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Point 2 Launches the "NLS"

Point 2 Technologies (providers of Point 2 Agent web sites) announced today the launch of the Point 2 NLS (National Listing Service).

It's no secret I'm a big Point 2 Agent fan. This company is often on the bleeding edge of technology. Their web sites, blogging platform, prospecting/CRM tools and "Handshake Listings" are second to none, in my humble opinion.

The "NLS" is a service that allows real estate agents to display their properties across the Point 2 network (now over 104,000 strong). Yep, here you have it folks, another tool in the Internet advertising arsenal. Now you don't need a Point 2 web site to utilize Point2's most excellent listing display venues.

For the full story,including links to press and news service releases, please click here.

Posted by Jay Thompson on 01/04/2007 03:37 PM

Comments (70)

point 2, nls, internet advertising

Originally posted at: Jay's Phoenix Area Real Estate (and more...): Point 2 Launches the "NLS"

Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Tech Corner
Post is included in group: Point 2 Agent Sites

70 Comments on Point 2 Launches the "NLS"

JAN

2007

<<stepping up to the podium>> Me too! point2agent fan! My site is only 6 months old and I'm watching the hits grow. The graphs are starting to look like a steep hill--upwards! I'll let ya'll know when I get my first listing!

That's outstanding Lisa! It truly is a wonderful product. Just keep working on your site. Ours is a lead generating machine.

This new "NLS" could be huge. If nothing else, non-P2 members should look into it. It's a great venue for advertising your listings. And you can't beat the price

It really is a good operation, I agree Jay. This will be interesting to watch! I got my 'free' site with them and it was before AR; so it was my first glimpse at how my SEO rating could increase. I'm impressed.

P2A is great. I am a standard member at the moment but I plann on upgrading. Even as a standard member there are perks. You can create, customize pages and etc... I am excited about nls. What a wonderful site.

I have a point 2 site: www.KevinOrak.com as well as a recently launched blog site www.BestOfFlaglerRealEstate.com . (Please understand this is still a work in progress) It seems that the blog proponents believe that the traditional "static" site will be a thing of the past instead replaced with an ever changing blog site. I am still not sure what I believe but with the launch of the new point 2 nls it would seem that my other point 2 site would not really be needed. Thoughts?

Looks like the second blog on nls except yours was the first...

That would make this the first blog on NLS then, wouldn't it Terri? :)

With Passion!

I am not trying to be dense - do not understand last 2 comments? New to Blogging and to active rain. Thanks for understanding......

I like Point2 also, even though I'm still working on my site... I have seen my traffic improve immensely in recent weeks.

Thank you ! I will be looking into changing my website in the next couple of months and will definitely include Point2 in my research.

Ines

Hey Everyone!

Point 2 Agents...If you're looking for a business planning, CRM and sales forecasting software you should check out Symplifi by Topaz Software (http://www.topazsoftware.com/). Symplifi is a business planning, goal setting/tracking and CRM software all in one. You enter the amount of income you want to earn in 2007 and Symplifi tells you how many leads, clients and closings you need to achieve it. Every time you log in you can see how close you are to your goals, what your conversion rates are and your sales forecast...very motivating! Even more exciting is that Topaz has partnered with Point 2 to offer all of their agents incredible discounts on this innovative software.

Happy 2007!!

Gigi

Thanks Jay for the info. I have been sent an email from P2 about this launch and I'm still a bit confused. How do you see this working? Any concerns about the mls in your local and others? What is the goal of P2 in doing this? what do they gain?

Thanks for the post, I too got a point 2 site and I got the email. I think is a good marketing point I can tell sellers about.

Another plug for Point2. I'm from Saskatoon where the company originated and still operates today. I all but ignored them for the first few years. Once they became a giant in the industry I decided to check out their free trial. I've hardly left Point2 office since. The product is loaded with features that will take you weeks to discover, or you can just go basic. Either way, the product is tough to beat. It's very easy to create a pretty nice site. Their blogging platform is also excellent.

I can tell Point2 is a favorite of many here at AR; and if not with a couple blogs the rest will be checking into it.

