- What if I'm not that good with computers?
It's not as difficult as you might think. Our Customer Care or Sales staff would be happy to assist you in registering and placing your orders. Please call us toll free at 1-866-810-3816 .Use option 3 for Customer Care or option 2 for our Sales staff.
- How long does it take for orders to be completed?
For Premium and Plus service virtual tours it's typically 3 to 4 business days (not including weekends) from the Service Provider property appointment date. You might consider placing your order before your listing goes on the MLS so your tour is ready when the property goes live on the MLS. For Basic tours it's 2 business days from the time you upload the materials.
- Once I've placed my order what happens next?
In the case of a Premium or Plus order, there is a Service Provider involved, we immediately route your order to the local Service Provider and you should be contacted by them within 1 business day to schedule the appointment. In the case of Basic orders, where you provide the materials, you should receive your tour by email within 2 business days after sending in your materials.
- How much do tours cost?
Please use our Price Calculator to get an estimate. Keep in mind that pricing may vary by region and that the Interactive FloorPlan Tour and the FloorPlan only are priced based on the square footage of the property that is measured and included in the floor plan. Interactive Photo tours are a flat fee and are not subject to the size of the property.
- What are other possible fees can be charged?
If you choose to want your tour to be linked to Realtor.com, the linking fee is $20.00 if you are not an Enhanced Showcase Member of Realtor.com. For Basic orders we charge you $5.00 for linking to your web sites. You can link to any numbers of web sites yourself free of charge with the links we provide you. Linking to 3 locations is included in the price of Premium and Plus orders.
- How many photos do you include in your tours?
For the Interactive FloorPlan Tour, we instruct our Service Providers on the Premium and Plus level of service to take no less than 15 photos and many times they take several extra photos. Our Interactive Photo Tour has capacity for up to 30 photos.
- What additional software will be needed on my computer to complete a tour?
There is no software needed except for standard flash software that is included on most computers.
- Is there any minimum number of tours I need to sign up for or any monthly fees?
No, our tours pricing is based on a per listing basis. There are no minimums or monthly charges.
- How will I be notified when the tour is complete?
You will be notified by an email to the email address that was given during the registration process.
- How do tours get linked to Realtor.com, my company web site and my personal web site?
If you've checked the box on the order form to link your tour to Realtor.com ($20.00 fee unless you are an Enhances Showcase Member) we will link the tour for you automatically. In the case of your company website and your personal website, you can link the tour yourself or if you've provided us the web site URLs (where you go in and administer your listings) and the password we can link it for you. You can also provide us the emails of the people involved in updating your web sites and we will send the links to them so they can link it to your web site when you tour is completed.
- How do tours get linked into the MLS?
We have automated linking arrangements with several MLS's. If your MLS is not on the list it is your responsibility to link your tour. Most MLS systems allow you to log in and cut and paste the link of the tour into the listing. We email you an unbranded link for this purpose since most MLS will not allow any company or agent branding on MLS listings.
- Who do I call if I need assistance?
- For questions related to products and services 866-810-3816 option 3
- How long are the links good for?
One year and can be renewed for each additional year for $29.00.
- How do I know if you have a Service Provider in my area?
Call 866-810-3816 extension 108 and the FloorPlanOnline® Service Provider Coordinator will be pleased to assist you.
- Can I order a tour if I don't have the MLS number?
Yes, just use the property street address as a place holder and you can update the Order Form once the MLS number is assigned. Please note that we can not link your tours until you have provided the MLS number. To update the Order Form log in, select "Manage Orders" and then click the "Edit" link under "Order Form". Update the MLS number field with the MLS number and go to the bottom of the screen and select the "Save" button.
- What form does a completed tour come in?
Once your tour is completed, we send you 2 links. One branded and one unbranded for use on the MLS. These links are in effect a web page or URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) for your property. These links point to a specific site we've created for your listing which is hosted on the FloorPlanOnline® Internet severs.
- Can I burn a CD of the tour?
Yes, all you need to do to burn a CD of the tour is to log into the system, choose "Manage Orders" click on the "View" link under "Finished Materials" and select "Download Offline Presentation" for the property you like to burn a CD for and follow the directions. There is no charge for this service.
