[naplesrealestate]

Jill - just go to the CP and add your signature. It is fairly easy to do.

I have one of the monster template sites. A few years ago, I was called by a marketing rep for the company. I did have a custom(?) site that was costing me significantly (I still have it today) and wanted something where I could add information/content as I pleased. With the other site, I would be billed $20 for each page or form that I wanted to add to the site.

The template site's CP (control panel) offered me the ability to easily add content as I pleased. Maybe I should mention at this point that I am 58yo (not a spring chicken). My only experience with HTML was with AOLPRESS (probably not even available today). They had a good tutorial and I was able to do the basics. My template site, does reflect my amateur level of experience.

IMHO - monster template sites can have blotted code which will have a negative effect on your Search Engine Ranking Position (SERP). As the Internet evolves, the need to change your site is a prequisite - as with anything that is a monster, changes or enhancements may not be able to implemented as quickly as one would like or hope, due to restrictions by way the template is programmed.

I mentioned earlier my age, because your parents might be in my age bracket. I will tell you this though - when I got into real estate about 10 years ago - I could easily see what positive impact it could have on my business. My foresight was fairly accurate. The Internet can be frustrating at times, because it is a different way of doing business. Your parents are probably used to the face to face contact - sometimes I get e-mail from Mickey Mouse, etc., but I do respond. You never know who is on the other end of the e-mail, as I have learned.

Most real estate agents think, "if I have a website, then will come" - bad thinking. It takes a lot of work (hours) to get the website in the top positions for your keyword or keyword phrases. I have been as high as #2 for my keywords as well as buried in the 800's. IMHO it will take maybe 6 months before a site sees real traffic without some type of pay per click (PPC) or extensive keyword research to find the right keyword niches. One of the things real estate agents have been trained in (hopefully it has changed), is to concentrate on those buyers or sellers that are ready to do something right away. With the Internet prospects they do more research and take their time (this is frustrating for most real estate agents). However, if there is open and frank communication, the time spent with prospects can be significantly diminished.

IMHO - any real estate agent that is serious about their business needs to have a website. Maybe, the first question to be asked, especially with your parents, is - do they want a website as an online brochure or to generate more business. Also, can they adapt to dealing with Internet prospects. Sometimes, the basics need to be examined and thought about before getting a website.

Has there been any thoughts about starting with a template site and then moving the domain to a custom site after your parents have had some experience with the Internet? This comes from the mention that cost is a consideration.

Just my personal thoughts from off the top of my head.