How to Select a Client Retention Tool

Client Retention Tools allow you to stay in contact with current and past clients, keeping them engaged throughout the transaction and beyond. When evaluating these solutions, ask if they allow you to offer information that's truly useful to your customers. You may even want to ask the vendor if you can take a sample of their content and ask select customers if they find it valuable.

Above all, you want to stay in touch with your clients without annoying or spamming them. Remember, 80-90 percent of agents get the bulk of their business from repeat and referral customers. That's the goal of client retention software--to keep the flow of communication between you and your clients going in a way that's valuable to them.

Questions to Ask

If you're in the market for a client retention tool, there are questions you can ask to evaluate which option is right for you, like:

• Is there content already installed in the system that agents and brokers can leverage rather than having to build all the content from scratch?
• Can you add new content? If so, can that content contain rich media files like attachments or YouTube videos?
• Is the solution connected to the MLS? Does it need to be?
• Are you able to send clients timely information about what's happening in the real estate market that may impact their current transaction?

Find more questions to ask in our 2015 Technology Guide. It's a free resource for real estate professionals who want to learn more about the technology products available to them.

Here is client retention tools that are available in the Tech Guide:

• Cloud Streams - Leverage MLS data to collaborate with your clients. Buyers receive listing alerts by email and/or text in real-­time via desktop or mobile app. Listing alerts link directly back to the client's personalized communication stream. The solution's client portal lets agents keep track of the properties that clients like, dislike, and comment on.
• HomeZada - The antidote to the stale closing gift, HomeZada has been called "the CARFAX for houses." Homeowners can use HomeZada to digitally manage property documents, maintenance schedules, remodel projects, home asset inventory, finances and more.
• Nest4Less - Add value to your website or Facebook page with 'business services' directories that feature local and national home services professionals like moving companies, contractors and more. This service is free to agents and offers revenue sharing opportunities for brokers and MLSs.

For more information on the option above, download the full guide.