Setup Process for a Predesigned Website that Works – What to Expect

What can you expect during the setup process? Here’s an overview of the setup process for a Virtual Results Predesigned Website that Works:

Sign up and pay your setup deposit!

Virtual Results will then:

  • Order your IDX from Diverse Solutions
  • Order your subscription with Altos Research
  • Do the custom graphics work for your header
  • Build the WordPress site with your desired options

If you have a current WordPress blog, you can export your content using the standard export interface (it should be under “tools” in your admin interface). Send that .XML file to setup@virtualresults.net and we can import it into your new site.

Wait for confirmation from Virtual Results that your website is ready to go. This should be within 72 hours of completion of step 2. Note that the IDX activation process (managed by Diverse Solutions) may take longer than 72 hours depending on your MLS.

When you site is ready, you will receive a user name and password to the site. Once you receive a user name and password, you can add the following to your site:

  • Community descriptions and photos in the “Communities” portion of your site
  • Short text for the “About Your Name” module on the home page (this is done via the widgets section under appearance on Under Pressure & from your associate page on Bravado)
  • Complete your bio in the “Associates” section of your admin, add a profile photo and select “use as featured image” during the upload process.
  • Your active listings – enter MLS # and add your own high res photos. More information on the listing input process is located here.
  • Fill in the “List with Us” page. This is a page for sellers to demonstrate your unique value proposition as a selling agent.

Choose a color scheme – there is a “Color Scheme” drop down list in your “Virtual Results” menu in the admin section of your site. Select a color, save the settings, and refresh your home page (or view our new theme/color previewer). Repeat until you find a color scheme you like!

Call Drew at 206-395-6338 to get a valid credit card on file for the monthly payment. IMPORTANT: we won’t put domain mapping in place on our end until this step is completed.

Setup Google Apps for your selected domain name to manage your email going forward. Numerous Virtual Results clients have worked with Bellotech, but you can choose to do this yourself or work with another provider if you wish.

Send an email to setup@virtualresults.net stating that you are going to change your server settings. We’ll enable domain mapping on your site. Between the time that we enable domain mapping and the time your DNS settings propogate across the internet, you will not be able to see the front end of your site (but you will still be able to login to the admin portion of your site).

If you are using Google Apps, change your name servers to the following: NS1.WPHOST.COM & NS2.WPHOST.COM. Note that it may take up to 48 hours for the server settings to propogate throughout the internet to reach everyone. It often occurs very quickly, but there may be an extended period of time after you change your server settings where you still see your old website at your URL.

If you are not using Google Apps, please see these instructions regarding changing your server settings to enable your to continue to use your current email service while still having your domain name point at your new Virtual Results site. Note that if you have a @yourdomainname.com email address, it will STOP working once you change the name servers – so please move to Google Apps or send us the correct MX Records to use.

Don’t know what a MX Record is? Answer here.

Confirm your email is working.

Confirm that your new Virtual Results website is seen on your own URL.

Voila – you’re done! Add content to your site and go!

Recommended next steps AFTER your website is live on your domain name:

  1. Install Google Analytics
  2. Familiarize yourself with your new website by reviewing our support center
  3. Spruce up your market stats pages
  4. Start writing content (Geek Estate Pro login required)
  5. Refine, decide, and implement a 6 month blogging strategy (Geek Estate Pro login required)