I am Very Proud that I Require Contact Information to View Properties on my Website
Posted by Ryan Ward on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 8:46pm.A couple of years ago I decided to require contact information to view listing details on my website. When I made the decision, I knew that some people would leave or become frustrated at having to provide me contact information but more people would be fine with providing a way to be contacted. To make that decision for people and not ask for the information, in my opinion is not a good business decision, but people can disagree on this point. To call it against consumer interest, immoral or unethical is to not fully comprehend the consumer. Requiring registration also allows me (and now my team) to help consumers if they want it. That in turn is good for business and good for consumers. If they don't want to be contacted, they won't register. No harm, no foul. Those that don't want to be contacted are free to use another website.
I was skeptical at first because I wasn't sure it would be a good business decision. I had never done it so I just didn't know. I thought it would be possible that people would be frustrated and leave our website but that didn't happen. I am well aware that some people left and others provide bad contact information. Never did it occur to me that some would consider it an ethical decision or consider it akin to murder as some have done in this blog - read the comments - which I find absurd, but, I'll put this out there just to further the conversation. I'm also writing this because in defense of my position I said I would from within those comments :) .
Now, I have no problem at all registering to gain access to something I feel is of value to me. I don't proclaim to know exactly how everyone feels or what they think about being asked to register, but, I have more than anecdotal evidence that demonstrates beyond a shadow of doubt that less people are offended by it than those who are offended. Some people say that it doesn't "feel" right to ask for information and others say they don't need the additional business, but, to argue that it is against consumers best interests to ask for contact information is disingenuous if intentional or incorrect if unintentional. To say that this is against consumer interest is silly. This doesn't actually have anything to do with consumer interest. It's just an argument some like to make because of their personal feelings on the matter. Personal feelings that want all things to be "free" because information that isn't "free" now will be someday. Again, silly. And Wrong. Information that has value will never be "free". Most who feel this way spend too much time in front of their computer, too little time in front of consumers, are still in college or younger and are yet unable to understand the value of information, or some other ideal that does not understand the value of an exchange. This is not forced. People are free to go somewhere else. You don't have a right to the information on my website. It's not yours. It is mine. I trained for it and paid for it. Can you get it elsewhere? Sure. Don't want me to call you? Go somewhere else and get the same information. Let me repeat - the same information. Maybe not displayed as well as it is on my site and maybe not as easy to find as it is on my site, but, you get what you pay for.
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Ryan Ward, Principal
Premier Atlanta Real Estate
Phone: 404.630.3187
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Share20 Responses to "I am Very Proud that I Require Contact Information to View Properties on my Website"
Hi Greg, It is in fact in response to BHB. Thank you sir for the compliment.
Posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 9:52 PM.
Ryan, I personally wouldn't go the registration route (I'm not an agent though so...), but I have read on a few blogs that agents get better results when they do require registration. I certainly don't see harm in it - as you mentioned, it's a business decision and I can't see how it has anything to do with a consumer's best interests or why that would be brought up (maybe I need to go check out the comments). I'd argue that it might be in their best interest to register so you can call them and get them a property at a good value that fits their wants and needs.
Posted on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009 at 11:42 PM.
Good things I read all the comments and yes this is from the bloodhound blog. What can I say besides I totally agree with your view Ryan. I also force registration on my site. Mitch Ribak & Eric Blackwell who are both coach's of mine wouldn't have it any other way. We should take a poll and see how many Brokers that do not force registration also voted for Barack Obama!!! Those evil christian capitalists! Thanks Ryan, I support you.
Posted on Friday, September 4th, 2009 at 1:08 PM.
We force people to register on our website as well. Never will change it. We get better clients when we force them to register.
Posted on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 at 7:41 PM.
I go back and forth on the registration issue. Right now I have it and will keep it on there. There are good arguments on both sides of the fence. I have not read the Bloodhoundblog post but will go check it out.
Posted on Thursday, September 10th, 2009 at 3:18 PM.
I'm with Marc on this, but I too have it on now.
Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 2:00 PM.
Hi Ryan, I've never understood the "anti" registration people's arguement. As a business owner that provides a free resource to potential clients on the web, you are well within your right to ask for basic contact info. Advertising on the Internet isn't free, to put together a top real estate site requires a lot of time and money. There's no shame in profiting from your investmet. Love the site by the way, nicely done.
Posted on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 PM.
Nice post Ryan! @Marc and Sam - too bad you guys didn't get by the BHB post sooner. The best comments were lost. It was really strange how some remained and some disappeared. Made me feel like some of those that were so high on their horse fell off of it.
Posted on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at 4:24 PM.
Ryan, great article. I just launched my site last week and added the instant registration after reading your post. I think you and your team will find yourselves spending your time with customers that really appreciate the sophistication of the site and more importantly need your expertise. Good luck and great site. -MM
Posted on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 10:18 AM.
It all depends on the consumer.If someone needs help urgently he may register in the site and give the contact information but if someone has time to search then he may not give contact information on the site. Some people think that after giving the contact information as well they will not get any call regarding the inquiry.But i really appreciate the way you handled it.Thanks for sharing the experience.
Posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 1:12 AM.
Hey Ryan I think the consensus on the debate about forced registration is that most sites have gone to forced registration and I have played around with both and do force registration after seven views and will never change this. I agree entirely with your points and you should not feel guilty or have to prove a point to people who don't agree with it. I don't think is any right or wrong with either way but it is your right and your business to do it your way.
Posted on Wednesday, October 14th, 2009 at 9:32 PM.
I go back and forth with this but I have settled on 3 property views then forced registration. I came to this conclusion based on my own testing. My personal opinion is whatever works for you is probally best for you.
Posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 12:02 AM.
I think it is a good idea that before they can view the listings they must first register to your site. For you to know if who really are the true costumers and not. Because if the person is interested to know the details of that properties no matter what he/she will register.
Posted on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 1:44 PM.
There is no reason why people wouldn't want to leave their contact information. I can understand people having issues with things like social security numbers, but a phone number shouldn't be big of thing. And you're right they dont have to leave their number, but then they can just go elsewhere.
Posted on Sunday, November 1st, 2009 at 3:46 PM.
We have discovered that requiring contact information has been much more effective. We don't feel guilty asking and will call the clients who leave a valid phone number. If someone visits multiple sites, I think it helps to have some personal contact to help in winning them over as a client.
Posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 11:46 AM.
In marketing commercial sites for residential conversion (such as UK pubs) potential clients are often new to the game, hadnt thought of such an investment and really just want a browse out of interest. Only then do they see the space and potential of this sort of property investment, so I dont ask for registration.
Posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 7:10 AM.
Requiring registration for visitors might have its own advantages and disadvantages to visitors of your site. Some of them might really get annoyed by that but if it’s just a little contact info you ask from them, I think its not a big deal. Besides if they are really interested in your site they will spend a little time registering. Through registration I think you will know who among your visitors are interested and who’s not.
Posted on Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at 9:36 AM.
I agree with your views on this subject. My site also requires contact info in order to search for properties. Why not get their contact info prior to letting them use your website. It is good business to build a list of potential clients. Thanks, good post.
Posted on Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 12:53 AM.
Requesting information from the buyers ultimately gives the agent the ability to contact the buyer and assist them in their home search by using the market knowledge and experience that a good realtor will acquire during the course of his or her career. Although the buyer may resent this request for personal information, I have found that after they speak to someone who they realize can help them, they are pleased that they made the decision to share their information in return for priceless market knowledge.
Posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 7:15 AM.
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Ryan, This post must be in response to that massive thread on BloodHound Blog. Your detailed description of explaining your business process is a very smart transparent decision. You have an extremely powerful IDX that provide's huge value to consumers. It's no suprise that you require registration. It makes sense. Great job on the website it's a breath of fresh air in comparision to other websites.
Posted on Thursday, August 27th, 2009 at 9:44 PM.