Tablefy is a nifty online tool that allows you to compare things. You can make your own tables or search the ones already made by other users. I made this one so I could see how it works:


go to the table!

It's pretty easy to use. All you do is choose the topic and the components, and then the attributes to compare. It only takes a few minutes. I found all my info by doing Google searches (Sorry to disappoint you, but I didn't know all that superhero info off the top of my head!). You can use this tool in a variety of ways to help you with personal things and business things. It doesn't tell you which of the items is best, but it does put the most important information side by side so you can better evaluate which (of the items you're comparing) is best for you. You do have to register with the site, but it's free.

A few good uses for this tool:

• Comparing cell phones or any other electronic device
• Comparing cities (this would be a good idea for a post, making your city the favorable one, of course!)
• Pros and Cons of a situation, for those times when you need to make a decision but you're stuck

I am sure you can come up with a million other uses for this tool, so have fun and get started!

Labels: Real Estate Blog, Stuff You Need, Website Tools

Page Rank - n - Page rank is a value that Google assigns to a web page based on the importance of the page on the internet.

Page Rank is a Google feature, owned and trademarked by Google. Basically it's a ranking system that determines how important your website is to the world wide web. In Google's own words:

"PageRank relies on the uniquely democratic nature of the web by using its vast link structure as an indicator of an individual page's value. In essence, Google interprets a link from page A to page B as a vote, by page A, for page B. But, Google looks at more than the sheer volume of votes, or links a page receives; it also analyzes the page that casts the vote. Votes cast by pages that are themselves 'important' weigh more heavily and help to make other pages 'important'."

Basically it's like all the pages linking to you are voting for you, and you're voting for all the pages you link to. Sites that link to you and have a high page rank get you more "votes" than sites that link to you and have low page ranks. It's sort of a popularity contest, but the popular kid's vote counts more than the unpopular kid.

There are other factors too, like your keyword relevancy and the amount of traffic you receive to your site (which is why SEO is important). I know there's some math to the whole thing, but I'm a writer, not a mathematician, so I can't help you there.

Some SEO companies (but not CyberSunshine) will manipulate the Google Page Rank for you, to make yours higher than it actually is. But that's cheating and I wouldn't recommend it. In the long run, cheaters never win. The best way to increase your Page Rank is with good old-fashioned hard work. Get out in the blogosphere and make friends, and hopefully they'll like you enough to link to you. You can even ask people to link to you if you have the nerve. Most bloggers wouldn't be offended by you asking, so go for it! But be prepared to link to them too.

Wikipedia's article on Page Rank

How to check your Page Rank

A complicated article on the math of Page Rank

Labels: Blog Dictionary, Real Estate Blog, Website Tools

This is probably the easiest thing you can do to improve the image of your blog. It sounds simple and silly, but it really does have benefits. An image can make or break your blog post. If you use the right image, it can attract readers. Images can also be used to make a point or to give an example. Here's a blog that strictly uses images.

I use images from time to time in my posts, but not too often. I don't see the need to use images frequently for my own blog, since it's more tutorial than anything, but you might be able to use images more for your blog. And that's great. You can certainly use an image in every post. I know of some series posts that require images. Here's an example of a good one. These kinds of posts are interesting, fun, and frequently shared, especially if the images are funny or really odd. People like to email interesting things to their friends and colleagues. Your blog can be one of those interesting things. On several blogs, I've seen a series where the blogger features a different mailbox, or a different local flower, or a local attraction every week. You don't have to make a series to use images, but it does make it easier.

I think the only "rule" I'd advise on this topic is to keep the number of images per post to a minimum. You don't want to have so many images that they overpower your writing. The image should accent your writing, not take over the post. Of course, also make sure your image isn't offensive or vulgar, unless you want to anger your readers!

Labels: Blog Project, Real Estate Blog, Website Tools

RSS Subscription is a term you'll hear often in the blogging world. So for all you novice bloggers, I am going to provide the definition of RSS and tell you what purpose it serves and how it can benefit you.

RSS - n any of various XML file formats suitable for disseminating real-time information via subscription on the Internet; Rich Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication

I like the term Really Simple Syndication best. That is a clearer example of what RSS is, in my opinion. Basically, an RSS is a tool that allows readers to subscribe to your blog, and in doing so, they will get emails every time you publish a new post to your blog. So if people "Subscribe Via RSS", they must really enjoy reading what you have to say. In addition to receiving emails, some people might have a Feed Reader. Microsoft Vista, for example, provides a feed reader, and you can constantly get updates via the feed reader. It keeps track of your subscriptions and posts a link to each new entry on each blog to which you are subscribed. It makes it easy to keep track of all your reading material in one place.

