Lead distribution system

Abstract

A method is disclosed for generating a sales referral over the Internet for the sale of an asset. A first and second salesperson is provided with an account that comprises a number of clicks and a first period during which the clicks will be delivered. A click comprises an assignment on a web site of linking information corresponding to a saleperson's web site. A consumer who activates the click is transferred to a web site of the salesperson, and the click is debited from the salesperson's account.

Claims

1. A method of providing sales leads comprising a processor for: (a) the processor, assigning a specific number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities each desirous of selling an asset, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting at least one characteristic of the asset on a first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic, wherein the first web page is generated by a server and displayed on a display device; (b) the processor, determining which sales entity is to be associated with a click based at least in part on the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity; (c) the processor, associating a first browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in accordance with the determination in step (b) in response to a click; (d) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the first browser session; (e) the processor, associating a second browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in response to a click in accordance with the determination in step (b); and (f) the processor, debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the second browser session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sales entity is one of a person and a business organization.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying at least a portion of the first web page within the first browser session.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographic location of the asset.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range of the asset.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the asset is one of real estate or a vehicle.

7. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method of generating a sales lead over a communications network comprising: (a) generating a web page comprising a selectable characteristic of an asset using a first web server; (b) assigning each of a plurality of sales entities with a specific number of clicks, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer using an input device to select the characteristic to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the characteristic; (c) determining an order in which each sales entity is to be associated with the click; (d) operating the server to associate one of the plurality of sales entities with the click according to step (c); (e) transferring, upon detecting the click, the potential buyer into a first browser session sponsored by a first sales entity, wherein a sales lead is provided to the sales entity associated with the click when the potential buyer selects the characteristic; (f) debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the first browser session; and (g) associating a different sales entity with the click, according to the order determined in step (c).

8. The computer readable medium of claim 7, further comprising operating the web server to generate a report, the report comprising a current number of clicks available to each sales entity and a remaining time period during which the current number of clicks will be available.

9. The computer readable medium of claim 7, further comprising transmitting an inquiry from the potential buyer regarding the asset to the sales entity over the communications network.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographic location of the assets.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range of the asset.

12. The method computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the asset is real estate.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the plurality of sales entities are real estate agents.

15. The method computer readable medium of 14, wherein the plurality of sales entities are participants in a multiple listing service.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 7, wherein the asset is a vehicle.

17. A system for providing sales leads for the sale of an asset comprising: a first web page accessible over a communications network; a file comprising a specific number of clicks purchased by each of a plurality of sales entities, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting a characteristic of the asset displayed on the first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the characteristic; and a processor operably connected to the communications network, wherein the processor generates the first web page, associates each sales entity with the click only for the number of clicks purchased by that entity, causes to be displayed on a display device a second web page that is part of the browser session and is associated with one of the sales entities in response to the potential buyer selecting the characteristic, causes to be displayed on the display device a third web page that is part of the browser session and is associated with the same sales entity that is associated with the second web page, and debits a click from the same sales entity.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor decrements the number of clicks assigned to the sales entity associated with the click each time a potential buyer selects the characteristic.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a report comprising a current number of clicks available to each sales entity and a remaining time period during which the clicks will be available.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor associates only one sales entity with the characteristic at any given time.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the processor causes at least a portion of the first web page to be displayed on the display device within the second web page.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographic location of the asset.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range of the asset.

24. The system of claim 17, wherein the asset is real estate.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the sales entities are real estate agents.

26. The system of claim 17, wherein the communications network is the Internet.

27. A method of providing sales leads in a communications network used by consumers to obtain information associated with one or more real estate listings in a geographic area, each real estate listing having a corresponding hyperlink comprising a processor for: (a) the processor, assigning a specific number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities associated with the network, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer selecting at least one characteristic of a real estate listing on a first web page to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic; (b) the processor, determining an ordered list comprising the clicks for the sales entities, the ordered list identifying a sequence in which the clicks are to be associated with each sales entity; (c) the processor, in response to a first consumer selecting the at least one characteristic on the first web page, presenting to the first consumer real estate information corresponding to the at least one characteristic within a series of web pages that define a first browser session, wherein the first browser session is associated with a first sales entity in accordance with the sequence; and (d) the processor, debiting a click from the first sales entity.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising: (d) the processor, removing from the ordered list one of the clicks assigned to the first sales entity.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising: (d) the processor, determining a new ordered list in response to a change in the geographic area.