- How do I track, change and manage orders?
Log into the system and choose Manage Orders. Once your in the Order Management System you can check the status of your order as well as make changes or corrections at any time.
- How do the floor plans get created?
Our Service Providers can measure the property and provide the floor plan for you (Premium or Plus service option) or you can provide a draft sketch (or marketing brochure) to us. If you have an existing floor plan sketch you can scan it into the computer and upload the file to us during the order process. Or, you can draw a floor plan to scale along with room measurements, window and door locations. There is no need to worry about drawing a professional floor plan since we will take your hand drawn sketch and professionally finish it for you. It is however important to draw the floor plan to scale and include room measurements and room names. If you are ordering an Interactive FloorPlan Tour you will also need to number and draw in the location of the pictures. Be sure to rename the pictures before uploading them so they correspond with the picture location numbers on the floor plan so we know which pictures go with each location.
- Can you work with Architectural or Builder floor plans?
Yes and no. Many architectural floor plans include too much construction details like mechanicals and the like. What you can do is trace over the architectural drawings and just include room dimensions, walls, doors, windows and other important features and we will professionally finish them for you. If you have a builder provided marketing floor plan we can work with those. You simply need to scan them in when you place your order.
- How do I change the text that appears on the flyer?
You simply log into the system, choose "Manage Orders" and make the change on the order form.
- Can I add or change pictures?
Absolutely! Log in, choose "Manage Orders" click on the "Approved" in the "Tour Editor" column for the orders you want to change. A window will open that shows you options to add or remove photos or edit the flyer or floor plan. Please note that the photos will not be immediately available for use since we need to resize them.
- Can I use the photos and floor plans provided by the Service Provider in my own marketing materials?
Yes! All floor plans and photos that were provided by the Service Provider are available for your use. Log in, choose "Manage Orders" and click on "View" in the "Finished Materials" column for that order. A window will open that lists all the materials that you can either view or download to your computer.
- Who is responsible for staging and preparing the property for photos?
This is the joint responsibility of the homeowner and agent. Our Service Providers will not be expected to clean up around the house. The property should be orderly and free of clutter, especially on counters and tables, beds made and cars should be removed from the driveway. If the property is not staged correctly and it results in a request for the Service Provider to return to retake photos, you will be charged a minimum of a $75.00 trip charge.
- What happens if I cancel my order?
You can cancel your order at any time before your order is processed. However, cancellations within 24 hours of the Service Provider appointment time will be subject to a $75.00 cancellation charge.
- What are some tips for me as an agent to ensure the best possible tour?
- Make sure the home is staged properly and free of clutter. If there is a dining room table, have it set.
- Try and make an appointment when there are as few people around as possible. People tend to interfere with work and can distract the Service Provider.
- Go on the appointment with the Service Provider and make suggestions to focus the photos on the most marketable features of the home.
- We can't control the weather but try and schedule the tour on a sunny day for the best possible photo results.
- If you or the homeowner has some digital photos of the home, we can use them to supplement or replace some of the Service Provider photos. This is especially handy when outside photos are shot when it's snowy or trees are bare.
- Can I use my own photos or my own photographer?
Yes. In the case of Basic Service Options you will supply your own or photos or you can hire your own photographer. For best results, we recommend the camera be a minimum of 3 Mega Pixels, use the fine jpeg setting for image quality and the resolution set at a minimum of 800 x 600. If your ordering an Interactive Floor Plan you can choose the Plus Service Option and take your own photos or hire a photographer to take the photos. Our Service Provider can render the floor plan and you can upload the photos to us during the order process. We will marry your photos up to the floor plan and integrate them into the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour.
- What is Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour?
It's a video slide show with music. Click here to see sample.
- Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour is included in all your virtual tour products. If I am supplying the photos do I have to use a special camera?
No. We use standard still digital pictures to produce the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour. Upload your standard digital photos during the order process and we do the rest.
- Do your tours include "Virtual Tours"?
