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Gaining and Giving Business Through Web 2.0 Marketing Strategies: Add An Instant Messaging Client To Your Website

by Brad Shaffer on June 27, 2008

I’ve been testing Instant Messaging clients for my website for about a month now.  I haven’t been 100% happy with any of the options.  I’ve tried an AOL Instant Messenger Widget, a service called Plugoo with a similar widget and now have moved on to Google Talk.

My goal is simple: to be able to discuss Phoenix real estate with my website visitors.

My secondary goal:  to be able to discuss Phoenix real estate with my website visitors on the go from my web-enabled Smartphone (preferably on my iPhone).

That’s why I started with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) first.  I could easily have my iChat (from Apple) up on my computer and my website would show that I was available to talk.  I could use my BlackBerry smartphone and log-in to AIM and stay logged-in while away from my computer.  The concept seemed to be perfect but the execution by either AOL or my BlackBerry client was not so great.  I’d get messages minutes or hours after they were sent which didn’t ago with my own branding of “instantanswers.”

So, I moved on to Plugoo.  Plugoo had a sweet widget that I could customize to fit in my former website design’s sidebar and fit exactly the colors of my site.  It took a few seconds to load up but it seemed to work pretty flawlessly.  However, it only seemed to work on FireFox and Safari.  The widget would load fine on Internet Explorer but my status would always be “unavailable” even though I was online.

Plugoo does have a great option that forwards messages to your email if you’re not available which was a step-up from AIM.  But, it didn’t allow for the instant communication with website visitors that I was looking for even though I was online at the time.

Today, while continuing to tweak my new website design and implement features I came across Google Talk, which I actually use to talk with a friend who is currently in Panama City, Panama.  But, I’ve never considered using it for my website for one reason or another.  And I wasn’t talking to my friend in Panama City when it hit me to start utilizing Google Talk.

I was actually exploring Twitter.  I had set up a Twitter account a while back but hadn’t spent the time to check figure it out.  After reading BloodhoundBlog’s post on Twitter this morning I dove back into it.

More specifically, I was trying to find some REALTORS in the Charlotte, NC area who were tech-savvy to talk about a home my brother-in-law has had on the market that isn’t selling.  I figured Twitter would be a great place to start as Trulia hadn’t really given me any contacts that seemed of interest.

I came across Chad Huck’s profile and then went to his website to do a little investigation.  Low and behold in the upper-left-hand corner of his blog was a “Chat With Chad” link that brought up a Google Talk window.  The widget indicated Chad was online so I thought I’d give it a whirl.

Fifteen minutes later I had learned that although Chad didn’t actively sell real estate, he was in charge of Century 21’s Internet Marketing.  Within that timeframe he gave me a quick snapshot of the Lake Norman market and got me in contact with an agent who sells real estate in the area my brother-in-law’s home is located.

An instant message client on your real estate website is an invaluable tool to instantly communicate with your website visitors.

While I’ll continue this conversation with the agent later today, I am convinced that in addition to contact forms and email addresses on a website, an instant messaging client add immense value to your website and allows you to start a conversation with potential clients while they are in their “real estate mindframe.”

Google Talk appears to be the clear winner for me.  I’ve been able add code to the bottom of every article I write on my website with a WordPress Plugin.  This means if website visitors have questions about an article, besides leaving a comment they can also communicate with me instantly.  Not only that - every webpage on my site has the Google Talk Instant Messaging capability.

Additionally, Google Talk can also be added to my iGoogle homepage.  Whenever I’m on my computer I have iGoogle on one of my FireFox tabs.  It allows me to have all the important things to me in one place - my email, my Google Talk, my RSS Reader and more.  So, in essence, Google Talk is always on and I don’t have to remember to load it up.  I hear a little sound when someone Google Talks me.

