Tell me what you think...

[HMiller]

On my site I allow visitors to search MLS listings without registering and I don't plan on changing that. However, of course in order to have new listings emailed they have to register. My registration form only requires a name and email address and of course thats all the information most give. In order to have them volunteer complete info including address and phone#, I'm considering offering a monthly prize and all those who fill out the registration completely will be eligible to win. As a prize I was thinking of a gas card or maybe tickets to the very popular local minor league baseball team. Was also thinking of advertising this giveaway in the homes for sale section of a local publication as a way of promoting my search the mls feature on my website.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this, good or bad. :)

[judyo]

I've thought of doing something like this too & have seen it done on other sites. I was always worried about the legality of running a contest, though. Does anyone know?

[atleer]

Sounds like a pretty good idea, i like the chance to win a prize if you give me your info, sneaky but could be effective

[dfms]

First of all, remember that vistor's will not leave thier identy, name or email address. Second, a prize or any offerings will not get them to sign up.
Offering them info or advice will not indice them either. I've been trying for over 6 months and nothing works. You can give them all the info you want, but they just won't contact you, period. Got any ideas how to kick them in the head so they will wake up and get real? :mad:

[HHI Golf Guy]

You can give them all the info you want, but they just won't contact you, period. Got any ideas how to kick them in the head so they will wake up and get real? :mad:

We have no problem getting interested prospects to contact our clients. What we have found that the frequency of prospects making contact seems to run in seasonal mini-cycles. That and there's nothing like a snow storm in the NE to generate inquiries for agents in the south.

Getting people to inquire has a lot to do with both the structure (yes, structure) of the site as well as having a solid understanding of marketing and branding. Generating web traffic with SEO or PPC is only half of the game. This is why many do-it-yourself agent web sites, even those that do drive traffic, fail to generate prospects and leads.

[San Diego Real Estate]

Shawn...
I couldn't agree more...We are always testing new methods on our site! Just like the net....what worked last year /month doesn't necessarily work today!

The traffic is just part of the Equation! THE KEY IS CONVERSION! ;)

[MaxSinclair]

Al, your web site has a lot of good stuff. It looks like it took you a long time to put it together. Love the cash back thing.

Max

[San Diego Real Estate]

Thanks Max...We are continually working and Modifying it daily! ;)

[MaxSinclair]

Wish we could do the same thing here in Oregon. Too bad it's illegal for us to offer anything to buyers.

[Duncan Pollock]

Allow me, if you will, the liberty here of jumping up on one of my hobby horses, to wit:
Why in heaven's name would/should a listing agent expect someone to call on his/her website, let alone agree to register/signup for ongoing info (re new listings/whatever)?
I mean, they may respond to a classified ad, but we all know how difficult it is to then get their name, phone number, etc. -- as in "Just tell me where it is so I can drive by. Then I'll call you if I want you to set up a showing for me."
What too few real estate websites have is a Unique Selling Proposition, something that sets them apart from all the "Here, look at all my listings" stuff. Instead, the phones will ring, the e-mails will come in, the leads will be generated if -- and I'm prepared to argue only if -- you give people a reason for doing so.
And to do this, the key lies in what marketing people call the AIDA formula:
Attention: You got a problem
Interest: I/we got the solution
Desire: Here's the point by point argument in favour of it.
Action: Buy it!
It's the pattern of all the thirty/sixty second commercials. For example:
"What's a nice gal like you doing in a place like this?
Haven't you heard of Mister Clean.
It's so easy: spray, spray, spray; sleep, sleep, sleep; wipe, wipe, wipe; clean, clean, clean. Nothing to it!
Go get yourself a can NOW!"
So then, think of what problem you can solve (including for whom) and then build a website that makes it obvious to your visitors.

End of hobby horse ride!

Duncan :D

[Phoenix Realtor]

Nice post Duncan. :)

[MaxSinclair]

Duncan, good advice. Any USP idea that hasn't been used already? I sure need some help. Thanks.

