Capture those Senior Surfers
When you think of people surfing the net, what group comes to mind?
Typically, we think of the younger crowd that passes their time on the web. Whether it’s doing research, shopping, or social networking, we have certainly changed how we live and work with the resources available on the Internet.
Even with the “dot com” bust, the Internet has and will continue to make millions for savvy business folks.
I can remember about 5 years ago when a top-producing RE/MAX agent balked at Jim for “wasting his time on that Internet thang because it’s just a fad!” (I’ll spare her the embarrassment by not mentioning her name here.)
But… the Internet is not just for the younger or working generation anymore.
If you think that older adults and retirees aren’t yet savvy to the Internet, think again. Grandma’s not just planting flowers and walking the mall anymore.
A recent article reports that surfing the Internet now makes the list as a favorite pastime among retirees. According to the survey, seniors spend an average of 6 hours per week online.
While gardening, travel, and home improvement are still popular activities, seniors are using the Internet more and more to research, shop, and send email.
I can remember when my parents were still using a typewriter just a few years ago. They were “too old” to learn how to use that computer stuff. Now that they have a computer, my mom has rediscovered shoe shopping (much to my dad’s frugal dismay). And they both spend time surfing and sending emails regularly. My dad can even be found frequently at Digg.
As REALTORS, we can create a lucrative niche by marketing to seniors on the Internet. Capture this market by including content and photos on your website that provide information relevant to seniors and active adults.
Write about all the retirement communities in your city. Be sure to give details such as the median home prices, home features, available listings, amenities offered, proximity to shopping, etc.
Post articles about reverse mortgages, health care facilities in your area, and local events or activities geared to older adults. Discuss the benefits of owning a vacation condo or second home in your city. Provide a directory of local services and facts about the weather, economy, home prices, golf courses, and more.
If you become a great resource on the Internet for older adults, guess who they will call to buy a home in your area?
[...] Capture those Senior Surfers “If you think that older adults and retirees aren’t yet savvy to the Internet, think again. Grandma’s not just planting flowers and walking the mall anymore.” Time for web companies to become more senior friendly. This could be a whole school of des (tags: seniors design) [...]
February 3rd, 2007 at 5:31 pmVery true – another opportunity on the horizon. Hmmm… Designs for seniors that include larger fonts, simpler navigation, softer colors, not-too-technical language, and more.
February 6th, 2007 at 9:02 amNo question that when building a site you need to think about the aging US population and their eye site. If you don’t you will loose visitors.
February 26th, 2007 at 2:45 pmGood post. Interesting insight! You know even now, in this day and age, some people are predicting that blogs are a fad and will pass soon. I don’t think so. Not in real estate anyway. I have few favorite real estate blogs, ActiveRain, BloodHound and RealBlogging, and they all seem to be doing just fine.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:26 pmThis is so true! The new generation is being raised with the internet, no longer relying on libraries and antiquated means of research like microfiche. I know a good deal of 65+ people who are now starting to see the convenience and ease of using the internet now as well.
March 27th, 2007 at 12:07 pmAndrea-
Do you know any REALTOR bloggers who are successfully blogging to capture the senior market?
June 30th, 2007 at 11:29 amActually, Jim and I have worked with many older couples looking specifically at retirement communities in the Phoenix area (the folks I’m referring to were internet leads coming from our mention of various retirement communities and activities of interest to seniors on our website).
I’d recommend BOTH static content and blog articles for REALTORS who want to focus on leads from seniors and retirees.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:37 pmSelect the fonts that are easy to read. Most seniors have some sort of vision problem. If you website is easy to read, has large enough fonts, your senior visitors will stay little longer.
July 3rd, 2007 at 7:45 pmYou can always use the Ctrl+ to increase the size of properly designed pages.
You should be able to increase the text by two sizes without the layout breaking. (if it was designed properly)
Give it a try…
Ctrl+ to increase the text by one size.
Ctrl++ to increase the text by two sizes.
Jim
July 4th, 2007 at 9:08 amJim, correct me if I’m wrong but I have always been under the impression that senior people do not purchase products online. I believe it’s harder to get their attention and make them take action than with younger folks (thus removing the first and last A in the AIDA formula).
The niches you can chose from are so limited you have to really dig deep to find anything worth the investment. Excellent post by the way! ^^
July 25th, 2007 at 6:48 amNot sure why you would think that seniors don’t use the web to find homes. I have sold many homes to seniors that found me on the web and loved being able to search on their own with our free home search until they made up their minds if they wanted to move or not. They do more research then any other age group from what I have found and know exactly what they are looking for, that makes for a great buyer!
July 25th, 2007 at 7:24 amGuide Study,
Your impression that seniors do not purchase products online is not correct.
We sell a lot of homes to seniors that found us on the web.
My aging relatives spend quite a bit of time online buying and researching. Mostly at Amazon, I think.
Here’s a thought for you… How many medical resources are there online focusing to seniors?
July 25th, 2007 at 1:22 pmHere is some more information for you to digest:
According to Nielsen Norman Group
July 25th, 2007 at 1:30 pmThat is some very interesting stats. I knew we sold to a lot of seniors from our website, but those numbers help support my belief that you need to cater to.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:57 pm