Linda Carver

CIS 212 Final Project Proposal
April 13, 2005


INTRODUCTION

 I am creating a site for my partner's mortgage and realty company. The title is "The Bennett Group: fully committed to your dreams!". I chose this topic because the company needs a web site that will attract clients for very little cost (my labor is free ;-).
SITE GOALS We intend to increase our client base by publicizing the company's homebuyer and novice investor assistance programs online. We will track new client contacts resulting from phone calls and the online form to gauge the site's effectiveness as a marketing tool.
AUDIENCE The site is targeted to well-educated (14+ years of school) adult homebuyers and novice investors who want to learn about buying real estate. Most people in the market for real estate are comfortable with computers and with shopping for a mortgage broker on the Web.
AUDIENCE PROFILE James is 39 years old. He is the married father of one preschooler. James surfs the Web to shop for durable goods at the lowest prices. He uses both his computer at work, which has a high-speed Internet connection, and his home computer with a 56Kpbs modem. Both systems run version 4.0 or newer browsers that support features commonly used by corporate sites. James is a software quality control engineer; his wife Nancy is a licensed vocational nurse. Their household income is $90,000 per year. They have $15,000 in savings. The family lives in a rented condominium. With a second child planned, they have decided to purchase a home. James has seen billboards advertising online mortgage companies and has considered shopping for a mortgage online, but wants personal attention from a mortgage broker.
CLIENT The client is Pat Bennett, sole proprietor of the Bennett Group. The company has offices in San Diego and Mendocino counties. Both locations need a Web presence that will provide name recognition and attract local clients.
CONTENT BRAINSTORM

A partial list of site content:

  • pictures of Pat, the Mendocino office manager, and support staff
  • description and history of the company
  • background information for Pat
  • background information for Charles, the Mendocino office manager
  • membership in professional associations: SDAR, MCAR, CAMB, NAMB, etc.
  • content on how these memberships benefit clients
  • office locations and phone numbers
  • e-mail addresses
  • "retro" graphics depicting humorous aspects of homebuying
  • description of buyer assistance programs offered by the company
  • description of buyers' and investors' seminars offered by the company
  • times and dates for seminars offered
  • pictures of featured properties for sales in each location
  • pictures of scenery in both locations
  • links to both Chambers of Commerce
  • information on benefits of home ownership and real estate investment
  • description of loan programs available through the company
  • information on how to determine how much house the client can afford
  • information on how to maximize one's credit score before applying for a loan
  • client contact form
  • mortgage calculator
  • FAQ's
  • site map  
SIMILAR SITES
INTERFACE The interface will provide information with a humorous touch. The goal is to hold the attention of busy people who need information but feel stressed by the complexity of buying real estate. The content of each page will be simple and to the point. The client chose a "retro" theme and some simple graphics. A clean, simple interface will emphasize how the company simplifies the buying process for clients. The site will use easy to read, sans-serif fonts and light, soothing, basic colors.
FLOWCHART Word format flowchart
SKETCHES