Now is the time to get your personal web site started

By Karl Schneider, Member
Tech Users Committee

Last year's Tech Users Committee compiled information and descriptions about web sites and their content, to help educate us to the world of web sites. This year, our committee's discussions centered on helping every member achieve having their own web presence. We felt it is important for individuals in our business to have the ability to provide easy access for our clients to the information we can supply to them.

Our initial goals were to put together an easy to start up web site program, with just the important features (no fluff to keep cost down) at a competitive price.

Key Goals:

• Web presence
• Ease of start up and use
• MLS search capabilities
• Having the ability to add features (extra cost)
• Affordable Cost

We felt it was important to make this a benefit for all the members and wanted their input before we started making any more decisions. With Bryan Dean and his staff's help, a survey was put on the opening screen of CBR Tempo to help us gauge the wants and needs of the members. The results can be viewed at the following link: http://www.zoomerang .com/web/SharedResults/SharedResultsP asswordPage.aspx?ID=L22WNSYK4FLN

After reviewing the results, and determining the preferences of the members, we have prepared a proposal for web design and hosting companies to obtain bids for the membership. Because you can not please everybody, three levels of pricing may be important for web design companies to prepare for.

• Easy to use, no frills, low cost, w/ability to add features at additional cost
• Template web sites with start up costs and monthly charges (There are many national companies already    
  available).
• Custom, high cost web sites

Anytime you ask a large diverse group like ours for their ideas, you should expect (and we did get) a wide scope of replies. The number one thing to remember is to satisfy what our clients want from a Real Estate web site, photos and property descriptions. Our proposals for web design companies include simple format, MLS search capabilities (Wolfnet Technologies IDX solutions), agent and broker identification, ability to add URL's for area amenities, communities and schools, easy to set-up and use and he ability to add other features (additional cost). Pricing will of course be vital in any bid, keeping the price affordable will enable more members to be able to fill their needs.

We will invite companies to the July 24th tech fair with the intent that they will have products that meet our criteria and perhaps have some great incentives available during the tech fair. We encourage all members to attend and review their choices, and hopefully take advantage of this opportunity to add a web site to their business plan.