A "Lead-to-Lifetime" Solution: Popular CRM Now Includes Agent Websites

IXACT Contact launched a new agent website solution last month at a price that will please the budgets of agents everywhere. The websites are included in the subscription fee of the existing CRM solution, adding substantially more value both for current users and for prospects looking for an integrated end-to-end CRM and marketing solution.

According to Rich Gaasenbeek, IXACT Contact's VP of Sales and Marketing, the company isn't increasing subscription costs with the introduction of the new websites. Instead, they're positioning themselves as a "world-class CRM, email marketing, and agent website platform" that's available at a wallet-friendly price.

Gaasenbeek calls the rebranded IXACT Contact a "new lead-to-lifetime client solution," underlining the tight integration between all of its components. Leads that come in off the website, for example, are automatically imported into the CRM and assigned to a drip marketing campaign that nurtures leads until they're ready to buy or sell a home. "The system ensures leads don't fall through the cracks," says Gaasenbeek.

Aside from its robust lead capture and management capabilities, IXACT Contact's agent websites also feature:

• Responsive, mobile-friendly layouts
• Two levels of optional IDX integration
• 16 pages of professionally written website content
• A wide range of attractive designs and layouts
• An integrated blog with optional, pre-written content
• Social media integration

Let's take a closer look to learn more.

Mobile Friendly, Agent Friendly

The beauty of responsive websites, of course, is that they're simple for mobile and tablet users to browse--and search engines love them. However, what agents may appreciate most is how easy IXACT Contact's agent websites are to set up and customize.

After a quick sign-up (or activating your site in IXACT's admin panel for existing customers), users are prompted to pick one of 16 site templates, choose their domain name, and select one of two optional IDX plans. From there, IXACT Contact will create your new website, a process that typically takes less than 5 minutes.

Once the site is generated, agents can customize their site via a Wordpress-based administrative panel. Options include selecting a color palette, slogan (there's a handy list of suggestions for agents who don't already have a slogan), background image, website title and uploading your headshot, company logo, and more. Agents can also add links to their social media sites, and pull social media feeds right into their website. Gaasenbeek estimates that it takes agents an average of only 10 minutes to get up and running.

We previously mentioned that the agent websites offer optional IDX capabilities. While IDX isn't included in IXACT Contact's base subscription fee, two options are available at an additional cost (see an in-depth feature comparison here):

• IDX Standard - Consumers can search by address, area, or MLS number and view detailed property information. Agents can feature their own listings prominently, create customized search widgets, and more.
• IDX Professional - All of the above, including advanced capabilities like open house, polygon and interactive map search, community pages, sold/pending listings, and more. More importantly, IDX Professional offers lead generation capabilities on individual properties like schedule a showing, information requests, consumer email listing alerts, and beyond.

To see a live demo of an IDX-enabled website, click here.

CRM Updates

IXACT Contact hasn't just been hard at work on their new agent website component--they're also continuously improving their CRM. The big news there is the refresh of their interface design. The company says that the move to the cleaner, more modern look makes the solution easier to use.

IXACT Contact has also added Google Sync to their CRM, which synchronizes Google Contacts and Calendar to IXACT Contact, eliminating the need to manage contacts and calendar events in two places.

Additionally, the company has saved its users time by implementing new "Global Keep-in-Touch Events" pre-configured call reminders. With a single click an agent can create an automated reminder to give a chosen contact a call bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually. In addition to seeing their Keep in Touch reminders in their calendar or task list, agents can also choose to receive them via email.

Painless Setup, at Your Service

Sometimes the hardest part of using a new system is setting it up. There are contacts to transfer, new marketing campaigns to set up, and so much more. IXACT Contact is trying to make this process as simple as possible with their new "Concierge Service" that does "everything an agent needs to get you up and running," according to Gaasenbeek. This free service includes uploading your contact database, setting up your monthly e-Newsletter, creating your agent website, and more--a process that only takes a couple of hours.

Next Steps

If you'd like to try IXACT Contact's CRM and new agent website component, check out their free 5-week trial (or 6 months for new agents). You can also:

• Visit IXACT Contact's website to learn more
• Explore more CRM solutions and Agent Websites in our Product Directory