While noodling around on Google the other day, I decided to see what tools Google has for real estate agents and ran across a page set up just to showcase the tools that Google offers us.
Here is what I found:
Countless home buyers use Google to browse for real estate information each month. Google offers a full suite of tools for real estate professionals that let you reach prospects in your region at all stages of their home search – while they’re looking for properties, checking out locations, and selecting an agent or broker. It’s how you reach more sellers, attract more buyers, and sell more homes. The tools are:
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To entice you to investigate further they say this:
Here’s why it pays to use Google to connect to home buyers and sellers:Google can help generate real estate referrals and leads. * Google has more real estate searches than other search engines combined, and more unique visitors than all real estate specific web sites. (comScore, November 2006 and March 2007) Countless home buyers use Google to browse for real estate information each month. Google offers a full suite of tools for real estate professionals that let you reach prospects in your region at all stages of their home search – while they’re looking for properties, checking out locations, and selecting an agent or broker. It’s how you reach more sellers, attract more buyers, and sell more homes. |
You could easily spend a few hours investigating all of the tools, but a few standout as ones that I think you should peek at first. First of all, spend a few minutes and sign up for a business listing on Google Local Business Center at https://www.google.com/local/add/login?hl=en_US.
Here is why:
List your business where customers are searching via Google’s Local Business CenterOver one-third of people looking for real estate information on Google are searching for agents or brokers.4 You want your name and address to be displayed when they search. The Local Business Center gives real estate professionals an easy way to submit business listings. Submit multiple locations with a data file and conveniently manage and control listings. Put yourself in front of your customers when they’re trying to find you. List your business where customers are searching via Google’s Local Business Center Over one-third of people looking for real estate information on Google are searching for agents or brokers.4 You want your name and address to be displayed when they search. The Local Business Center gives real estate professionals an easy way to submit business listings. Submit multiple locations with a data file and conveniently manage and control listings. Put yourself in front of your customers when they’re trying to find you. |
Then, go and sign up with Google base at:
https://services.google.com/inquiry/base_agents to make sure that Google knows about your listings.
| Make your listings more easily searchable on Google.com using Google Base, for free. Google Base is a free service that lets you make your listings easier for home-buyers and real estate agents to find when they look for properties via Google. Google Base broadens your distribution, providing free traffic and leads through natural search results on Google properties. Google Base is a better search experience for users because they can refine results based on specific attributes and see results on Google Maps, immediately zeroing in on the neighborhoods most attractive to them. In addition to Google’s automated Web Indexing, see some of the other ways to publish your listings on Google Base and read what some of our partners have to say. New! |
After you have done those two things, go ahead and spend a few minutes looking at some of the other cool tools, not the least of which are the Google Apps. Wouldn’t it be great to not have to pay Microsoft for the expensive Office suite? That could be true for you if you like what Google has done with Google Apps at http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/business/applications.html
Here is the info you need:
| Improve your communication and collaboration with Google Apps Communicating with colleagues, clients and other agents is essential to every real estate professional. Google offers a package of simple and powerful tools that you can use to communicate and collaborate more effectively, for less. Google Apps includes fully customized email addresses with plenty of storage, sharable calendars, tools for sharing and collaborating on documents and spreadsheets, and even instant messaging services. What’s more, you can access these services and all of your information wherever you are — at your own desk, on other Internet-connected computers, and even while you’re on the road with your mobile device. Best of all, there’s no special hardware or software required, so you can be up and running with Google Apps with minimal hassles. Google Apps Standard Edition is always free, and for a limited time you can try Premier Edition before you buy. Learn more and get started today. |
So, if any of this sounds good to you, and I think it should, then go here to check out all of the offerings from Google that are tailored to you, the professional real estate agent:
http://www.google.com/intl/en/events/realestatetools/index.html
Be sure to let me know what you think by leaving a comment.
Hi,
I tried to add my business location in Google Map. But I could not enter as our country (Sri Lanka) is not listed in the country list. Pl. alllow us to add to our company details in Google Map and earth.
Rgds.
Shantha
Hi Jerry,
Are you familiar with any of these sites: Spotrunner, Pixelfish, or Turn-Here?
Rick
Shantha-
I wish I had that power! But, you’ll need to contact Google directly on that one!
Best regards,
Jerry
Rick-
I was aware of Spotrunner, but Pixelfish and Turnhere are new to me. They all appear to produce and/or distribute video used to advertise businesses. They seemed to be priced higher than what the average agent would want to spend. Having said that, one of them might be a good choice for an agent wanting to stand out from the crowd and who didn’t mind spending a considerable chunk of change to do so!
Best regards,
Jerry
are this services work in us only or you can use them also in other countries in the world as well?
Hasid-
I don’t know. I Think that you may want to check with Google on that one.
Best regards,
jerry