JAN

2007

your "full story" link produces a 404 error

Thanks Harper Team. My "other blog" seemed to be having some problems earlier. That may be why you got the 404. I just tried it and it seems to be working fine now.

If anyone is interested in getting a free Point 2 web site, there is more info here.

I have a Point2 web site and have used the Handshaking facility to enable my visitors to see listings from other Point2 agents who participate in handshaking or sharing. I wonder if the new Point2NLS will only post listings from members who have handshake agreements or will all Point2 listings be available.

If MLS's want to play in this game they will have to stop the attitude of "it's my ball....if you want to play I make up the rules". The comsumer, and we are also consumers, wants value for money.

Jay - Thanks for the post and please look forward to having your brain picked about Point 2 Agent when I see you later this morning!

Jay & Francy,

Thanks for the post. By now you know that there are two posts on this subject. I read the first an signed up. I'll take advantage of every any any good opportunity.

JAN

2007

I hope it's OK, I just reposted 2 remarks I made about the NLS elsewhere rather than re-writing, by editing and adding this group....first time I tried this. They ended up in separate posts to the group rather than here. I plead being a green pea in my defense...

Beth I have been here a few months now and it still gets confusing sometimes lol.

Beth - no problem, you did it perfectly fine!

JAN

2007

Hi All;

Does the POINT2 free site have availble the new NLS feature???

Im trying out Point2 with their free site right now. Since my MLS wants $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ to put an IDX feed on my site, this would give me the oppourtunity to have atleast a few listings.

Thanks

Dave

JAN

2007

Yes Dave, it does.

FEB

2007

We sing the praises of Point2 also. We like all the positive things they are doing now.

MAR

2007

Thanks for all your contributions here and on the Point2 message boards over the years

MAR

2007

Point 2 is great. I"ve had mine for about one month or so and already have had some success with it. It keeps one orginized.

MAR

2007

HELP for a new Point 2 member. I am trying to set up my email on the free Point 2. I want to give it a test run before deciding to upgrade. I am very confused about the default domain. Do you have to purchase that in order to set up an email associated with your Point 2 website? I have spend way longer than you would believe trying to figure this out. I do not want to use my domain name from my other website. Any help would be appreciated.

Diana

www.rhinebeck-ny-realtor.com

http://diana.corcoranpoint2agent.com

MAY

2007

Can the NLS be used by us who only have the FREE p2agent sites? I get emails for the nls, but cannot log in to see whatever the graph shows.

Remember, I am computer illiterate! I'm really slow with the whole internet thing.

MAY

2007

Hi Dawn,

It's my understanding that any licensed real estate professional can post their listings to the NLS.

Here is a link to their site where you can read about it:

http://point2nls.com/

Enjoy!

MAY

2007

We are very happy with point to as well.

That would be P2!

JUL

2007

The NLS is a powerful system ! It was just launched and already I have received contact from two new prospects who found me through it.

Make sure you load all of your listings onto your Point2 site as soon as possible after listing them. I can see this is going to be a great marketing tool for us.

AUG

2007

Diana,

The email is only a forwarder on the free site .

If you want the email feature with a new address and forwarder that is the paid membership.

I used the free site for about 4 months as an extra web site just to see how it would do. Once I upgraded I relized that I nolonger needed top producer. My email is now integraded right into my website. anyway I canceled my other site at imagepro and my T/P and saved money. now the leads roll in.

New Group : point 2 NLS

I use point 2. I'm just playing around with the free site,and will update soon. Nice to see some competition for the MLS!

Matthew: Thank you for the info. I ended buying a domain name and 3 neighborhoods and am giving it a good test run.

APR

2008

I have been a Pt2 subscriber for quite some time and have never gotten any leads from it all.

what am I doing wrong?

Faye - difficult to say without seeing your site. Leave the URL (or email it to me) and I'll be glad to take a look.

Jay

I have been with Point 2 for over a year and a half. I have had great succes with the SEO I have done as well as from posts to AR and Localism. They work together for me.

OCT

2008

Does Point2Agent.com offer yourdomain.com/MLS#? www.imoria.com does! How many pages does your website have indexed on google with point2?