30. The method of claim 27 wherein the ordered list is defined based on the geographic area.

31. The method of claim 27 wherein the geographic area is defined by a zip code.

.Iadd.32. A method of determining a manner in which an internet based server dynamically and selectively causes an internet enabled user device to display information concerning sales entities desirous of selling an asset, so as to provides sales leads to the sales entities, wherein, in response to electronic selection of a characteristic of an asset by a potential buyer on a host web site hosted by the server, via the internet enabled device, the potential buyer is electronically presented with information concerning a sales entity, the method comprising, via the processor: (a) electronically assigning a specific number of clicks to each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer electronically selecting, via the host web site, at least one characteristic of the asset on a first web page of the host web site, the number of clicks assigned being determined by the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, to thereby place the potential buyer into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages and based on the at least one characteristic, wherein the first web page is generated by the server and displayed on a display of the internet enabled user device; (b) electronically determining which of the sales entities to associate with a click based at least in part on the number of clicks purchased by each sales entity; (c) associating a first browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in accordance with the determination in step (b) in response to a click; (d) causing to be displayed on the internet enabled user device the sales entity information associated with the linking information obtained in (c); (e) debiting a click from the sales entity associated with the first browser session; (f) associating a second browser session with linking information associated with one of the sales entities in accordance with the determination in step (b) in response to a click; (g) causing to be displayed on the internet enabled user device the sales entity information associated with the linking information obtained in (f); (h) debiting a click from the sales entity that is associated with the second browser session. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.33. The method of claim 32 wherein the sales entity information is caused to be displayed on the internet enabled user device with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.34. The method of claim 32 wherein a page of the host web site is caused to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with the sales entity information. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.35. The method of claim 32 wherein a page of the host web site is caused to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with a website of the sales entity. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.36. The method of claim 32 wherein the sales entity information is caused to be displayed and visible on the internet enabled user device together and simultaneously with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.37. The method of claim 32 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographical location. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.38. The method of claim 32 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.39. The method of claim 32 wherein the asset is one of real estate or a vehicle. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.40. An internet based system for dynamically and selectively causing an internet enabled user device to display information concerning sales entities desirous of selling an asset, so as to provides leads to the sales entities for selling the asset, wherein the asset and at least one electronically selectable characteristic of the asset are listed on a host web site for display on an internet enabled user device, and, in response to electronic selection of a characteristic of the asset by a potential buyer using an internet enabled user device, the potential buyer is electronically presented via the internet enabled user device with information concerning a sales entity, comprising: a) a server including a processor operably connected to the internet; b) a file comprising data indicative of a specific number of clicks purchased by each of the sales entities, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer electronically selecting a characteristic of the asset via the internet enabled user device; d) a computer readable medium having instructions executable by the processor for electronically associating a specific click to a sales entity based upon the data in the file only for the number of clicks purchased by that sales entity, and, in response to a click on a first web page of the host website, causing the potential buyer, via the internet enabled user device, and based on the selected characteristic, to be placed into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages, wherein, as part of the browser session, the instructions: (i) cause to be displayed on the internet enabled user device a second web page associated with one of the sales entities; (ii) cause to be displayed on the user internet enabled user device a third page associated with the same sales entity as associated with the second web page; and, (iii) debit from the sales entity associated with the first and second web pages a click from the number of clicks purchased by that sales entity. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.41. The system of claim 40 further comprising instructions for causing the sales entity information to be displayed on the internet enabled user device with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.42. The system of claim 40 further comprising instructions for causing the host web site to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with the sales entity information. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.43. The system of claim 40 further comprising instructions for causing a page of the host web site to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with a website of the sales entity. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.44. The system of claim 40 further comprising instructions for causing the sales entity information to be displayed on the internet enabled user device together and simultaneously with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.45. The system of claim 40 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographical location. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.46. The system of claim 40 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.47. The system of claim 40 wherein the asset is one of real estate or a vehicle. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.48. The system of claim 40 wherein the instructions decrement the number of clicks associated with a sales entity each time there is an actual click. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.49. An internet based system for presenting an asset for sale, and for providing leads to sales entities for selling the asset, such that different ones of the sales entities are dynamically presented, via an internet enabled user device, to potential buyers of the asset upon different presentations of the asset, and for a number times assigned to each sales entity, wherein the asset and at least one electronically selectable characteristic of the asset are listed on a database backed host web site for display on the internet enabled user device, and, in response to electronic selection of a characteristic of the asset by a potential buyer using an internet enabled user device, the potential buyer is electronically presented, via the internet enabled user device, with information concerning a sales entity then assigned to the asset, comprising: a) a server including a processor operably connected to the internet and in communication with the database; b) a file in the database comprising data indicative of a specific number of clicks purchased by each of the sales entities, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer electronically selecting a characteristic of the asset via the internet enabled user device; d) a computer readable medium having instructions executable by the processor for electronically assigning a specific click to a sales entity based upon the data in the file only for the number of clicks purchased by that sales entity, and, in response to a click on a first web page of the host website, causing the potential buyer, via the internet enabled user internet device, and based on the selected characteristic, to be placed into a browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages, wherein, as part of the browser session, the instructions: (i) cause to be displayed on the internet enabled user device a second web page associated with one of the sales entities; (ii) cause to be displayed on the internet enabled user device a third page associated with the same sales entity as associated with the second web page; and, (iii) debit from the sales entity associated with the first and second web pages a click from the number of clicks purchased by that sales entity. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.50. The system of claim 49 further comprising instructions for causing the sales entity information to be displayed on the internet enabled user device with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.51. The system of claim 49 further comprising instructions for causing the host web site to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with the sales entity information. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.52. The system of claim 49 further comprising instructions for causing a page of the host web site to be displayed on the internet enabled user device as a frame with a website of the sales entity. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.53. The system of claim 49 further comprising instructions for causing the sales entity information to be displayed on the internet enabled user device together and simultaneously with a page of the host web site. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.54. The system of claim 49 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a geographical location. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.55. The system of claim 49 wherein the characteristic of the asset is a price range. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.56. The system of claim 49 wherein the asset is one of real estate or a vehicle. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.57. The system of claim 49 wherein the instructions decrement the number of clicks associated with a sales entity each time there is an actual click. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.58. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions stored thereon for causing a host web server to present via a web page an asset for sale on an internet enabled user device, so as to provide leads to sales entities for selling the asset, such that different ones of the sales entities are dynamically presented, via the internet enabled user device, to potential buyers of the asset upon different presentations of the asset, and for a number times assigned to each sales entity, wherein the asset and at least one electronically selectable characteristic of the asset are listed on a database in communication with the host web site for display on the internet enabled user device, and, in response to electronic selection of a characteristic of the asset by a potential buyer using an internet enabled user device, the potential buyer is electronically presented, via the internet enabled user device, with information concerning a sales entity then assigned to the asset, comprising instructions for: a) assigning each sales entity a specific number of clicks, the number of clicks assigned being determined by a number of clicks purchased by each sales entity, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer electronically selecting a characteristic of the asset via the internet enabled user device; b) in response to a click, causing the potential buyer, via the internet enabled user internet device, and based on the selected characteristic, to be placed into a first browser session comprising a plurality of related web pages; c) determining an order in which sales entities are to be assigned clicks; d) assigning a sales entity to a click based on (c); e) in response to a click, placing the potential buyer into a second browser session that presents to the potential buyer, via the internet enabled user device, information concerning the asset and the sales agent that has been assigned to the click, so as to provide a sales lead to the so identified sales entity; f) debiting a click from the number of clicks assigned to the sales entity identified in (e); (g) in response to a subsequent click, presenting a different sales entity based on (c); and, (h) no longer presenting a particular sales entity in response to clicks when the number of clicks assigned to that particular sales entity has reached zero. .Iaddend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a computer network in which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented.

