I have heard for quite some time that Zillow's lead generation business model shifted to teams and brokerages. They want big accounts and the big teams have big budgets and lots of new and buyer's agents that will go chase all these leads. To them it's a numbers game. I use to think that way. Now I work smarter. Less is more. Quality over quantity. I have the Zillow reps phone numbers blocked. 

In fact, the reason I started a blog over 10 years ago was to generate my own leads and beat HomeGain and Market Leader and the other companies at their game. I thought they were trapping internet traffic and selling leads to vulnerable agents. They were just landing pages that I was throwing money at hoping if just one converts it will be worth the investment. I sold a couple but to me it wasn't really worth it.

I also tried zip codes at Trulia and Zillow. To me it wasn't worth the aggrevation trying to explain to buyers calling from bogus listings that property doesn't exist or was sold. I don't like bait and switch and that's what I feel a lot of these leads are.

I basically copied the lead generation sites with my own local content and call to actions on my own site. My own leads were much better. Some sellers and buyers that contacted me would say they were following me and reading blog and knew they would list with me or wanted me to be their buyer's agent.

As far as Zillow, I get business and leads just from my listings being featured.  Listings generate a lot of leads. 

Yes, seems logical & I agree with your numbers. I doubt they will know the #'s because they are there to sell you a loosing program based on you NOT knowing the numbers.

Our objectives are different aren't they? Z is selling you something with no proof of results & agents are trying to purchase results from Z.  But no one knows (or cares) what the #'s are to produce those results again.  Z just wants in to your wallet.  They don't give a 'shipster' if you get ANY results.

Mike Ferry taught me how to get the numbers out of any endeavor but I'm afraid yours are in line with reality.  Z's - not so much because again they are counting again that you don't know what numbers you need.

I am glad I don't depend on Z for my business. It is about relationships and staying in touch with contacts that yields better business. I think Z's numbers are greatly inflated and you are closer to being right..

Zillow is changing their business model for the Premier agent to the megateams and they will favor those will high close ratios and responses. I think the day of the individual agetn getting leads there is greatly diminsihed.

I've not heard of anyone getting a good return with Z.

Why any agent would pay a company as corrupt and inaccurate as they are to do anything is beyond our comprehension.

I don't have to deal with z giving me leads. Business is good and I just picked up a referral today from someone I sold a home to in December. Lately I've been getting a lot of referrals. 

I highly doubt you will get true numbers from the folks at Z.  (Or any others selling their products, for that matter.)

Z, T, R etc are all the same.  I spent an hour on the phone yesterday with Realtor.com and it's all the same thing ... We can give you 200 leads a month and its only $1,000 a month ... that's 25 cents on the dollar ... what a deal.  Um.... yeah, on second thought ... Nah.  I will work my own leads. Thank you very much.

I prefer to work my own leads and create loyal, raving fans!  For me, it's more about the relationships than throwing money at leads with a low conversion rate.  I prefer to throw that money, AND my time, at my sphere...all day long!

Many ways to skin the Real Estate cat....

Glad to hear they still have to cold call agents to pay the bills. When they stop calling they have either gone away or they have their agent waiting lists filled.

I like Debbie Reynolds am so glad I don't depend on Z for my business! Real estate is a relationship business and providing superior service! If you stay in touch with past clients and your sphere..it's amazing the solid business you will have to rely on. Great analysis that is right on!!

Wonderful analysis, Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041. 

I think your numbers are very accurate.

I would not waste my time discussion anything with Z or the Z sales team. 

For most Z leads are the needle in the haystack and a situation where you are most likely trading dollars as opposed to making them ! 

No thanks - I don't waste my time with Z in any fashion I have more important things to do

I Z at night only

Z does not promise leads... they promise impressions. And they are very expensive impressions. Since most of my business is repeat and referral my conversion rate on these is 100%... that's where I focus my energies and marketing dollars. 

There is no way in hell I am giving them my leads to contact!

I would have to be out of my mind to do so.

I would not waste time with these calls.

Reading just the first five "words" (Z or not to Z?) caused me to think "How would a reader read these words?

1)  To sleep or not to sleep?

2)  To "Zed or not to Zed"?

3)  To "Zee or not to Zee"?

Since you are in sunny, non-rainy, non-humid and non-hurricane Florida (at least at this time of year), I am sure you are encountering many happy fellow citizens down there who pronounce this wonderful letter as in number (2).

(Of course I know you are actually discussing something else which ignores us folks north of the 49th parallel, but what else is new?)

Who has time for this nonsense?

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 long question - short answer. NOT Z!

Not to Z.
3:)

Interesting question and informative answers Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041.  I cannot imagine a high percentage of 'potential clients' would turn into 'real dollars'. 

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 - The numbers are definitely inflated. 

Come to the light folks. Stay away from the darkside.

Joe Pryor makes a good argument. 

I agree with Joe Pryor 

 I have no interest in dealing with Z.

Just say no to Z!

Well not a fan of paying Z at all.  leat from T that it gave me nothing but took my money.

Thank you.

Great analysis and you are correct!

Well I tried their zip code service and it cost me more time, energy and money than i ever got with it. They are shifting because agents know that $700 plus per zip code a month just is not worth it. They target large companies because they have a bigger chunk of marketing dollars that they collect from their agents anyway.  

Richie Alan Naggar Susan Emo nailed this one!

I appreciate the clear analysis, Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041. 

Their door man may have high tech tools to buzz the clickers. If it is part of the deal it beats paying an assistant. These days assistants have to pay MLS subscription.....  Give me a break....

Huh?

I got mixed up with this when I first started. Actually that Broker suggested using them for leads. What a waste of money. Was not because I was new and could not close a sale.  Leads were people wanting information on old properties or "want to be buyers that couldn't get a loan for chewing gum!" So much money for junk!  These were mostly tire kickers. Some didn't want to bother their agent.  Curious, so I'm reading your responses. 

I sat through a demo on conceirge and premier agent last month.  Wish I knew this question then so I could get you some answers.  I had to take an asprin after listening to them.