Whether you’re new as a real estate agent or have been working in the industry for years, you're always looking for new quality leads.
But with so many online platforms available, it can take time to determine which one will be the most effective in generating leads.
That's where services like Zillow and Realtor come in.
But which platform delivers more quality leads?
Both Zillow and Realtor are popular online marketplaces where homebuyers and sellers can connect with agents.
However, each platform has its own set of features and advantages. And as an agent, you want to ensure you're investing your time and money in the right tools to generate the most leads.
When it comes to lead generation, Zillow and Realtor both offer a variety of tools and features.
For example, Zillow can target potential buyers with personalized ads and offers.
Additionally, agents can use its listing syndication feature to spread their listings across multiple online sites.
On the other hand, Realtor provides agents with up-to-date real estate data and access to the largest network of homebuyers in the U.S.
Plus, agents can take advantage of its exclusive tools like “Lead Connect,” which helps agents connect with homebuyers faster than ever before.
But at the end of the day, it really boils down to how successful these platforms are in helping you, so when it comes to generating quality leads, it's essential to choose the right platform.
When thinking about your marketing strategy and trying to strategize how to get the best ROI for your advertising, it’s vital to look at all paid and free ways to generate leads.
For now, we'll compare Zillow and Realtor to help you determine which one is the best fit for your business.
Zillow and Realtor are two of the world's most popular real estate websites, and both platforms offer a variety of features that can help you generate leads, but which one delivers more quality leads?
To answer is Zillow or Realtor better for leads, we need to define what we mean by “quality leads.”
What Are Quality Leads In Real Estate
In the world of real estate, quality leads are potential customers with a genuine interest in buying or selling property.
These individuals are actively seeking information about properties and may be ready to make a purchase or sale in the near future.
In other words, they are often pre-approved or have gone through some vetting that provides the most accurate idea of their need to buy or sell their property, how quickly they want to act, and whether they are working with another agent.
Quality leads result in a higher conversion rate, as they are more likely to follow through with a transaction. And as a real estate agent, you can improve your ROI and ultimately grow your business by targeting and attracting quality leads.
Practical strategies for generating quality leads in real estate include using online and offline marketing methods, building a strong professional network, and providing exceptional customer service.
So, when we’re discussing Zillow and Realtor determining which website delivers more quality leads, the answer depends on your specific needs and goals.
There are a few factors that can affect the quality of leads that you generate, including the following:
- The features of the platform
- The cost of the platform
- The reviews from other real estate agents
If you are looking for a website with an extensive reach, Zillow is a good option.
However, if you are looking for a website with credibility and a focus on customer service, Realtor may be a better choice.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which website delivers more quality leads is to try both out and see which works better for you.
When asking yourself is Zillow or Realtor better for leads, ask what the outcome of your lead generation strategy is. For example, is the number or quality of leads most important to your goals?
Deciding which is better for you, it may be a good idea to have a long-term strategy in place and an outside voice to help you, which is where a good real estate coach will come into play.
But, in general, before deciding whether Zillow or Realtor is your better option for generating leads, you need to understand what each platform does and whether it’s the right fit for your business needs.
What Is Zillow
Zillow, which claims the title of the largest online real estate platform in the United States, has over 200 million unique monthly visitors, making it a popular choice for agents looking to generate leads online.
One of Zillow's key features is its Premier Agent program which allows agents to advertise their services to potential clients who are searching for properties on the platform. Agents who participate in Premier Agent pay a fee for exclusive leads in their area, but it’s up to the agent to win the business.
Zillow is a publicly traded company that was founded in 2006. The website offers a wide range of features, including home listings, property value estimates, and neighborhood information. Zillow also allows users to create and manage their own real estate profiles.
Zillow also provides extensive information about available homes for sale, rental prices using rental comps, and facts about different neighborhoods with features such as “Real Estate Market Trends” and “Zestimate,” which give potential buyers and renters a better understanding of their options when looking to purchase or rent a home.
Additionally, users have access to interactive maps and clickable points of interest such as schools, parks, pharmacies, etc., all of which gives users more control over researching properties effectively.
One of the advantages of Zillow is its reach. The website has over 130 million unique visitors each month.
This means a large pool of potential leads is available to Zillow users.
However, Zillow's reach also has a downside. The website is so popular that it can take a lot of work to stand out from the competition.
And advertising on Zillow doesn’t allow for exclusive leads; rather, the platform enables you to have an exclusive first opportunity to reach out, which means that if you don’t contact the lead in a short time frame, then the lead is offered to other agents.
