Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I access my website to make changes, update listings, etc?
  We provide you with a log-in and you will have access to edit your site, update listings, check email and much more.
• Can I edit my web site?
  We offer an easy to use online page editor that enables you to edit your site. You may change the text on most pages. In addition, you may change the graphics and the links. We also provide you with a custom page builder that allows you to create custom pages.
• How many pages do I get with my site?
  Your website consists of a large number of pages. In addition, you can create as many pages as you would like. This means that your site can have hundreds of pages.
• Can I customize my web site?
  Yes, you can customize your web site. We will add your logo and picture at no charge. We provide you with an image library of buttons, headers and graphic images. To change the style of your website all you have to do is select the new options and rebuild your web site. It's easy and takes just a few minutes. You may also have us create custom graphics for your site at our standard hourly rates.
• Can I add a flash intro to my web site?
  You can add a flash intro to your web site at no additional charge.
• Can I change the fonts on my web site?
  Yes, you can change the fonts through the page editor when you are logged in.

• Will my web site be found by search engines?
  You can edit your meta tags and keywords. This allows your site to be found easily in the search engines where your site is listed. However, since we don't have control over search engines, we can't control what websites they will list. Your site is designed to be very search engine friendly.
• Can I be at the top of the search engines?
  Yes, most search engines will place you at the top of a search if you are the highest bidder for that keyword. All you have to do is to sign up with services like Overture.com and Google.com and decide what key words you wish to target and how much you would like to bid. Or you can provide enough quality content, that they will put you at the top for free.
• How will people know to go to my web site?
  Once your site is up and running, you will need to advertise your site. We also highly recommend putting your web address on your business cards, flyers and all other advertising.
• How much traffic will I get at my site?
  The amount of traffic you get is a function of how well you market your web site and so it's completely under your control. We highly recommend taking our free online marketing class to learn how to market your site.
• Do you hook us up to search engines? How many?
  We list you in the top 10 free search engines. Please be advised that the majority of search engines like Yahoo! and AOL are no longer free. If you wish to be listed in Yahoo! you will need to pay Yahoo!.
• If I can't get any traffic to my site, is it worth it to have a website?
  Yes, there are numerous reasons to have a web site. Your customers expect you to have a website. Some of your competitors already have a web site. If you do not have a website you might lose credibility in the minds of your customers. A website can save you time because your prospects can go to your website to view listings. You can reduce phone calls from your clients by posting transaction status on your website.

• Can I buy your web site and host it with my current ISP?
  Your Steps Marketing website includes Steps Marketing proprietary products. These products can only run on our servers. In addition, we are constantly improving our products. As a result you cannot host your website with another provider.
• How reliable are your web sites?
  Our web sites are very reliable. We guarantee 99% uptime. We continuously monitor our web sites and automatically alert our staff should any site go down for any reason.
• What happens if the web site does not work?
  If your website is down or does not work, we will issue you a pro-rated refund for the duration of the time it did not function

• Do I get my own domain name? Do I get a custom email address?
  Yes, you can register a new domain name or transfer an existing one. If you register a new domain name, there is a domain registration fee. You also get a custom email address e.g. yourname@yourdomain.com.
• Why do I have to pay extra for a domain name?
  You do not have to pay extra for a domain name if you already have it registered. However, if we are registering a domain for you, there is a domain registration fee that is independent of the web site hosting fee. Domain registration is required to ensure legal ownership and usage of the domain name.
• Who owns my domain name?
  You own your domain name as long as you continue to pay your domain registration fees. Should you not pay your domain registration fees, your domain will lapse and someone else may register the domain name.
• How do I register a domain name?
  Simply ask your Steps Marketing representative to register a domain for you.
• Is there any benefit to using more than one domain name? What costs are involved?
  There may be benefits to using multiple domain names. Some companies use multiple domains to market their services to different groups of people or in different geographical areas. Additional charges apply to add additional domains.
• I already own a domain name. Can I use it?
  Yes, you may transfer your domain to Steps Marketing at no charge. You will continue to pay domain registration fees to your domain registrar.
• How many e-mails do I get with the web site?
  You get 100MB of email storage space to support unlimited email accounts*. Additional email space can be obtained for a fee.
• Can I pop my email into my favorite software like Outlook or Eudora? How do I set this up?
  Yes, this is included. Click here for instructions.
• Can I access email through a web interface?
  Yes, we provide this at no additional charge.
• Can I forward my email to my aol/hotmail/msn email address?
  Yes, you can forward your email to any address you want.

• How many listings can I add to my web site?
  You can add as many listings as you want. Your listings or listing of your choice can also appear on your website automatically, from your local MLS board (Only Where Available).
• How many pictures can I have on a listing?
  You can have as many pictures as you would like on a listing.
• Can I add virtual tours?
  Yes, you can add links to virtual tours easily to your listings. Steps Marketing or Sharp Virtual Tours automatically display for their corresponding properties.