1. Evolution of Property Web Sites. ... Last week I added the Houston Center to PikeNet, and it got me to thinking about the evolution of property web sites. Many property web sites go through a three-stage development process. First is the brochure online, second is the information web site and third is the community web site. The Houston Center is stuck in the first phase. It's mostly a brochure online, and, like many other image sites, it forces you to view a splash screen before clicking to the actual site itself. I always think that's a waste of time. After all, how many times do I really want to look at fireworks over the Houston skyline?

Contrast this with Cadillac Fairview's 250 Yonge Street in Toronto, Canada. This is an excellent example of a helpful web site. It includes property specifications, space availabilities and contact information. You'll find a stacking plan linked to a floor plan showing exactly what space is available. Check out the neat way that contact information is displayed. When you click a contact name, you launch a separate window (if you're using the IE 4.0 browser). This new window includes the usual e-mail address, but much more, including physical address, phone, fax, cell and pager numbers (if available). That's using the web to do what it can do best--connect you to people and information quickly.

Likewise the Pacific Shores Center, a business park in Redwood City, CA, provides nothing more than a high bandwidth brochure online. Hey, that what can happen in a hot market, even in Silicon Valley! ... Contrast this with the Carter Industrial Park in Fort Worth, TX, which provides helpful links to space available, demographic statistics, tax information (including its freeport tax status), and even a link to the park's protective covenants and deed restrictions. Nothing fancy, just good, solid, information.

For an example of a web site evolving toward the third stage -- the creation of a building community online -- check out Rudin's 55 Broad Street. Known as the New York Technology Center, this property established its pioneering web presence more than two years ago. You'll find an extensive amount of building information, and you'll also find a job board exclusively for tenants' openings. ... However, despite their different directions, all sites above have done one important thing right. They've registered their address or building name as their URL! Don't delay. Register "www.youraddress.com" as soon as possible.

In the Property Web Site Channel at PikeNet, I have 37 Business Parks, 40 Office Buildings and 15 Shopping Centers. Hey, I know what I'm missing a bunch. Send me e-mail at . Thanks!

2. Knowledge Base--Using Expedia Maps. ... Want to add a map to your web site? ... Check out Expedia Maps. And, you can even make your map interactive by hyperlinking it to Expedia Maps' site. ... Using the COMPS headquarters in San Diego as an example, I've posted step-by-step instructions. Visit the PikeNet Knowledge Base (top of home page) under the Maps and Directions section or use the URL below:

http://www.pikenet.com/pike?func=showPublicPage&page=
questions/questions/question087

3. Dispatch Mailing List ... Spread the Word! ... Do you circulate the PikeNet Dispatch by forwarding it to your colleagues and friends? Worse yet, do you copy it and pass it around your office? Uh-oh. Why don't you sign up your friends or encourage them to sign up for their own copies? ... It's free. It's easy to do, and all I need is an e-mail address. Use the URL below or simply go to the PikeNet home page and click the link under the logo.

http://www.pikenet.com/pike?func=registerDispatch

4. Web Success--Starboard's E-Mail Alert. ... San Francisco-based Starboard Commercial Real Estate recently launched an e-mail "Newsflash Service." ... "In this hot market, properties are sometimes leased as soon or even before they become 'available'. As a result, we have launched a new e-mail mailing list to inform you of our newest properties the moment they become available. To subscribe to this service, just send a message with "subscribe" in the body or subject of the e-mail to NewListings@starboardnet.com." ... Do you have a Web Success story? Send e-mail to . For past Web Success stories use the following URL:

http://www.pikenet.com/pike?func=WebSuccess09

5. HTML Option for Dispatch. ... Join almost 500 subscribers who receive the Dispatch in HTML format. Your copy of the PikeNet Dispatch will then look just like a web page with all web sites and e-mail addresses hyperlinked. ... Not every e-mail program can receive HTML mail, but Netscape, Eudora 4.0, Outlook 98 and Outlook Express can all receive it correctly. ... If you would like to receive future Dispatches in HTML format, edit your User Profile by going to the home page and clicking the "Edit User Profile" link under the PikeNet logo, or use the following URL:

http://www.pikenet.com/pike?func=emailRequest

--Peter Pike