We do not offer 360 degree or panoramic photos as standard product. Instead, we use still digital photos in the context of a floor plan and the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour. We feel this is superior to most other Virtual Tours for a variety of reasons:
- Photos in the context of the floor plan gives prospective home buyers a far better overview of the entire home then other "Virtual Tours".
- Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour takes you through a tour of the entire home in a video like presentation rather then limiting the tour to a few 360 degree spots.
- Using flat digital pictures eliminates the distortion or fisheye effects.
- Flat digital pictures allow you to view the individual photos and the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour in a much larger screen format with out sacrificing load times or picture quality.
- Are there any costs to sign-up and what features come with my account?
There are no costs to register and no monthly or annual maintenance fees. You pay for each order as you go. Account features include a customized tour frame with your logo, your photo, and contact information. In addition, you get access to these great features for your account and for each order:
- Sample demo house - use it to get listings. You can download this to your computer and show it on a laptop at listing presentations. Just go to Manage Orders and select the link under Finished Marketing Materials. Then click the button - Download Offline Presentation.
- Download Photos and FloorPlans.
- Download Flyer for printing.
- Create a Just Listed Postcard.
- Download each Tour to PC - no Internet access required. Then burn to CD.
- Online Reporting for Tours.
- And much more!
- How to Download Photos or FloorPlans from Marketing Materials
Step 1. Go to Manage Orders, then click the View link under Marketing Materials for the order you want materials. You will get to the Marketing Material page as shown below.
Step 2. Click on the button for the materials you want - For Example, Download Hi Resolution Photo
Step 3. Click on the link on this page to open the original, untouched photos.
Step 4. Select Open, and then wait a minute or so...
Step 5. A window with all of the materials will be displayed. Click on the Extract all files link under Folder Tasks.
Step 6. Follow the wizard to extract the photos. You will need to select the location you want to save the photos - such as the My Pictures folder - Note you can make a new folder by selecting the button. Once you do this, you are done and the photos are now saved on your computer
- How do I change the MLS number on my tour?
You can change the MLS number on your tours by logging into your account and selecting “Manage Orders”. You will find a list of all your orders here. Find the row for the MLS number you'd like to change and click on “edit” under the “Order Form” column. Click on the listing number and type in your new MLS number. Make sure and page down to the bottom of the form and click on save.
Please note this does not automatically or instantaneously correct the flyer or re-link the tour to the MLS or Realtor.com
Flyer - It takes approximately 24 hours for us to change the MLS number on the flyer
MLS Linking - If we originally linked your tour for you to the MLS we will notify them to associate your tour to the new MLS. This process can take as long as 24 - 48 hours depending on how quickly the MLS takes to reacts to our request. If however you originally linked your tour to the MLS yourself you will need to copy the unbranded tour link, log into your MLS and paste the link into the space most MLS systems normally provide for virtual tour links.
Realtor.com Linking - If we originally linked your tour to Realtor.com for you we will re-link the tour as well. This can take up to 24hours. If however you linked the original tour to Realtor.com yourself, you will need to re-link it yourself.
If you need any assistance or are having issues please call Customer Care @ 866-810-3816 option 3 and we will be happy to assist you.
- How can I use FloorPlanOnline to Get More Listings, Make Money & Save Time?
Use FloorPlanOnline to GET MORE LISTINGS, MAKE MONEY & SAVE TIME!
It's no secret that print advertising is being eclipsed by Internet advertising, and for good reason'. It's simply more effective and less expensive! Not only is it the Internet the preferred method where buyers look for homes, but it's also where they look for agents. Unlike print, Internet advertising is not a one time expense. It's an investment which can be leveraged to get more listings, attract more buyers, and sell homes faster.
With the FloorPlanOnline Marketing System, we can GET you More Listings and Make you More Money. Here's the Top 10 ways how.
- Get the listing every time. The more listings you have, the more you make. Our agents that showcase the FloorPlanOnline system at listing appointments typically walk away with the listing, in many cases, 100% of the time!
- Get a laptop computer with Microsoft PowerPoint (it comes with the Microsoft Small Business Suite software)
- Download to your computer either the FREE demo house tour you get just by registering or use a tour we have already done for you. Just login to your FloorPlanOnline.com account, go to Manage Orders, then click the view link under Marketing Materials and select Save Tour to PC/Burn CD.
