What do agents need?

[frobn]

There are many posts here and on other forums about web sites. There are plenty of designers promoting themselves (including myself). What seems to be missing is getting REAL agents involved in a discussion of their needs. I believe most agents know that more and more real estate action is going to the internet. I also believe that most agents do not know a good way of obtaining a web presence. There are many knowledgeable designers but the vast majority are not. How about some agents telling us where they are with their web needs and where they would like to be in 2 years.

[FlaGal]

I'm a hopefully soon to be agent. I know I definately want a website and after reading countless articles on forums I still don't know what I want and how I want it. It seems the more I read the more confused I get.

[abrahamchaffin]

An agent’s personal web site doesn't generate leads by itself for awhile. Good web sites that are going to generate leads take quite some time to build. Building it and putting it on the web is just the first step. After this initial step it is functional though - you can use that web site to show people what you offer, however, generally they will be sent there knowing your domain name before they get on the computer. New clients finding you via a search engine, directory, or other site doesn’t happen immediately.


To really be noticed on the internet time must be sent getting your web name out there. Join the many directories on the web. Join web sites that are promoting businesses in your area, there are generally many free ones if you can find them. Join the chamber of commerce and get your site linked from their website.

[Carlsbad Realtor]

Hi

As most have said you can not rely on search engines to find you. Put your website info on every possible communique you can. Business cards, stationery, flyers, signs, classified ads, banners, bulletin boards in grocery stores, newsletters, car signs. Get creative. Local cable is inexpensive. Provide incentive to go to your site. A free monthly drawing etc. Leave info in coffee houses, Postal services and so on.

Jerry

[spanishproperty]

What do agents need ?

New ideas, good and effective programs (time saving), but I don't know what exactly I need. I always stumble upon what I need, no one can sell me anything unless someone else has bought it and I know it definatley works and it would hugely benefit me.

Where do I want my site to be in 2 years ?

Higher than it is now !!! Producing an endless stream of good leads, selling property ?

Its really hard to say, like I have said in other threads - my sites are mine and I would never let anyone else touch them. Their my projects and I like to do the work myself.

There are hundreds of real estate companies that could benefit from your services and hundreds that could give you a good idea in what they are looking for. But improvement is always going to be the answer.

[REMarketer]

What do agents need?

Given the way the market is today, maybe a solution isstreamlining processes and cutting variable cost (ie: marketing). We used to have to print our postcards locally, then take them to the bulk mailing dept at the postoffice just to mail our a farm package. Now we can do this on line, which makes it cheaper and more efficient. So any business efficiency tool or site would help.

What is bugging me is all the time I spend making marketing for my listings. It seems to take 2 hours for me to do it myself (flyer, postcards, + extras) or a min of 24 hours + a couple $100s for some graphics guy or in-house guy to make them for me.

Homes are sitting on the market for longer, we can't avoid traditional flyer marketing, we need it, plus our clients feel as if it is a requirement (which it is). Point is, the biggest variable expense for us agents is marketing (development + distribution) any way make this cheaper I'm up for.

Maybe they have a solution for this already? Im going to start researching.