The only thing lacking with Google Talk is the portability factor which directly creates a roadblock in accomplishing my secondary goal of being able to take the IM client with me on my iPhone.  You see, I plan to get rid of my BlackBerry once the iPhone 3G launches and iPhone 2.0 Software comes along with it.  iPhone 2.0 Software will allow me get push email similar to my BlackBerry - and let’s face it, the iPhone is way sexier than a BlackBerry.  I’ve already talked at length about the benefits of the new iPhone.

Now, what I’m hoping for is a third-party software application for my iPhone once the 2.0 software drops on July 11.  This would allow me to essentially always be online and allow website visitors many options to talk with me: pick up the phone, write me an email, fill out a contact form or IM me.

Currently, I’ve just been able to possibly give business with a referral to an agent in North Carolina.  In the near future I hope to gain business with this invaluable tool.

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Paperless Real Estate Transactions And Why They’re Good For Buying and Selling Real Estate

by Brad Shaffer on June 23, 2008

It is 2008, right?  Then why are so many real estate professionals conducting business like it’s 1988?

It’s not uncommon for real estate paperwork to be faxed back-and-forth multiple times.  Have you ever seen a contract that’s been faxed more than once?  The words get grainy, the writing becomes unlegible and it really annoys us.

That’s why we use today’s technology - e-signatures and electronic transaction management.

easyclients never have to worry about not finding the most recent piece of paperwork because it’s available online - 24/7 - via a secure website.  They also know that they can accept offers or make offers from anywhere they have an internet enabled computer.  We like to say “we do business across the table or across the globe.”

Paperless transactions aren’t only smarter, easier and more convenient than yesterday’s procedures - they’re also green. The real estate industry could probably save the Amazon Rainforest if everyone used current technology!

We use the following two services to conduct paperless transactions:

easyclients work with us because it’s just that - easy!

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Why REALTORS Should Get An iPhone 3G

by Brad Shaffer on May 30, 2008

Unless you’ve been living in a hole - you should be well aware of Apple’s iPhone. I have one myself - partly because I’m a technology nerd who happens to be an Apple fan and partly because it’s the only smartphone out there that helps me with my work and play.

And it’s just going to get better.

On or about June 9, Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, is set to announce Apple’s new iPhone model(s) and make available the iPhone’s new software - iPhone 2.0. By the end of July, real estate agents should strongly consider this piece of technology to add to their arsenal. Here are a few reasons why:

