Many real estate agents are not utilizing the online tools that the “titans of search” are offering them. There are many opportunities to develop your presence and improve customer service to your current and future clients.

  • Online tools on major search portals are often not utilized by agents.
  • Reviews can make or break a consumer's decision to make contact with you.
  • Creative marketing content is just a few clicks away.

Many real estate agents are not utilizing the online tools that the “titans of search” are offering them.

There are many opportunities to develop your presence and improve customer service to your current and future clients.

Marci James, social media and industry outreach manager for realtor.com, helped us coordinate a few tips to make sure that you are enjoying all the tools available to you on this site.

“Consumers are paying attention — realtor.com reports more than 1 million profile page views per month from consumers looking for more information about an agent,” James said.

Fast fact: Consumers who view an agent’s full profile on realtor.com are 10 times more likely to connect with that agent.

[Tweet “6 opportunities on realtor.com you might be missing.”]

Profile highlights

Your realtor.com profile includes:

  • Your sales activity
  • Bio
  • Active listings
  • A map of the areas in which you have sold
  • Your designations
  • A place to detail your specialties.

It basically creates an infographic about your sales history and your local expertise.

Highlight your talents and sales expertise.

Highlight your talents and sales expertise. Make sure designations are present.

Fast fact: Most consumers are using mobile applications like realtor.com’s search option to look for homes. Smartphones have combined the power of GPS technology and convenience in the palm of homebuyers’ hands.

Get mobile

Have you downloaded the app on Apple or Android?

Check your listings to make sure all the data is showing up correctly. This is something that agents should review on a regular basis to watch for data errors.

Sending data to listings

Many agents fail to send regular site traffic reports to their clients. This important information can be critical to keeping your clients informed and helping them price their home to be competitive in their local market.

If you cannot access this information on your profile, your brokerage may have a suite of products to showcase your listings, and you will need to get this information from your broker.

Reviews versus recommendations

Reviews are for consumers and recommendations are for professional vendors and colleagues.

This allows you to maximize your profile on two different levels. Make it easy for your clients to review you.

Send one link, add a few simple instructions and offer a sincere “thank you” for their time.

Success tip: Invest in custom stationary that’s designated purpose is to solicit reviews. Include the link and instructions. Make this a pleasant experience for your former clients and you will sow five-star rewards for your profile in the future.

Fast fact: Ninety percent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Think about how many reviews you read personally before you buy a toaster off Amazon! Don’t kid yourself and think that potential clients are not checking you out.

Lead management

Realtor.com offers a product called FiveStreet to help streamline your interaction with incoming leads.

If your broker is using this product, he or she may be using it buffet style to distribute leads.

It is critical to know how to use your lead management tools to make sure that you are reaping all the benefits they have to offer.

Knowing how to manage your database can make or break your active and incubating pipeline.

Lead tip: Online leads are not for everyone. Use social media to help research and connect with incoming leads before throwing them away. Many agents give up on leads before they have researched them, thus letting them grow cold.

Content goldmine

Realtor.com offers a plethora of content for agents to repurpose for their marketing efforts.

If you are looking for a fun way to educate your clients about the home purchase process, check out realtor.com’s consumer educational video series.

Many of these videos address hot-button topics about financing, inspections and being flexible during the sales process.

These videos could easily be dropped into a CRM email campaign to help incubate leads.

It’s a great resource and it’s totally free. Take advantage of this pro content and spice up your marketing.

Building your digital presence is like building a home. You will need to have patience, creativity and flexibility.

Many agents are frustrated with figuring out where to stop, or they overwhelm themselves by trying to do everything at once.

Take it one day, one hour, one step at a time.

By day, Rachael Hite helps agents develop their business. By night, she’s tweeting for listingdepot.com.

Email Rachael Hite

Show Comments Hide Comments
Sign up for Inman’s Morning Headlines
What you need to know to start your day with all the latest industry developments
By submitting your email address, you agree to receive marketing emails from Inman.
Success!
Thank you for subscribing to Morning Headlines.
Back to top
×
Log in
If you created your account with Google or Facebook
Don't have an account?
Forgot your password?
No Problem

Simply enter the email address you used to create your account and click "Reset Password". You will receive additional instructions via email.

Forgot your username? If so please contact customer support at (510) 658-9252

Password Reset Confirmation

Password Reset Instructions have been sent to

Subscribe to The Weekender
Get the week's leading headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Top headlines from around the real estate industry. Breaking news as it happens.
15 stories covering tech, special reports, video and opinion.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
Unique features from hacker profiles to portal watch and video interviews.
It looks like you’re already a Select Member!
To subscribe to exclusive newsletters, visit your email preferences in the account settings.
Up-to-the-minute news and interviews in your inbox, ticket discounts for Inman events and more
1-Step CheckoutPay with a credit card
By continuing, you agree to Inman’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

You will be charged . Your subscription will automatically renew for on . For more details on our payment terms and how to cancel, click here.

Interested in a group subscription?
Finish setting up your subscription
×