ROI and Real Estate Facebook Fan Pages
Facebook. It’s nothing new, it’s not going away, and its definitely not slowing down. So why aren’t you cashing in on the deal?
Often we hear that the concept of using Facebook to gain business is lost on Realtors and the opportunity is brushed off as unimportant. However, more and more tech savvy agents are beginning to embrace the true potential of what real estate Facebook Fan Pages have to offer them and their businesses are thriving from this amazing social network.
One of the factors that comes into play with anything we put our efforts into is where is the proof that this actually works? Well, there’s good news – traffic on your real estate Facebook Fan Page(s) can be tracked the same way you (hopefully) are tracking your website and/or blog traffic. By implementing Google Analytics into the backend (edit) section of your Fan Page, you will be able to track daily the type of traffic you are receiving and in turn utilize that information to increase your return on investment (ROI).
Being equipped with information to back your continued efforts just makes business sense. So with this in mind, here’s a step by step guide on how to set up your Google Analytics within your real estate Facebook Fan Pages:
1. Set up Google Analytics with a New Profile
If you don’t have a Google Analytics account set up yet, it is free and simple to put into place. Assuming you already have one created for your website and/or blog, you will now need to create a new profile for your Facebook Fan Page. Simply copy and paste your Facebook Fan Page URL (domain name) into the space shown below.
After you press continue, a new screen will appear and you will be given some code. The first code (Tracking Code) will look something like this “UA-15302856-2“. This is what you will need to create the tracking code on your Fan Page. Keep this code handy and click the “Save and Close” button at the bottom of the Google Analytics screen.
Now, here’s the important part. You will need to complete a separate form to create the special fbml code that Facebook requires since they do not allow javascript in their pages. God love ‘em! Following is the link to the form you will need to complete: http://ga.webdigi.co.uk/
and below is what you will need to add to this form:
Once this is done, you will then be given the special fbml code that can be placed within your fan page.
2. Add fbml tracking code to your Fan Page
By using an app such as Static FBML, you can now copy and paste your own generated code into your Facebook Fan Page. Should you want to track visitors to your custom real estate fan page, for example, you would add this code either to the top or bottom of your existing FBML code for that custom fan page. Alternatively, if you were to track the traffic coming to and from your Wall of your Fan Page, simply click on the (add) on the Box, and it will be added to the wall. To change this setting, click on “Application Settings” within the edit section of your fan page, under the FBML that you would like to create as a box.
3. Check Your Analytics
It takes about 24 hours for Google to begin tracking your analytics on your newly created profile, so check back the following day to see if it has begun.
Now you are all set to really keep tabs on the traffic you are getting on your Facebook Fan Page. Just as your Google Analytics tracks your visitors location, entry points, keywords used to find you, etc., this will also be available within your Facebook tracking profile too. By leveraging this inside information, you’ll be better able to focus on your efforts and get a better handle on your ROI.
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There are 22 responses to this post! Join in...
What do you do with the fans of your current Facebook Business or Fan page if you have to create a new one for this app to work. Google can you come up with a new way to add this to your existing page?
Hey Ken, you’re not going to need to set up a new Fan Page. You are setting up a new profile within your Google Analytics. This guide shows you how to add analytics to your existing fan page. Hope that helps!
What is I just want to track who has visited my Info or Wall tab? I couldn’t find where to put this code for those particular pages.
Chris
Great idea Chris, thanks for sharing.
Trent
Working floor duty today and it is suffocatingly hot in NWFL plus everyone is stressed about the oil. Therefore I have lots of time today to work on my FB fanpage, twitter, blog and Top Producer 8i. Thanks for all the help I am getting off of your website, I am feeling very successful today!!
[...] your domain url, your blog titles, your article keywords, all work together to bring you the most return on investment (ROI) and will save you massive amounts of time and money if done correctly from the start! [...]
Suzanne, great post. What really sold me on the idea of FB is when I saw one of my competitors FB fanpage ranking on the first page of the SERPs for a very competitive term. I just couldn’t believe that a FB page could/would rank so highly. Hence my efforts on social media have increased (and hopefully so will the returns). Thanks.
[...] Facebook real estate lists can be created just like your real estate contact database (such as Top Producer 8i) – [...]
[...] Facebook real estate ads through Marketplace is a great resource to use when considering selling your properties – I mean think about it – where is everyone spending the most amount of time on the internet across the globe? Facebook! So where should you be while you’re not showing homes and writing contracts? Yep, Facebook! But we have all learned that advertising your listings on your profile (personal) page can not only be the cause of some of your friends to “hide” you and your information from their wall, but potentially can get you banned from using Facebook altogether (I haven’t heard of anyone that has been booted off of Facebook for this offense yet, but never say never). [...]
[...] 1. Google Analytics to Facebook [...]
I need help with the last step please, to add the FBML tracking code to the fan page. I set up a tab that says Google — but NO idea if this is correct, can you help me with the last step please? http://www.Facebook.com/Burlington.ON.real.estate is my page. I appreciate it.
Ramona
Having trouble with step 2 adding to my fan page Wall. What does this mean: simply click on the (add) on the Box……????? I’m stuck at that point. HELP!!
Hi Christle. On your fan page, click on the arrow button on the far right side of your tabs. Click on the “BOXES” in the drop down list. Then look for the FBML box that you created for the analytics (it will not have any information showing within the box).
Then click on the pencil icon on the top right of the box and choose “Move to wall tab” and you’re done!
thanks. this is awesome info!
Great post. This also works for Craigslist ads. Just change the Page link and page title to unique values. You can use this approach for any service that doesn’t allow JavaScript but does allow HTML.
What we are doing here is using Html to display an image. Instead of linking directly to the image, we use PHP (a programming language) to execute JavaScript on the server, rather than your browser.
Once the code has run, it returns a 1 pixel image to your screen to complete the original HTML call.
Good stuff,
Dominic Morrocco
Nufan Technologies
I wish these comments had dates on them. I am stuck on this part:
‘Alternatively, if you were to track the traffic coming to and from your Wall of your Fan Page, simply click on the (add) on the Box, and it will be added to the wall. To change this setting, click on “Application Settings” within the edit section of your fan page, under the FBML that you would like to create as a box.
What does “the (add) on the Box” refer too??
[...] Check out this post on Tech Savvy Agent… you can now use your google analytics for tracking users on your Facebook pages. Google Voice Click on the phone to leave me a voice mail. You don’t even have to show your number! This is a feature of google voice and it is free! [...]
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[...] ROI and Real Estate Facebook Fan Pages [...]
So, looks like the analytics cannot be added to my original profile page wall – only a business fan page, is that correct? Because I am also stuck on the “wall add box” discussed above.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing this tip!
Great information with this thank you. Looks like I need to get myself a page set up!