Google's Mobilegeddon! Why your CRE website needs to be mobile friendly - NOW!

On April 21, 2015 - Google completed a major update to its mobile search algorithm that will change the order in which CRE websites are ranked when users search for something from their phone.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a priority for commercial real estate agents and companies to ensure their websites are listed with someone searches Google for real estate in their area. 

Five changes that Google’s implemented on this update

*It will start favoring those mobile-friendly websites (ones with large text, easy-to-click links, and that re size to fit whatever screen they're viewed on)

*Boosting the ranking of mobile-friendly pages on mobile search results.

*Not mobile friendly sites will have a low ranking or be demoted on search results

*Affects search results in all languages globally

*Applies to individual pages, not entire websites

CRE Tech prides itself on our Commercial Real Estate websites that are 100% mobile friendly and users can more easily find high-quality and relevant results where text is readable without tapping or zooming, tap targets are spaced appropriately, and the page avoids unplayable content or horizontal scrolling.

Contact CRE Tech for more information on our website templates designed from the ground up for Commercial:

Email:  sales@cretm.com 

Phone:   877-855-2246


Here are some great sites for more information on Google's search change:

http://googlewebmastercentral.blogspot.com/2015/04/rolling-out-mobile-friendly-update.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/google-mobilegeddon-2015-4

CRE Tech introduces a new CRE Widget for TheAnalyst™ PRO Subscribers

August 29, 2014:

CRE Tech, Inc. introduces two new website widgets you can use as a lead generator for your website and blog!  The Mortgage Calculator and Investment Analysis tools from the award winning TheAnalyst™ app, are now available for all PRO subscribers to use online to generate new business.

Try them out for yourself and generate an Analysis report.

TheAnalyst™ PRO is only $15.99 per month and includes our full suite of app tools for your iPhone, iPad and Android device. 

Contact CRE Tech, Inc. today for more information:   sales@cretm.com


SAMPLE MORTGAGE CALCULATOR TOOL:



SAMPLE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS TOOL:

Commercial Real Estate Show - There's An App for That

There's an App for That

 

Air Date: 07/31/2014

Join host Michael Bull and CEO of CRE Tech and CCIM instructor, Todd Kuhlmann as they discuss Apps to power your business including presentations, analytics, travel, marketing and sourcing real estate, video conferencing, and many more.

Watch Now!  

TheAnalyst™ PRO – TheAnalyst is a revolutionary app with a combination of financial calculators, investment analysis and tools designed for all commercial real estate practitioners.
PodOmatic - features access to audio podcasts including this show! Subscribe and listen to shows when convenient for you.
Reflector – An AirPlay receiver that allows you to wirelessly display your iPad or iPhone on a number of devices and mirror your device on a big screen without wires or complicated setups.
Telepromt + - Teleprompt lets you enter text within the app or import text from Google Docs or Dropbox and connects with your other iOS devices through a remote interface and also includes text mirroring support for those with reflector setup.
SlideShark – SlideShark is an award-winning app used by sales professionals and other presenters worldwide to present and share PowerPoints from the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
Skype –It allows users to text, video and voice call over the internet.
Esri BAO (Business Analyst Online) – With BAO, you can quickly and easily get key demographics and market facts about any location in the US.
RCA Commercial Property Search – Get details from all the major commercial real estate property types: Office, Retail, Industrial, Multifamily Apartments, Hotels, Senior Housing and development sites.
MagicPlan – Creates floor plans, just by using your iPhone or iPad camera.
QuickOffice – Allows you create and edit Microsoft Office documents, spreadsheets and presentations on your iPhone and iPad.
LoopNet - The largest commercial real estate listing service online.
CoStar Go - Commercial real estate professionals can find detailed information on space for lease, properties for sale, lease and sale transaction comps and tenants, and benefit from the depth of verified, continuously updated information.
HooteSuite - Social media dashboard to manage and measure your social networks.
TweetDeck - Create a custom Twitter experience. Organize and build custom timelines, keep track of lists, searches, activity and more—all in one interface.
Waze - One of the world's largest community-based traffic and navigation apps. Join drivers in your area who share real-time traffic & road info to save time, gas money, and improve daily commuting for all.
ScanR – Lets you scan, print or fax from your phone!
ScannerPro - Turn your iPhone or iPad into a portable scanner.
LinkedIn – Social media for grownups. It helps you learn about professionals’ credentials that you wish to do business with along with displaying your own professional bio, job search, and to help generate business.
iFly Pro - Airport app with over 700 airports, flight tracking and GPS.
FlightTrack – Lets you know if your flight is on time, gate information/changes all via text alert.

