If you’re a destination marketer, you probably have your trusty set of tools that help you draw visitors to your destination – likely a mix of social advertising, print advertising, billboards, content marketing and more. But in the quickly-evolving world of technology and digital marketing, there are always more tools to be harnessed. Whether your visitation numbers have been stalling or you simply want to get ahead (and stay ahead) of your competitors, it’s always good to stay up-to-date on new tools that are available to you.

A real estate website isn’t like any other business website. It has needs specific to the industry, with property listings that are changing constantly and the need to develop a personal relationship with clients quickly. With more than 25 real estate and development websites under my belt, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a real estate website profitable and easy to work with for clients. Whether you’re an agent, a group or a developer, these are the features I’ve found to be most beneficial on real estate websites.

As a business, there are some things that are okay to skimp on. Maybe your office doesn't need to supply employees with some small work necessities such as pens, notebooks, or snacks. Your business might choose not to get certain time-saving programs like Quickbooks and do the accounting by hand instead.

Depending on size and structure, your business may be able to manage cutting some corners to save money or hypothetical time. However, when it comes to your website, there should be no skimping. Your website is easily your most important asset as a brand. Need proof? Here are some compelling stats:

• 93% of business purchase decisions start with a search engine search of websites
• 0.05 seconds is all it takes for users to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they’ll stay or leave
• 38% of people will stop engaging with a site if it has an unappealing design
• 57% of internet users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website on mobile

These are all great examples of why a custom website should be a top priority with any business. Here are 5 reasons you should consider investing in a custom website.

Remember the wanderlust you felt while under lockdown in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic? You and everyone else were scrolling through Instagram, gathering inspiration for the day you’d be able to travel again.

Social media marketing can often be a double-edged sword. In one sense, you can reach people in a very personable and authentic way. On the other hand, if done poorly, your social media can dismantle your brand's credibility that you've worked so hard to build. Regardless, social media marketing is a necessity for most real estate agents, groups and developers today who are looking to compete in today's digital landscape. You know it's important, but you need to do it right. 

So, you’re looking to create a marketing strategy for your financial institution. “Where to start?” you might be thinking. Whether this is the first time you’re executing a full-blown marketing strategy or you want to try a new approach, everyone needs some direction. Our experience at PRIME has taught us that, no matter how you structure your strategy, there are five components that shouldn’t be left out. Let’s dig into the first one: setting clear objectives.

There isn't one, concrete answer when it comes to the right mix of digital and traditional marketing. It's incredibly dependent on the client, the intended outcome, the budget, and the target audience. We take all of these factors into account when it comes to planning a marketing strategy.

With an uptick in internet usage over the last year, your website has never been more important as the face of your brand. The modern buyer will often use a company’s website as a first impression – a strong indicator of whether or not he or she will engage with that business. In fact, 85 percent of B2B customers search the web before making a purchase decision. And when it comes to making that decision, design and usability are the biggest factors. More than 75 percent of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based on their website’s design. 

When it comes to destination marketing, your product is a place. You’re selling an experience – a place that offers people something different than what they might find in their everyday life. That experience is your brand.

From listing a home to closing a sale, the process of selling real estate has gone digital. And while digital real estate means fewer in-person meetings with potential buyers and sellers, it still requires the same level of consistent nurturing (if not more) – just on a different platform.