Week Three

1. In two paragraphs explain why a customer centric Web site design is so important, yet so difficult to accomplish

"Customer-centric" means creating a Web site that is centered around customer wants and needs. Savvy businesses are realizing that focusing their site on customer benefits and ensuring its visitors a unique experience are key drivers of sales, loyalty, and much-desired word-of-mouth advertising.

By proactively considering the needs, wants, and beneficial preferences of your customers, you can make more effective decisions about the content, offerings, design, and processes available on your site.


2. Define the term 'presence'. Write an additional paragraph that describes why firms that do business on the Web should be more concerned about presence than firms that operate in the physical world

The term 'presence' refers to an individual or business having an established existence on the World Wide Web, through a Web site, e-mail, Internet advertising, blog, or a collection of Web files. Web presence is also called Internet presence.
(http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/P/presence.html)

Online firms need to be concerned about building a strong and effective web presence than firms that operate in the physical world . For one online firms do not have the advantage of having a store or business location that the regular and occasional customers visits to avail of the services or products of the company . Then , they do not have the advantage of advertising wherein they can be identified and have tangible interactions between the costumers and the proprietors Moreover , what the consumer remembers about doing business with the online firm is how convenient it is , how easy it is to and pay for the merchandise , how secure is the payment facilities and whether the firm did deliver what was purchased . Thus , all of these functions should be incorporated in a web site and is constantly updated and maintained Building a strong web presence means a stronger following and a larger market share , where the principles of branding and customer loyalty also apply

(http://www.mightystudents.com/essay/Selling.Web.essay.6708#)

3. Write three paragraphs to briefly describe the things that Real Estate Agents can best accomplish through (1) their web sites (2) Mass media advertising (3) Personal contact 

Websites:Real estate agents use websites since most people use the internet to find out information. With people using the internet more real estate agents have caught onto the idea and used it to advertise property, houses, land and other things so consumers can see the product and not have to leave their home or work. This is easier for the customer since they can look at the website anytime and see if there is anything they are interested in, instead of physically going to a house or property which does not interest them. Such websites as Netlab show real estate agents/companies what should be on a website to increase sales. Such suggestions as having virtual tours, pictures and information about the house/property allows the agents to cater for the needs of the consumers by given them such information which lets the consumer a) see the house through tours and b) know what the house has to offer (Netlab, 2012). This allows busy work people look at the websites and homes in their own time and not have to worry about office times and looking through houses they would not want.

Netlab. (2012). Website Design Services for Real Estate Agents. Retrieved April 20, 2012 from the Netlab website: http://www.netlab.com.au/real-estate-website-design.htm


Mass media advertising:
In my opinion Real estate agents use mass media to advertise not only their business to receive recognition but to show potential buyers houses which might interest them. The best way agents can use mass media is to advertise their company on television, the radio, the newspaper and catalogues. In most local newspapers there are pictures of houses for sale in the newspaper which give the consumer a description of the house and a price. Potential clients can look at these pictures and see if they are interested in what the agents/business is offering. Although by using mass media such as television this give the business recognition because consumers physically see the business and can put an image into the consumers mind about the business. This can cause the consumer to look further into the business and what they are offering.

Personal contact:
In my opinion real estate agents use person contact to create a relationship with the client to make the client feel comfortable. Personal contact allows the real estate agent to be able to see what the client is looking for and is able to give help in the way of searching for things in their clients’ price range. Personal contact is in a way allows the agent to have a personal one on one contact with the client and are able to try and cater for their needs and wants.