Last week I wrote a post on Google Voice for real estate professionals, how to sign up, and its features/uses.   I recently added the Google Voice widget to my ActiveRain blog, and it's easy to set up once you have an account (thanks to Bob Southard in GA for the inspiration).  There's one permanently on my sidebar (to the right) and one in this post (below).

**If you can't see the widgets, they sometimes load slowly. For reliability, I'd recommend placing them in your sidebar over directly in a post**

You need a Google Voice account first, apply for an invitation at voice.google.com.  Set up your name, phone numbers, and forwarding phones.  After your account has been full set up:

1.  Log into Google Voice and Click on "Settings" on the upper right.

2.  Select the "Call Widgets" tab.

3.  Select "Add a new Call Widget", fill out the forms for your appropriate phone, and Save.

4.  Copy the "Embed" Code from the box shown above.

Move over to ActiveRain.

activerain settings

1.  Click on "My Home" in the upper right corner.

2.  Click on "Settings" on the left sidebar.

3.  Paste the code into the "Blog Description" box.

4.  Don't forget to press the "Update" button below the box to save the code.

(Option 2 - To insert directly into post - only for those comfortable editing the HTML of your posts)
At the top of your post window, click on the "HTML" tab instead of the "WYSIWIG" Tab.
Paste Google Voice code directly into HTML code and save.
The reliability of this has been quirky, if you go back and edit with WYSIWIG.

Now you have a functional, web-calling feature on your Active Rain blog.  So, why wouldn't people just call you directly?  Isn't a phone number easier?  Does it even makes sense for a person to click on a web button, have Google locate and ring your phone, calling the customer back, and then connecting the two of you?

Of course it is doesn't make sense, but people are curious.  Someone who may not want to call an agent directly might just want to know how Google Voice works.  They may click on the button, call you, and just say:

"Hi, I'm Tony in Ballard, I was on your blog and just thought I'd click on the Call Button to see how it works."

You may have never spoken with Tony otherwise.  Every contact counts.

Sam DeBord and Brian Wiegand
Seattle Homes and Seattle Condos for sale on SeattleHome.com
Seattle Waterfront Homes - RE/MAX Real Estate Brokers

© SeattleHome.com: - Sam DeBord, Managing Broker, Realtor
Coldwell Banker Seattle: Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates
Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Sam (at) SeattleHome.com

206.552.8820


Current Listings:  Homes For Sale | Condos | Waterfront | Luxury Homes | Bank-Owned 


SeattleHome.com agents, Realtors

 
Star Posted by Sam DeBord - Seattle Real Estate Broker on 08/01/2009 03:10 PM   Comments (67)   Technology in the Technology and Tools Channel   google voice, call widget, call me now, real estate, seattle, homes, active rain, activerain  
Short URL: http://actvra.in/dsN
This post has been included in Washington Real Estate News King County, WA Real Estate News Seattle, WA Real Estate News
Post is included in group: LA Connection
Post is included in group: Posts to Localism
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Post is included in group: Seattle Waterfront Real Estate - Waterfront Homes

67 Comments on Add a "Call Me Now" Button to Your ActiveRain Blog - Google Voice Widget

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
02
2009

Cool idea, I love all of these Google gadgets. I'm still in the learning curve, but thanks for the help!

Kathy B
11:46am • #48

This is great information. There is a line up for the service.
D H
1:47pm • #49
262,130 Points 5 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Thanks, it's always fun to find something new to change up a blog or Web site.  Good of you to pass it along.

Michael
5:16pm • #50
238,478 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks, Sam! I've been thinking about this for a while. You've spurred me into action.

Cheers,

Robin
6:08pm • #51
430,395 Points 43 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Sam...Definitely something for me to look into.  Bookmarked so I can do just that.

Kate
8:18pm • #52
303,003 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Thanks, just got picked by Google Voice, so off I go.
8:54pm • #53
210,151 Points 1 Featured Post

Sam, Lane, and Naoma,

 

Thanks to Denise Hamlin (Vermace Realty)!  The widget won't show if you are a Firefox user.  I went and look at my blog with IE and the widget is there.

I am going to keep it on my sidebar and in my signature even if I can't see it.  I know more people use IE so most readers will see it.

I am much more excited about using the one number feature.  I have ine set to ring my home/office and my cell phone.  Once I am comfortable with Google voice I'll begon using it for my outbound calls ( so the number shows up on caller ID) and start publishing the number.  Having it ring both phones will make me even esier to reach.

 

 

 
10:21pm • #54
153,093 Points 2 Featured Posts

Pretty cool.  I learn something every time I open Active Rain.

