Home > Blogs > Jordan Graham > Jordan Graham's (jordanlgraham) Blog

Does anyone use IM buttons on their websites?

By Jordan Graham

Mortgage and Lending

June 22, 2007 11:02 AM

In a past life I had a property management company for ski condos in Colorado's Summit County, and I got a weeklong booking once because I had a button on my website that would initiate an AOL instant messaging session. I happened to be working at my computer (and honestly, I'm in front of my computer a full 70% of my work time) and was able to answer her questions and get the booking.

Does anybody use this on their real estate or mortgage websites? Is there a platform that works better than others?

-- Jordan Graham, Mortgage Broker

Comments(6)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Vera Gleason

KW Vaca Valley - Vacaville, CA

Determined to Move You in Solano County

This sounds like a great idea. I am currently having my web site undergo some reconstruction and will ask my web guy about it.

Jun 22, 2007 11:09 AM

Jordan Graham

Greenwood Village, CO

Hi Vera!

Will you come back and let us know what he says?

Jun 22, 2007 11:17 AM

Suzanne Stephens

Stephens Design - Battle Ground, WA

Real Estate Website Design

Jordan, especially if marketing to a younger demographic, I recommend using as many alternative means of communication as possible. I am working on a web site right now for a guy who is really into high tech stuff; his site will have, at minimum, Skype and text messaging. I personally use iChat, included on newer Mac, so I assume it's an important player. There are also many commercial help desk services available. However, I wouldn't use anything unless, as you say, you plan to be at your computer a lot.

Suzanne

Suzanne Hathcock Stephens
Point2Agent Design Partner
http://www.SuzStephens.com

Jun 22, 2007 11:41 AM

Kimberly Grant

Exit Leon Crawford Realty - Huntsville, AL

Real Estate Agent - Huntsville Alabama

This is a good idea. Suzanne makes a good point though. Is there not a way to have a button flash when you are online so that people do not try to contact you when you are not at your computer?? You do not want to offer an option that they cannot use. I will be watching this post for answers for others on something that will show when you are working at the computer and they can contact you instantly.

Jun 22, 2007 11:49 AM

Suzanne Stephens

Stephens Design - Battle Ground, WA

Real Estate Website Design

Skype has an availability button. I haven't researched others but I'm sure they exist.

Suzanne

Suzanne Hathcock Stephens
Point2Agent Design Partner
http://www.SuzStephens.com

Jun 22, 2007 11:53 AM

Michael Eisenberg

eXp Realty - Bellingham, WA

Bellingham Real Estate Guy

Sounds like a good idea, I have been looking into services that offer chat but they want $50 a month. How do you set up for the IM?

Jun 22, 2007 12:20 PM