Any brokers on here who disallow their agents from having their own websites?

If so, why?

I find this hard to comprehend but I know some brokers do not allow their agents to have their own website, nor do they allow them their own profile page on the company website.

This, to me, is a broker shooting himself in the foot. But as I'm not a broker, perhaps I'm just ignorant.

Agreed. Let's face it, the local R/E industry in general has been relatively slow to adopt and USE technology.

Case in point: How many people have a site that says... UNDER CONSTRUCTION, or COMING SOON?

I'll never understand that one.

Change the thing to say, "NEW FEATURES COMING," at the very least. It will send the right message AND FORCE you to get the thing built. :-)

Hmm...I really don't see how that is relevant to brokers not allowing agents to have their own websites.

the broker doesn't want the agents to get leads that could go to the company website instead. he's not refusing to use the internet; he's refusing to let his agents do it.

If the agents can control their own portion of the site, then there is potential for illegal forms of advertising that could get the broker in trouble.

However, I think that's highly unlikely. I think at most the DRE or some governing body would give you a call and say....ehhhem....you may want to stop your agents from saying this or else! I think it would probably have to be a huge violation to warrant even that.

no, the agents have no control whatsoever over the website; they are just a name on a list. There are no profile pages.

I'm not getting the answer I'm looking for:

Is it reasonable for a broker to not allow his agents to have their own websites?

PepperJack, it's not reasonable for a broker to not allow his agents to have their own website. It may actually be impossible for a broker to do. You own your business. you are an independent contractor. Your broker may require you to keep a certain format and/or text to stay within legal guidelines.

Does the broker allow you to have postcards, fliers, brochures, business cards, etc.? Your web site falls in the same category. It's your advertisement.

I generally think any agent should have their own phone number, web site, and email address and only promote that. You are building your business not your broker's

No, it is not reasonable

No not reasonable. Only agents that are actually paid employees (licensed assistants, etc) should be subject to those types of restrictions.

you cant do that as a broker and call them independent contractors, if you did that you would have to pay insurance and whatnot

PepperJack, your broker is an idiot. End of story. Go somewhere else.