What Is Realtor.com
Realtor is a private company that was founded in 1908, and as a real estate platform, it’s been in the game for longer than Zillow but has fewer monthly visitors.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) owns and operates the website and offers a variety of features, including home listings, property value estimates, and neighborhood information.
Since it is a subsidiary of the National Association of Realtors and is one of the most trusted real estate websites in the U.S. and has over two million members, making it an ideal choice for agents looking to expand their reach and generate more leads.
Agents who join Realtor gain access to various valuable tools, including Lead Connect, which helps them connect with potential buyers faster than ever before. They also get access to up-to-date market data, local listings, and other exclusive features, such as the ability to submit offers directly from within the platform.
The website also allows users to search for real estate agents and connect with them directly.
Realtor’s agent directory allows potential clients to search for agents based on their expertise and location, which is one of its standout features.
Additionally, Realtor offers advertising opportunities for agents to connect with potential clients using targeted marketing campaigns that are exclusive in their area.
It works closely with over 580 MLS databases across the country to ensure up-to-date and accurate listings for potential buyers, offering home buyers a greater selection of properties for sale than more recently launched competitors such as Zillow though these sites have comprehensive search tools, including map-based searches and property type filters.
Realtor also offers valuable resources such as pricing trends, home reviews, mortgage calculators, and expert advice to simplify the buying process. These features enable users to evaluate different neighborhoods, schools, amenities, and more before deciding which property best fits their needs and budget.
In addition, Realtor.com gives users access to detailed reports on properties in their desired areas to make informed decisions on their upcoming move.
One clear advantage of the Realtor platform is its credibility. However, Realtor's credibility also has a downside. The website can be more expensive than Zillow, and it may have a different reach.
How Zillow Leads Work
Zillow leads are generated when users submit their contact information through the Zillow website, indicating their interest in buying or selling a property.
These leads are then sold to real estate agents or brokers who are subscribed to Zillow's Premier Agent program, which allows agents to advertise their services next to property listings and receive leads generated from those listings.
Zillow Premier Agent Features
Through the service, agents can benefit from featured ad placements on property listings in their zip code, including those that aren’t their own. They’ll also receive prime positioning on Zillow’s Agent Finder, as well as exposure across other affiliated sites such as Trulia, giving them increased visibility and maximizing the chance of making a sale.
Furthermore, good reviews left by customers are highlighted prominently on their profiles, helping to build trust and establish credibility among current and potential customers. With these features taken into account, Zillow's lead service is one of the best available options for real estate professionals looking to expand their business online.
In addition to being presented as the first contact for homebuyers and sellers on the platform, Zillow also gives Premier Agents prominent positioning alongside properties for sale. This gets them higher visibility than other agents on the site and allows them to stand out from their competitors.
How Realtor Leads Work
Realtor.com Connections Plus is a compelling lead service that helps real estate agents connect with more potential clients in their area.
Rather than the leads seeking out your profile like with Zillow’s Premier Agent product, Connections Plus works by sending out a lead to all the agents in a specific area, and whichever agent responds first gets the best chance of working with them. This means that being fast, responsive, and proactive can give you an edge and help your business grow.
Features Of The Realtor Platform
When signing up for Realtor.com’s Connections Plus program, you are given access to a range of special benefits to help promote your business and get in front of prospective buyers and sellers.
The features are more personalized with Realtor than with Zillow.
- Realtor-only leads
- Saved Searches
- Real-time alerts
You'll get exclusive realtor-only leads, saved searches, set-up alerts so you can take advantage of every opportunity, and access to analytics tools to measure how effective Connections Plus is for your business.
All these features make it easier for real estate agents to maximize their lead-capture efforts through one powerful platform.
Both Zillow and Realtor offer excellent lead-generation services for real estate agents.
Zillow’s Premier Agent program provides agents with enhanced visibility and prime positioning on the platform, while Realtor’s Connections Plus offers exclusive leads to help agents gain more clients.
Additionally, newer services such as Clever and Opcity offer more specialized lead programs that allow for higher quality leads with no upfront costs.
Ultimately, each of these services has its benefits, so it is vital to research which one matches your needs before making a decision.
Deciding between Zillow and Realtor depends on your goals as an agent. For example, if the quantity of leads is the priority, Zillow is a good choice, while Realtor may be a better choice for agents looking for quality leads.
Ultimately, to answer is Zillow or Realtor better for leads, it’s essential to experiment and test different real estate platforms to see which ones yield the best results for your business.
