Realty Executives Tech Initiative – BIG Website Changes Announced

Today is a day long in the making for some people at Realty Executives that have worked very hard on a project known as the “tech initiative.” Technology and innovation have combined to change two web sites from old school to cool school with what many will think of as a simple flip of a switch. This switch has taken the CTO at Realty Executives many, many hours of preparation and research along with countless hours of blood, sweat and tears.

I don’t try to hide the fact that I am a “bit of a geek” when it comes to my interest in the effective use of website strategy. Although I love working at Realty Executives, if there was one thing that I wasn’t completely thrilled about, it was the “outdated” websites the company had. For me, it wasn’t that big of a deal because I mainly point people to my own web sites instead of the Realty Executives web site for information. My “main” website simply consists of a Tempe real estate agent sharing information with people looking to buy or sell homes in the South East Valley. I’ve had the site at NickBastian.com for about a dozen years or so, and it too has gone from really bad to ( hopefully ) improving over time, a constant “ work in progress,” for sure. Another site where I occasionally post some drivel about “stuff” is my work at RailLife.com. Here, I write about things that hopefully interest a few people in what is considered a “niche market” web site focused mainly on “life” along the Phoenix light rail line.

Several months ago, I was introduced to Darrell Smith and we immediately hit it off. As the “Chief Technology Officer” brought in to design and implement a massive internet presence for Executives locally, nationally and internationally, Darrell has definitely had his work cut out for him. Over the past few years, I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of really smart people in the “re.net” where web site development, blogging and implementation are looked at as a way of life. Within minutes of meeting Darrell, I knew he was a guy that really “gets it” when it comes to knowing what a real estate company needs to have to be found and to be effective online. Strength in numbers, a huge web site with thousands of pages of searchable content is what quickly piqued my interest. Talking a bit more of the development and execution side of these new sites with Darrell made me want to learn as much about what he was working on as possible.

OK, I need to cut to the chase. What is happening at Realty Executives and why?

Before today, Realty Executives had a platform that quite frankly was horrible. With the re-launch of www.RealtyExecutives.com and of www.SearchHomes.com that instantly changes. ( in my opinion )

As an international web presence built upon the very powerful WordPress platform utilizing cutting edge search capabilities, Executive profiles, blogs, marketing resources and more, this first phase of the Realty Executives web site will be light years ahead of the old Realty Executives web sites and light years ahead of many of the current real estate related web sites online today. Sure, there are some really good web sites out there, but I believe the ideas behind what these new sites will become have the potential to help Realty Executive agents all over the world in creating a much stronger web presence. Better yet, I believe these sites have the ability to increase MY internet presence which benefits myself AND my clients. One of the great things that has not been overlooked is the fact that real estate agents are independent contractors. The company philosophy is focused on the “Executives” in knowing that we all have individual businesses to run. The ways that Darrell has come up with to help us succeed will be a big part of the success of the main web site(s) which will be designed to tie into our individual web sites. ( more on that in the coming weeks )

The launch is today, take a look and give em’ a test drive. If you are a Realty Executives agent, make sure to take advantage of the things that are going to be available to you on an individual basis. There will be ongoing announcements soon and over the next couple of months as tests, tweaks, improvements and additions to the web sites roll out. ( you really should pay attention and take advantage of these tools )

If you are a real estate agent from another company or a person looking to join a great brokerage that will also be able to help with some serious “Google juice,” I’d be happy to give you my .02 on why Realty Executives might be a great choice for you. No, I am not a recruiter. I just happen to think this web site project is VERY cool and can be a great asset to all of us.

There will be a LOT more information available soon but, ssshhhhh, this is a “soft opening” and kind of a secret, so don’t tell anyone. OK? 🙂