Quote for the day

"We don't see things the way they are, we see things the way we are" - author unknown

Research vs buy

Internet consumers visit websites as part of their buying process. This is certainly true for the majority of both home buyers and sellers.

Tim O'Keefe, a blogger and a search engine expert, has often said that "... people research online and buy offline" .

What this means is that REALTORS must improve their websites so that it can capture online visitor names and contact information.

Here is how that can be accomplished.

Each real estate website must make "calls to action". We would say that such calls are really "offers of compelling value" that consumers cannot refuse. You want their name and contact information - consumers want essential information (free report, a comparative market analysis, ability to search through MLS listings, daily email with new properties on the market, etc).

A word of caution. Some research has shown that if you require registration on your website too early, you could lose 75%-85% of your potential leads!

WebCubic enables website owners to easily build capture forms. The forms are emailed to the website owner and are entered into a prospect data base. The website owner can create custom autoresponders and even be notified by a text message that a lead capture form has been received.

Website traffic

Everyone is now aware that search engines are an important component of the Internet and websites. Kim Roach reported on her blog that 50 to 80 percent of website traffic comes from search engines.

California statistics

There are aproximately 495,000 agents in California. That translates to one agent for every 52 adults. How important is marketing and prospecting? Very!

NAR statistics

The NAR information central reports a number of statistics. Here are some that are currently on their website.

• The typical REALTOR® plans to spend $858 on technology products, $254 on technology services and $257 on technology training in 2004
• 44% of REALTORS® communicate with their clients by e-mail more than 50% of the time

Actions taken as result of using Internet site:

• Drove by/viewed a home - 75%
• Walked through a home viewed online- 57%
• Found agent used to search/buy home - 21%