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.

1 . A method of providing sales leads comprising a processor for:
 (a) assigning a selected number of clicks to each of a plurality of sales entities each desirous of selling an asset, wherein a click corresponds to an occurrence of a potential buyer clicking on a hyperlink on a web page, the hyperlink being associated with a characteristic of one of the assets, and associated with a sales entity;   (b) determining an order in which each sales entity is to be associated with the hyperlink;   (c) associating each sales entity with the hyperlink only for the number of clicks selected for that sales entity; and   (d) causing to be presented to a potential buyer, one of the sales entities in accordance with the order determined in step (b) in response to clicks, and only for the number of clicks assigned to each sales entity, and causing a different one of the sales entities to be thereafter presented on the display device to a potential buyer in response to clicks in accordance with the order determined in step (b).   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processor communicates web page data containing the hyperlink over a communications network. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) further comprises assigning the selected number of clicks according to a price paid by each of the sales entities. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the determination of step (b) is based upon the number of clicks assigned to each of the sales entities and an amount of time in which the clicks are to be associated with the hyperlink. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sales entity is a person. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sales entity is a business organization. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein only one sales entity is caused to be presented on the web page at any given time. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of the assets is a geographic location of the assets. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic of the assets is a price range of the assets. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the asset is real estate.