(3) FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the assigning of linking information associated with a salesperson in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of an assignment of linking information during a consumer session carried out in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is an example of a website configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the assigning of linking information associated with a real estate agent in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of an assignment of linking information during a consumer session in a real estate context carried out in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a computer network in which one embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. A web server 100 provides functionality necessary to generate a web site to a local or remote computer. The web server 100 may be controlled by an input device 102, such as for example a keyboard, mouse, microphone, network connection from another computing device and/or any other form of input device. The web server 100 is operably connected to a network 116, such as for example the Internet, a wireless network or the like. The connection may be via a telephone modem, cable modem, ISDN, fiber optics, wireless network or the like. A computer 104 is also operably connected to the network 116. Like the web server 100, the computer 104 comprises an input device 106. The computer 108 also typically comprises a processor 114 for data processing, a memory 110, a communications device 112 for communicating with the network 116 and/or a display device 108 for displaying information to a user. On the display device 108 a browser 122 for displaying web pages is presented to the user. The user may interact with the web site by using the input device 106, such as for example to click on a hyperlink present in a web page as displayed by the browser 122 on the display device 108. The computer 104 may be either a desktop or laptop personal computer, a specialized computer such as a workstation, or may be a consumer product such as a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like.

(9) A salesperson web server 113 is also operably connected to the network 116. The salesperson web server 118 also comprises an input device 120 that is consistent with input devices 102 and 110. The salesperson web server 118 provides necessary functionality to operate a sales person web site. The salesperson web site may be operated by the salesperson itself, or may be operated by another entity at the salesperson's direction. In fact, the salesperson web server 118 may be the same server as the web server 100. Other configurations of web servers 100, computers 108 and salesperson web servers 124 are possible and well known in the art, and are equally consistent with the present invention. Furthermore, in the following description methods and systems of programming and implementing web sites and the like are assumed to be known to one skilled in the art and are therefore not described in detail herein.

(10) An embodiment of the present invention may be described with reference to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart of a method of assigning linking information associated with a salesperson in accordance with the present invention. At optional step 201, a web site creates a rate card. A rate card may be a document, electronic file or any other form of information storage. If the rate card is an electronic file, it may be stored in the web server 100, another computer or another electronic device. Within the rate card is contained any information the web site administrator considers relevant to a transaction with a salesperson in the form of an entry. For example, the rate card may contain a price per click. The rate card may also contain a number of clicks available, period of time during which the clicks may be consumed and/or the geographic area of listings to have clicks associated with the salesperson. Additionally, the rate card may contain a priority feature that allows a salesperson to be given a higher priority over another salesperson. An entry in the rate card, such as for example the price per click, may vary over time or may remain static. The web site may create one rate card for use in forming agreements with all salespeople, or may create more than one rate card for a variety of purposes. Additionally, the web site may update or revise the rate card on a continuous or periodic basis.

(11) At step 203, the web site may perform two tasks in a transaction with a salesperson: the web site may reach an agreement with a salesperson, or the web site may apply the rate card created in step 201 to a salesperson. The agreement with a salesperson may contain any of the information discussed above in connection with the creation of a rate card discussed above in step 201, and may also contain additional terms. Applying the rate card of step 201 to a salesperson involves the web site and the salesperson reaching an agreement by selecting an entry of the rate card that will apply to the transaction. The selection of one or more entries of the rate card may comprise the entire transaction, or the web site and the salesperson may agree to additional terms not contained within the rate card. The result of either task is a transaction that has been agreed to by the web site and the salesperson.

(12) At step 205, the web site uses the transaction of step 203 to determine the number of clicks to be issued to the salesperson and the period of time over which the clicks will be issued.

(13) At step 207, the web site determines if more than one salesperson has been issued clicks concurrently. That is, the web site determines whetheras a result of proceeding through steps 203-205 (and optionally, step 201)more than one salesperson has been assigned clicks for the same time period. The time period may have identical start and end times, or may involve time periods that overlap for the time relevant to step 207. More than one salesperson may have been issued clicks as a result of a single transaction, or as a result of a plurality of transactions.

