Five reasons not to use live chat on your estate agent website

May 12, 2017
I am sure that your website is highly valuable to your business growth and that all and any traffic it obtains you are after grabbing and growing your profits be it from new valuations or simply that next viewing being booked.
So, with the importance being high in the value of web traffic to website, are you fully prepared to take advantage? You shop on the internet is always open, by that I mean anyone can visit your website at any time, but is your shop managed, are you there to take the orders when someone is browsing?
A little bit of reverse thinking here, but I want to run through some key reasons why you would choose not to adopt live chat on your website:
  1. You want to ignore people.
  2. You don’t care.
  3. You believe having a website will generate all the leads itself.
  4. You think that live chat will put people off.
  5. You do not have the time nor finances to adopt live chat.

Well, you surely do not want to ignore anyone that maybe a new client I am sure, if this is indeed the case then I would question as to why you are in business, so surely we can strike off point one can’t we? Point two being that you do not care, well this is a little bit cold of me, but by not having your website managed correctly would surely fit in to the bracket of you not caring despite what these excuses you may give? There is no such thing in my mind as the perfect website that will grab each and every browsers attention and entice them in to subscribing / emailing / purchasing – We always those extra prompts / reminders to entice people to engage with you and certainly to buy from you.

Falsely believing that your website will generate its own leads is a dangerous thought process to adopt for point three. Yes, some websites will perform better over others, but no website will be guaranteed to register you details of each and every visitors so they become a new person on your database or a new client.

Live chat putting people off via point four is what I would say understandable a reservation to have, many people will not like to know that a member of staff in a small clothing boutique store is watching over them and persistent on asking if they want help. Though live chat is somewhat different, it is there though can be removed, can be ignored if preferred, but importantly an option if the browser wants to engage with a question or request by simply typing in the box provided. Imagine that clothing boutique you go in to had no staff yet just innovative tablets/ipads next to each item of clothing enabling you to type in or speak to it questions and it delivers immediate answers, ie sizes available, recommend garments to go with it, prices, returns and refunds etc… Less of an intrusion, more of a way to engage that potential new costumer.

Finally point five and I am pleased to say that both needn’t be an issue for your business. Live chat is now an easy to install feature on nearly all websites, works well on all browsers. Live chat can be both discreet and also attention grabbing – you decide the parameters.

Andy Soloman

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Halifax House Price Index December 2024

House prices in December 2024 were 3.3% higher than the same month a year earlier.   House prices decreased by -0.2% in December Annually, property prices are up +3.3% (vs +4.7% last month) Typical property now costs £297,166 Northern Ireland maintains the strongest UK annual house price growth   Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages, Halifax,…
Read More →
Home and Living

3 Solutions for Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed is a notoriously invasive species known for its rapid growth, extensive underground rhizomes, and ability to disrupt ecosystems and property foundations. In the UK, including Ireland, its management is both a practical challenge and a legal responsibility. Homeowners and businesses must not only tackle this persistent plant but also adhere to regulations to…
Read More →
Breaking News

Housing Insight Report: November 2024

The next few months are likely to prove busy for the sales market, with stock coming to the market and consumers showing they are keen to stay ahead of Stamp Duty threshold changes due in England and Northern Ireland in April 2025. The lettings market remains extremely challenging, with long-running issues regarding an intense lack…
Read More →
Breaking News

Westminster Council Embraces the Worst Aspects of NIMBYism

In May 2025, Westminster Council will seek to ban ‘For Sale’ signage across the borough, adding to the growing list of localist powers that are being misused by councils through tacit nods to NIMBYism and the creation of new revenue streams. Misuse of Localism Powers   Abuse of ‘localism’ powers is not uncommon. In 2024,…
Read More →
bank of england interest rate
Breaking News

Bank of England Money and Credit – November 2024

Overview These monthly statistics on the amount of, and interest rates on, borrowing and deposits by households and businesses are used by the Bank’s policy committees to understand economic trends and developments in the UK banking system. Key points: Net borrowing of mortgage debt by individuals fell by £1.0 billion, to £2.5 billion in November.…
Read More →
bricks rubble
Commercial Agent Talk

Understanding the Importance of Waste Management in Tampa

Tampa, located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, is a vibrant city known for its sunny weather, flourishing tourism, and growing business sectors. With a population that continues to rise, the demand for efficient waste management practices has never been greater. Proper waste handling is critical not only to preserve Tampa’s pristine beaches and nature…
Read More →