February 2007
View or Download the PowerPoint Presentation - Presented by Shawn Martin & Carrie Conrad of the NAHB Research Center
Objective:
Help builders and remodelers use the Internet to find building techniques and technologies that can improve your business, save time, increase efficiency, and improve durability.
Introduction:
The Internet is increasingly playing a role in all aspects of life, and builders are no exception.
- 98% of homebuilding firms have access, 95% use the Internet, >50% have broadband access
- Top Two Uses: 95% - E-Mail. 69% - Seeking information on building materials and supplies.
Outline:
- Search Engines and Additional Tools
- General Building Resources- These sites cover a broad variety of topics, and are a good place to start. Topics include:
Building Technologies & Processes, Business Management, Construction Methods, Codes, Estimating, Economic Data and Stats, Plans, Marketing
- Topic-Specific Resources – Sites targeted at key building issues
- Energy Efficiency
- Green Building
- Materials & Product Information
- Moisture & Mold
- What do YOU use?
Search Engines - Starting Gates & Tools:
Did you know that on average there are over 213 million searches daily? More importantly, since search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN and AOL are "starting gates" for web users, they offer many tools that aid in information gathering, communication, and location.
- Find Places and Resources: www.google.com/maps - Maps, driving directions, business locator, satellite and hybrid satellite maps
- Find Places and Resources: local.yahoo.com - Local business integrated with maps, also includes feedback and ratings (maps.yahoo.com features a different interface, but integrated tools)
- Communicate efficiently: www.google.com/language_tools - Translate your text, or entire websites into many different languages
- Customize: Google's Personalized Home: www.google.com/ig?hl=en- Access features such as free email addresses, calendars, bookmarks that work anywhere, and other tools. Users must log in and create an account- usually takes only a few minutes, and your computer will probably remember your settings. Yahoo and MSN offer similar tools and features
- RSS Feeds: Access headlines an articles from a centralized location called an aggregator. Aggregators are free or low cost, can be built into websites, web browsers, or operate as separate programs. Look for common symbols <INSERT> on web pages; they'll provide subscription info. Toolbase Services, JLC Online, Builder Magazine Online, Residential Architect Magazine Online, HGTVPro and many others offer various feeds.
Websites: General Building Resources:
These sites have a lot of general building content, including topics such as business management, best practices, consumer-targeted resources, codes and standards information, sales and marketing tips, and technology-focused products and practices. These sites are not going to give you the most detailed information about a specific topic, but more importantly they'll give you an overview, which may be what you need, or if not- will point you in the right direction to more information.
- Industry Resources: These sites have little to no advertising, and content within them is cross-referenced well.
- News and Media Sites:Great for keeping up with new technologies, hot topics, or quick overviews of products and procedures.
Topic-Specific Websites:
These websites are good resources if you need information on one of these popular home building topics. They often cover both residential and commercial construction, but are more detailed than general industry sites.
- Energy Efficiency
- Green Building
- Materials and Product Information
- Moisture and Mold
Feedback:
- What information do you seek on the web?
- What websites do you find useful?
- How can we improve www.toolbase.org to better meet your needs?