"You get what you pay for..." - Not always the case.

While we have all heard the phrase, "You get what you pay for." I have found that there are many cases where this is just not the case. Sometimes I feel that LinkURealty could fall into this misjudgment, however looking at similar companies and other internet based companies, this statements falls short of realistic.

Perhaps when buying a physical object the statement seems to ring more truthful, when buying services online, it is just not true. For example, a BMW over a KIA? Yes maybe, but when it comes to LinkURealty services and websites compared to the competition, well it becomes obvious the phrase "You get what you pay for." is quite the mis-statement.

LinkUSystems' goal for LinkURealty is to be the best and #1 real estate website provider in the market, while it will take some work to get there, the path seems clear that LinkURealty is on the way. Why? Well looking at the other dominant competition, the only thing growing quickly is their consumer base, while the product and service shows little improvement. Since LinkURealty began in July of 2003, they have exceeded the features or met the features offered by most competitors, especially top competitors. Seeing that most the competition has 3-5 years over LinkURealty and deeper pockets, it is a surprise that still no service is the dominant player in the industry. I think this is because of price and features. There are so many features that other companies charge additional fees for. However a lot of these features could be added with no additional cost and simply be an added value to their system.

The LinkURealty approach is much different when it comes to real estate web design and the real estate web sites that we create. While I cannot get into the exact details of the plan, it basically offers an agent additional features and functionality while maintaining its low monthly price. When it comes to features, design and cost, the LinkURealty ZSERIES out performs most if not all it's comparable competition. In fact there are similar companies selling websites for anywhere from $199 up to $1000 and sometimes more for websites that don't have nearly the amount of features the ZSERIES offers and quite frankly are just weaker products.

One of the biggest differences in all is the LinkURealty XE real estate web site package, which features a "true" semi-custom design so agents and brokers can have the look and feel of a custom site while paying just a fraction of the cost. Many competitors claim to have customized websites or semi-custom websites, such as Advanced Access and Z57, however they couldn't be further from the truth. A Z57 website, with a price tag of about $499-$699, offers very little customizations to their web designs, unless your willing to pay the fees, even then the designs are still lacking a real professional look. Advanced Access claims the same, their price tag ranges anywhere from $499-$799, however only feature a makeshift splash page design with no actual web design through the entire website, just a long left column with links. Agent Image is probably one of the only true Semi-Custom websites offered, with very high quality designs, however their pricing is very expensive ($799-$5000+) and their features are lacking. In either case, agents and brokers want a site to look good, they don't want their site to look like it only cost them a few hundred dollars, which some of these sites look like they cost less than $100, but the XE real estate websites offered by LinkURealty provide customization options no one can duplicate and all for $399. Now you may think, "that seems to cheap, and you'd be better off with a $600+ website", however if you haven't seen it by now, you don't always get what you pay for, sometimes you pay for it, but end up with much less.

Why it is critical for real estate agents to use the internet.

The internet has become a very powerful tool for marketing a business and to not be on the internet would just not make sense from any business or marketing perspective. However I still run into those who do not want to have anything to do with the internet. I can't help to wonder why... Most of those who I talk to which feel this way, say that they are doing fine without a website or internet presence and don't see a need for a real estate website.

At the same time I will see the same agents spend most their marketing dollars on advertising or marketing materials that are expensive and provide even less of a value. What can I say to convince these people to see it the way of many others to see how the internet could help them in marketing their business online? Not only by having a real estate website, but by utilizing e-mail marketing and similar tools. Well I suppose there will always be those who will never change or "get it", but once you look at the cost of owning a website and the cost of using e-mail marketing as opposed to many other types of marketing currently used by agents, you will see a significant difference in cost and results.

In most cases it is cheaper and easier to start a business online then physically having a business, overhead and advertising is generally a lower cost and allows you to reach a much broader market. Starting several businesses online myself I have too been very successful making money purely online with no print advertising. I am not saying not to use print advertising, I am only saying that it could be done and an agent could be very successful if done right. In the real estate market a combination of the two would provide the best results, by using a real estate website to compliment your ad in most cases be the primary focus of an advertisement.

As the internet continues to grow it will be a requirement to have a real estate website or you will be considered... well out. Remember when cell phones were not "standard"? Well if a real estate agent does not have a mobile phone they may be considered to be hard to reach or behind the times. I know I would not want to have to rely on my agent being in the office when I call. In addition I EXPECT my real estate agent to have a real estate web site. It could be for a reason as simple as obtaining their phone number or contact info from my work computer, or seeing my home being advertised in one additional place, whatever the reason, a website is something every agent should have, even if it just sits there online.

Obviously I would recommend doing more with a real estate website, then let it sit, but the point is the need for a real estate website. While a website could provide new leads, it will also add a value to existing clients, save time; expand marketing efforts and much more all for a very low cost. For example a full functioning website through LinkURealty costs as low as $29.99/mo. with no setup fees, besides the cost of a domain name, which is $7-$25/yr. depending where you buy it. Basically $1 a day for 24/7/365 exposure. Does every agent have a budget for a website? If not they should.

Can you think of a reason why a real estate agent would not need a real estate website?