Max

[JoePesci]

On my site I allow visitors to search MLS listings without registering and I don't plan on changing that. However, of course in order to have new listings emailed they have to register. My registration form only requires a name and email address and of course thats all the information most give. In order to have them volunteer complete info including address and phone#, I'm considering offering a monthly prize and all those who fill out the registration completely will be eligible to win. As a prize I was thinking of a gas card or maybe tickets to the very popular local minor league baseball team. Was also thinking of advertising this giveaway in the homes for sale section of a local publication as a way of promoting my search the mls feature on my website.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this, good or bad. :)
Hey NY,
I was just browsing and saw your post from 4/1 and was wondering what you have tried and how it seems to be working??

[HHI Golf Guy]

And to do this, the key lies in what marketing people call the AIDA formula:
Attention: You got a problem
Interest: I/we got the solution
Desire: Here's the point by point argument in favour of it.
Action: Buy it!


Most agents follow the "Field of Dreams" web marketing strategy - If you build it, they will come. Then they complain that they wasted $600 or $6,000 on a web site that generated zero leads.

Those agents that treat their web site as a true marketing medium, whether as a passive strategy, active strategy, or both are the ones with greater conversions. Just because you hire an SEO to get your site at the top of the search engines or outbid your competition in PPC does not guarantee the leads will follow. Without meaningful content, copy writing that causes the web surfer to take action, and an action plan for yourself to drive conversions, you might as well be #400 in the SERP's.

[Jade456]

Very true. The amount of leads that our site generates didn't change when we went down a spot on G for our main term. People are still checking out several sites and coming back to us.

[Lenderles]

I'm a realtor in Georgia and we have the same type of stumbling blocks. I was approached by AmeriDream Mortgage here in Georgia. They have a program called MAP (market alliance program) This allows brokers and their sales agents to sign on as Mortgage associates. Now, I get mortgage commissions on my deals, offer Luxury cruises. And I can approach fsbo's
as a lender with a free cruise for their buyers (buyer has to close with AmeriDream). This puts me 1st in line when the fsbo's decide to list their property. And it cost me nothing to join the company. Its perfectly legal. And there's a lot more stuff! I'm just tired of TYPING!

Oh yea! I can lend in 26+ States...I wont! But I could. :D

Georgia Realtor/Now Mortgage Man signing off.

lenderles@yahoo.com :cool:

[ROpenHouse]

I agree with HHI Golf Guy. You get out of it what you put into it.

ROpenHouse
ROpenHouse (http://www.ropenhouse.com/)

(http://www.ropenhouse.com)

[ChrisF79]

I'm really surprised that nobody has brought it up but here in Florida, a raffle of any kind is completely illegal for a Realtor. A lot of agents have had the ideas to give a round of golf or something similar to a random person at an open house. Unless you are giving the prize to everyone, it is completely illegal.

[BSS2T]

I really dont know where you guys get that people will not give up their contact info...

I have had some of the top website developers and SEO masters in the country work on my site. The result? We convert 24% of traffic to leads.

Now we are taking this sytem and taking it nationwide. i.e. partnering with agents in local markets, and giving them the website and exclusive leads in the market. WE pay for the ppc, and seo. Then the agent kicks up a referral fee when they close.

[agentstealth.com]

In many of the research article I have read, it is important to let the buyer and seller always feel in control. You want them to feel like they are getting the better end of the deal, possibly access to a real estate tool online without a lot of hassle.

[SMP]

I think today's web surfer is much smarter than they used to be. Offering gifts or whatever for signing up is a 'tuff' nut to crack.

I think many people realize the odds are not in their favor and therefore don't bother.

Good luck.

Michael

P.S. Your site was down when I clicked on it. :(

[markbrian]

I wouldn't offer anything but I alos would not require the registration. But offer the FREE search from your MLS as a service from you as a courtesy. And unless every member of your MLS has agreed to the IDX feed, they really need your help. Getting consumers to understand we will save them time, money and effort is hard. Too many consumers think they are somehow saving money by doing this legwork on their own.

My website has a function to register, no one has ever used it and I do not expect them to. Internet searchers like being anonymous. If they do not see enough pictures they will ask for some and when you follow up to make sure they saw what they wanted, most will not even respond. Or they ask for info and will not respond, even though most of the time I just want some feedback to give the sellers. I guess they are afraid I will somehow make them buy thru somekind of internet Jedi mind trick!