(14) If, at step 207, the web site determines that there is only one salesperson, the web site proceeds to step 209. At step 209, the web server 100 assigns linking information to the one salesperson for all consumers for the time period agreed upon in step 203. The web site then proceeds to step 213.

(15) If, at step 207, the web site determines that there are more than one salesperson to whom clicks have been issued for the time period, the web site proceeds to step 211. At step 211, the web site assigns an order to the clicks based on the number of clicks issued to each salesperson, the time over which the clicks are to be consumed and the number of different salespeople who have been issued clicks. The order may be any order created by the web site or agreed upon by the website and each salesperson. In one embodiment, the web site may assign all of one salesperson's clicks, then followed by a next salesperson's clicks, and so on. In another embodiment, the web site may assign the clicks randomly, thereby interspersing the clicks assigned to each salesperson. In yet another embodiment, the web site may determine a pattern of clicks assigned to each salesperson based in part on the number of clicks each salesperson has been issued during the time period. Click assignments may be calculated by the web server 100, another computer or electronic device, or may be calculated remotely or even manually and then entered into the web server 100 via the input device 102. Click assignments may be revised at any time.

(16) At step 213, the web server 100 assigns linking information associated with a salesperson's website or business in accordance with a click assignment. The linking information is information contained within the web site that, in one embodiment, will direct a consumer using the web site generated by the web server 100 to the salesperson's website generated by the salesperson web server 118. For example, as discussed in connection with FIG. 1, a user operating a computer 104 to view the web page generated by the web server 100 may view the linking information on the browser 122 as displayed on the display device 108. The user may then activate the linking information by using an input device 106, such as for example a mouse, to click on the linking information. At this point, the user is transferred to the salesperson web site as generated by the salesperson web server 118. In an alternative embodiment, the web site directs the consumer to the salesperson's website while the web page remains as a frame.

(17) At step 215, the web site debits the salesperon's assignment of clicks when a click is consumed. A click may be accounted as consumed at any point during a consumer Internet session that is agreed upon by the web site and the salesperson. In one embodiment, a click is consumed when the consumer clicks on an object on the website that activates the linking information. In another embodiment, a click is consumed when the consumer is transferred to the salesperson's website.

(18) After a period of time determined by the web site, the web site may return to step 205 as indicated by arrow 217. In this way, the web site can reallocate the assignment of clicks based on one or more factors, such as for example number of clicks consumed per each salesperson, number of clicks to assign over a given duration, or the like. At step 205, the web site may account for a new salesperson who may have been added while the website was performing steps 207-215.

(19) FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example of an assignment of linking information during a consumer session carried out in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Consumers 302a-d represent a plurality of consumers who have the ability to initiate a web site search at 306. As indicated by arrow 304, consumer 302a in this example initiates a search at 306. Typically, this occurs when the consumer operates the computer 104 via the input device 106 to visit the web site as displayed by the browser 122 on the display device 108. As noted above in connection with FIG. 1 however, alternate hardware configurations are possible and all are consistent with the present invention. A plurality of selection criteria 310a-e are available to the consumer during the search 306. The plurality of selection criteria 310a-e are intended to be illustrative only, and any number of selection criteria 310a-e may be made available to the consumer 302a, and each selection criteria 310a-e may include one or more criteria. In fact, in embodiments where the consumer 302a may, for example, input a text search via the input device 106, the number of selection criteria 310 available may be unbounded. In addition, a selection criterion may comprise an asset listing or other data.

