This course discusses Internet basics, the Internet’s effects on the real estate industry, ways to create effective websites, Internet marketing techniques, and email.

The Internet presents an unprecedented opportunity for real estate professionals. Licensees and firms can create Web sites to advertise their services and their listings incorporating pictures of homes, tours, promotions, property information and MLS listings. It is very important that licensees include their Web site name in all advertising efforts; sites should incorporate direct-response marketing and should include effective branding techniques. Because many people begin their online search for a home with search engines, site operators need to optimize their sites. Site operators can create VOWs or integrate IDX on their Web sites to incorporate MLS searches.

Web sites are designed primarily to generate contacts. In many cases Web site visitors first contact a real estate professional by email. Thus, it is crucial that real estate Web site owners master their email skills. This course offers specific advice on how to use email effectively and discusses spam and its implications for real estate professionals.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this module, the student will:

• Understand the effects of disintermediation on real-estate professionals
• Be able to explain the issues that apply to Internet Data Exchange and Virtual Office Websites
• Have increased knowledge about the basic components of and terms related to the Internet
• Know how to generate contacts through the development of an effective website
• Evaluate and be able to implement Internet marketing methods
• Understand important guidelines for writing e-mails that will help generate effective dialogues

Approved Course Number:

04-00-100-7484