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Should you make prospects log in on web site? What do you think? What else works?

I have really started to get my web site to really pay off. It is now almost 50% of my business. The other 50% referrals and repeat client's. I have had prospects complain about having to log in to view MLS property. I have a form that asks for Name email and phone. The only requirement to pass is really first name and email, but about 70% add their phone. Most probably don't know they can get in without it. This has been great for my business. Before I was making people log in my web site was just an after thought not 50% of my income. I still get some prospects and clients that complain about the fact I am making them log in. I also have other Realtors tell me it's not a good idea. I am not spending the money to just provide a free service. I don't feel my web site was really making me any money before I started doing this. What is the best solution? Who out there has a successful site and what are you doing to make it work.

Justin Thayer

Team Thayer Keller Williams

Posted by Elizabeth & Justin Thayer on 04/20/2008 12:20 AM

Comments (9)

Post is included in group: Realtors®
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9 Comments on Should you make prospects log in on web site? What do you think? What else works?

Make 'em log in. If you get 1 in a thousand you've got 1. Otherwise 10,000 will pass and no leads to show for it.

04/20/2008 12:31 AM

by RE/MAX Real Estate Agent - Lake Norman Area - Ray Lopez (RE/MAX at the lake)

I have heard pros and cons on having people log in. I currently don't make people log in but that may change.

04/20/2008 12:33 AM

by Roberta LaRocca - REALTOR® Las Vegas (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)

very interesting post...i'd love to hear what others have to say..how are you achieving 50% of you business on your website?

04/20/2008 12:44 AM

by Greg Nino Houston Texas (RE/MAX West Houston Professionals)

I don't make people log in anymore. At on time I did, and I mostly got made up names and fake information. Now, I just let them look. If they like what they see, then they will call me.

04/20/2008 12:57 AM

by Kristal Reid - Zebulon, GA (Century 21 Adams-Walker)

I get 50% from my web site by calling the people who log on to search. I was a very successful car salesman for 10 years before this so I'm really good at converting phone leads into clients. I was doing open houses and chasing FISBOS before I made people log in. I do not really need to do any of that anymore. I just got a good lead in the 30minutes after I wrote the blog and now ! These calls are now 1/2 of my income. I know I need to get their info somehow I thought there might be a better way. I also know if I do nothing and rely on them to contact me get a very little out of my site it if anything.

Justin Thayer

Team Thayer

Or = Same ?

04/20/2008 02:42 AM

by Elizabeth & Justin Thayer (Keller Williams Realty)

Justin Thayer

Team Thayer

04/20/2008 02:44 AM

by Elizabeth & Justin Thayer (Keller Williams Realty)

If they don't want to log in then they probubly won't be a good prospect. Great post and timely as I am going to start working on an expanded website after my vacation.

04/20/2008 05:50 AM

by Paddy Pizappi PineBush & Hudson Valley NY Real Estate (RJ Smith Realty Real Estate Solutions)

I agree with logging in to access the MLS. I don't agree with real estate sites that give away a lot of information and make you fill out a form every time in order to receive it. You broke the code - follow-up is key to successful lead generation.

Good Post!

04/20/2008 09:17 AM

by Michael Setunsky (Michael's Commercial LLC)

I have been using a form to make visitors to my web site sign in. They could view my personal listings but needed to sign in to search the MLS. I've had a lot of people use fake names, etc. Some even said their name was annoyed to sign-in. The main idea is to capture the people that sign in. I have a drip email letter that goes out to people initially asking what they are searching for, etc. It is followed up periodically with additional emails. I've not had very much success with this system and when tracking hits to my page, people come to my web page but move on when they have to sign in. Just a few days ago I changed the site so visitors don't need to sign in. I'm interested to see if more people click through to actually search the mls.

04/21/2008 07:47 AM

by Yvonne Hurt, Northern Neck of VA Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate)

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