Online real estate video resource WellcomeMat officially threw off the training wheels this morning and announced it has emerged from Beta.
The company, which I first previewed in 2007 (see WellcomeMat – The Killer App for Real Estate Video) has taken huge strides over the last few years and built out a fantastic network that connects Realtors and brokers with video professionals.
In addition, their video player technology still remains head of its class and as big brokers are starting to wake up to the new world of online video, the company has had some success helping them power their own video plays (see WellcomeMat Powers Halstead Property Real Estate Video).
So what does dropping the Beta mean? Well, not suprisingly, given the current economic times, the site is no longer free.
Their entry level Premier plan now runs $14.95 a month and they also have an Pro account which costs $19.95 a month. Neither of which should be particularly onerous if you are serious about integrating video into your marketing.
But, as a way of saying thanks to its Beta testers, all existing 10,000 members of the site were upgraded to becoming lifetime Premier members for free.
Since I did my last Real Estate Video Shoot Out many of the free video hosts profiled there have disappeared or introduced pay-for-play models. Video streaming is an expensive business and the age of free looks like it may be coming to an end.
Other online video providers include ZIPVO.
