Facebook traffic surpasses Google's
Realtors are making the most of social networking
By Inman News, Tuesday, March 16, 2010.Facebook was the most visited Web site in the U.S. during the week ending March 13, surpassing Google for an entire week for the first time, online metrics firm Hitwise said.
Facebook had previously been able to attract more visitors than Google on Christmas and New Year's Day, as well as the weekend of March 6, said Heather Dougherty, director of research at Hitwise, in a blog post.
Facebook's market share of visits is up from 185 percent a year ago, compared with a 9 percent gain for Google, Dougherty said. According to Hitwise, Facebook and Google captured a combined 14 percent of all Internet traffic last week.
Kentucky-based Realtor Mike Parker displays his listings on Facebook using a feed from Realtor.com, but says the best use of social networking is expanding your network of contacts building personal relationships (see Inman News story).
For more insight on how agents and brokers are using Facebook, see "10 ways to 'pimp' your Facebook Page" by Joseph Ferrara, "5 Facebook tips for Realtors" by Katie Lance, and "Facebook dos and don'ts for agents" by Bernice Ross.
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Submitted by Mike Parker on March 16, 2010 - 6:22am.
Mike Parker
mparker@theblackwatercg.com
The essence of the entire social media movement is defined in this paragraph in the article: "Kentucky-based Realtor Mike Parker displays his listings on Facebook using a feed from Realtor.com, but says the best use of social networking is expanding your network of contacts building personal relationships."
People aren't buying houses off Facebook and I doubt if they ever will. However; you can develop relationships with other agents and perhaps an occasional buyer that can be advantageous.
Just don't expect your social networking to have a measurable ROI for the hour or more you must devote to it daily; so far, that hasn't happened. So far, it's all work and no return for most agents trying to utilize Social Networking as a business development tool.
It also might be worth mentioning that India is the fastest growing market segment for Facebook; not many home sales there for American agents! Facebook isn't the answer for selling homes.
Submitted by Barrett Powell on March 16, 2010 - 2:12pm.
My kids are on Facebook. Everyday after school they spend 30 minutes or more on FB. They rarely use Google except to do reports for school. They don't buy houses...yet. Keep in perspective who is on Facebook and what for.
Today I was at another agent’s office. He sells really expensive homes and condos to mostly retired empty nesters. He was showing me his new TweetLister technology. So I asked "how many of your clients even use Twitter?" His comment was "I have one listing client that has used it".
Barrett Powell, Owner/Broker/Consultant
Southern Advantage Companies
RSA Software & Consulting
288 East Street, PO Box 1427
Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312
http://www.REMAXChatham.com
http://wbarrettpowell.wordpress.com
barrett.powell - Skype
wbarrettpowell@gmail.com
Submitted by Daniel Bretzke on March 16, 2010 - 10:46pm.
I like face book because it keeps me up with family and friends activities and interests. I don't think I want to use it to sell listings. If someone is looking for a house, they know I sell real estate, and I know that they know five other friends selling real estate, so if they choose me, I will do my best for them.