 Download our Listing Presentation ( click here) and customize it. You can link the offline tour into the PowerPoint presentation as shown. Add or delete slides not needed. NOTE: If you do not have PowerPoint, click here and you can download a free PowerPoint Viewer from Microsoft. You should be able to view and then print out slides as need and use the paper version (but not edit slides that need editing). - Play the presentation at your listing appointment - after all - if all the buyers are online, shouldn't you show your sellers you are too?
- Consider using a "Menu of Services" approach to help you manage commission erosion (i.e., show your 3 levels of commission with what services the seller gets for each level, with the FPO presentation being at the highest level!! It works!)
- Utilize "See Interactive FloorPlan" in all your marketing venues. We know from experience that people are intrigued by this term and that your use of this term throughout all your advertising and marketing will help drive traffic to your websites. Then, once you've got them there, the FloorPlanOnline concept will keep them there longer. And, isn't it your experience that, "The longer they are there (whether physically or virtually), the more comfortable they become with the notion that this might be the right property for them!"?
- Anytime Virtual Showings. Link your tour to as many places as possible - Realtor.com, the MLS, your company websites, Craigslist, etc. We even do some of the work for you. The more buyers and agents that see it, the quicker the property will sell! The Interactive FloorPlan tour provides compelling content that EVERY buyer wants to see. After all, what is the buyer buying the floorplan layout shows them HOW they could live in the property vs just a bunch of spinning photos, which shows them how someone has lived in it. Buyers will be attracted to your listing, your website, and YOU. A great opportunity for double ending a transaction or obtaining a referral commission (where applicable).
- Email the Tour - Use the Email Tour feature to send the unbranded tour to a database of showing agents whom you want to see your listings. Have the seller send the branded version to their sphere of influence asking them to help sell their home by forwarding it to anyone they feel might be interested in seeing their home. And, send the branded version to the buyer after the closing congratulating them on their purchase and suggesting that they forward it to all their acquaintances so they can also share in the joy they are experiencing. Each tour has an email tour button. Click it and copy and paste your email addresses into the "To:" field on the form.
- Flyer Creation and Printing. Our new Enhanced Flyer Templates allow you to add a creative touch to simply and quickly create stunning property flyers. Print them yourself or use an online printer.
- Neighborhood "guerilla" marketing. Use the Offline Tour and burn copies of the tour to CDs. Distribute it to neighbors of the seller (or have the seller do this). Also, give extra copies to the seller to distribute to at least 25 people they know. Chances are they may have friends that want to move right in! You can even create a self promotion tour and use that for mailbox campaigns.
- Buy a Vanity Domain Name. Create a truly custom website for the property with the tour link as the property address. For example, www.25716SE27thStreet.com goes to a virtual tour! With the street address as the name of the tour, it will also be easier to find via search engines. Just go to Manage Orders, then click the view link under Tour Upgrades to buy a Vanity Domain. $20 per listing. Good for 1 year.
- Be the local expert. Create a Basic (do it yourself) area tour and add it to your listings under the More Info section on each order from. You can also put separate links to your areas tours on your website. Whether you create a simple photo tour or a more detailed Interactive FloorPlan tour with a plat map, subdivision map or area map, it is a great way to showcase an area. Add a vanity domain to make it really pop! Like www.oxfordct.info. Get your chamber of commerce to use it for their business too!
- Feature Your Listings. Each account comes with a Featured Listing Page that has all of your approved tours on them. Add this page to your website and email tagline (like Click here for my current listings). You can even buy a vanity domain, such as www.hometeamct.info, to make your Featured Listing page a mini website of you!
- Open House Tools. Bring your laptop to the Open House and have the tour playing. Print off Flyers and FloorPlans and burn the tours to CDs for those that visit the property. They make great handouts, it is inexpensive marketing for you and will make a very positive impression on everyone. Remember - the Internet, referrals, yard signs and open houses are the primary means for getting new clients!
- Bonus Tip...Closing Gifts. Give a lasting memory to the buyer and seller by burning the tour to a CD. Oh, it also gets your name and number in front of them...
