Marketing Real Estate Over Internet

The internet has opened up a world of possibilities when it comes to real estate marketing. Nowadays, just about anybody, can do a search on the MLS to find a property from their home computer. They don’t have to pound the pavement, read the Sunday paper, or even talk to a real estate agent! It is estimated that are more than half a million websites online right now tailored towards the real estate market. This internet boom has made some millions of dollars, and has left some of the more traditional real estate agents in the dust.

So the question lies, have you jumped on the internet bandwagon yet? There is a new breed of real estate agent out there. Individuals that make their living solely based on internet traffic. They know the ins and outs of the internet marketing boom, and are using it to get rich. And it’s up to you, to get with the times or be left behind.

What is Virtual Marketing?

Gone are the days of the sales office. Buyers used to drop in to view the available properties and discuss their options with their realtor. Print advertisements and direct mail ruled the day, and there was nothing more important that a good looking business card. Now, potential buyers will email their realtor and browse and view properties all online. They may never even see their real estate agent until they are ready to close the deal.

So you have to adjust your way of thinking. Instead of one-on-one services, and features tailored towards your clients you need to think about speed and ease of use. What does your virtual client need to make their home buying experience easier and more efficient? Each and every property should now be listed online. No EXCUSES! The MLS has made this even easier- and it is essential that you list your properties on the online MLS for maximum exposure. Once you do this, many other realtors will pick up your listings and advertise them on their own sites. Which means free exposure for you.

Things to Consider

When marketing to the online crowd, there are a few things that matter more than others. Branding is done in the form of email addresses and website addresses. You want to choose a brand that is easily remembered and entered into a computer. Avoid hard to spell words, dashes, and long web address. Something as simple as Isellhouses.com can make a big impact on your bottom line. Once these are in place, you can begin to target the online consumer. Buying email lists is a quick and easy way to reach a large group of people quickly, while word of mouth and search engine submissions will help you make an impact over the long haul. Don’t forget to include your website address and email address on every piece of print advertisement that you do, including your business cards.

Web Design

A nice looking website is a must for any real estate marketing campaign. You can try your hand at creating your own site with the use of “What you see, is what you get” (WYSIWYG) editors like Microsoft FrontPage or Macromedia Dream weaver, or you can hire a designer to do the job for you. Web templates are another inexpensive way to get a website up and running with little or no technical knowledge. No matter who makes the site- make sure that it is easy to use and pleasant to look at. Adding in virtual tours and search features are another way to bring in more customers and sell more homes.

Think Outside of the Box

Another big trend when it comes to real estate marketing online has to do with social bookmarking. Blogs and interactive sites like Myspace.com are becoming increasingly popular for certain demographics. Most of them are free to use- so all you have to do is invest a little bit of time and energy into getting them up and running.

Experiment!

Real estate marketing on the internet is still a fairly new thing, so experiment and find out what works and what doesn’t for you.