(20) Arrow 308 indicates that consumer 302a has selected selection criteria 310b. Arrow 312 indicates that selection criteria 310b yields a set of selection assignments 311. FIG. 3 represents the selection assignments 311 as a wheel rotating in a direction indicated by arrow 318, but such a representation is for illustrative purposes only. The selection assignments 311 are typically calculated by web site equipment such as, but not limited to the web server 100 and may solely reside in a memory of such equipment. In addition, the present invention may have a click assignment 311 for each selection criteria 310a-e, or may have one click assignment 311 for all selection criteria 310a-e, or any combination thereof. Assignments 316a-d represent clicks that have been assigned to four different salespeople A-D by the web site. As can be seen from assignments 316a-d, each salesperson has been assigned a different number of clicks according to a transaction reached with the web site as discussed in connection with step 203 of FIG. 2. Window 314 displays the assignment 316c that is currently set to be associated with the consumer session by the web server 100 if selection criteria 310b is selected. Arrow 320 indicates that the web server 100 has delivered the consumer to a salesperson website or frame 322. At this point, the consumer has passed into the salesperson's web site and will typically remain in the salesperson web site until terminating the web site session, although such is not required by the present invention. The web site may debit the salesperson's account for a consumed click as discussed above in connection with step 215 of FIG. 2.

(21) In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may be applied to home listings in the real estate industry. However, the present invention is in no way limited to real estate, as the present invention is equally applicable to, for example, providing leads for the sale of a vehicle, providing employment leads, providing leads for rental property, or any type of consumer retail application. With respect to the aforementioned real estate embodiment, a real estate agent or agency (herein referred to as an agent, for clarity) may be provided with a means for purchasing and receiving a number of homebuyer search sessionsclicksto receive a consumer who is looking for a home listing on the web site. FIG. 4 is an example of a web site 400 configured in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The web site 400 has contained within its display area 402 a selection area 404 within which a consumer may use an input device 106 to select selection criteria which, in FIG. 4, are cities of home listings. The selection area 404 of such web site 400 may instead permit a consumer to select a location from a map or pulldown menu, or any other selection method that is well known in the art. The selection area 404 may offer a consumer a plurality of selection criteria in addition to the location of the desired real estate.

(22) FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the assigning of linking information associated with a real estate agent in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At step 501, a web site creates a rate card. The rate card may contain one or more variables that are made available to an agent, such as for example: number of clicks, time span of delivery or length of contract, geographic region of real estate properties for which clicks may be assigned, and the like. The web site applies the rate card to a transaction with an agent at step 503. As an illustrative example, assume the following transactions occur: Agent A purchases 500 clicks to be distributed evenly over a month. Agent B purchases 10,000 clicks over a six-month period. Agent C purchases 750 clicks to be delivered as soon as possible. Agent D purchases 100 clicks to be delivered as soon as possible on a specific date.

(23) Based on the transaction of step 503, in step 505 the web site determines the number of clicks to be issued over a period of time for each agent with whom the web site has entered into a transaction. The results of step 505 may annotated as exemplified in Table 1:

(24) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Customer Clicks City Start Date End Date Agent A 500 Norfolk Jul. 10, 2002 Aug. 9, 2002 Agent B 10000 all Mar. 1, 2002 Sep. 1, 2002 Agent C 750 Virginia Beach Aug. 1, 2002 n/a Agent D 100 all Aug. 4, 2002 Aug. 4, 2002

(25) As can be seen from Table 1, the agents who purchased clicks in a transaction of step 503 are located in the table with the number of clicks purchased, as well as a geographic region as indicated by the city column in Table 1. A start and end date indicating the time period over which the web site disperses the clicks may also be included. An embodiment of the present invention may accommodate an unlimited number of customers, as well as an unlimited amount of transaction information. It should be noted that Table 1 is for illustrative purposes only, and its creation is not required by the present invention.

(26) At step 511, the web site assigns an order to the clicks based on, for example, the number of clicks issued to each agent, the time over which the clicks are to be consumed, the number of different agents who have been issued clicks and/or the current or projected volume of homebuyer sessions at a given point in time. At step 513, the web server 100 assigns linking information to a consumer using a computer 104 during a browsing session. Upon the consumer activating the linking information by using the input device 106, the consumer is directed to the agent's web site which is generated by the salesperson web server 118. At step 515, the agent's account is debited for the click that has been consumed. The web site may, at step 517, update its click information by returning to step 505 and accounting for consumed clicks, and may account for any new agents that may have been added during steps 511, 513 and 515. If clicks assigned to an agent have been completely consumed, the agent may be removed from click assignments.

