Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ciao Bella Marketing so much better than the competition?

For starters, we’ve been building Real Estate website for more than a decade. This gives us a huge advantage over other web design companies that don’t actually specialize in building real estate websites.

And it’s important to note that Real Estate websites can be quite complex and there’s a lot that goes into them. In order for your site to be successful, it needs to be designed and built right from the beginning.

The team at Ciao Bella Marketing are experts at building Real Estate websites and that’s why we’re so awesome. 

How long does a typical website take to complete?

That’s a good question. The short answer is we can build a website in as little as 24hrs or it might take up to a month, just depending on what you want.

If you want a new website up asap, the fastest option is the Agent Template Website, which can be up and running within 24hrs.

If you want a custom website, the typical timeframe is around 3 weeks, provided that you provide us all the required information in time.

One of the slowest parts of building any new website is usually waiting on the client. So if you want to get your site up faster, make sure you start collecting your information now; photos, logos, text descriptions, images, etc.

It’s never too early to get started.

 

Why do you only use and promote Showcase IDX?

That’s an easy one. We use Showcase IDX because we love the product and think it’s the best IDX platform out there. But if you prefer to use another IDX provider, that’s ok too. We’ll help you get set up however you like.

Is there a limit as to how many pages I can have on my website?

Nope, you can have as many pages as you want. The great thing about WordPress is that’s it’s super easy to add new pages. We’ll help get you started and build all the basic pages you need. But if you want to get crazy and build pages upon pages on your real estate site, you’ll need to do that yourself. 

How quickly before I start generating leads from my website?

If it was that easy, everyone would do it. Generating leads from any website takes a lot of time and effort. But if you’re willing to work hard and learn about online real estate marketing, you can expect to get leads from you site. How soon you ask? That depends on many different factors, such as location, local competition, advertising budget, etc.

If you’re serious about generating leads, check out our lead generation section

Is there really such a big difference between an Agent Template Website and a Fully Custom Site?

Yes, there’s a very big difference between an Agent Template Website and a Fully Custom Website. Is there a difference between a Gap and Gucci? It’s the same concept with websites. 

With our Agent Template Website, you basically are getting what you see. Of course, we will change the colors, add your own logo and even put in your own images and text, but the overall design of the site won’t change that much.

However, with a custom website, we will build it to your exact specifications and you can customize it any way you want. 

Will I have to learn computer programming to manage my website?

No of course not! Our websites are so easy to use, even a monkey can manage it. No offense to the monkeys reading this. Since all of our websites are built in WordPress, managing your site is very simple. Of course, we will need to show you a few things and give you some training, but it’s quite easy once you get the hang of it. 

Will you give me any training once my website is done?

Of course we will! Once your website is all set up,  we will schedule a video call with you and walk you through everything you need to know. And if you have any questions or need help with anything afterwards, we’re always just a call or email away. 

Is my website optimized for Google and the search engines?

Yes. When we build your website, we include everything we can to help you out and make sure it’s fully compliant with the main search engines.  

How will my website look on a mobile phone or iPad?

It will look amazing! All of our websites are built using the latest mobile responsive technology. This means that your beautiful new website will work and look great on any device you have. After all, most buyers and sellers today are searching on their phones. 

Can you help me get beautiful photos and video for website?

If you need photos or videos for your website, we can recommend a few places for you. We just can’t share the photos that were given to us from other agents. I’m sure you would want the same. So if you need help with getting photos and videos, just ask!

Can I get a discount on my website?

LOL. That’s hilarious. Actually, we’re already giving you an incredible deal on your real estate website. Just take a look at the competition and see what they charge! The difference is astonishing.

But since you asked, yes, we will give you $100 off your new website if you tell us the secret word “pink banana”. But this secret word only applies BEFORE you sign up for one of our sites. Sorry, but there are no exceptions to this rule. 

What is IDX?

IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange. In a nutshell, it’s the technology that enables your website to display live MLS data from your local board onto your own website. We use Showcase IDX as our main IDX provider. 

What is MLS?

Seriously? If you don’t know what the MLS is then you might just be in the wrong business. The MLS stands for the Multiple Listing Service and is the central database of all properties in the specific city or state you are a member of. 

Is there a monthly fee I need to pay?

Yes, as with all real estate websites, you will need to pay for the hosting and monthly IDX service. The cost of IDX starts at $59 per month and ensures that your website is always displaying live and accurate MLS data. Hosting with one of our partners starts at $40 per month which also includes support.

What about the domain name and hosting service?

To answer the first question, we would assume you already have a domain name that you would want to use. But if you don’t have one yet, you can easily buy one through Godaddy.

And as far as hosting your website goes, you will need to have your own hosting plan set up. But don’t worry, it’s very easy and we’ll help get you set up.