| There is no question that the advent of the | | | | customer who has found an interesting property |
| internet as an ecommerce hosting tool has | | | | to connect with the listing agent.Nothing will |
| transformed the real estate industry. The internet | | | | accomplish this more effectively than an |
| is a particularly well qualified platform for real | | | | attractive, informative website that personalizes |
| estate presentation. Today's large real estate | | | | the realtor and connects him or her to the |
| websites will sort available properties by area and | | | | property in question. When choosing a hosting |
| then present them with a combination of written | | | | company, the realtor should select one that |
| information, photos and often video segments. | | | | understands the technology behind "virtual tours" |
| Nationwide firms such as Coldwell Banker operate | | | | and will provide the bandwidth to include them in |
| sites that act as national listing services.A home | | | | the website.Videos of the various rooms in the |
| buyer can now do his initial research seated in | | | | home are an enormous enhancement of the |
| front of a computer terminal. The traditional | | | | property presentation. Real estate website hosting |
| approach of contacting an agent and having the | | | | can be something of a specialty, so choosing one |
| agent arrange for home viewings that may or | | | | with the most advanced technology that allows a |
| may not suit the client is no longer the first step. | | | | potential home buyer the chance to 'view' the |
| Today, the home buyer can select a range of | | | | home online will go a long way in supplementing |
| houses suitable for viewing on the internet and | | | | the sales presentation.It is important, also, that |
| then have a real estate agent arrange the home | | | | the realtor's site provide views and information |
| visits.This new reality means that the agent is no | | | | over and above that provided on any national real |
| longer the client's first contact. For that reason, it | | | | estate internet listings. The realtor's personal site |
| is critical that active agents establish an internet | | | | should be in-depth, personable, and offer the client |
| presence. If a customer is clicking through homes | | | | as many options as possible.Here, too, the realtor |
| and finds one of interest, it is important that the | | | | can work with his personal website host to design |
| listing agent be "clickable" on the same page. | | | | a site that will lead the potential customer to |
| Otherwise, the customer may call his friend, the | | | | other listings in the area similar to the one that |
| realtor down the street and ask him to step | | | | has been selected. These properties may be |
| in.The predominant website host for | | | | listings from other brokers; the idea is to |
| non-commercial real property is Realtor.com, the | | | | maximize use of internet technology to bring that |
| site operated by the National Association of | | | | potential customer into the realtor's fold, |
| Realtors. carries over two million five hundred | | | | regardless of whose listing the customer |
| thousand listings and for many of them, the listing | | | | ultimately chooses to purchase.Madison Lockwood |
| agent has an ad and a web address right along | | | | is a customer relations associate for She brings |
| side. Their use of the web is an excellent example | | | | years of experience as a small business consultant |
| of ecommerce hosting: it is a well-formatted | | | | to helping prospective clients understand the ways |
| marketing and product presentation tool.A realtor | | | | in which a website may benefit them both |
| should have a personal website that is the next | | | | personally and professionally. Apollo Hosting |
| stop for the potential customer. An innovative | | | | provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, |
| realtor will often set up his page so that it | | | | vps hosting, and web design services to a wide |
| provides additional pictures and information about | | | | range of customers. Established in 1999, Apollo |
| the property. Contact information in the form of | | | | prides itself on the highest levels of customer |
| phone numbers and an email template are | | | | support. |
| essential: the key is to make it easy for the | | | | |