What you always wanted to ask LakefrontPros.com but were afraid to ask!
This is the place where the "rubber meets the road" so please take your time and read all the questions and answers and if by chance we still have not answered your burning question, please Contact Us, we will give you a straight answer and post it right here! • Who is LakefrontPros.com?
Mary & Chuck Thompson. We are Certified Appraisers in Georgia and specialize in Lake Lanier Property. We developed the site so everyone could easily find experienced Lake Appraisers, Realors, Lenders or Retailers, Resorts, etc. In our humble opinion, Lakefront PROS are worth their weight in GOLD ... Just ask someone who has had an appraisal performed on a Lakefront property by an Appraiser who does not specialize in Lake property or a homeowner or seller who used a Realtor who did not specialize in lake or water front property and you will understand!
• How is LakefrontPros.com different from other Directories?
We are the only website on the internet whose sole purpose is to spotlights professionals who specialize in Lakefront property or business, period! Search and YEE will not find another directory out there like this one. I do hope we are a breath of fresh air from the other sites out there.
• Why should I advertise with LakefrontPros.com?
Please see our Why List Here under the Appraiser page. As for "The Pros", please refer to your page under "The Pros" tab on the home page for the answers to this question.
• Why are you limiting this directory to just Lakefront Pros?
Because we want exclusivity for the Professionals listed here. We have no intention of having hundreds or even dozens of appraisers or realtors for example, listed under one Lake. There will only be 5 pros allowed to list under each lake in the USA. If you want total exclusivity you can be the only PRO found under one Lake in the USA. This is known as "Cornering the Market".
• Who will be the end user of this site?
This site was developed so you can find experienced Lakefront Professionals. If you will think about when an appraisal or a realtor is needed, for example, the list of users becomes quite large and varied. Here are just a few reasons to hire a Lakefront Appraiser and/or Realtor: Pending sale, set a listing price, help in making a buying decision, refinance, divorce settlement, estate purposes, investment purposes, remodel projects - before and after values. This will be the site where all Lakefront PROS converge and network together. It is SO much more than a directory and as we grow, it will become a wealth of information for anyone interested in Lake Property across the Nation.
• Why aren't there more professionals listed on your web site?
Because we just launched this site in 2008. Due to its exclusive nature, once we begin our ad campaigns, including our new Lakefront Radio show (see our BLOG for more details), these Lakes will fill up fast. Since only 5 Pros per Lake are allowed, we suggest you get listed before you lose this fantastic opportunity to market your niche under your given Lake. Once the spots are filled, that is it -- no chance for inclusion unless one advertiser drops out ... but I do not expect that to happen because their exposure here will pay them back many times over on their listing investment.
Consider this: Appraisers and Realtors command higher fees and commissions for Lakefront Property, due to complexity, liability and the final sales price (in the case of Realtors). Your annual fee to be included in this exclusive Lakefront directory will pay for itself in the case of an Appraiser, many times over with just one appraisal order from this site. In the case of a Lake Realtor or Retailer, just one client will pay for your ad fee MANY, MANY times over. Remember too, that your fees here are deductible as an advertising expense.
• Can I "Corner the Market" on more than one Lake?
No, I am sorry, we want other professionals to have the chance to "Corner the Market" on one Lake, if they so desire.
• Can I list under more than one Lake?
Absolutely! See our rates for 2-3 lakes, if you want to advertise under more than 3 lakes Contact Us for a special discounted rate.
• Can I pay more to be listed In the Number 1 slot under a given Lake, without "Cornering the Market?"
No, the listing rank is a first come first serve listing. Most people searching are going to click on all 5 ads anyway, due to the small number listed, so make your ad and web site shine and sell yourself when they contact you ... otherwise, just "Corner the Market" and you won't have to worry about the competition!
• With Reference to Appraisers, how do your listing prices compare to the other National Appraiser Directories?
