Is your property "really" on the web?
With 9 out of 10 home buyers using the Internet to find their next home, you can't afford to just be on the web, you have to be everywhere on the web! Most listing agents simply have their office staff input your listing into the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and accept that being posted on the member broker and agent web site is "on the web" and therefore hitting the mark. Wrong!!!
Today's buyers are a diverse group and that approach only targets a smaller segment of buyers active, or soon to be actively looking for a home. Most company web sites are somewhat institutional, meaning they're promoting the agent and or brand quite heavily, along with sharing property info. That approach tends to be more accepted by "baby boomers," but not as well accepted by the younger generations, who trend towards more neutral 3rd party sites that allow them to more "research their decision" and not be sold quite as much.
With that said; today's real estate professional must market to all segments by utilizing a cross section of channels to appeal to the masses. The following are Jim's Top Areas to Market On-line:
- remax.com - RE/MAX International site
- results.net - RE/MAX Results company web site
- JimHenry.com - Jim's personal web site
- Twin Cities Regional Multiple Listing Service
- Realtor.com - National Association of Realtors web site
- Trulia.com - Market Leading 3rd party site
- Zillow.com - Market Leading 3rd party site
- Craig's List - On-line classified advertising
- Facebook.com - #1 social networking site
- LinkedIn.com - Top business to business networking site
- Twitter.com - Top micro blogging site
- ListHub.com - Top listing syndication service
- YouTube.com - Top video sharing site and #2 search engine (behind Google)