Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an SMS text message?
Short Message Service (SMS) is a communications tool allowing the exchange of messages between mobile phone and PDA devices. SMS text messaging is the most widely used data application on the planet, with 2.4 billion active users, or 74% of all mobile phone subscribers sending and receiving text messages on their phones.

2. Can home buyers also see pictures?
Via the SMS text message, each home buyer will receive a link that can essentially launch a personalized webpage built automatically for you. This will include your picture as well as pictures of your listing. By simply keeping these photos up to date in KWLS, your customers will have instant access to these images.

3. Can everyone's phone support a text message?
Nearly 99.5% of all phones and PDA's in the U.S. support text messaging. We work with 17 of the top 20 wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, etc.

4. Is the home buyer charged anything when they send in a text message?
Insider Network does not charge anything to the home buyers to use this service. They may receive charges based on their cellular carrier plan. Some people have unlimited text messaging plans, while others don't and a standard rate applies to each text message.

5. How long will it take for my message to reach the home buyer?
About 5 seconds! And the return message will take anywhere between 5 - 15 seconds, assuming networks are performing at average speeds.

6. Do I need any additional software on my computer?
No software is required. You set up your program through our easy-to-use web site that can be accessed from any computer with internet connection. Just follow the simple steps and you will be ready to go in no time.

7. Do I pay everytime a home buyer sends a text in?
No, there are no per message charges. We have two payment options that make it easy for you to know exactly what your charges will be. Please view our Pricing section for a detailed breakdown of both options.

8. Can I send home buyers additional texts after they receive the info from their first inquiry?
We'll give all of your home buyers the opportunity to express whether they would like to continue to receive information on your property. When they reply yes, we make it easy for you by sending them updates on the properties they're interested in automatically, all you have to do is make your standard updates to KWLS.

9. Can I use a different picture?
The picture is picked up from the Keller Williams database. If you change your picture there, we will pick it up on the next day.

10. What if I have a partner?
At this time you will need to choose a primary agent to consistently put the listings under the “Agent of Contact”. This is the field use to assign listing. Most partnerships choose a phone number where calls can be routed from to various agents.

11. How long will it take for my signs to arrive?
The signs will arrive in approximately 5-7 days after the order is placed. They will be delivered to your KW office.

12. What if I only want the keywords and not the signs? I want to print the keywords right onto my signs.
The $7 fee is to assign and lock in your keyword so that it belongs to you for life. The signs are actually free.

13. How long does it take from the time I assign a keyword to a listing to when I can text into that keyword?
Approximately 2 hours

14. When choosing my keywords should I use the address of the listing?
Your keywords can be used over and over again. You do not want to use the address of the listings because then you will not want to use that keyword on a different listing later.

15. How long will it take from the time a listing is put into KWLS to show up on Insider Network?
Approximately 24 hours

16. What if I am missing a listing?
-Check KWLS dashboard to see that your listing is set to Active and Approved status. If it is not active and approved you must change the status to active to appear on Insider Network.
-If it is Approved and Active, send an email to support@kw.com and be sure to include the MLS id.

17. What if I am missing photos?
-With ListHub, there are 2 items that have to be with the listing in the same hour that it is created in the MLS: the photos and the description field. These items are only imported on the initial upload of the listing from ListHub to KWLS.
-If the photos did not make it into the KWLS, you will need to un-check the ListHub box and manually add the photos to the listing. After this is complete, Save it and then re-check the ListHub box.

18. What if the link on my text does not highlight to open up to the web page?
When the text message is on your screen, click "Options". Then, from the list choose "Extract". On some phones it's called Extract Addresses on other phones it's called Extract Data. Then, highlight the link and connect.