Now if you are the owner of a blog, you'll need an RSS Subscription tool on your blog page. It should be part of the side bar, and it should be prominently displayed on every page of the blog, so people don't have to look for it. People like to subscribe, since it simplifies their lives, and they don't want to have to look for the subscription tool. So be sure to have the tool on your blog, and make sure it's visible. Usually the RSS tool is recognized by the color orange, and a little logo, which I have attached in this blog post.

If you are a blog reader, you'll also like RSS. I, myself, am both a blog writer and a blog reader, and of course I have favorite blogs that I like to read. I'm not telling what they are though. But I do enjoy having the option of receiving emails with links to the new posts, rather than having to track them down myself. It saves time when you get an email, because the email tells you the name of the post, and usually gives you the first few lines of the post, so you can determine if you even want to read it. That way, you don't have to waste time visiting each of your favorite sites to see if and what they have posted lately, or whether you'll even want to read it.

In each of these "Dictionary" posts, I am going to provide useful links that will further your knowledge on the topic. So here they are:

Wikipedia's RSS Definition

Tech-y info on RSS

More definitions are coming to you, so if you have a special request for a term or word that flabergasts you, email it to me. You can remain anonymous in case you feel silly asking.

Labels: Blog Dictionary, Real Estate Blog, Website Tools

You may have noticed that box on the sidebar that has little square pictures of people along with their names. That's a widget for MyBlogLog. MyBlogLog is a social networking site that allows you to keep track of friends (like Facebook) and it also streams in your newest blog posts. It's like a constant RSS Feed. You can also join communities to meet new friends, and it's a great way for people to stumble on your blog by searching for topics that interest them.

Of all the social sites, I actually find this one to be the most useful. It has a wide range of users, comes with a widget for your site (which is free), and has been more helpful for me when I'm looking for new blogs to discover. One thing I recommend is that you use a photo you want to keep using. People remember you based on that little avatar, so it's like a branding thing. Make sure that whatever you use is something you'll be comfortable with long-term. For more tips on ways to use MyBlogLog, go here.

The widget is by far the best feature for me. It allows you (and everyone else) to see who's been looking at your blog. I like to know who has been reading my blog, so that I can go read theirs and possibly introduce myself. You can never have too many friends! You can also send personal messages to your visitors by clicking on their photo. It takes you to their page and then you can learn about them and contact them.

If you're new to blogging, this should be your very first networking tool!

Labels: CyberSunshine, Stuff You Need, Website Tools

The real estate market is slow. There is no denying it, no sugar-coating it. But that does not mean you should just curl up in a ball and give up. Its likely you're not selling as many properties as you were a few years ago, and you're either a) waiting tables/delivering pizzas/working the cosmetics counter at Macy's to pick up the slack, or b) throwing all your efforts into marketing yourself, improving your image, and getting to know the community around you. Can you guess which is going to pay off when the market starts to accelerate again?

I know, it's hard to imagine what it will be like when the market picks up, since you've spent so much time thinking about how down it's been. But if you've been in this business more than five years, you know that the market goes up and down and constantly fluctuates. Just like the dollar. So if you're smart, you're preparing appropriately.

Here are a few things you could/should be doing with your newly abundant free time:

• Blog. Yes, you should be writing a blog on your website. If you're a client of ours and you don't have a blog, email me and I'll get you all set up with one. If you're not a client of ours (then you should be, *wink, wink*!) you should contact your web company and demand they install a blog ASAP. Not only does a blog give you something to do, but it turns you into a human being. You will get readers and they will be interested in what you have to say. Imagine this... You currently get, say, 1,200 visitors each month to your website. Each visitor goes to maybe 5 pages on average while at your site. The reason they're there is to get to know you, and see what properties you have to offer. Well sometimes your About Me page just doesn't cut it. I can tell you, that's not enough information to sell me on a specific realtor. That's where a blog can be helpful. Not only does it turn you into a real person, it can also show how knowledgeable you are about your community, and how involved you are as well.


• Learn about SEO. Currently, you don't have any knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) because you don't need to, right? Well, I can tell you from my own experience that the top real estate agents in this country right now know all kinds of stuff about SEO and how to enhance their sites. You should be one of them. You want to be on the cutting edge so you can stay in the game. If you don't focus on SEO now, while you have time, then once the market picks up you WON'T have time and all your competitors who spent the time and effort will have a leg up on you. If you want to know more about SEO or where to find some excellent resources that can help you get started, email me.



