Does Your Real Estate Blog Need a Side of Widget?
By NikNik · May 20, 2008
Are you looking for a value add for your real estate blog or Website? Many widgets promise the world (MORE READERS), but sadly many fall short of maximizing their intended goal. When it comes to adding valuable content and tools to your blog, try a widget that compliments your niche. Just don’t try them all.
Many agents rightly focus on a niche or specific target market when it comes to blogging. So, why not add a widget that provides local content, events, and even property listings. Hyperlocal aside, even adding a news widget with a larger content scope (say, nationwide) adds value to readers who check both local and national market info.
When thinking about adding a widget to your blog, you may want to ask yourself: (1) Does this widget provide helpful information? and (2) Does this widget foster interaction and build your network?
Some options for you:
Property Search
Give consumers a home search tool they will come back for again and again. Try: Realivent Home Search Plugin, Realbird Map Based Search, Foreclosure Radar, dsSearchAgent from Diverse Solutions
Featured Listings
Showcase all your listings and get additional online exposure. Try: MyMarketWare, vFlyer, TruliaMap
Home Valuation
Provide home valuation reporting. Try: Zillow Search Box, or Cyberhomes API.
Hyperlocal Content
There’s that buzz word again…but “hyperlocal” info can help you carve your niche and further emphasize your local expert status. Try: Upcoming Events, Google Calendar, iBegin Weather, and Walkscore
Industry News, Information & Statistics
Nothing supports your message like great data! Try: Trulia Stats, Altos Research, Wiki Widget
Custom News
MSNBC recently launched NewsWare which brings you a variety of news widget options, including the Spectra Visual Newsreader and NewScroller a build-your-own news ticker.
Social Media
Build your community and foster interaction by utilizing widgets from your favorite social networks. Try: MyBlogLog, Realbird Widget for ActiveRain, YouTube, Flickr, Criteo Autoroll
Chat
Personally, I’m not a big fan of chat widgets, but some agents really like the ability to instantly connect with readers and consumers. Try: Meebo
Calculators
Give consumers a helpful tool for calculating mortgage payments, etc. Try: Mortgage Calculators, 10 Mortgage Calculators, Amortization Calculator
Real Estate Technology
MyTechOpinion is your go-to resource for all the real estate technology happenings. The MTO Widget rocks and not just because my partner in this blogiverse created it, but because it provides great resources to your consumers and helpful tips to your colleagues. Enough said, get the MTO widget now!
WIDGET DISCLAIMER: Although I’ve listed a nice variety of value-add widgets, PLEASE DO NOT OVER WIDGETIZE YOUR BLOG!!! Seriously! Adding too many widgets can actually harm your blog by being distracting, as well as slow down your load time. You do not want so many things going on in your sidebar that it actually takes away from the meaty content. Too many tools and not enough great blog posts will hurt you. Your number one focus for your blog should ALWAYS be: adding helpful and remarkable content frequently. Content is your main dish….and a great widget is your garlic mashed potatoes on the side.
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Well said about the Widget Disclaimer! It’s amazing to see some of the blogs who’s sidebar has so many dancing rotating sparkling “features” that it takes an hour to load.
Thanks Brad. So true!
It’s refreshing to see a blog incorporate a widget that supports the content. I favor property search, maps & stats, and featured listings for agent blogs. And for myself….anything social media of course!
Awesome, I was looking for a way to show weather on the site. You made my search easy. The walkscore looks interesting too! Can I put a widget in a post or should I stick to keeping them on the homepage?
Thanks for the updated list of real estate widgets! We created a blog post awhile back, but the widget list is constantly growing so it’s getting a bit dated. I’ll provide an update and include this as a link resource. ‘MLS Quick Search’ widgets as stated above are indeed a great way to help garner leads from a real estate blog. I thought it might be helpful to mention that many IDX (MLS web search) providers can create one for you typically for a small fee if they don’t offer widgets as a standard. It’s well worth it.
Brendan- If you find a widget you like you definitely want to add it to the homepage…usually in your sidebar. Let us know if you have any questions!
Kristen- Thanks for adding that helpful point.
Another widget that gets realtors back to the basics.. or Web 0.0.. its called realPING …a click to talk now widget that bridges an engaged consumer with an agent’s cell phone- Once connected the agent can deliver web content to the callers screen all remotely. also a great listing tool… if anyone wants to see it live….
Glad to see we made the list. Thanks.
I agree, too many widgets reduce performance and usability – depending on how the hosting blog/website Html is structured. In terms of content, as you said, as long as widgets are extending the content not overwriting it, they can be very valuable. Also, the best widgets will maintain some sort of private labeling and branding of the agent/broker even when the visitor click-through and lands on a different site.
– Zoltan
Nik: Another quality post from you guys! You are one of my favorite RE bloggers and I love what you guys have done with MyTechOpinion! Keep up the good work.
I am going to look into Cyberhomes for possible integration.
Al- Nothing wrong with the basics….love your sense of humor! I’ve seen the Click to Talk feature utilized on single property sites as well.
Zoltan- We are fans of RealBird and have seen some outstanding RealBird widgets on more than a few agent blogs.
Brad- Thanks for the MTO endorsement. You are one of our favorite brokers. And you do an amazing job incorporating useful content and tools on your blog. We use you as an example all the time!
Nice article and gives you something to think about. I did put a widget on my condo site about my blog. I am not sure I want a lot of stuff unless its local and of value to the visitor . Just getting my blog started so I have a lot to learn.
Eric- I love that you are concerned about local flavor and value….too many newbies get sideswiped by the promise of more readers (i.e. Blog Rush).
I loathe widgets. lol – If you know Posh’d, you know my displeasure with them. If done correctly, they add great value, but I think rookies tend to over-widgetize (did I just say that?). Nice work with the disclaimer – I just hope people read it.
Thanks for including Altos Research on your list. The AltosCharts are great as lead generators as well. Turn those silent visitors into leads – that’s the key ingredient. We’ve found that home buyers and sellers are looking mostly for two things online – properties for sale and market data. We focus on the latter real-time market info right on your website to help consumer stay up-to-speed in this turbulent market.
I’ve had trouble adding wigets to my basic WP blog. Is there a trick or should I consider having it hosted elsewhere? Thanks for all the great info on MTO.
Good point…now where are you hosted and what widget are you trying to install?
Its a very nice blog.
Thanks.
Love all these Real Estate related widgets – Unfortunately, WordPress doesn’t seem to let me install any of them – or maybe I should say – I have NO IDEA WHAT I AM DOING!! There, I said it – and feel 10 lbs lighter!
Diana
Diana- You must be on WordPress.com. If you use WordPress.org you have WAY MORE (high technical term) options and features….and YOU can use all sorts of valuable plugins and/or widgets. Now it takes more knowledge of blog customization but it’s so much more powerful. I could go on and on…and on. Just let me know if you have any specific questions.
Widgets can also be an interesting way to give your site’s visitors a glimpse into your personality.
For example, if you were to embed my new “Real Estate Stern Fan” widget, sure, you’d risk turning some people off… but if you think it might be fun to let other Stern Fans in your area know you share their interest… well, why not, right?
So I guess what I’m saying is…the widget doesn’t always have to be Real Estate focused if part of the goal of your site is to just attract like minded folks?
Thanks for the useful info. I love to read your topic and it is very interesting.
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