Thanks!
10:36pm • #55
AUG
05
2009

I got it...I got it.  My Google Voice invite came today and I'm using it already.  Thanks Active Rain and thank YOU Sam!
6:02pm • #56
193,477 Points 7 Featured Posts

Congrats, David, it's a really good service. 
6:27pm • #57
AUG
06
2009
4 Featured Posts

I just got the invite last night.  This is a really powerful and interesting service.  Great features that can be leveraged in a lot of ways.  Google is seriously spoiling the world at this point.  All these great toys that they just hand out for free (which I hope this one stays free) all the time.  They are like the Santa Claus of the internet. 
10:23am • #58
AUG
07
2009

this is totally sweet! I recently got a voice number with them and love the handiness of this information. have to post a comment to say thanks!
3:50am • #59
AUG
16
2009

I have the code pasted on my sites, ietrealestate.com and ietcapital.com, the widget only shows up in chrome, IE is broken link and FF doesn't show up at all, weird part is that when I view this blog post in IE your widget does show up??..
11:57pm • #60
AUG
17
2009

Hey Sam,

 

Ben here, just called you figured out why it wasn't working for me in IE, my CMS is stripping out the

' type="application/x-schockwave-flash" ' code , I manually put it back in but it keeps getting ripped out, got talk to my programmers tomorrow, Thanks for your help though!

 

 
12:24am • #61
SEP
30
2009

Great idea!
9:21pm • #62
DEC
22
2009
Outside Blog

I started requesting an invitation when it was Grand Central last April. I've requested an invitation every month since then, including when Google took over. Still haven't received any response from them. Sounds like a great service but I feel like a broke little kid looking in the window at Baskin Robbins!
5:21pm • #63
MAY
06
2010
352,084 Points 6 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

 I just saw the widget on another blog and searched for it...and your blog was on the top. I have submitted the request for the invitation. Can't wait to add to my blog.
8:19am • #64
AUG
27
2010
177,727 Points 25 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Ran across this old blog today doing research on Google's new phone call button via Gmail.  Pretty amazing you can now use Gmail like Skype with no fees (unless you call international numbers and maybe 900 numbers).
7:12pm • #65
OCT
01
2010
237,108 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sam DeBord - Seattle Real Estate Broker

Dear Mr. Sam DeBord:

Why does getting a GOOGLE CALL ME BUTTON............. Freakin' IMPOSSIBLE for me to obtain?

I've been trying on/off ~ off/on for nearly 4 years to get one and have basically Thrown in da Towel.

IF you or someone that can hlp me achieve one of my dreams... could help me...

I will reward you with gratitude!

Throw in the towel

Meaning:

Give up doing something because it is too difficult to continue.

If you throw in the towel, you stop trying to do something because you have found that you won't succeed.


Example:

After discussing the matter with him for more than 3 hours, I threw in the towel and gave up persuading him.

There are still a few things you can do before throwing in the towel. Don't give up hope.

Throwing in the towel

Meaning:

Give up doing something because it is too difficult to continue.

If you throw in the towel, you stop trying to do something because you have found that you won't succeed.


Throw in the Towel

Example:

After discussing the matter with him for more than 3 hours, I threw in the towel and gave up persuading him.

There are still a few things you can do before throwing in the towel. Don't give up hope.

<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85708/waterwayrealty/babb85deed01e0b1fea0fa3c49216af0.png" border="0" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>

<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85708/waterwayrealty/babb85deed01e0b1fea0fa3c49216af0.png" border="0" style="border: 0 !important; background: transparent;" /></a>
8:14am • #66
JUL
03
2011
177,727 Points 25 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I wonder what happens when someone clicks on the Call me now button that doesn't have the ability to use their computer as a phone (i.e. no microphone installed or activated).
12:37pm • #67

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Sam DeBord - Seattle Real Estate Broker (SeattleHome.com -Coldwell Banker Danforth) Rainmaker_large

Sam DeBord - Seattle Real Estate Broker

Seattle, WA

More about me…

SeattleHome.com -Coldwell Banker Danforth

Address: 222 Wall St #100, Seattle, WA, 98121

Cell Phone: (206) 658-3225

Email Me

2009 $10MM+ Sales

Top 10 King Co. Sale

Managing Broker

Realtor

206-658-3225


Seattle Waterfront Homes - Seattle Real Estate news, including waterfront homes, water view homes, floating homes, and houseboats.

Sam DeBord and Brian Wiegand
SeattleHome.com
Seattle Real Estate Brokers
Coldwell Banker Danforth
(206) 658-3225

Seattle Homes For Sale
Bellevue Homes For Sale

© Seattle Homes, LLC: - Sam DeBord, Managing Broker, Realtor Coldwell Banker Seattle: Coldwell Banker Danforth & Associates Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Google + | Sam (at) SeattleHome.com



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