• Network. And not just with people in your area, per se. You should be on the social media sites like Twitter, MyBlogLog, Facebook, Myspace, LinkdIn, and any others you can find. If you don't have time for that many, you should at least be on Facebook, Twitter, and MyBlogLog. Twitter is even mobile, so you can put it on your phone and keep up that way. And if you have an iPhone, Facebook has a really good version to use on the go. The purpose of all this networking is that one day, one of those awesome real estate agents in another part of the country may have a friend of a friend who needs a good real estate agent in your area. Who do you think will get the recommendation? You, or some realtor they have never spoken to before?



• Read Blogs. As many as you can find. I have a personal list of favorites that I visit frequently, and so should you. You should probably just subscribe to the blogs you like, that way you don't have to remember them all. By "subscribe", I mean via RSS Feed. You'll see a link for it on any kind of decent blog. We have one here, to the right and under the Archive. All you do is put in your email address and Voila! new posts are emailed to you for your enjoyment and convenience. The purpose of reading all those blogs is twofold. First, you can see how the market is doing in other areas, what other agents are doing to market themselves, and what topics are relevant to them and their readers. Second, you can stay on top of technology. Many real estate bloggers find some cool stuff on the internet and blog about it. You'll be privy to the cool tools they find just by reading their blogs.

I hope this has put some things into perspective for you, and if you have any questions about any of these hints, or need assistance implementing them, don;t hesitate to contact me. You can comment here or email me.

Labels: Custom Websites, CyberSunshine, Real Estate Blog, Website Tools

Most web-savvy Realtors already know what Trulia is and are using it to their advantage. But this blog is not directed at the web-savvy Realtors. This blog is for beginners, so I'm going to tell you a little about Trulia and how it can help you. That way you're not left behind the times.

According to Trulia.com, "We are a real estate search engine that helps you find homes for sale and provides real estate information at the local level to help you make better decisions in the process." According to me, Trulia is a really cool site that allows you to post your listings in the most informative way possible. When a potential buyer does a search on Trulia, not only do they get accurate results, but they also get way more information than they ever expected.

When you do a search and then click on a listing, the information provided is astonishing. To name a few things, Trulia gives the user comparables, similar homes that are listed, public records information, ratings on the local schools, and a map of the location of the home. There is also a neat sidebar called Trulia Voices, which is a real estate blog that specialists in the market contribute to daily, and it feeds in information relevant to your search location. By far, this is the most user-friendly real estate search site I have ever encountered.

As a real estate agent, this is very helpful. Trulia allows you to create an account and post your listings as you please. Your listing has a photo of you and links to your site, your photos of the home, the MLS listing of the home (if that's what you want) and details your contact information. Plus, Trulia is the only site of it's kind that (in my experience) non-real estate experts are aware of. So by using Trulia, you have a better chance of reaching people that are out there searching the web for their next home (as opposed to using some site nobody has ever heard of).

If you consider yourself a "techie" and want to read more about Trulia and it's features, here's some recommended reading for you.

Labels: Real Estate Blog, Stuff You Need, Website Tools

I come across a lot of cool things in my web browsing, but this beats all as far as I'm concerned. This tool is called Google Insight, and I have to tell you, it has been a long time since I have been this stoked about a web tool! This one was pointed out to me courtesy of Lani over at Agent Genius.

Google Insight basically allows you to search for search terms to see their popularity. It allows you to compare several search terms as well, like I did it the chart above. I compared Naples Real Estate (blue, bottom) with Miami Real Estate (red, top). You can see that the two terms followed similar paths. Naples Real Estate seems to have a more up and down line than the steadier Miami Real Estate, which leads me to believe that real estate in Miami is probably not as rocky as in Naples. However, Miami Real Estate consistently is higher in popularity, which leads me to conclude that more people are searching for real estate in Miami than Naples.

Insight also allows you to see where the searches are coming from, both by state and by country. So if you want to know which state is most interested in Naples real estate, this would be an excellent tool for you. Perhaps the coolest and most useful feature of this site is that it gives you a list of search terms that are up-and-coming that also relate to the term you are searching for. For instance, in this search I learned that Sarasota Real Estate and Pelican Bay Real Estate are becoming more popular search terms for the Southwest Florida area. That's good to know, especially if you sell in Pelican Bay (which is in Naples). That kind of knowledge allows you to know when you need to add new keywords to your site, making you more searchable.