OCT

2008

I have just started on the Point2agent site and trying to learn how it all works. It's nice to hear so many positive comments.

Point 2 works for me. Still a good company, still a good product.

You do need to work your site though, with ANY provider. It's all about unique, relevant content.

I'm involved with Point2 as well. I love their site and use their platform for my website. I would, however, like to see a better blog platform; I like the AR platform much better.

Agreed. Have you tried the Outside Blog feature with AR? Wonder what would be the ramifications of taking my existing blog domain name (from my P2 blog), switching it to an AR outside blog, and framing that into my P2 website?

I guess what I'd lose is the automated listing & events posting function.

OCT

2008

It looks really interesting....I wonder if the new agents in my office that don't have listings would get any benefit from it though?

OCT

2008

With certain keywords I am one the number one Google spots and on other search engines using this system. I just wish the client management was a better system.

I'm with you there, Laura. Have you commented about this on the P2A Message Boards? It's the best way to be heard by the powers that be. If they get enough comments on the topic of the client management system perhaps they'll move it a little higher on the development list...see you there!

I'm enjoying my point to agent web site.. It is getting more attention than my old top producer website ever had.

JAN

I was not aware of this.. Thanks for the post

JAN

Sounds like this post is over a year old! I just started with P2A and af free website a couple of months ago and the benefits far outweigh any negatives with P2A websites.

"Sounds like this post is over a year old!"

Actually, I wrote this post TWO years ago. To the day!

JAN

Love my P2A websites. I have one for the office and a personal one. Started with the free sites and am getting ready to upgrade to premium sites. I'm not a "techie" and even I could set them up with basic info. Will get a little more creative with the premium sites.

FEB

Well... all good things got to come to an end... and so with P2 : (

"Well... all good things got to come to an end... and so with P2 : ("

Huh. Last I checked my Point2 site was running and performing quite well. Care to qualify what you mean by Point2 coming to an end Lonn?

I'm sure he's referring to the demise of the "FREE" standard site, which some time in March becomes $9.95/month w/out the 6 mo free period.

Still, we had to know that would come eventually, especially given the current economy.

It remains a good product and a good source of leads for me.

Hopefully this means they can put their time, energy and funds into further developing a few of the features that could use a little more attention to qualify as "bleeding edge", such as the contact mgmt system, drips, and e-mail. I'd like to see some new music on the virtual tours as well.

BTW Tour Factory presented at our office this week. I think P2's syndication is pretty solid, but TF is sending their tours to U-Tube as well. It would be neat to see that added.

Beth - I assume that's what Lonn was referring to, but I hate to assume anything....

Personally, I'm glad P2 is losing the free sites (though you can still try for free for 3 months). There are so many abandoned free sites out there, and let's be honest. If an agent can't afford to spend $9.95/month for a web site, they are in the wrong business.... Despite that, I'm sure the whining will be extensive.

LOL!!! No doubt there (I think I can hear it from here), and I'm in agreement with you on the free thing.

FEB

I too love point 2.

MAR

Praise resounds across this blog.

Jay, Beth:

Yes, what I referred to when saying all "good things got to come to an end" was the Free Sites at P2A.

I don't care if they ended it. Yes they gave warning.

My issue is that they were rude in the language they put up on the pages of those agents who chose not to upgrade. It was a slap in the face to those agents, IMHO.

I was not whining. I was sharing an intentionally critical viewpoint that Point 2 had been rude to those Realtors who chose not to upgrade their free site to a paid site.

I had already heeded the warning and moved my site - so this issue of their rudeness did not affect me.

However, I felt (and still feel) it was a sad day for Sauk Klein and company when they would be so rude to the very agents who might yet want to buy something.

KIND OF LIKE KICKING THEM WHEN THEY WERE DOWN....

I guess that's ok with you if they want to promise FREE SITES to (y)our colleagues, and then pull the rug out from under them.

Did they have to say any more than this?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FREE TRIAL - WHICH HAS NOW ENDED.

SITE OWNERS MAY <LOGIN HERE> TO RE-ACTIVATE THE ACCOUNT IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR SERVICES AND FEATURES.