(27) FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example of an assignment of linking information during a consumer session in a real estate context carried out in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A consumer 602 who is searching for a home initiates a search session 606 by visiting a web site. As mentioned above, this may be accomplished by the consumer using the browser 122 that is displayed on the display device 108 of the computer 104. The consumer 602 may select 608 selection criteria 610 using the input device 106, such as for example: a city or geographic region in which the consumer 602 wants to view properties, or all cities or geographic regions at once. The selection criteria 610 selected by the consumer 602 may yield a set of agent selection assignments 611 as indicated by arrow 612. To illustrate a click assignment in a preferred embodiment, FIG. 6 represents the selection assignments 611 as a wheel rotating in a direction indicated by arrow 618, with the assignments 616a-d dispersed thereon. However, and as discussed in connection with FIG. 3 above, such a representation is for illustrative purposes only, and any means of distributing assignments 616a-d is consistent with the present invention. As can be seen in FIG. 6, agent C is has an assignment 616c in the window 614 that is currently set to be associated with the consumer session, while other assignments 616a, b and d are awaiting delivery. The linking information then forwards the consumer 602 to an agent or broker property listings site 622 containing all available listings in the selected region as indicated by arrow 620.

(28) Upon reaching the agent or broker site 622, the consumer may search such agent or broker sitewhich is generated by the salesperson web server 118by selecting criteria for the home the consumer 602 is seeking. Criteria that may be used may include: number of bedrooms and bathrooms, price range, or zip code of the property. A period of time the consumer 602 spends at the agent or broker web site without leaving for another web site is referred to as a search session. In one embodiment, the consumer 602 remains in the agent or broker site for the duration of such search session, and all consumer 602 requests for information and email inquiries go directly to the agent associated with the agent or broker site 622, as opposed to an agent who may have a listing contract for the property. The system may, for example, account for a click when a consumer 602 using the system's web site selects a selection criteria 610, thereby activating the agent's link or frame, and leaving the system's web site.

(29) After a period of time, such as for example one hour, agent orders may be updated for clicks delivered in the previous hour. The percentage of clicks to be delivered to each agent (for each geographic area) in the upcoming hour may be calculated, based on the quantity needed to honor each order according to the desired frequency. Agents on an as soon as possible status, such as agent C, may be given all clicks remaining after scheduled click commitments are met. The results of such an updating may be annotated as exemplified in Table 2:

(30) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Snapshot at 11:50 am on Aug. 4, 2002 Customer Clicks City Start Date End Date Balance Agent A 500 Norfolk Jul. 10, 2002 Aug. 9, 2002 357 Agent B 10000 all Mar. 1, 2002 Sep. 1, 2002 3207 Agent C 750 Virginia Aug. 1, 2002 n/a 587 Beach Agent D 100 all Aug. 4, 2002 Aug. 4, 2002 12

(31) As can be seen from Table 2, some agents have more clicks to be distributed over a given time period than others, and an embodiment of the present invention may use the information represented by Table 2 to further prioritize the assignment of clicks. Such a table may be updated in connection with returning via arrow 517 to step 505, but such a table is not required by the present invention. A report may be generated that verifies actual clicks delivered by time period to an agent. Additional information about the geographic locations of consumers 602 (in aggregate), or additional information such as for example, time of day, day of week, web browser used, or the like, may be provided. Additional information, such as records tracking and audit information about every click delivered may also be provided, preferably in real time. Such information may be generated by the web server 100, or may be generated by another computer or electronic device.

(32) Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to the sale of real estate, the present invention may be used for any type of transaction. As mentioned above, variations of the present invention are possible in automotive, employment, property rental and consumer retail applications. It is also to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention as described in the present application may apply to any computing device or environment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any number of such computing devices connected via a communications network, and interacting across the network. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety of computer platforms, including handheld device operating systems and other application specific operating systems are contemplated, especially as the number of wireless networked devices continues to proliferate. Still further, the present invention may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be affected across a plurality of devices. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.