Labels: Stuff You Need, Website Tools

This one is an oldie but a goodie. If you've been in the online networking/real estate blogging/technologically advanced world for a while, then you're already following 900 people on Twitter and have probably amassed quite a following yourself. However, this blog is aimed at all the newbies out there that might not know what I'm talking about, or even what Twitter is. So here's a rundown.

Twitter is a social networking tool that basically allows you to update all your followers (kind of like "friends", for you myspacers and facebookers) as to what you're doing at any time of the day or night. You can update as often as you like, and you can also send messages to specific people, or "nudge" people (also similar to a Facebook feature called the Poke). You can have mini conversations, connect with people you may not have otherwise found, and keep in touch with people who are just as busy as you are.

Now, the all-important question... Why do you need this? The answer is simple. As a real estate professional, it is expected of you to network, network, network and know everyone that's anyone. The internet and the technology age are great benefits to you because now you have so many ways to connect with people, so there really isn't any excuse for you to be out of the loop anymore. Twitter just helps you stay in touch with a myriad of people that may or may not be useful to you in your career or personal life at some point down the road.

Here are two posts that I found especially useful in giving real-life situations where one might rely on Twitter to make a connection and make something happen. The first one is by Jeff Bernheisel, whom I just recently had the pleasure of "meeting", and the second is by Jay Thompson, a blogging veteran. Both of these a great examples of things that could really happen, but won't if you aren't using Twitter! Just a suggestion: I highly recommend both blogs. Put them on your summer reading list.

By the way, I found Jeff Bernheisel because he was showing up on Jay Thompson's Recent Visitors (that's a widget for your blog, courtesy of MyBlogLog.com) when I just happened to visit Jay's page. I didn't know who he was, so I clicked on him and went to his blog to check it out. We'll talk about MyBlogLog some other time though... *hint, hint*

Labels: Stuff You Need, Website Tools

Welcome to the future of search engines. Pretty cool, huh?

Now let me tell you why this is important. There are a few reasons.

1. This is the new look of things. Just ask Steve Jobs. If you have an iPod, iPhone, or an i-anything, you know what I'm talking about. On the iPhone and in iTunes, when you look at your albums, they appear like this search engine does, with little squares that show you a thumbnail of each album cover. This is not only visually-pleasing, but it's also neat to flip through them. It's like a tiny, on-your-pc jukebox. And since we all know about the popularity of anything that starts with an i, you can bet that this look is going places. That means that all the twenty-somethings and younger are acutely aware of how this type of technology works. That's important because you WANT to be in the loop on things like this, otherwise you'll be behind the times.

2. People can see your website without going to it! Of course, for CyberSunshine this is awesome news since we specialize in building custom websites for real estate agents, and we pride ourselves on making sure they look amazing. So now when people search for stuff on SearchMe.com, they not only get perfect results (not quite as accurate as Google, but give it time), but they also get to see the site before they go to it. So now, having a visually appealing site just got even more important, don't you think? Just think, if your site looks really great, and its appearing in a search next to some ugly sites, where do you think the searcher is going to click? People naturally like pretty things, it's human nature.

This is the future of websites, and I can assure you that SEO and site design are going to merge beautifully with this type of technology. I bet Google is already scheming a way to use this technology to their advantage. Something to keep in mind when you're thinking about redesigns on your site...

Labels: CyberSunshine, Stuff You Need, Website Tools

This is a new series, but a more sporadic one with no end in site. I like to keep you on your toes like that. Anyway, this series is going to give you some tips and tools that will make your life easier, or your site/blog better. Because that's what I do.

So our very first nifty gadget is called the Website Speed Test. You need this for one important reason. You'll want to know if your site is as fast as... Speed Racer, perhaps? Or maybe it's so annoyingly slow that people will get tired of waiting for it to load and click off to some other site that loads faster. That happens more often than you might think. I, for one, am guilty of this as I am incredibly impatient (ask my husband). As you know, real estate is quite competitive. So you need a fast site so people don't click over to your competitor's site. I can't think of a worse way to lose a lead, can you?

I tested our site, and the home page loads at .98 seconds. That's pretty good, if I do say so myself. What's your speed?

Of course, I have to give credit to Joe Ferrara at Sellsius for finding this one (Thanks, Joe!).

Know of a cool gadget or trick that you want me to share? Email it.

Labels: Stuff You Need, Website Tools