Migrating and upgrading your services to the Internet shouldn't be as expensive or as difficult as you might think. But it is an ongoing process, and should be budgeted for accordingly. In other words, nothing stays the same. As soon as you think you have the latest and the fastest, there will be new technologies introduced, or better methods that will save you time and money.

The first thing you'll need is a computer, an Internet Service Provider and some utilities to keep your system running smoothly.

Laptops

Laptop computers offer portability over desktops which means you can use them for presentations and take them with you to open houses and other events. Flip open your laptop for prospects and wow them with a virtual presentation. Laptops vary greatly in price and models. Don't scrimp and get a sale model, buy the most you can afford.

Chas Campbell, Webmaster for, MNRealty.com, recommends the following considerations when purchasing a laptop:

1. Ergonomics - size, weight, pointing device (mouse), keyboard
2. Screen - the bigger the better, active matrix screen so the view doesn't lose resolution from the sides of the monitor
3. Peripherials - options, ports/docks, TV-out, Disk drives, MODEM!, etc.
4. RAM, CPU, MIPs, etc. - I usually recommend "1 down from the top" with all the RAM you can afford. Personally, I like the "optimized" chip idea vs. the fastest speed.
5. Battery life, etc.
6. Service, Software, Support

"Work backwards from your own business model," advises Campbell. "If you are the type to do laptop presentations in the customers' home, that is quite a different use than just lugging the machine back and forth from your home to the office once a day."

Don't let the hardware dictate what you can do, use the computer to do your style of work. This is particularly important when it comes to the ergonomics of using the machine.

"I've heard from many female Realtors who are not using their laptops as often mainly because they are too heavy to carry without shoulder pain at the end of the day (don't forget the purse and briefcase too!)" says Campbell. "In this case, someone recommended the fastest-meanest machine in the valley, but the agent just needed a David instead of a Goliath."

Your computer should come with some nifty software, the least of which should be a browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft's Internet Explorer, and some utilities such as virus protection, and some office management software.

ISP

More Realtors use AOL to access the Internet than any other portal, but AOL is not a true Internet Service Provider (ISP.) An ISP allows you faster access to information, and offers you a number of Internet and email utilities. AOL, CompuServe and Prodigy are private services that put a gateway between you and the Internet. AOL in particular limits file sizes and does not support or accept many emails from legitimate sources, so you have no way of knowing whether or not your mail is really arriving or not. I can tell from our experience serving AOL Realtors that we have more problems delivering our newsletter and other messages to AOL than any other single service. That's no way to run a business, and it surely is no way to run yours.

Barbara Ling, "The Internet Virtual Coach" and author of "The Real Estate Pro's Internet Edge," recommends the following considerations when choosing an ISP:

1. Reliability. Make certain your ISP has good number of modems available so you don't receive any busy signals when trying to connect.
2. Responsiveness. The local ISPs (and there are many!) sometimes have a better response rate then the large one-size-fits-all services such as AOL, Compuserve, Worldnet and the like. Are support numbers easily found on their site? If you run into a problem, can you speak with a living, breathing human being who will walk you through your questions?
3. Security. Many hackers enjoy passing an exciting evening by trying to break into ISPs. What security protocols have been established?
4. SPAM. High-rated ISPs will have filters in place to remove a good number of SPAM before it reaches your email box. Ask potential ISPs if they've configured their email servers to do this.
5. Connectivity. Does the ISP provide cable-modem access? ISDN? 56K? (these are all different speeds). Ideally, the faster, the better.

"There are many, many ways to locate good, local ISPs," says Ling. "Simply go to The List, www.thelist.internet.com, where you can browse ISPs via area code, state, and more."

A reliable connection is crucial to your business.

Utilities

Virus protection

With so many viruses mutating across the Web, it is wise to have a good virus protection program and update it at least monthly. When you own software such as Norton or McAfee, patches and upgrades are usually free.

There is no excuse not to protect yourself and also to protect others who may get a virus from you. Yes, you can infect another computer's system as easily as someone can inadvertently infect yours.

Bill Koelzer, Web designer and Internet marketing guru, says the best way to look at virus protection is with a little humor - sex and the single computer.

"A computer virus you get from an e-mail message might eat all your files, including client records," warns Koelzer. "And you might end up being obligated to inform dozens of people that you inadvertently forwarded the virus to them."

Koelzer says do the following:

You can either update the virus protection software every few days or instruct your Windows "Scheduled Tasks" to automatically update it. If you have an Anti-Virus program that allows for online updates, you can command one anytime by using the following string: Start.... Programs..... Accessories.... System Tools.... Scheduled Tasks.

In "Scheduled Tasks" (Windows 95-98) you should see a line called "Run Live Update For Norton AntiVirus." Be online, then click on this choice to download and install the latest Anti-Virus protection. (Note that if you use McAfee AntiVirus software, or others, instead of Norton, you will have a line saying something similar.)

If you want to simply run a Virus Scan of your computer, look in the same "Scheduled Tasks" menu for "Scan for Viruses" alongside a little icon of a clock. Click on that line to perform an immediate scan. But remember---unless you keep your anti-virus software updated, it can miss the "new and improved" virus de jour. So please, download updates either manually every few days or have Windows do it automatically for you in "Scheduled Tasks."

You can pay for and download anti-virus software on the web and the industry leaders are Norton and Mcafee. Most all major computer and office supply chains carry anti-virus software, too.

Advises Koelzer, "Follow the directions and get protected."

Browsers and other freeware

A most important utility comes free on your computer and allows you to "browse" the Internet. The most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer. These programs act as doors to the Internet and often feature enhancements such as an entertainment page and quick access to search engines.

It's important to get around on the Internet quickly and one of the things that can slow you down the most is having an outdated browser. An older version will not allow you to see current versions of many Web sites and you may be denied access. If that happens to you, most sites will offer you an upgrade instantly which you can download off the Internet. Otherwise, go to Netscape.com and hit the download button. For Internet Explorer, go Here. Download instructions will follow.

Other free utilities such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to read online documents and RealPlayer to capture sound are becoming increasingly important to have. Some reports such as N.A.R. research results are being published online but can only be read online through Adobe Acrobat Reader. This is to protect the integrity of the data so that it can't be improperly copied like other Internet content. Many files now contain sound so your ability to hear an online interview or news broadcast may depend on your latest version of sound software.