It is difficult to for a real estate agent to be successful today without a Website. First, your customers and prospective clients expect you to have a Website, simply as a matter of credibility. Second, a Website is where you have an opportunity to promote yourself, your listings and your services to your local marketplace.

Websites offer several advantages for real estate agents because they:

• Are available 24 hours daily, 7 days per week on a year-round basis
• Give you the same marketing clout as agents with more resources
• Generate sales leads
• Provide credibility
• Offer a means of making information available to customers, prospects and the public
• Provide a platform for running special promotions, especially when used in conjunction with an email newsletter

If your competitors have a Website and you do not, then you suffer from a competitive disadvantage. Let's face it, people would rather surf the Web to get information than pick up a phone to call their local Realtor.

Another good reason to have a Website is to acquire non-local business. Suppose someone is thinking about moving to your area, or is an absentee landowner who has a property in your area that he wishes to sell. How will they even know you exist if they can't find you when they do an Internet search?

Fortunately, today a Website can be easily created by anyone who has basic PC skills. And contrary to what you may have heard, excellent agent Websites with sophisticated features and a professional email account are possible for under $100 annually. With a little work, you can have an online presence to promote your real estate services within twenty-four hours!

Al Kernek is a real estate broker and author of "Creating E-Mail Newsletters