  • Full Web Access at Broadband Speeds: For those readers in Phoenix (and major metro areas), the new iPhone will feature a technology called HSPA - commonly called “3G” or third-generation wireless data. Rumored to offer speeds of up to 42 megabits per second (mbps), the iPhone has the potential to offer data speeds beyond what your typical cable connection offers. The word “potential” is key here because AT&T’s current network only offers speeds of up to 1.4 mbps in Phoenix. By the end of the year, those speeds are expected to be boosted to 7.2 mbps which would mean browsing on your iPhone would be as speedy as browsing on your home computer. By the end of 2009, speeds are expected to near 20 mbps on AT&T’s network.Of course, speed is one thing, but “content is king” as they say. The iPhone offers Apple’s fantastic Safari web browser giving users full HTML access on their device - meaning web pages look just like they do on your laptop or home computer. Nothing is watered down like on most smartphones’ WAP browsers. Which brings me to one of the most important points:
  • Full ARMLS Access on iPhone: The Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service is about to transition to a completely new system - FLEXmls. Besides some other great new features that are a long time coming, this new platform allows for full compatibility with Apple’s web browser, Safari. Right now, there are some issues when Safari users log-in to ARMLS. Although most functions work currently through Safari, many important ones do not. That will not be the case come July 28th, the day ARMLS converts to the new system. This means not only will the rest of the web be on REALTORS’ iPhones, but so will their most important tool - the ARMLS. Really, the value in this is priceless. Being able to quickly pull up current listings for buyers without lugging around a laptop (and pay for an additional wireless aircard for said laptop) adds real value to an agent’s service.
  • Push Email: BlackBerries are great. I used one for many years. I’d never say a bad thing about Research in Motion’s products because like Apple’s products - they just work. A big issue with many business users in regards to the iPhone has been that there was no “Push Email.” This means that email is automatically sent to your smartphone without having to manually connect to your inbox. An email pops up on your phone at the same time as it would your computer. This is the “killer application” that has made BlackBerries so popular.
  • Calendar, Contact + Notes Sync: Along with Push Email comes support for real-time synchronization of your calendar, contacts and notes. This means that when you add an appointment to your iPhone’s calendar, it will also appear - within a couple of seconds - on your computer’s calendar. The same goes for adding and deleting contacts and notes.It should be noted that Push Email and Calendar/Contact/Note synching will most likely require one of two things: a .mac email account or Microsoft Exchange Server. Mac users may be familiar with the .mac service which costs about $100 a year. This service offers a xxxxx@mac.com email address in addition to syncing data between multiple computers, 10 GB of online storage/web hosting and more. It’s been rumored that when the new iPhone software is released, this service will include push email to iPhones as well as synching of calendars, contacts and notes.If you aren’t a Mac user - don’t fret. There are many third-party companies out there that offer shared Microsoft Exchange Servers for less than $15 a month. Since most real estate brokerages don’t have the money to invest in a true server for their agents, this is a very viable option. Some popular options include Intermedia, MailStreet and 123Together. These services will give your email the power of Exchange support for a very inexpensive price. And who knows, Apple may have something up their sleeve that won’t even require these services for the general public!
  • GPS Directions: There’s a strong indication that the next iPhone will include true GPS. GPS, or Global Positioning Systems, offer support for turn-by-turn directions on an iPhone. Many smartphones already have this in addition to other handheld devices like Garmin or TomTom. Again, a killer application for the real estate industry. Whether you’re taking around a buyer to view homes or previewing homes yourself, Apple will surely make GPS directions even easier than current systems. That’s because on an iPhone, data is usually interconnected. That’s my own term, interconnected. I’m sure there’s a real term for it. What I mean is that when you are looking on the internet - say at the ARMLS - and there is an address, you can just click on the address and the iPhone will pull it up on it’s mapping system - Google Maps. I’d imagine that with GPS, it would do the same and offer directions via GPS Mapping software. Again, an invaluable tool for the real estate industry.
  • Third-Party Software: The real estate industry has relied on Palm for years. Palm handhelds offer third-party software for the real estate industry including support for Supra eKEYs. This means that if you have a Palm with an Infrared Port, you can pay about $20 a month for additional software on your Palm that will allow you to open lockboxes. The software also offers limited ARMLS access.The iPhone’s new software will offer support for true third-party applications. It’s inevitable that software developers have already started creating applications for the real estate industry for the iPhone. Applications like mortgage calculators, MLS access and more must be on the way (and if they’re not I’d like to hire some software developers to create some!). These applications will offer even more functionality to an already great product. Imagine being able to surf the MLS with a very easy to navigate software application fit for the iPhone. Pulling up statistics, virtual tours and photos will comes as easy as swiping your finger across a piece of glass - it really is like magic!

iPhone 2.0 software is expected to be revealed on or around June 9th, when Apple begins it’s annual developer’s conference in San Francisco. AT&T, Apple’s partner in the USA, has already announced that it’s retail staff cannot take time off for about a month starting on June 15. So expect the new iPhone and software to be released shortly thereafter.

Besides all these great “work” features, the iPhone is a great device for personal use as well. It keeps your life organized in an amazingly stylish and easy-to-use package. It’s not as much as a head-turner as it used to be because there’s more than 4 million used in the USA already (in less than one year since it’s release last June).

REALTORS: get an iPhone if you want to offer cutting-edge service, simplify your life and honestly, look cool! ;-)

“Five Minutes Later” Update: Ah, proof that you never know everything. Now, rumors are surfacing that Apple is completely revamping their .mac service in preparation for the new iPhone software including a name change. More proof that a .mac email address may come in handy and be cost-effective for the real estate industry.

Ahh, you have to love RSS and the internet.

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