For Immediate Release
Contact: Virginia Varela
Tel: (551) 358-8375
E-mail: Virginia@VirginiaVarela.com

Monday, July 27, 2009 – As more and more consumers begin their search for real estate-related information on the Internet, it is critical that real estate professionals stay on top of the latest technology for the benefit of consumers and real estate practitioners alike. The e-PRO Technology Certification Program fills that need.

Realizing the importance of technology training, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) created a comprehensive Technology Certification course in 2000.

And now that course, e-PRO, has been completely updated to include information on Social Media and Web 2.0 aspects that is, and will continue, to change the real estate business.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past five years,” Virginia Varela said. “Today, more than 85% of all buyers and sellers begin their search online. As an e-PRO certified specialist with over 15 years in on-line marketing, web and graphic design, I have the unique knowledge and skills needed to provide my clients with the information they need and the customer service they demand.”

The all new e-PRO certification course — the only technology certification program offered by NAR — is designed to prepare real estate professionals to make the most of Internet technology and to identify, evaluate, and implement new Internet business models. The elite group of course graduates represents only four percent of all REALTORS in the country including Virginia Varela.

The e-PRO certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and interactive. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

The exclusive e-PRO certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. The course is designed to help REALTORS stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services. Consumers can identify the e-PRO through the exclusive e-PRO Internet Professional logo. Both the content and the delivery platform were created by the San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade®. Graduates use the skills they’ve acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, lo communities, and the local real estate market.

For more information, e-mail Virginia Varela at virginia@virginiavarela.com or call (551) 358-8375.

What’s better then dining out in Jersey City? Why, it’s dining al fresco in “Chilltown”.

When you’re feeling like you want to stay local and enjoy the beautiful weather in this up and coming town, here is a list of my favorite Jersey City restaurants with sidewalk, rooftop, or garden seating:

Azucar
495 Washington Boulevard
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-0090

Though the bar service and Mojitos are nothing to brag about, this restaurant has lovely sidewalk seating for a fun al fresco experience. Having a second level cigar lounge with bar and live Latin bands on weekends, Azucar is one of the more unique dining establishments in the area. Located across from the Newport/Pavonia PATH station and near the Lightrail Stop, you might want to call before arriving as at times they require reservations.

Embankment Restaurant
234 10th Street
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 222-6115

New chic restaurant in Hamilton Park neighborhood is known for its delicious brunch menu but very high prices. Though the decor is said to be better then its food, there is lovely al fresco dining on warmer days.

Hamilton Park Ale House
708 Jersey Avenue
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
(201) 659-9111

I have mixed reviews about the food, but its seems I’m not alone. They’ve changed chefs since I’ve patronized the place. As my first restaurant in Jersey City, I love this place for its cheery al fresco dining in lovely Hamilton Park neighborhood. Many of locals frequent this place for it’s friendly staff, casual atmosphere, and reasonable prices. Dog friendly, they’ll let your pooch sit by you if leashed and even give your pet a little bowl of water.

Madame Claude Cafe
364 1/2 4th St
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-876-8800

This quaint French restaurant is a BYOB with good food and great crepes, both savory and sweet. Bring enough cash with you as they don’t accept credit cards and the ATMs are not walking-distance. On the corner or 4th & Brunswick, this is a good location for brunch and limited al fresco dining in the warmer months.

Sawadee Thai Cuisine
137 Newark Ave
Jersey City, NJ, 07302
201-433-0888

Though I have yet to experience the Al fresco dining myself, it is said to be available in the warmer months. Just blocks away from the Grove Street PATH stop, this new Thai restaurant has some of the chic-est decor and food in the area. Each plate is like a work of art which is also reflected in the ambience. Expect most of the dishes to contain coconut, peanut oil, and/or curry, so if you have food allergies and can’t handle the hot stuff, beware!

Skinner’s Loft
146 Newark Avenue
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 915-0600

Warm and welcoming location with a nice selection of small plates, dinners, and wines, this lovely new place is just blocks from the Grove Street PATH station. The first level has the bar and small tables if you’re in a casual mood. The second level has a more formal, yet intimate atmosphere, and yes, on the warmer days there is a lovely little rooftop for dining al fresco!

With the Average Joe turning more and more to their smart phones, Ipods, PDAs and other wireless devices for instant information it is imperative that your website is wireless device friendly.

What is the simplest way to keep your website wireless device friendly? Well….keep it simple.

1. Although Flash is cool and looks great on your desktop or laptop, most wireless devices cannot read Flash. Websites designed entirely in Flash are INVISIBLE on a wireless device, therefore by all means use Flash as a banner or ad, but understand it will not appear on most wireless devices.

2. Use MOSTLY text and a few graphics nicely organized in a simple table, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR LISTINGS! The more complicated a table, the more scrolling the web surfer will have to do, and it may confuse and frustrate your audience.

3. Use text AND graphics instead of just one large image or image map on your web pages, and make sure your images are less than 72 DPI each, so that your website loads quickly.

4. Use text links as hyperlinks, and place them at the bottom of your website. Mouse-over images are fine, but a web surfer wants to be able to read your buttons, menus, and navigation, not squint and guess if they’re going to the correct web page.

REMEMBER, wireless devices are smaller than PCs, MACs, and laptops, and still don’t have all of their functions. A simple, useful, and well-organized web site will look good and load quickly on either a wireless device or a computer. Good web design is good web design!

Compare desktop and mobile websites from your computer AND wireless device and note the differences. Either way, you easily find all the information the website has to offer.

Virginia Varela is an e-Pro Certified New Jersey Licensed Real Estate Agent in Hoboken New Jersey. She has over 15 years experience as a web and graphic designer and received her Web Master Certification from New Jersey Institute of Technology.

You’ve put in the work to have a great website, but no one seems to be able to find it. What do you do now?

Well, here are some tips for getting your website to be “Search Engine Friendly.”

1.) Your Domain Name/URL/Web Address should reflect the related top search terms, for example….. Top Search Term: “Hudson County Real Estate” >> Domain Name: www.HudsonCountyRealEstate.com

2) The Title of only your Home or Landing Page should also reflect related top search terms, for example…. Top Search Term: “Hudson County Real Estate” >> Web Page Title: Hudson County Real Estate

3) Your Home Page should contain text, NOT just Flash with your top search terms, for example….”We specialize in Hudson County Real Estate……” and other related information.

4) Keep the design of your website, especially your Home Page simple. You can include Flash and Images, but use mostly text so that your website is also “WAP Friendly” meaning it is viewable on Mobile Devices, including mobile/smart phones, wireless devices, PDAs, Blackberrys, Iphones, etc.

6) Create a short Video and upload it for free on YouTube.com and have its title reflect a related Top Search Term with a description of the video. File: HudsonCountyRealEstate.avi, Title: Hudson County Real Estate

7) Create images that reflect related Top Search Term. File: HudsonCountyRealEstate.jpg

Blog about the related Top Search Terms, for example your title and text should include, “Current trends in Hudson County Real Estate.”

9) Sign Up for On-line Social Networks like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter under the Top Search Term, for example….Welcome to Hudson County Real Estate on MySpace.

PS. SEO has been confused with spamming but the difference is posting UNRELATED information. I am suggesting you use RELATED Top Search Terms in your marketing. For more information on Spamming and SEO, please check out any of the Search Engine’s guidelines.