71% of homebuyers use the Internet in their search , up from 41% in 2001. Needless to say, the Internet has affected the way we market and sell real estate.

Despite the massive shift of homebuyers online, most real estate agents say their websites aren’t generating any new business for them.

While most agents understand the importance of marketing online and readily purchase a web site, they usually do not put in the time to make their investment truly effective. Whether this is due to unrealistic promises from their website designers, a misunderstanding of how the Internet works, a lack of time, or a lack of direction, many web sites are falling far short of their potential.

The first thing to realize is that you must take an active role in creating a stronger web presence for your practice. Our web strategy guides outline the key concepts you need to understand in order to do this.

• What homebuyers look for in a web site and why so many real estate sites fail
• How to optimize your site for search engines and drive traffic
• How to convert leads into clients

Millions of Homebuyers Hit the Internet for Information

The Internet is the first place more and more homebuyers are beginning their search for a home. According to a study done by the National Association of Realtors, 71% of homebuyers take their search online.

These numbers will only increase with the Internet reaching more and more households. Nearly 70,000 new people are getting Internet access every day. Studies also show that the average homebuyer is also getting younger, and increasingly grew up with the Internet.

Internet Homebuyers Make Better Clients

According to a study commissioned by the California Association of Realtors, Internet homebuyers were reported to be wealthier and purchasing more expensive homes. Internet homebuyers bought a median priced home of $452,000 while traditional buyers purchased a median priced home of $310,000.

In the same study, homebuyers also reported that the Internet shortened their home search. The entire home purchasing process took half as long for homebuyers who used the Internet as those who did not. More importantly, Internet buyers spent half as much time with their real estate agents, visiting only half as many homes as traditional buyers before making their purchase. They were able to view listings online and narrow down their search to the few homes they were strongly interested in.

Homebuyers using the Internet were also more knowledgeable about the purchasing process, and expressed greater satisfaction with their real estate agents.

More expensive purchases, shorter search cycles, and happy clients who are better informed about the home-buying process -- could it get any better?

In fact it does! Homebuyers who search the Internet are actually more likely than traditional buyers to use a real estate agent to find their home and complete the purchase. 77% of Internet homebuyers use a real estate agent, compared to only 70% of those who do not take advantage of the Internet.

If you're not marketing online, you're losing a goldmine of prospective clients.

Online Marketing Saves Time and is Cost Effective

In addition to the huge audience of excellent prospective clients, the Internet offers both convenience and cost effectiveness that traditional media cannot. Web sites are more engaging and informative than even the best brochures. Emails make it easier and cheaper to keep in touch with existing clients. You do not need to have a four or five-figure marketing budget to create a professional online presence.

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