(For those of you that were not able to attend at our annual Kick-Off Meeting earlier this week, here’s a copy of the information presented about our technology enhancements).
Two years ago at the Prudential Convention I made a promise to you to begin blogging about the changes we make in regards to marketing and technology and why. I wanted to make sure you guys knew were involved and updated.
This year I’m making a new resolution – to become a better listener. I want to hear from you. I want to know your needs and your wishlist in regards to your business. Throughout 2012 the marketing department will be hosting Roundtables where you are invited to be involved and share your opinions.
My second resolution is to search for ways to streamline our systems. As you know, you have dozens of sites you need to visit, learn, and manage to control your business. I’d like to find ways to make this simpler for you.
As a first step in this direction, we are switching data and website providers to Real Estate Web Solutions. It’s a local company where we have a bit more input over the direction our system takes. We’ve been with Reliance Network for almost eight years and while I have liked many aspects of their system I often felt we were at their mercy when it came to changes. The changes they dictated were not always the changes we needed. It felt like a product instead of a partnership.
On February 7, 2012 we will begin running both the current system and our new system side by side and transferring your contacts and the data associated with it over. Below is our launch calendar:
- February 7, 2012: New Site Preview
Your new site will be available for you to preview and access but will not yet be live. This will give you time to adjust your site options and upload content. You should be able to simply copy and paste custom pages and SEO from one site to the other since they will be running side by side. - February 13, 2012: New Sites Go Live
New sites go ‘live’ to your customers. We’ll confirm lead logic is working correctly. Old sites remain available in the background. - February 14, 2012: Contacts Added
We will do a data dump of all your contacts and their information to your new site. - February 20, 2012: Old sites taken down
On launch, we’re going to be delivering you all the same features your current sites have as well as quite a few exciting enhancements.
Core Features
- Property Search of all MLS Listings
Listing data still downloads to your website from MARIS – this includes all listing details, all photos and open houses. - Multiple Search Options
Search by map, address, zip code, city, mls# or subdivision. - Ability to Edit Listing Options
Ability to edit listings and add documents, floorplans, etc. - Featured Property Control
You can adjust your featured properties to whatever listings you want to showcase. - Site Customization Options
You can still change site options such as template, color and header as well as add unlimited custom pages and unlimited images. - eCard and Campaign System
We’re bringing over our entire eCard system and we’ll create a local campaign you can turn on for your clients. - Seller’s Reports
Daily or weekly reports showing the activity on our website system. - Local and Updated Website Content
Website content including local content such as wineries, attractions, and events will transfer. - Community Info
School data and demographic data will still appear on each listing. - QR Codes
QR Codes will still be available for every listing. - Leads to Mobile Phone
Leads will still go to your mobile phone for instant acceptance.
What’s New?
- Geolocation Mobile Search
Your clients can now browse homes and opens nearby them. - Agent Branding on Mobile Search
Your mobile search will now be branded with your name, photo and information. - Time Stamp on Contact Notes
Now there’s an automated user stamp and time stamp on every contact note or system change for better client tracking. - Header Slideshow Option
Set up a custom Flash slideshow on your site. - Auto-Updated Marketing Message
Promoting company marketing such as a Magic House events or Letters from Santa? Now you don’t have to manually add the graphic to your website and link it out – we’ll be able to do it for you! - Flyer On Demand
Print flyers with just one click and skip the manual process of Publisher. - Social Media Options
Link your social media sites to your website AND share to Facebook and Twitter with ease. - Campaigns by Source
Now send email campaigns based on client’s source (Zillow, Trulia, etc.) and personalize their online experience. - QR Codes for any Page
Create QR Codes for any page, not just your listing detail pages! Link to your home page or any custom page. - Marketing Tracking & Google Analytics
Track your marketing efforts. See details on what visitors are coming from QR codes, Facebook, search engines, etc. - Unsubscribe by Email Type
Before any unsubscribe by a client removed them from the system. Now client’s can choose to unsubscribe from marketing campaigns, unsubscribe from new listing updates or unsubscribe from seller reports. - Improved Auto-Prospecting
When you set up Property Watch (a saved search of new listings) for your clients the system will email the listings matching the criteria to the client immediately and then email updates as needed. - Redesigned Search, Listing Results & Listing Detail Page
We’ve redesigned to bring you a cleaner, simpler search and listing result & details pages with more calls to action. - Walkscore
Each listing detail page now shows the property’s Walkscore with a list of nearby restaurants, grocery stores, attractions and more. - Trip Map
Clients can now easily map a tour of homes they would like to see.
In the first quarter we’ll be adding the following features:
- Listing Banners
- Gatekeeper Option
- Sellers Edge Enhancement
- Additional Flyer Options
- Craigslist Design with Calls to Action
- CC a Lender Option
- Do Not Call List Integration
- Email Trip Map Feature
Prudential Select Properties | Marketing 