I'm looking into a new IDX provider. I want more than just a basic search for visiting clients. I'd like it to be both aesthetically pleasing (maybe interactive maps, etc) and also have the capability to have guests register and save homes they like, and sign up to receive homes through email, i.e. lead capture. I to would also like to track such searches and be able to see who signed up and what they are looking for.
Who do you suggest and why?
Damian,
I have learned a lot in the last 6 mths about IDX, indexing, custom, template, wordpress, etc. From looking at your website you have all anyone could want with todays technology. Should I reconsider current idx provider, webdesigner I will certainly contact you. Rates may seem a bit high but one additional sale generated by a top notch provider would cover the cost. And it only grows from there.
Regards,
Larry
Larry we do offer high end systems however agents can get into the core IDX for 500.00 , no hosting fees for one year. I can tell you once agents learn what we offer and what we can build they always go for our 3500.00 package. Remember your online presence is an investment and it should work as an investment where you can build value year after year.
IDX Broker is the worst and their Customer Service sucks. They take your money and tell you to bad, so sad
John Nyiszter
Princeton Junction, NJ
Here is the problem the system that are do it yourself might last 4 to 6 moths but you will be looking for the next best thing in due time. The IDX broker system has flexibility but its its still much more complicated than most CMS systems.
The following are the biggest trends in IDX.
1) CMS systems are taking the business over. Forget about proprietary IDX its out in a big way. In fact almost every vertical market is now adopting and running some type of open source framework. Drupal, Joomla or Wordpress.
The newest news today Ebay just bought out Magento, an open source Shopping cart platform.
2) Agents want not only a robust system but also the ability to customize every aspect of their system. IDX companies have gotten lazy and they have been selling the same old system year after year.
3) Agents want support ! Agents need to the ability to pick up a phone and call without it costing 100 dollars to change a phone number. If you think I am joking talk with some other agents. There are IDX companies that bill a minimum 1 hour @ 100 to make a 5 minute template change.
Galtlinedesign is the first open source market place where agents can purchase the most flexible IDX system on the planet. Need an Ajax scroller no problem. Build SEO Community pages in seconds. Everything you can think of from Indexable properties to CRM to SMS. Galtlinedesign is leading the way in the new IDX.
The Future Proof IDX
Looks like Stacy is Damian in disguise. That's stooping pretty low I must say.
I am new to this thread but would like to suggest Cevado Technologies.
I built my first website with Cevado four years ago. In my first year as a Real Estate Agent in Flagstaff, AZ, I became the #3 Buyer's Agent because of my site. This is true... many agents who had been in business for 20-30 years did not do as many transactions as I did. I am not saying this to boast. It was completely unexpected but I rose straight to the top in my first year.
One year - maybe luck. For the next two years I have remained in the top 5 of Buyer's agents in Flagstaff. I do Google Ads and I use Cevado's SEO Team.
http://www.FlagstaffRealEstatePartner. com
I built a new site for Sedona and just started marketing: http://www.SedonaRealEstatePartner.com
I am branching into Phoenix and Cevado does not have an IDX relationship there. I am going to use Diverse Solutions as my IDX company and incorporate it into Cevado Templates.
Customer Service has always been extraordinary - If I had a question or an issue, it is dealt with immediately. I can always speak to someone on the phone.
We also have our own dedicated mobile apps through Cevado.
http://www.Cevado.com. I can't say enough about them. If you call, tell Fletcher I sent you. (No, I make no money off of this but I think I'd get a referral credit?)
Nice going Eileen... sounds like you are on a roll. While everyone is bringing new IDXs on line, if its a brand new site.. then fine but the way you transfer an old site to the new site is very critical.. so as you can see above.. I specialize in something different every year... and its all free... This year its domain transfer... and believe me its a science. Some folks like Real Estate Webmaster recommend you simply do a 301 permanent transfer on the most important pages and do a blanket transfer with the rest of the pages... Believe me that is the most horrible process I can imagine... the only way to satisfy Google is a page by page 301 even when you have 50,000 pages indexed... if you are having a problem with domain transfer to the new site... contact me at tommytx at earthlink.net... its all free.. I love programming and helping others.... I have even had folks call me incognito just to see if the FREE is a scam... I have lots of references.. and lots of successes... Remember when firing off your new idx no matter what the company... be sure you both understand the danger and value in a correct transfer... there are strict rules IAW Google's Best Practices for Domain Transfer..
I came across your article when I searched BLOGS to compare IDX solutions. I'm researching this to revamp my Point 2 site. Looking for the best "BANG for the BUCK".