Bridging the Technology Divide

You have missed the digital revolution.  It’s over.  If you didn’t get on the ride by now, it’s too late as it already took off.

When I was 10, I had a great idea I wanted to invent.  A battery operated desk fan I could use in school.  (My school didn't have AC at the time!)

I told my father the idea and even made a prototype of my idea.  Students in my 5^th grade class bought it from me for $2. A lot of money in 1980 and to a 10 year old!

But - My father told me then that anything worth inventing had already been invented.  He said, “There are no more inventions left," and told me not to waste my time.

To this day, I remember the moment he said this to me.  Where I was sitting in our car, and where we were driving.   That 5 second statement has resonated with me for a lifetime.   Later that exact product was sold nationally - but not by me…  Maybe it was my 5^th grade teacher!

Today, I have a 10 and 12 year old.    How would they feel and react if I told them not to use technology?  Told them it was too late for them to learn?  They can’t use it to communicate with their friends via email or text messages.  [Picture of kids on abacus and/or rope phone]  Facebook and social media.  Cannot use it to research that school project or type their homework paper.   All because they MISSED THE RIDE…

The reality is many people create excuses to not take advantage of the technology resources we have.  

-       I’m too old

-       I’m too busy

-       It will change tomorrow anyway

You cannot compete today if you do not use technology.  You’ve heard this, and many of you know this, but let’s explore this further.

I entered the commercial real estate business in 1991.   22 years ago when I started my company I needed a phone and fax machine.

If I didn’t have a fax machine, I would be out of business!  I faxed contracts to my clients and other brokers.  I even sent out fax blasts to prospects.  

It was an exciting day when I upgraded from that thermal fax machine – you know, the ones where it curled up page after page on the floor and eventually the text faded from the paper.  I upgraded my technology to a LASER fax machine.   

Faxing was great!  I didn’t have to type up a formal letter on the typewriter and mail the contract or overnight it with FedEX for $10.    Instead, I could hand write a cover letter throw it on the fax, dial the number and off it went. 

We have evolved and continue to evolve.   

It’s an exciting time for us in Commercial Real Estate, as technology has made communication and collaboration much faster, more efficient, and less expensive.  

Contrary to popular opinion, after teaching technology around North America for the last 5 years, I have discovered that we do not have a generational technology gap.     I’ve taught 20 year olds that have not embraced technology and 80 year olds that have mastered technology, blogs and social media.

Our Generational Divide is Collaboration.    Today’s youth have been surrounded with information –  for FREE.   They share their knowledge readily and collaborate with their peers and competition in order to achieve their goals, whether that goal is a class paper or to close a $20 million commercial deal. 

Our older generation, my age and above, have been taught that information is money.  Knowing that property is listed when someone else doesn’t know – gaining information and keeping it confidential.  That is ingrained into our daily business.    The younger generation doesn't understand why would we not share our knowledge and information to collaborate with others in order to close the deal even faster or grow our business?

But the younger generation typically doesn't comment on this "collaboration gap".  They just walk away confused of our actions but keeping their comments to themselves.  

Maybe they can’t say something - BUT I CAN!  To inform you it’s time to share your knowledge and collaborate with that information.  You will be shockingly surprised on how your information will manifest into something significant and maybe even life changing if you collaborate and share it – freely and openly. 

I challenge all of you to continue to evolve with technology – read short blogs, take classes, and buy the cool gadgets.   Learn them, use them, invent new uses for them!  I’m here to say that THERE ARE INVENTIONS LEFT TO BE INVENTED!

That’s the easy part.   I also challenge you to collaborate.  Collaborate with your team and learn from the 20-somethings on how they share information.  This will be difficult as you are retraining your behavior.  If necessary – REINVENT yourself.   

Information will make you wise, but sharing information makes you the

EXPERT and a LEADER!  Todd A. Kuhlmann, CCIM

Reflector App - Seemless Mirroring

The Reflector App and Seamless Mirroring

            Ever since I purchased my first iPad, I’ve been looking for a program that would allow me to use my iPad to present and teach – without being ‘wired’ to the podium.  For those of you that know me or have attended one of my training sessions, know I can’t sit still for long!  Fortunately, I found a great program that allows me to be truly mobile while presenting.  The Reflector App is a very handy program that can be installed on a PC or Mac and that allows Airplay mirroring between your iPad and/or iPhone and your computer.   Reflector (previously called Reflections) is available for online download to your computer for $14.99.