I am so glad you asked ... many lakes cover several counties but more importantly, you are only 1 of 5 that will be seen for any given Lake ... or in the case of "Cornering the Market" you are the only appraiser listed for that lake.
After reviewing the top 10 National Appraiser Directories that come up routinely on Google Searches, here is what I found, which may be very interesting to you. Some of these sites offer free listings, but you are one of hundreds listed below the paid ads. So let's just compare Apples to Apples here.
The prices are based upon multiple counties, most averaging 5-6 counties before you start paying more. The prices range from a high of $320.00 per year for top placement in 5 counties, to a low of $50.00 per year for 5 counties (first come first served). WOW ... what a range! See why below:
The highest priced site gives you a full page ad, a contact and order form, along with all of your contact information and unlimited description of your service. There are no other ads shown on your full page ad. This site by the way usually comes up first on Google Searches. LakefrontPros.com comes up first when you search for National Lakefront Appraiser directory, or National Lake Appraisers Directory, etc. (We will soon be coming up first for every State and Lake search for experienced Lake Appraisers, due to my webmaster's experience in S.E.O. techniques).
The lowest rate gives you a one liner ad, a non user friendly "busy" web site and this price is the same no matter how many appraisers are listed under your county. If you want to be number 1 for your County, you pay an additional $100.00 per year and you get a banner located at top of the county list. There is a contact page for each appraiser. This site came up number 9 on the 10 that were listed.
One was priced at $120.00 per year up to 5 counties, no limit to number of appraisers listed per county. First come, first serve. They also list every appraiser there is in the USA on their site, free of course. This site was not even working when I tried to search for appraisers!
One site charges $197.00 per year for up to 6 counties, rotating top ad placement. Full page ad, with basic contact information and a contact page.
One site charges $140.00 per year up to 6 counties, one liner ad, first come, first serve listings.
One site charges $240.00 per year for up to 5 counties of coverage. No priority placement, first come, first serve basis. Only a one liner ad and a short description of your service allowed. They claim they are affiliated with an appraisal management company to get you full fee orders for your fee. But if there are dozens and dozens listed per county listed, how many orders a year do you think you will get?
One charged $99.00 per year for entire state. No top listings, free listings show below paid listings. Full page ad, but numerous small Google and banner ads on both sides of the appraiser's listing. The whole site is very "busy" looking with many small Google & banner ads throughout the entire site. This site came up in the number 10 spot on Google search.
One site charges $149.00 per year for priority placement per county (it does not appear that there is a limit to the number of priority placement ads allowed per county), full page ad, only 50 words to describe your service and a contact page. This site was slow to load all the states.
None of these directories include a photo of you or your logo or a custom color full page ad.
LakefrontPros.com charges $75.00 per quarter or $270.00 per year for a full year of advertisement for top placement in Google under Nationwide Lake or Lakefront Appraiser Directory searches, a custom full page ad, with your photo or logo, a photo of your lake, full contact information including your web site, unlimited description of your service, absolutely no ads from any source on your full page ad, a contact form and order form and exclusive placement - you are only 1 of 5 appraisers listed per Lake.
If you want to "Corner the Market" and be the only appraiser listed you must pay for this exclusivity and huge exposure
Consider this: The top appraiser directory charges $320.00 per year for 5 counties at number one placement and $230.00 per year for 5 counties at placement 2-5 (rotating) Total = $1,240.00. Even then, there will be appraisers listed below your top 5 ranking ads.
Our annual fee for an entire Lake which may include more than 5 counties = $350.00 per year and only you will be listed ... total exclusivity, no other competition!
• What if I specialize in a small Lake that has less than 5 counties of coverage?
Please Contact Us, we would be happy to quote a special fee for your AD. We want all Lake Pros to shine and we want to be as fair as possible in our pricing!
• What if I specialize in a large Lake that covers many counties?
We tried to break some of those out, but if not ... lucky you ... We suggest you "Corner the Market" TODAY!
