Comments on: The Ten Commandments of a Successful IDX Solution http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:53:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Richard Ortiz http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-160659 Richard Ortiz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:33:00 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-160659 TEN COMMANDMENTS OF IDX who would of thought.. excellent! These are very good points that I now will take note when updating my website. It makes sense!! TEN COMMANDMENTS OF IDX who would of thought.. excellent!
These are very good points that I now will take note when updating my website. It makes sense!!

]]> By: Richard Ortiz http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-142101 Richard Ortiz Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:33:08 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-142101 TEN COMMANDMENTS OF IDX who would of thought.. excellent!<br>These are very good points that I now will take note when updating my website. It makes sense!! TEN COMMANDMENTS OF IDX who would of thought.. excellent!
These are very good points that I now will take note when updating my website. It makes sense!!

]]> By: Laguna Niguel Real Estate Finder presents CoRE #125-Laguna Niguel Real Estate : Laguna Niguel Real Estate, Laguna Beach Real Estate, Dana Point Real Estate http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-77088 Laguna Niguel Real Estate Finder presents CoRE #125-Laguna Niguel Real Estate : Laguna Niguel Real Estate, Laguna Beach Real Estate, Dana Point Real Estate Mon, 19 Jan 2009 01:19:34 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-77088 [...] Unger presents The Ten Commandments of a Successful IDX Solution posted at GeekEstate BlogThis author doesn’t parse words here in an attempt to make you feel [...] [...] Unger presents The Ten Commandments of a Successful IDX Solution posted at GeekEstate BlogThis author doesn’t parse words here in an attempt to make you feel [...]

]]> By: Chuck Gillooley http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76979 Chuck Gillooley Sun, 18 Jan 2009 17:30:45 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76979 Just to clarify...I'm certainly not saying that a more aggressive approach doesn't work. It really boils down to how you like to operate and what you're comfortable with. Some agents love cold calling, others hate it...yet both are successful by their own definition. The important point is to be able to read the pulse of your clients. If they don't want to be hassled, don't hassle them. If they like frequent attention, shower them with it. And last but not least, sell the way your most comfortable. Play to your strengths! CG Just to clarify…I’m certainly not saying that a more aggressive approach doesn’t work. It really boils down to how you like to operate and what you’re comfortable with. Some agents love cold calling, others hate it…yet both are successful by their own definition.

The important point is to be able to read the pulse of your clients. If they don’t want to be hassled, don’t hassle them. If they like frequent attention, shower them with it. And last but not least, sell the way your most comfortable. Play to your strengths!

CG

]]> By: Cedar Rapids Real Estate http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76943 Cedar Rapids Real Estate Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:03:59 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76943 Chuck and Eileen, great comments. You know it was interesting that before MLS stats were free and available to the public, people had to find me on Google for my #1 key search phrase. Once they found me, they registered and inquired about receiving listings. 90% of the time, they never gave phone number, so I just emailed them and kept in touch with them through drip campaign. Now, there's a lot more competition for MLS listings from various PPC websites and other organic sites creeping up in the Search Engines. I've seem to have forgotten what got me sales in the first place. No need to call unless you want to leave a friendly message to assist when they are ready. Just email them with a helpful email offering assistance and let the "potential customer" slowly gain confidence and trust in your website and your services. As a former elementary school teacher, thanks Eileen and Chuck for the friendly reminder!!!! Christopher Chuck and Eileen, great comments. You know it was interesting that before MLS stats were free and available to the public, people had to find me on Google for my #1 key search phrase. Once they found me, they registered and inquired about receiving listings. 90% of the time, they never gave phone number, so I just emailed them and kept in touch with them through drip campaign. Now, there’s a lot more competition for MLS listings from various PPC websites and other organic sites creeping up in the Search Engines. I’ve seem to have forgotten what got me sales in the first place. No need to call unless you want to leave a friendly message to assist when they are ready. Just email them with a helpful email offering assistance and let the “potential customer” slowly gain confidence and trust in your website and your services. As a former elementary school teacher, thanks Eileen and Chuck for the friendly reminder!!!! Christopher

]]> By: Eileen Schreiber http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76938 Eileen Schreiber Sun, 18 Jan 2009 14:45:47 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76938 Hi again! That is my experience. I get calls every day from a company wanting to sell me a service. If I am even mildly interested, I say ' OK, we are both in sales, what is it and how much?" LOL. I simply assume that people surfing the web are the same as me.. when they need me they will ask, and then I really need to follow up ASAP. Otherwise, give them such a great website, they wouldn't dare go somewhere else! Thanks for your reply. It is VERY difficult to "convert" surfers to buyers, but almost every single of my buyers last year came from my website so I know it works. :) Hi again! That is my experience. I get calls every day from a company wanting to sell me a service. If I am even mildly interested, I say ‘ OK, we are both in sales, what is it and how much?” LOL. I simply assume that people surfing the web are the same as me.. when they need me they will ask, and then I really need to follow up ASAP. Otherwise, give them such a great website, they wouldn’t dare go somewhere else!

Thanks for your reply. It is VERY difficult to “convert” surfers to buyers, but almost every single of my buyers last year came from my website so I know it works.

