Developing A Strategy For Real Estate Mobile Marketing

Realtors are constantly seeking new ways to control business costs, in a slow market. Placing print advertisements, and printing up fliers to leave at listings, may eat a sizable portion of a realtor's budget. Fortunately, real estate mobile marketing, as part of an overall digital strategy, provides a no-paper, low-cost avenue for reaching potential clients. This type of marketing also helps realtors to be more proactive with advertising, rather than reactive.

When realtors use mobile marketing, they use a mobile device to communicate with clients. Realtors with access to calls and emails on a smart phone are available to assist buyers at any time of the day. Being available gives realtors an advantage over less responsive competitors. Also, smart phone capability is better suited to a clientele that is constantly integrating more digital products into their lifestyles.

Realtors are set back in a reactive position with print ads, and even with websites. In both cases, realtors have to wait for clients to contact them about the property. Even fliers will never be picked up unless a client actually sets up a property showing. Ideally, realtors should be able to proactively market their listings to potential clients. Mobile capability will give realtors a platform in which to be more assertive, while, at the same time, saving money.

Digital could be utilized for a variety of client services. When realtors list a new property, for instance, they may choose to send out a text message, to clients who might have an interest in the property. Realtors may also send a text, just before an open house is set to begin, to clients who would be interested in the property.

SMS offers clients the chance to acquire important information, right on their smart phone. Realtors could set up a service, which would allow clients to text a keyword to a certain number, in order to receive property information. This service would replace the fliers that are often left at property sites, generating instant information for the client at minimal cost to the realtor.

Advertising is only one aspect of an overall digital strategy. Many clients use their phones to look at property information online. For this reason, realtors should ensure that their websites are easily navigated with a smart phone, and that they do not publish too much Flash content. Additionally, good visuals on a website are important, and realtors may even consider adding a video element to their pages.

Of course, there are even less expensive alte
atives for digital strategy. One idea is for realtors to list homes on real estate websites, like Zillow or Trulia. Both of these websites feature high-quality mobile applications, and are rich in visual features. Another idea is for realtors to use social media to communicate with their client base.

Real estate mobile marketing gives realtors new, fresh ways to reach out to potential clients. Web and phone-based services offer convenience to clients, at a low cost to realtors, thus helping them to recruit and retain more prospective buyers. Utilizing all of the capabilities of computers and smart phones allows realtors to match their services to the technological savvy of their client base.