About Mark Hankel

Mark is Software Developer, Licensed Real Estate Agent and Technical Consultant in the Boston area. Interests include Software, Real Estate, Triathlons, Reef Tanks and all things Apple. Looking to relocate to New England visit my website New England Premiere for homes and condos in and around Boston

Latest articles

A Google Break for Small Business Owners?

A Google Break for Small Business Owners?

The Big Hammer (Google) may lighten up a litte bit on small Business Owners. Check this article from Search Engine Land — “Google Working On A Softer & Gentler Panda Algorithm To Help Small Businesses.” It states …Cutts explained that this new Panda update should…

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Real Estate Websites and Outbound Links

Real Estate Websites and Outbound Links

Does your Real Estate Website have outbound links? The typical authority sites Zillow, Walkscore, and GreatSchools offer some great data and insight for your users. But to use that data, you have to link to the source. What is the ranking cost – if any?…

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Top Down Design: Unique Content for Agent/Broker Websites

Top Down Design: Unique Content for Agent/Broker Websites

This is the 5th article in a series about Real Estate Websites for Brokers/Agents. What is the extra value that you can bring to the table?  This is a difficult challenge -what can you add that hasn’t been done yet? I consider Zillow to be…

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Top Down Design Approach: Mobile Site for Realtors

Top Down Design Approach: Mobile Site for Realtors

This is the fourth  in a series of articles about Broker/Agent Real Estate Websites. Now we dig into to the mobile design. First the Non Goals of my Mobile Site Not every page needs a counter mobile page. For the pages in need of a…

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IDX Copyrighted Photo Trouble?

IDX Copyrighted Photo Trouble?

Can you be sued because of another Broker’s mis-use of copyrighted images? If a Broker lists a home and uploads copyrighted images as part of their listing feed, which is then in turn placed in  RETS/IDX, which you promptly display on your site — the…

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Top Down Design Approach: The Listing Details Page

Top Down Design Approach: The Listing Details Page

This is the third  in a series of articles about Broker/Agent Real Estate Websites. I have selected a dedicated server, I have a RETS feed and now it is time for the listing details page design. My primary focus is address searches. The design is…

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Top Down Design Approach: Server & Hosting Selection

Top Down Design Approach: Server & Hosting Selection

This is the second in a series of articles about Broker/Agent Real Estate Websites.  (first article here). Budget will drive this selection . Considerations include: Power -Ram Size and number of cores Reliability -Uptime, Security Support -Managed? Backup Is a dedicated server required?  You could…

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Cool Stuff Free:  Google Page Speed Service

Cool Stuff Free: Google Page Speed Service

Google Page Speed Service has been around for a number of years. It is in Beta and currently free of charge (it has been free for several years now).  Upon the official release Google Page Speed Service pricing will be competitive. So how does it…

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Top Down Design Approach:  My Broker Website

Top Down Design Approach: My Broker Website

This is the first in a series of articles about Broker/Agent Real Estate Websites.  Is your site still performing?  Is it time for a Redesign, a Refresh or a Do-Over? Have you checked the Moz Cast Lately?  It is a little unsteady right now.  I do…

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