Our goal was to create a low cost alternative for agencies to market property (and pass on these savings to their customers). We also wanted to provide a platform where they (and other service providers) could connect and collaborate with each other and their clients/ customers. With traditional property portals, once a buyer or renter is found the process ends with the listing being removed. From that point on, the customer communicates partly through the agent, and individually with each of the service providers involved in the purchase or rental process (via face-to-face, telephone, email or regular mail). There are many articles and reports (online and elsewhere) suggesting customers are not happy with the current process of buying and selling property (once they enter into the transaction phase). Most blame poor communication (i.e. calls not being returned, long delays in responses and not knowing where the process was at) as the main causes of stress. We want to help address this.
When a property is first listed on Linktosale a Property Workspace is automatically created. This provides a hidden private collaboration area to bring together all parties involved in a customer’s sale or rental process. These workspaces are all about improving efficiency for the customer through better communication and transparency. This is achieved by keeping all parties up-to-date in real time, with instant notifications on progress, issues, delays, the ability to upload and share all types of files instantly, and by being able to ask and answer questions with the aim of resolving issues where possible.
Raising standards
As part of our verified members service, we hope to collaborate with regulatory bodies across the property industry to help raise standards and protect consumers from sub-standard service providers and rogue traders. To support this there is an integrated two-way feedback and review system. This can help to improve processes and service delivery by identifying providers who do not meet the required standard.
There is a view, that "agents of the future will form collaborative groups with others in their network that are committed to customer-centric delivery". We believe Linktosale provides the perfect platform for agents and other service providers to achieve this – not just in the future, but today!
Like any other property portal, Agents can upload all types of property for Sale, Rent or Share, add images and embed video. Users can search and filter properties using basic and advanced search modes, pre-book home openings, provide instant feedback to the agents/owners, and even post questions about the property. Finding property has never been easier! Linktosale’s strength (and difference) is that it is 100% interactive. It is all about relationship building, and provides the tools needed to connect with customers, agents (and other service providers) and even collaborate throughout the sale or rental process up to completion, within the private hidden workspaces.
Service providers can promote their business in the Marketplace. This isn’t your regular static listing page, it is fully interactive and comes packed with tools to engage with potential customers in real time. Site members will be able to search for businesses using basic and advanced search modes, and read ratings and reviews before they make contact. They will also be able to review interactions with other members in the forums and elsewhere - providing a more rounded view of the company they are about to transact with. Every member (including free subscribers) can post wanted ads in the marketplace. A seller might be looking for an agent, a new home owner needs a painter and decorator, a landlord seeks a new maintenance provider and so on. For the service provider this is a great way to generate new leads: you can create multiple email alerts, that notify you instantly when an ad is placed in a category for a service you provide. You can respond directly to the ad poster. Members can enhance their marketplace profile with video and images. They can also use Linktosale tools to promote content across their own social media accounts, automatically promoting their business on Facebook, Twitter and their own website: an effortless and no cost way of raising your profile that provides maximum exposure for your business!
Chat to Agents, Service Providers and other members in real time using the live chat and live video chat tools. You can also use the group chat and even create temporary group chat rooms so you can talk with multiple members at once. On PCs and Tablets you can use the page translator to turn all conversations into the language of your choice. Both parties need to select their own flag from the Language Switcher and this will translate all posts in a discussion into your chosen language. This is a priceless tool for Agents, Property Managers, Landlords, and Service Providers if you need to deal with people who speak a different language.
Social media/networking has proven to be THE most powerful method for generating leads and building relationships with existing and potential new clients. It enhances (and even replaces in some cases) traditional marketing methods. Social media/ networks are so successful because they are built around virtual communities and shared interests, which mimic real life. Plus, they appeal to people from all demographics and age groups. Current property portals are static, and other than email, there is no further scope to interact other than face-to-face, which is not so convenient in our 24/7 global marketplace. Collaborate is Linktosale’s very own ‘property social network’ designed primarily for agents, representatives, property managers and service providers, but also for regular site visitors searching for their next property/ agent/ service provider, or even advice and support on property related matters. Collaborate is packed with tools to help you communicate and share all types of files, post status updates, manage events, meetings and even projects. Members can upload video, images and lots more. The workspaces provide a private space for communicating and working in groups. Every property uploaded to Linktosale is automatically assigned its own workspace (managed by the Representative). The free mobile app provides quick access to these workspaces, to updates and other content.