- What if I have never ordered - How do I get started?
Creating an account is easy. Just click on the Get Started button above to create your account today. Registering as part of this website will also automatically place you underneath the corporate account, which may be important for several reasons, such as linking or other corporate purposes. Once you register you will then be given an opportunity to place orders. Please note it is important that you register through this link in order to add an account under the corporate account.
- What if I already have photos - can I use them in a FloorPlanOnline tour?
Absolutely! If you have photos you or someone else took, you can easily create a Photo Tour using the Basic service level (meaning you supply us with the photos) and we will create a low cost virtual tour complete with the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour. Just upload the photos at the time you place the order, or login, go to Manage Orders, and select the link under Uploaded Files to upload photos. Or, you can select the Plus service for the Interactive FloorPlan Tour and have one of our authorized service providers complete the floor plan for you. Just select FloorPlan for the part you want us to complete. As always, the option for what suits you and your listing is available for any order.
- How do I edit the tour?
There are many edit tools at your disposal to edit the tour, including the flyer, the floor plan, the Virtual WalkThru™ Video Tour, the map placement and more! Just login, select Manage Orders and then click on the link under Tour Editor (the link will say NA, Ready for Review, Corrections in Progress or Approved, depending on the status of the Order). Select the tour component you would like to edit. Please note - All changes you make are immediate EXECPT for changes to the floor plan, which require the FloorPlanOnline Production department to edit the source floor plan file. Any changes to the floor plan will show as red, which is simply an easy way for Production to see the changes. The final edits will all be in a consistent color and text font. Click here to view the Online Training video to learn more about how to edit tours and use your great account features.
- Where are my virtual tour links & other Marketing Tools?
Your virtual tour links, and other marketing materials, are all accessible from your account. We also email you this information. Just login, select Manage Orders, then click the view link under Marketing Materials. Here you can see the branded links (has company and agent info on the tour) and unbranded links (has FloorPlanOnline info on it and is required for linking the tour to the MLS), you can download the photos, floor plans and even the whole tour to your computer. You can use the burn to CD feature to burn the tour to CDs for a few cents per CD. These are great for open houses, neighborhood marketing and closing gifts to the seller and buyer! Just click the Save Tour to PC/Burn CD button and save the master copy to your computer. If you would like to include multiple tours on one CD using third party CD burning software (like Sonic RecordNow!), select the Download Executable Copy. This will compact the tour info into an icon that can then be combined with other tours onto one CD.
- How do I download the photos to my computer?
The photos and floor plan files can be downloaded and saved to your computer. Just login to your account, select the view link under Marketing Materials for the listing in question, and click on the Download Photos button for web viewing, or if you want larger sized photos, select the Download Hi Resolution Photo button. You will either see a series of photos or a link to a "zip" file, as shown below. Just click the link, select "Open" and it will then open up a window to extract the files.
Just click on the link on the left hand side that says "Extract all files" and go through the steps of saving the files on your computer. We suggest you make a new folder and call it the street name or order ID so you can organize your files for each listing. Put the new folder under your My Pictures folder so it is easy to find. Just click the browse button and then find the My Pictures folder, click on the Make New Folder button and name the folder. Then extract the files to your computer.
- How do I link my tours to my websites?
Once you approve your virtual tour, FloorPlanOnline will email you the virtual tour links. You can also access them at any time by logging in, click on Manage Orders, and then click on Marketing Materials. They are located on this page. You can copy, then paste these links and post them to your websites as a virtual tour. Please note, we provide both Branded and Unbranded tour links. Branded links are for your websites and Realtor.com (FloorPlanOnline automatically links to Realtor.com as long as you selected this on the order form). The unbranded link should be used for the MLS. The MLS typically requires no agent branding, which includes your logo, photo, contact info, etc. Therefore, FloorPlanOnline provides a version that does not have any of your branding. Most MLSs have approved either the regular unbranded tour for posting to the MLS, or the restricted version (which removes the map, the flyer and the send link buttons). Please check with your MLS on the version they require. We also provide automated or email linking to select MLS websites around the country. Please click on Linking Details on the right hand side to see if your MLS is listed.
