Fake Names
Many celebrities have signed up to view homes on my site in the past year, as well as some people with really crazy, unique names. I Curious and Just Looking have stopped by. Hey You and Bob Bobbing signed in, as did asdf Afsdf, whose left hand seemed to be stuck at the keyboard.
Some of the names and email addresses make me blush. Seriously!
Don’t Call Me
Another amazing fact, as evidenced by the forms submitted, is the number of people out there who have the same phone number, 555.1212, except, of course, if they are from a different state, they may have a different area code. Some times, though, they don’t offer an area code. Other times all their numbers are the same, i.e. 111.111.1111. I’ve never actually checked to see if 111 or 999 are true area codes. It didn’t seem to really matter.
My IDX solution does allow people searching for homes to come back and search, even if they do leave an erroneous email address and name. Most of the ones who leave bad info don’t come back though. They check in and check out quicker than if they found out they had just checked in at the Bates motel.
I’m Just Looking
I think some people come across the site and wonder if the site I use may have something other sites don’t have. Myself and a broker friend are the only agents in my area with this particular site and we share the cost and leads. Maybe that’s the reason people sign up at more than one site; to see if there’s something different. A better deal or more properties….
Many are just looking! There are people who actually signed up six months ago and still come back every few days or so. The most serious are the ones who are relocating or have future plans to move to Indiana.
No Return
Honestly, the return is not great for the price paid, about 1% of the people so far have actually converted to a client. It pays for itself, but I want more than that. Or maybe, my team and I are just not good at conversion. It’s a thought I’d rather not consider. I do stay in contact – no drip campaigns, just new emails with properties that match their criteria. They are automatically sent by the IDX system.
Please Unsubscribe
Maybe, I should be more “in their face”, but that’s contrary to who I am. I find the people who call me directly or respond by email usually become a client. I have been told to call three times before leaving a message, put them on drip campaign, and stay on top of them leads. It usually leads to “unsubscribe”. My experience tells me it irritates people. Like other relationships, I feel it takes time to develop the online relationship.
A Better Solution
Would it be the same if I did not require people to log-in?
Benn has given us his thoughts on the best IDX solutions. Since my IDX is expensive and would be counter-productive to not force a log-in, I am considering a change. I come to the Geniuses for advice.
What do you think about forced log-ins to access an IDX. Is it self serving? Does a forced log-in instill an initial frustration or distrust?
If you don’t use forced log-in, do visitors to your site log in when they feel comfortable doing so? What is your experience?