            As stated above, the Reflector program bread-and-butter is its mirroring feature. With the touch of a button, you can live stream and even record the actions of your iOS device’s screen to your computer screen.   No longer do you need a cable adapter or hook up an AppleTV to display your iPad or iPhone on another screen.  Reflector will let you transmit wirelessly – all you need is to set up your computer and iPad or iPhone on the same WIFI network and turn on Airplay mirroring on your mobile device.  The mirroring is typically very smooth and lag-free if you are on a good WIFI connection.  Reflector’s recording feature captures audio from your device (however, if you want to add your voice narration you will have to manually add it in with a program like iMovie), and is also rotation sensitive, shifting the screen whenever you tilt your device.  Reflector also possesses “skins” that mimic the device you choose to mirror, such as the iPad frame – even letting you choose a black or white frame.  Mirroring from an iPhone to a Mac or PC? The graphic that appears will be of an iPhone on your screen, with the same screen ratio of your little device.

            While all of this may sound interesting, how can it help you, a commercial real estate agent, in your business?  Simple: Reflector is a star when it comes to demos and property presentations.  Use your favorite Apps to easily show your clients items such as demographics, maps, property information and even financial analysis with our “TheAnalyst^TM” App!   Training and team meetings are also easier than ever with Reflector, or simply show off a great app a to friend.   And, over the last few years, I’ve noticed more and more conference rooms are equipped with flat screen TV’s or projectors.  Simply connect your computer to the TV or projector, set your computer and iPad up on the WIFI connection, and now you can present wirelessly with your iPad!   Makes a great impression to that big client.

Demo Reflector and “see” for yourself!   https://www.reflectorapp.com/

Sources:

https://www.reflectorapp.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWz8wbrMFT0

CRE - Your Customized iPhone & iPad App

Commercial Real Estate has gone truly mobile over the last 24 months.   That’s not news to most brokerages, as we have always known our relationships are made and deals are done when in the field.   I remember my first cell phone I purchased when I entered the real estate business in 1991, the “Bag Phone”!

I was so excited when I traded in my bag phone for that Motorola “Brick Phone!”

Obviously the mobile technology has come a long way from those devices – now more people are accessing the Internet via Smartphones and Tablets – more than PC’s or laptops.  In fact, over 98% of all Fortune 500 companies have deployed iPads to their sales teams and executives.

If you’ve been considering expanding your company’s information and marketing message through a mobile app, this could be the time.  CRE Tech, Inc. (aka Blyncc App Development) is the premier mobile App developer for the Commercial Real Estate Industry.  We pride ourselves on being in front of the latest trends in developing the most cutting edge technology for real estate companies such as yours.  Like so many businesses, due to skyrocketing demand for our apps and increased development costs, we are increasing the costs of our Custom Commercial Real Estate Apps in 2013.  Our prices will increase 15-20% in January, still amazingly affordable for this level of technology, and by licensing the technology we provide our clients with mobile technology at a fraction of the price of developing, purchasing and hosting a custom app through any other developer.   

CRE Tech, Inc. has developed several Mobile  Apps that you may be familiar with, including:  The award winning “TheAnalyst” financial analysis App, Xceligent’s eXplore App, Sperry Van Ness International App – SVN Connect, and over 30 company apps for companies such as NAI, RE/MAX, KW Commercial, SVN and many other brokerage companies across the US and Canada.

As an added benefit, we have partnered with TotalCommercial so that your company listings and agents in TotalCommercial are automatically updated in your iPhone and iPad Apps, at no additional charge, making updating seamless.

Right now, mobile apps are still not for all brokerage companies.   If your company prides itself on being on the cutting edge with your Technology and Marketing plan, a mobile app is a perfect addition to your plan that sets you apart from the competition and provides a mobile branding opportunity to attract new clients and retain existing ones.   If a mobile app is in your marketing plan, please contact us for a mobile app proposal and take advantage of our December pricing!

Please contact me directly if you have any questions and would like to discuss your mobile marketing objectives.   Todd Kuhlmann, CCIM