MAR

Wow, Lonn, I can't speak for Jay, but you evidently took from my comments something that wasn't even there, so I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't put words in my mouth.

The only reason your name even entered into it was your comment about things coming to an end, and my evidently accurate assumption that you were referring to the free sites. This simply wasn't about you.

As it happens, I agree that they could have handled things a little differently, and seem to remember being told that the standard site was free 'forever'. However, forever is a pretty long time, and I was brought up understanding the wisdom of TANSTAAFL: There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.

Everything has to be paid for at some point in time by somebody.

People tend to value and take better care of the things they pay for.

No one is really served by having a bunch of abandoned sites littering up the web. I did have a free standard site that I was using to experiment in niche marketing, but what I learned from it is that I don't have time to maintain 2 sites.

The web is an important business tool for Realtors®, and they do offer different price points for different pocket books. Serious practitioners have a choice about what to invest in based on their needs.

I am a paying customer who would prefer they concentrated their talents, energies and resources on maintaining and improving the product rather than carrying 'free' sites. I think that a 90 day free trial is reasonable and sufficient. It sure beats the 30 day trial offered by most vendors.

Many companies offer free or subsidized product while they are building their business and their value proposition. It seems that phase is over for Point2 and they have proven to me, at least, that their product is worth paying for. They can continue to prove it by keeping the product relevant, not so much by giving it away.

Simply my opinion.

Wow Beth : )

I promise... No comments were taken and no words were put in your mouth : )

I simply addressed you and Jay in a single comment because you had both commented my earlier post by seeming to be in favor of this development. As I said, I don't care if they change their business model. That's not the point. You both seem to feel that P2 has done what any business needs to do in an evolving market. Jay suggested "whining will be extensive". To you both, I posed a comment and a question:

I felt (and still feel) it was a sad day for Sauk Klein and company when they would be so rude to the very agents who might yet want to buy something.

KIND OF LIKE KICKING THEM WHEN THEY WERE DOWN....

I guess that's ok with you if they want to promise FREE SITES to (y)our colleagues, and then pull the rug out from under them.

BUT - Did they have to say any more than this?

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FREE TRIAL - WHICH HAS NOW ENDED.

SITE OWNERS MAY <LOGIN HERE> TO RE-ACTIVATE THE ACCOUNT IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY OUR SERVICES AND FEATURES.

MAR

This is all very encouraging as I am considering getting Point2 and I am wondering why I haven't already done so. No time like the right time.

APR

Jay,

Are you still using point2agent since it has gotten rid of the free website? If so, are you noticing that it is better or worse than before in terms of traffic you are getting.

APR

My Point2 site is www.NorthShoreBuyer.com in Massachusetts. I think that Point2 is still emerging in our area. I would like to see more agents using Point2 here in MA. I had previously used a local website service when I was with RE/MAX - IMAX. It had an excellent MLS VOW component but was not as 'sexy; as Point2. Point2's Virtual Tours are particularly fabulous. They do a really good job making photos 'pop'

AUG

I have been looking for a new website and wondered if P2A is still a viable deal or not. If it is which do you recommend of th emodels they have ot choose from.

Hi Charles,

I have a P2A Professional level site (since May of '05). I like the flexibility of the product, the ease of making changes, and the way it performs (easy to optimize, performs well in appearing on searches-though as with any site, you have to put some work into it, both with content and understanding keywords, tags, etc).

Most of my business comes from my website, either directly or indirectly from the syndication and from having a strong presence on the web.

They also provide a good help database and live training opportunities.

Jump in, it's a good product. Let us know how it goes.

NOV

Just started with them, good to get this input.

DEC

Hey, Jay. I'm just kind of branching out on AR and noticed this P2A group and bang there you were right at the top, so I joined. Then I came back and noticed just how old the blog post was - just goes to show you that the words on the internet never die. Anyway, I had stopped posting replies to the blogs on relib a few months ago and well you know they are doing away with relib now. The few remaining there are saying their good-byes. Sorry some have not been able to migrate over to AR. I met so many great real estate agents and people there.

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