Stay away from ihouse!! They promised they could customize the IDX like I told them I needed. No way! It was a "trial" run and they will not answer answer the phone # they gave me. they won't return my previous e-mail asking they return my money, as they could not come through. The sales man said they could fill my request, the IT MAN SAID "NO WAY".
RAR is still useing a flat file feed to provide info to my IDX provider for some reason they will not go to the new rets system they are claiming its a lot more work and they would need to higher a new person to handle it so i am very limited on what IDX provider i can use.I have Ihomefinder at this time and i am not impressed are their any other companies that i can talk to that will work with a Flat file?
There are some ways on idxbroker to fake google out by using a subdomain as many folks do. For example you set up search.mydomain.com and redirect that with a CNAME record to idxbroker.com and anything on your idx is directed via search.mydomain.com google picks that up and thinks the pages are on your site and indexes thousands under the domain search.mydomain.com ... true they are not on your main domain but they are infact indexed on your site... so when you leave idxbroker you just redirect all the tons of search.mydomain.com to your new site... works well I have done it on many sites. Its all free if you need help with it, everything I do is for fun a hobby... Visit http://52payperclick.com to see what else I do with adwords for free.... If you like I can show you examples of where some idxbroker sites have more than 50,000 pages indexed on a subdomain.
True its not as valuable as having the IDX on site, but what the hell it makes it better and like you said it costs 40 bucks, not 4k...
Tom
Don't use IDXBROKER
I currently use Ihomefinder and have managed to index about 15,000 pages with their short code plug in. My goal is to get to about 30,000 pages and that should keep my pipeline full. I am seriously considering adding a second IDX feed to my site and contacted IDX Broker atleast 3 times with specific questions about what their new release would and would not do.
For me, and I suspect for most agents using a short code plug in is much easier than a subdomain. I asked numerous times about the new IDXBroker short code plug in and they assured me it would do the same thing. Funny thing, it couldn't be further from the truth. It's just a hyperlink to their subdomain page. The site still has subdomain pages rather than root domain pages.
Immediately after paying my fee and getting set up I contacted IDXBROKER to let them know it wasn't the product for me and here's their response.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer any refunds. Your account has been cancelled.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Antonio
So if you're thinking of using IDXBROKER you might be better off with Diverse Solutions, atleast they have a free trial rather than taking your money and then saying "sorry".
Steven Schafer, Realtor
Balsley Losco Realty, Atlantic County NJ
Well here's the latest response from IDX Broker....If you do a charge back from your credit card company, we'll bill you even more. Run from them.
Mr. Schafer,
Unfortunately a refund for these services you requested that have already been delivered per your request is not available. I am sorry that you did not clearly understand how our services are delivered prior to requesting services from us. We make every effort to make the process very clear both online and with our sales staff. Please also note that you have agreed to the terms and conditions upon signing up for our services and that you could be responsible for additional charges if you submit a chargeback request with your credit card company. I am sorry that you didn't feel as though our services were adequate for your specific needs, but we do wish you the best of success moving forward.
Best regards,
Chad
We have had a lot of clients who are happy with IDX Broker.
I understand that Mr. Schafer had a no refund experience, and I understand how crummy that feels.
I will say that I try services all the time for my clients that don't really work out, and at times I have spent considerable sums for software and services that didn't match my needs.
That is not unusual.
We have clients who have gotten 10's of thousands of pages indexed on Google within weeks of launching their sites with IDX Broker.
I get questions all the time about ihouse, diverse solutions and other vendors out there.
The real truth is that you have to find someone who is a great fit for you!
It is like which is the best smartphone. I have had Palm, BlackBerry, Nokia, and Apple. They are all better at somethings that their competitors.
The same applies to IDX. There isn't a "BEST". But...there is a "best for you". You just need to compare the list of features, price, and service levels of each vendor, and see who works for you.
We are Developer Partners with IDX Broker, so I am pretty biased.
I have used a lot of IDX solutions on client sites in the past, but we are an IDX Broker shop now.
Our customers have mentioned that they are using IDX Broker because of:
Shoot me an email if you have any questions that we can help out with.
James
james at realtycandy.com
I have Home Junction and about to fire them. First they build me a site then charge another 400.00 to make it for mobile viewing. Then they charge $100 a page for SEO optimization and so on and so on. A bunch of their developers left the company and started their own because they felt HomeJunction was not delivering what was promised. I also just had a customer message me on facebook wanting to see a house and tried the website but it wasn't working That did it for me! Do NOT use HomeJunction!
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