Comments on: IDX – Make it Prominent & Easy http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:04:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Cedar Rapids Real Estate http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83463 Cedar Rapids Real Estate Sat, 07 Feb 2009 14:47:49 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83463 Great reminder Peyman! Sometimes we forget the ONLY reason for our website is to make money, attract visitors and make more money! Having the IDX tab or quick search feature clearly visible is important, and it makes me want to revisit my own site to make sure of this! Great reminder Peyman! Sometimes we forget the ONLY reason for our website is to make money, attract visitors and make more money! Having the IDX tab or quick search feature clearly visible is important, and it makes me want to revisit my own site to make sure of this!

]]> By: San Diego Homes http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83205 San Diego Homes Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:20:33 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83205 I developed the 1st agent operated VOW in California as soon as the courts ruled in favor of eRealty in eRealty v AOR. My database for that project had over 150K registered users via a closed loop, double opt in system. The data we have on user behavior dwarfs that of any agent site out there, and is surpassed by only the biggest brokerages and companies like Zillow. If you dont have listings, you are dead in the water. Registration is not a roadblock and not much of an issue for most visitors, but just part of the value proposition. I developed the 1st agent operated VOW in California as soon as the courts ruled in favor of eRealty in eRealty v AOR.

My database for that project had over 150K registered users via a closed loop, double opt in system.

The data we have on user behavior dwarfs that of any agent site out there, and is surpassed by only the biggest brokerages and companies like Zillow.

If you dont have listings, you are dead in the water. Registration is not a roadblock and not much of an issue for most visitors, but just part of the value proposition.

]]> By: Hawaii real estate guy http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83202 Hawaii real estate guy Fri, 06 Feb 2009 19:08:30 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83202 Just because something is free doesn't mean it is the best. I am developing my own because most are not very good and are confusing for the user. By the way we will be making it available to other agents. BTW - it will not be free :-) It will convert leads into sales and keep the users coming back. We have the basic search, user functions and lead generation functions working. Next we are rolling out our interactive map search that will be easy to use and understand along with our custom lead management system. Our conversion rates have gone through the roof since we pushed to new search. Just because something is free doesn’t mean it is the best. I am developing my own because most are not very good and are confusing for the user. By the way we will be making it available to other agents. BTW – it will not be free :-) It will convert leads into sales and keep the users coming back.

We have the basic search, user functions and lead generation functions working. Next we are rolling out our interactive map search that will be easy to use and understand along with our custom lead management system.

Our conversion rates have gone through the roof since we pushed to new search.

]]> By: Jim Duncan http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83198 Jim Duncan Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:44:19 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83198 Drew - Prior to implementing Diverse Solutions, I chose about five or six of my current and recent buyer clients and used them as a mini-focus group. They helped me refine the search tool for my market in a variety of ways. I have recommended this approach to a couple other Realtors to whom I have spoken about DS - it was an immensely helpful exercise/process. Drew –

Prior to implementing Diverse Solutions, I chose about five or six of my current and recent buyer clients and used them as a mini-focus group. They helped me refine the search tool for my market in a variety of ways.

I have recommended this approach to a couple other Realtors to whom I have spoken about DS – it was an immensely helpful exercise/process.

]]> By: Peyman Aleagha http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83193 Peyman Aleagha Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:26:38 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83193 Drew, There is no comparison, RealtySoft is the best :) and its free! Cheers, Peyman Aleagha RealtySoft.com Drew,

There is no comparison, RealtySoft is the best :) and its free!

Cheers,
Peyman Aleagha
RealtySoft.com

]]> By: Drew Meyers http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83186 Drew Meyers Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:03:03 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83186 I agree with Jim that we should focus the IDX conversation on the consumer. The other topic I think needs more attention is comparisons between the numerous IDX vendors. Which features does each have, and at what price point? What do real consumers think of the functionality that different IDX vendors provide? I agree with Jim that we should focus the IDX conversation on the consumer. The other topic I think needs more attention is comparisons between the numerous IDX vendors. Which features does each have, and at what price point? What do real consumers think of the functionality that different IDX vendors provide?

]]> By: Jim Duncan http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83170 Jim Duncan Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:58:28 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83170 I've been having this conversation recently on my blog (and offline as well) and I've come to three conclusions - 1) IDX is crucial for websites <em>and</em> sellers 2) We in this space "get" this 3) We need to shift the conversation to the consumer audience and educate them on the value of IDX. Sure, IDX is great, but if all the listings aren't there, we're devaluing everything. I’ve been having this conversation recently on my blog (and offline as well) and I’ve come to three conclusions –

1) IDX is crucial for websites and sellers
2) We in this space “get” this
3) We need to shift the conversation to the consumer audience and educate them on the value of IDX. Sure, IDX is great, but if all the listings aren’t there, we’re devaluing everything.

]]> By: Jay Thompson http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83169 Jay Thompson Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:58:13 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83169 "BTW, what state will give you a license in 4 weeks?" In Arizona, you can complete the required "school" in as little as 10 days. The IDX search on all our sites is the most heavily visited page. By far. No, having an IDX doesn't come close to making you a good agent. But it's what the vast majority of visitors to a site are looking for. “BTW, what state will give you a license in 4 weeks?”

In Arizona, you can complete the required “school” in as little as 10 days.

The IDX search on all our sites is the most heavily visited page. By far. No, having an IDX doesn’t come close to making you a good agent. But it’s what the vast majority of visitors to a site are looking for.

]]> By: Joe Boylan http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83043 Joe Boylan Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:57:04 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83043 I agree that IDX is an essential tool for procuring potential buyers but...I also think that when we focus on IDX, we do our sellers a disservice. I think we have an obligation to use our web presence to make our listings stand out from the rest of the pack. IDX is important but don't forget to showcase your own listings. I agree that IDX is an essential tool for procuring potential buyers but…I also think that when we focus on IDX, we do our sellers a disservice.

I think we have an obligation to use our web presence to make our listings stand out from the rest of the pack.

IDX is important but don’t forget to showcase your own listings.

]]> By: Steve Jagger http://www.geekestateblog.com/idx-%e2%80%93-make-it-prominent-easy/#comment-83039 Steve Jagger Fri, 06 Feb 2009 03:13:52 +0000 http://www.geekestateblog.com/?p=1688#comment-83039 @Hawaii real estate guy - its all about filling your sales funnel. some want to buy now, next week, next month, next year - its all good. @San Diego Homes - I didn't say buyers should be buying on the advise of Realtors. I said the value of a Realtor is their thoughts and interpretation of the market. Assuming someone already wants to buy, they can search for listings themselves. The agents value is the interpretation of those listings. price, street, neighborhood, schools, comparables, negotiations, etc. @Hawaii real estate guy – its all about filling your sales funnel. some want to buy now, next week, next month, next year – its all good.

@San Diego Homes – I didn’t say buyers should be buying on the advise of Realtors. I said the value of a Realtor is their thoughts and interpretation of the market. Assuming someone already wants to buy, they can search for listings themselves. The agents value is the interpretation of those listings. price, street, neighborhood, schools, comparables, negotiations, etc.

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