It is very important you APPROVE your tour. This is done by clicking Manage Orders, then the link under Tour Editor, and then click the text link to Preview or Approve Tour. On this page is a Red Approve button.
- How do I link the tour to the MLS?
FloorPlanOnline has automated linking for the MLSs shown under Change Linking Details within your account. If your MLS is not listed under the Automated Linking to MLS Service, you can check the section below titled MLS' That Require Agent To Link. If your MLS is listed, select it and we will email you specific instructions on how to link the tour each time you approve it. Just select this MLS as part of your profile, and make sure on each order that the box is checked for the MLS and the MLS number is in the field to the right. If your MLS is not shown, linking the tour to the MLS is the responsibility of the agent.
General rules on how to link to the MLS. Most MLS associations require the agent to add the virtual tour to their listing. Once you approve your virtual tour, FloorPlanOnline will send you an email with the branded and unbranded virtual tour links. To begin, right mouse click on the UNBRANDED link (Direct Unbranded Website Link - accepted by most MLS associations), then select Copy Shortcut. You will now go into the MLS and Paste (right mouse click, and then Paste) the link into the virtual tour (or media) field on the edit/manage listing function of your MLS website. If you encounter a problem, please review the online MLS Help menu or contact your local MLS Tech Support line for assistance.
- How do I link the tour to Realtor.com?
It is easy! Just make sure you checked the box to link to Realtor.com as part of your linking profile (click on Change Linking Details on the right hand side of your account). As you place each order, make sure that Realtor.com box is checked. FloorPlanOnline does all the rest. We will put your branded tour on Realtor.com when you approve your tour. Therefore, it is important that you approve the tour! Linking to Realtor.com is FREE for Realtor.com Enhanced Showcase members (which means you pay them a fee for additional functionality). If you are not a Showcase member, linking to Realtor.com is $20 per tour. If the MLS number changes, we can relink the tour at no additional cost.
- Why is my tour not linked anywhere?
Your tour may not be linked due to several reasons:
- The tour does not have a valid MLS number, so it can't be linked. To update the tour with a valid MLS, login, go to Manage Orders, click the link under Tour Editor, select Edit Property Details,then update the Listing # field with the MLS number. Click save at the bottom.
- Your linking profile is empty, so you haven't asked us to link the tour. In order to add linking details, click on the link Change Linking Details on the right hand side of your FloorPlanOnline account.
- You need to link the tour yourself. Read one of the other linking FAQs on how to link the tour.
- How do I link the tour or my Featured Listing Page to my personal websites?
Many website providers allow agents to post virtual tour links or other links to web pages using their edit type function. You can access your virtual tour links and the Featured Listing page by going to Manage Orders, then click the view link under Marketing Materials. If you need HTML code, please see the email we send you when a tour is approved. You can edit the tour link as needed within the HTML code. Call or email us if you need help.
- What if I need Help?
We are here to help! Just call us at 866-810-3816, option 3 for Customer Care, or email us at orders@floorplanonline.com. Customer Care hours are 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday. On Weekends, please email us and we will respond as soon as possible. If for some reason you get our voicemail box, or if you are sending an email, please provide your name, order ID and describe the problem or issue you need help with. Many times, we can fix the issue just by your communication.
- Linking options for the FloorPlanOnline Tour.
In order to link virtual tours to your website, other websites like eBay, and the MLS, you will need the virtual tour link we create for your tour. All virtual tour links are found right in your account and use the domain seetheproperty.com (only the tour ID changes)! Just login, go to Manage Orders, and click the link under Marketing Materials. Most websites should have a field where you can copy and paste (or type in) the URL, or link address, for your tour. Some websites may require HTML code to add the link. Most MLS sites REQUIRE the unbranded link. Luckily, we have provided a guide for you, depending on your situation.
Click here for a guide on how and when to use the links. Just copy and paste the link or HTML code and replace the xxxxx (highlighted in Red) with your Tour ID for your property. If you have a vanity domain, replace the seetheproperty.com/xxxx address with your vanity domain.
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