True to its back-to-school spirit, September was chock-full of educational topics. We saw a lot of trends in the articles we published this month--plenty of discussions about the importance of Google+, and tips for improving your blog and website.

We also strove to keep you up-to-date with technology related events that occurred during the month. When GoDaddy crashed, we took the opportunity to teach our agent and broker audience more about the ins and outs of website hosting.

Take time to peruse our Top 10 articles from last month and learn more about how technology can help you grow your real estate business.

1) 5 Mobile Apps That Streamline Your Real Estate Business - by RE Technology Staff

Everyone's got a favorite--so we've compiled a list of ours! These fabulous apps let you to keep your business moving on-the-go and help you stay organized.

2) Closing Gifts That Give Back - by Karli Larson

A wonderful way to make a lasting impression with your clients is by giving them a unique closing gift. Long gone are the days that a bottle of wine or a calendar with your logo on it will impress your clients. Your closing gift may be the last contact you have with them for quite some time, so it's important to let your clients know you care.

3) 10 Tips for Better Real Estate Photos - by Kelly Phelan

Good real estate photos are essential for turning people casually browsing listings into potential leads. If the photographs of your listings are grainy, badly lit, or poorly composed, you may be losing out on buyers. Our guide to great interior and exterior shots provides easy tips for beginners that can improve the quality of your photos.

4) The 5 New Must-Have Real Estate Marketing Skills - by RISMedia

This is a business built on personal contact, and the better you are at consistently showing knowledge and authenticity, the stronger your business results. But how we maintain contact is changing, and so is marketing in our industry. The challenge for many of us today is focusing on the right fundamental skills we need to drive real business.

5) GoDaddy's Meltdown - by Emily Williams

On September 10, thousands – perhaps millions – of websites went dark when GoDaddy's servers went down. This may or may not have been the result of impressive hacking. While shockwaves shuddered across our Internet-addicted society and social media outlets like Facebook erupted with the news, the team at RE Technology saw an excellent opportunity to discuss the logistics of website hosting.

6) 10 Tips for Writing Effective Real Estate Copy - by The Member's Edge blog from NAR

With the speed at which shoppers are able to jump from one listing to the next, especially online, it's essential that your listings are written clearly and are engaging. And since the first contact you'll likely have with a potential homebuyer will come through a real estate listing, the copy is your first chance to build a reputation and a relationship.

7) A Buyer's Perspective on Virtual Tours - by Emily Williams

There was a new home that met our criteria on the MLS last night. Our agent sent us a link to the property details page on the MLS consumer-facing website. On this property's details page was the URL (not an active link) for a virtual tour, which I checked out. And boy, was I disappointed! I simply sat for two minutes and watched the very same photos that had been in the MLS cycle through. Afterwards, I angrily closed the tab in my browser and said to my husband, "I want my two minutes back."

8) Google+ Local Pages are Essential for REALTORS® - by Obeo

Dear Real Estate Professional: Whether you love it or hate it, you need to have a Google+ Local Page, but NOT for the reasons you may think. There is only one reason why I want you to have a Google+ Local Page. So YOU can be found when a consumer searches for a REALTOR®.

9) Top 4 Ways to Manage Your Contacts Efficiently - by IXACT Contact

We hear it all the time in the real estate industry: the best business comes from referrals and past clients. People want to use professionals that their friends and family recommend, so it's incredibly important to maintain a solid relationship with clients that you've worked with in the past.

10) How to Use Your Real Estate Website and Blogging to Attract Seller Leads - by Jim Cronin

Most real estate business generated through the internet is capturing interested buyers. The reason is simple: Buyers are generally very active online while searching for property.