:)

]]> By: Chuck Gillooley http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76924 Chuck Gillooley Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:52:12 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76924 @Eileen, I agree with your approach. I have had zero success with hard-sell tactics and pushy follow-up, as it normally results in scaring away potential clients. I like to think that I earn the right to my reader's business over a period of time by providing them with a valuable real estate resource (the blog and the iDX access.) A warm follow-up email every so often is enough to weed out the serious buyers from the tire kickers. Those who are indeed close to the buying/selling stage will normally engage you at this point. Those who aren't won't. That's the simple reality of the online world, and how our client's use it. An interesting example...I recently took a "free test drive" on an iDX system -- just wanted to see how it compared to what I already have. I must have gotten 5 phone calls and countless emails from this company trying to "convert" me. That pushy approach certainly didn't work for me, so I can't imagine my clients would like it either. CG @Eileen,

I agree with your approach. I have had zero success with hard-sell tactics and pushy follow-up, as it normally results in scaring away potential clients. I like to think that I earn the right to my reader’s business over a period of time by providing them with a valuable real estate resource (the blog and the iDX access.) A warm follow-up email every so often is enough to weed out the serious buyers from the tire kickers.

Those who are indeed close to the buying/selling stage will normally engage you at this point. Those who aren’t won’t. That’s the simple reality of the online world, and how our client’s use it.

An interesting example…I recently took a “free test drive” on an iDX system — just wanted to see how it compared to what I already have. I must have gotten 5 phone calls and countless emails from this company trying to “convert” me. That pushy approach certainly didn’t work for me, so I can’t imagine my clients would like it either.

CG

]]> By: Eileen http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76919 Eileen Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:35:09 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76919 My thoughts on conversion rates. Yes, most people who enjoy the freedom of IDX really do NOT want to speak with "pushy" realtors. We have this thing that we have to contact them and convert them to buyers. If they are on the web, they are independent, smart enough to figure it out, and really not in need of our help UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO ASK FOR IT. So maybe instead of demanding from yourself that you speak to them, send a friendly, helpful, warm email letting them know that you are available for questions, and let them alone. Follow up a couple of times. I know that goes against "marketing strategies" but today's Buyer really doesn't need a Realtor until they are ready to see properties or have specific questions. When my buyers do contact me, they are grateful I didn't harass them. Just some thoughts. My thoughts on conversion rates. Yes, most people who enjoy the freedom of IDX really do NOT want to speak with “pushy” realtors. We have this thing that we have to contact them and convert them to buyers. If they are on the web, they are independent, smart enough to figure it out, and really not in need of our help UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO ASK FOR IT. So maybe instead of demanding from yourself that you speak to them, send a friendly, helpful, warm email letting them know that you are available for questions, and let them alone. Follow up a couple of times. I know that goes against “marketing strategies” but today’s Buyer really doesn’t need a Realtor until they are ready to see properties or have specific questions. When my buyers do contact me, they are grateful I didn’t harass them. Just some thoughts.

]]> By: Cedar Rapids Real Estate http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-76754 Cedar Rapids Real Estate Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:54:55 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-76754 Most IDX solutions are too expensive for most Realtors/Brokerages. I have to look at ROI as a determining factor when using IDX and so after much research, I went with www.idxsource.com. They have a fantastic back office with enough stats to either drive you crazy or get you excited. They were running a deal for $29.95 per month, no contract, and no set up fees. I have the best IDX solution in my area and I'm getting a lion's share of the leads. Conversion rates are another story. I know that most visitors that register are "kicking the tires" and aren't ready to buy for at least three to four months. I get impatient like any other Realtor when I can't get a hold of a contact because they either won't answer their phone or the phone number is bogus. I usually don't give up until I speak with them at least once, and then I usually drip them for eleven or twelve emails. I would like to find more information on successful conversion rate programs that have worked for other Realtors, if anyone is willing to share. Thanks! Most IDX solutions are too expensive for most Realtors/Brokerages. I have to look at ROI as a determining factor when using IDX and so after much research, I went with http://www.idxsource.com. They have a fantastic back office with enough stats to either drive you crazy or get you excited. They were running a deal for $29.95 per month, no contract, and no set up fees. I have the best IDX solution in my area and I’m getting a lion’s share of the leads. Conversion rates are another story. I know that most visitors that register are “kicking the tires” and aren’t ready to buy for at least three to four months. I get impatient like any other Realtor when I can’t get a hold of a contact because they either won’t answer their phone or the phone number is bogus. I usually don’t give up until I speak with them at least once, and then I usually drip them for eleven or twelve emails. I would like to find more information on successful conversion rate programs that have worked for other Realtors, if anyone is willing to share. Thanks!

]]> By: Leon Blenky-One Bal Harbour http://www.geekestateblog.com/the-ten-commandments-of-a-successful-idx-solution/#comment-75981 Leon Blenky-One Bal Harbour Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:23:21 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1595#comment-75981 Wonderful that you put these all down in a commandment list-you covered all the big ones! Wonderful that you put these all down in a commandment list-you covered all the big ones!

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