Real Estate Blog - Zillow - To advertise or not, that is the question?

Since then I've kept my eye on The Zillow website and despite my reservations about their "Zestimates", I have to admit that the site does get significant traffic. So about 6 weeks ago when I was contacted by a sales rep from Zillow, I listened to what he had to say.

He explained the advantages of being a paying advertiser on Zillow.

He went on to explain how I could have a featured showcase ad when a visitor to Zillow's site searched the 90069 zip code (a major part of my farm area). Based on the availability of advertising space for the 90069 zip code, I could buy 25% of the advertising for this area. (Advertising rates vary according to visitor traffic).

I am actively incresing my online presence and decided to make a 12-month committment to advertise on Zillow.

Over the past six week period I am yet to have a direct lead from my Zillow showcase ad. Perhaps I need to change my ad, perhaps not.

What I do know is that over the same period I've had two direct leads from ActiveRain and I'm in escrow with one of those leads.

I'll continue monitoring my results from Zillow .... but so far I'm not impressed.

Posted by Stewart Penn - Los Angeles Condo Specialist on 06/15/2009 09:02 AM

Comments (26)

Zillow in the ActiveRain Channel

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Originally posted at: LA Connection Property Blog: Zillow - To advertise or not, that is the question?

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26 Comments on Zillow - To advertise or not, that is the question?

JUN

Thank you for the post. We need more of this sharing . I have found house values and now growth leader to be a great product

It's so difficult to monitor your exposure on sites like that.

I did the same thing with Facebook and ended up cancelling after a month because I got absolutely nothing, not even an email.

Please keep us informed if it made sense to advertise on zillow. I have connected with other web sites to obtain my Internet exposure. I am developing five more web sites for each niche to obtain more web exposure. Content is King

You've been had guy!

The way clients contact agents has changed on the internet. That is the largest change and we are just figuring this out.

Last week I went to a seminar put on by Realtor.com and they gave alot of statistics about how they are the biggest real estate site and why we should advertise with them. I can see the value in their featured listing package but some of their products are really expensive. The package I found the most interesting was $400/month! That's quite a price tag unless it really works. Stewart, please keep us posted on how it goes with Zillow.

Stewart - Thanks for sharing your results. I'll be interested to see whether this turns out to be a wise investment.

I had advertised on Zillow and I got nada. Let us know if you do, though - always interesting to see which ads work and which don't. Jenny's comment about Realtor.com - blech!

Stewart: Thanks for the infor. I am always looking for what works best.

Liz

I'm using it for a very small niche market, my back yard.

I purchased 20131, 20197, 20180 and 20132

I've already changed the content once. I left the link to the Zillow contact form so I could track contacts. So far nothing.

However, I've received two phone calls for new home buyers in this market area.

I may change the contact to one of my local web sites to see if there is any change.

I'm not really surprised that there is no action since banner ads stopped producing on the Internet many years ago. However, since the cost is small and the expectation was low, I gave it a year.

Thanks for sharing of your personal experience. Although they do get lots of traffic, perhaps it's the internet-wary or looky-loos?

Ralph - Facebook is great for leads! Email me a screen shot of your ad and your demographics and I will see if something can be recommended to get more hits

As far as Zillow, I have a client who I track leads for (nothing on Zillow other than profile, listings, etc. - no upgrades) and 2/98 of the Internet leads came from Zillow. Send me a screen shot of your ad and a link to your profile.

JUN

I'll be interested to see if it works out. Is it expensive?

I will be surprised if have any positive results. I will remain opened minded and follow you updates. It will be interesting to see what really happens.

Thanks for posting exactly the kind of information that is such a help to all of us who are trying to decide where to put our scare dollars!

Hi Stewart. Interesting to hear your results.

I have just began working with Trulia and will be tracking those results as well.

I will be interested to hear how you do with Zillow.

Thanks for writing,

Ken

Ken - I'd be equally interested in your Trulia results - Let's keep in touch.

Everyone has their thoughts on sites that deliver information to the consumer but you have to ask, "where are the consumers going to find information?" -- Zillow is one of the proven consumer destination sites -- just track your ROI over this period of time so it will help you evaluate whether or not the resources could be better spent in other areas --

It sounds like I'm the sole Realtor from ActiveRain advertising on Zillow ...

Thanks for the info. I'm loving Twitter. I've gotten 2 referrals in past 5 weeks. One is going to turn out to be a rental this summer. But I'm not complaining. Have a great week.

I've been using Trulia stuff (profile page, claiming listings, linking to my blog and website) all for free. Occasionally, I answer a Trulia question. Basically, anything that links to your main website is good, but don't pay a money for it! Next, I explore Zillow.

JUN

Stewart, thanks for the heads up. I hate those zillow zestimates, they are so far off base that I'm surprised they haven't been sued yet. But like you said, the site gets a lot of traffice. Too bad you couldn't make a 3-month or 6-month commitment, instead of 12 months. Keep us posted.

Your blog is featured on our AR Virtual Office group: http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice

JUN

I tried it and got NADDA. But its cheap enough. I think it depends on your market area and what your ad says, keep changing the ad copy, maybe that'll work.

Hope it works for you Stewart, I use the free Zillow listing and have had a couple of contacts but nothing that led to a lead or sale.

It could be a timing problem - my website was generating a lot more leads last year, and so were my sign calls. Our market is down and so are my leads. I keep trying new things, old things, anything that doesn't cost a lot to keep my name out there - but the house business measurably slowed in our area.

You are on the right track with this post on ActiveRain. Persevere and keep doing what works.

Kent Davis

JUN

I just got this phone call yesterday, and had a conversation, and have yet to read an email that was sent as a follow up. I do feel hesitant to take on anything more right now that adds cost, as I'm already signed up with a few others & am still trying to comprehend how I have to maintain them & keep them optimally operating. It's a big deterrent that hardly any of these companies have "relationships" with our local MLS...putting listings in "by hand" and relying on "handshakes" with other local agencies is just way too lame. (and I couldn't believe another agent actually "refused" my handshake! That's smaller town thinking fer ya!) Reading this post and comments has been very helpful for me. Thank you!

JUN

I Tried

http://www.topagentsonline.com/about-us.asp

It was a little expensive but no sstart up fees or lead fees and not contract.

They offer exclusive leads and build you your own exclusive website to generate leads.

I got lots of leads but they were buyers who wanted foreclosures or unrealistic prices.

Most of my business is in the $300,000 plys range and I only got leads under $250,000.

It was easy to cancel and they even returned my money because I didn't get what I wanted.

I would highly recommend them if you work in the lower price range.

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