• I am listed as a "PRO"; how did you determine the rates for our banner ads?
We researched many other national lakefront sites out there and some local lake sites throughout the USA and the average banner ad for affiliates on highly targeted sites ranged from $50.00 to $100.00 per month on average or $600.00 to $1,200.00 per year. So our price of $300.00 per year gives you the greatest coverage for your advertising dollar.
Remember fees are guaranteed for life for the first 500 who sign up, so place your banner ad today!
• How does LakefrontPros.com plan to advertise this site?
In many ways, we plan to advertise in Appraiser and Realtor related publications such as Appraiser Buzz, Working RE, RE Valuation and in top Lakefront Sites, such as LakeHomesUSA.com, LakeHome.com, etc. We also plan to advertise in Lender based websites, for sale by owner sites to "talk" about our site on the many real estate related site BLOG's. Our commitment to you is strong and will be ongoing. We will not rely on just top placements in the search engines.
Consider this: All those other directories out there that are charging $100.00 or less per year to list your company; how much do you think they are really going to spend on quality advertising? Most of us are being bombarded with direct mail style advertising campaigns in our email inboxes that we did not OPT in to receive. Instead, we chose to advertise in arenas where Appraisers, Realtors, Lenders, Buyers and Sellers either chose to be where they are by searching the internet or they have opted in and want to receive real estate related news.
• Are you allowing listings of Lakefront homes on this site?
No, I am sorry, but this site is centered around finding experienced lakefront Professionals and Businesses that deal in lake properties in one form or another. There are other good sites out there that list lake homes for sale by owner and by realtors.
• Do you pay referral fees if I refer someone to your site, regardless of whether I am an Appraiser, Affiliate or Property Owner?
Yes, if you refer people to this site and you are a buyer, seller or owner, we will cut you a check for $50.00 for each referral who places an affiliate ad or appraiser who lists their company on this site. See Buyers/Sellers/Owners for more details.
If you are an Appraiser or "PRO" advertiser, you will get credit toward your listing. Please see Appraiser Ad Fees or Pro Ad Fees for more details.
• How do I make changes to my listing?
For now, just Contact Us via the contact page or Contact Our WebMaster and all changes can be made that way, typically within 24 hours.
• Can I pay via credit card instead of PayPal?
You can pay with a credit card through PayPal. You do not have to have a PayPal account to make payment. You just click on the order button and it will take you to our PayPal page. Then you click next to the credit card logos and make your payment that way. This is the most secure way to pay as we do not take any of your credit card information. You also get confirmation of your payment via email from PayPal.
• Will you notify me when my ad is about to run out?
Yes. We will let you know within 30 days of expiration of your ad. If you do not pay within 10 days after your ad expires your ad will be removed and you will lose your placement for that Lake.
• What if my Lake is full or another Pro has "Cornered the Market" for my Lake, are you keeping a waiting list?
Yes, please Contact Us if you find that your lake is full and we will keep you on a first come first serve waiting list. Once an opening becomes available we will contact you.
• What if I am an Appraiser or "PRO" that specializes in Riverfront or Oceanfront property, can I advertise here?
Yes, you need to Contact Us for a quote on this ad and we will add your river or ocean under the appropriate state(s) where you wish to advertise.
• Can I advertise on your home page?
No, this site was made for its ease of use and for its professional quality appearance. We do not want to distract the visitor from the primary purpose of the site ... to find you ... the experienced Lake Appraiser. Once they click on the State and Lake Pages, they will see classy, professional, same size banner ads for all Affiliate advertisers.
• After reading this F.A.Q., why are you giving so much for so little?
It can be summed up in our Mission Statement: To become the Premier National Lakefront Web Site, that provides exclusivity for experienced Lakefront Professionals at the most reasonable rates, while providing them with the highest possible level of targeted exposure on the internet.
Thanks for visiting our site and remember ...this is "Where Lakefront Pros Converge"...so
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