Why every realtor needs a mobile app. Now!

Smartphones changed our lives. There is no argument here. They are useful in many ways and they seem to be more and more used – and the "traditional” internet access is yesterday’s news. Now it looks like it is all about mobile apps. And realtors need to be – if they aren’t already – on the mobile apps bandwagon.

Image credit: FirmBee via pixabay.com

OK, maybe I exaggerated a little. It is not “all” about the mobile apps, but a lot of it. What it? Time, money, purchases. And real estate agents need to pay attention to how their clients are using the new devices – smartphones and tablets – in order to meet their expectations. Yes, an overused expression in marketing, and I don’t blame you if you dislike it (or even hate it.) But it is the truth: you have to know where your clients are, what they do and meet them there. Maybe even be one step ahead: know the trends and make the move.

A recent infographic compiled by Go-Globe provides an in-depth analysis of peoples’ behavior on mobile devices: how much time they spend, what they do. And it is very interesting to notice that 89% of the time people spend on their smartphones is used to access mobile apps. Yes, it appears that 85% of people prefer mobile apps to mobile websites. And that’s huge – especially since the time spent on mobile devices is on the rise (it increased by 21% over the last year.) Adding the fact that 42% of all the mobile sales generated by the leading 500 merchants come from mobile apps, it is clear: the mobile environment can no longer be ignored.

How can a real estate professional make the best use of the mobile apps?

There are two options: either create outstanding apps, that will top the domain and leave users breathless (useful apps, great design, easy to use, etc.), or use the already existing apps, those that are already used by an important number of potential clients. Go where your clients are, see how you can interact with them, give them photos, information and everything else they search in order for them to be able to make the final choice: pick the property they want to buy. If you wait too long, you might miss out of the opportunity of having your listings noticed by customers. You might miss out sales, money, profit and, ultimately, reputation.

I will prepare an article here with the most used apps for realtors, but until then I am leaving you with this interesting and useful infographic on mobile apps. Check it out, take a good look at the information provided and decide whether you need or not to be present in the mobile app environment.