find images you can legally use on your site for free, but we would suggest getting an account with iStockPhoto. iStockPhoto has a very large collection images that you can search by keywords and typically cost $1 for you to legally use on your site. The time you will save alone is worth the cost and the site is easy to use.

The following are stock photograpy sites that professional web and print designers say offer “the best selection” of images are :Stock Photography Sites

Other sites designers feel offer photos for “the best value” are :

Once you have your photo, be sure to check out our tutorial on using Picnik to help put a professional drop shadow or edge effect on it to make it pop!

Keep in mind, you don’t want to just use any photo you find on the web without getting permission first. In general, using images from another website without permission is illegal.

]]> http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/where-to-get-quality-photos/feed/ 0 Making A Great Impression With Your Images http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/making-a-great-impression-with-your-images/ http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/making-a-great-impression-with-your-images/#comments Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:25:02 +0000 Mark http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/?p=50 Read More »]]> Photo Editing ProgramWhen adding images to your site, take the time to make sure the images you post reflect the professional image you want to convey to your visitors. One free web based application that makes this possible, with ease, is Picnik. Picnik will allow you to resize, optimize for quick downloads, add cool effects, drop shadows, frames and so much more. With just a few clicks of your mouse you can have great looking images that won’t take forever to download and frustrate your visitors.

Note: If you do find yourself using this tool often, as we believe you will, please consider paying for their premium service (only $24.95/year) to help support the program and ensure it stays around.

]]> http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/making-a-great-impression-with-your-images/feed/ 0 Don’t Overuse Font Styles, Sizes and Colors http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/dont-overuse-font-styles-and-colors/ http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/dont-overuse-font-styles-and-colors/#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:08:20 +0000 Esther http://theinsider.idxcentral.com/?p=21 Read More »]]> When writing your posts try to keep in mind “less is more” and you want to make your readers experience an enjoyable one. Nothing confuses a reader and turns them off more than an overuse of different fonts syles, sizes and colors. If you have something that truly needs to stand out, then simply bold it or place it in quotes. Try to stick to one or two font families and use only the italic and bold version of the font when needed. Consistency is key! Stick to the same pattern when using your fonts i.e. a bold title, italic the subhead (if you have one) and use regular text for the body. Avoid underlining text, as this may confuse the reader into thinking it is a link to another page. Learn by example. Look at other sites that you feel offer a good user experience and study their pattern of use when it comes to fonts, colors etc. If you don’t like what you started you can always go back and change it, but starting off on the right foot first will save you a lot of headache in the future.

Things to consider:

  • Stick to one or two font families.
  • Stick to one or two complimentary colors.
  • Keep in mind, consistency is key and less is more!
  • Avoid underlining text. This may lead the reader into thinking it is a link to another page.
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