U.S. Real Estate Agents Turn to Web-based Marketing Tools in Today's Market, According to Constant Contact Survey

WALTHAM, Mass. (Business Wire EON) October 31, 2007 -- Forced to contend with softening home prices and the resulting struggle to attract buyers and close deals, many real estate agents are using web-based marketing tools to support their sales and marketing efforts. According to the survey, nearly 60 percent of respondents noted that their websites and the use of email marketing, produce the best results -- driving more buyers and sellers to their businesses. Among marketing methods, email marketing ranked highest in cost effectiveness and speed of delivery.

"With the current uncertainty in the U.S. housing market, it's more important than ever for small real estate businesses and agents to find effective ways to build strong client relationships," said Eric Groves, senior vice president of sales and business development, Constant Contact. "Email marketing is an essential communication tool that can help realtors better connect with their clients and drive a greater number of transactions and referrals."

The value of email marketing for the real estate market is measured primarily in sales. In fact, the majority of real estate agents surveyed (60 percent) said they use email marketing to communicate about property listings and open houses and more than 35 percent of respondents stated that they have rented or sold a property as a result of an email marketing campaign. In addition, 40 percent of the agents surveyed do their own marketing to communicate with clients and generate business. Half of the respondents also expressed that email marketing is both faster (24 percent) and less expensive (26 percent) than other marketing methods, including direct mail and print advertisements.

"I am a real estate broker in an area that has experienced a slowdown in business. I chose to use Constant Contact to reach my clients in a more efficient manner," said Stephen Saunders, owner, The NextProperty Group. "I have had great success with my email newsletters and recently ran an online survey that gave me better ideas of what my clients are looking for, which will help put me in the best possible position when the market turns around in the Tri-City area."

Click here to view the full survey. Sample questions and results from Constant Contact's 2007 Real Estate Agent survey include the following:

Which marketing method has been the most effective for your business?

Website                                                            30%

Email marketing                                                    27%

Direct mail (postcards, self-mailers, brochures)                   13%

Print ads (real estate publications, newspapers, etc.)             10%

Paid search (i.e. Google adwords)                                   2%

Yellow Pages                                                        0%

Radio                                                     less than 1%

Other                                                              14%

How has using email marketing made a difference in your organization's communications (compared with other methods)?

Less Expensive                                                     26%

Faster                                                             24%

Easier                                                             18%

More professional looking                                          16%

Higher response rates                                              12%

Other                                                               4%

What is the greatest business challenge you face?

Finding new clients (buyers)                                       32%

Finding new clients (sellers)                                      20%

Selling properties                                                 16%

Generating referrals                                               15%

Renting properties                                                  1%

Other                                                              10%

Have you sold or rented a property directly as a result of an email marketing campaign?

Yes                                                                37%

No                                                                 58%

No Response(s)                                                      6%

What types of communications do you send with Constant Contact (please check all that apply)?

Featured Property Listings                                         20%

New Listings                                                       18%

Neighborhood Newsletters                                           12%

Event Announcements (training, speaking events)                    12%

Broker Open House Announcements                                    11%

Open House Listings                                                11%

Anniversary Cards                                                   5%

Time Share Rentals                                        less than 1%

Other                                                               9%

* Constant Contact's 2007 Real Estate Agent survey was conducted from August 23 - September 25 through targeted online distribution to U.S. small businesses who are current customers of Constant Contact. Results were recorded from more than 300 respondents.

About Constant Contact, Inc.

Constant Contact, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing and online survey tools for small organizations, including small businesses, associations, and nonprofits. Launched in 1998, Constant Contact has more than 130,000 customers worldwide today. To learn more, please visit www.constantcontact.com or call (781) 472-8100.

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