Mark Ryan, Broker, CRS, ABR  just recently wrote a great question that is so detrimential to our business. Making decisions that will effect our online presence and ways to reach out to prospective clients. As he is deciding what IDX platform to use he poses the quesiton below.  I thought I would share my response as I am a huge fan of Diverse Solutions.

If you find yourself in the corner and trying to decide which direction to go, do as Mark did and ask those that are using the products.

I, personally don't promote spamming up someones comment section (Sorry Mark) and had no intent, but I write with a lot of passion when it comes to Diverse Solutions.  Not only do they provide great features, the consumers can do the following on your own site/s with so much ease!

* Unrestricted access to all properties

* Receive property updates for your searches via Email

* Save your favorite properties * Add your own notes to listings

* Create and save your personal searches

* Keep track of properties you’ve viewed

* Receive updates through a RSS reader

Via Mark Ryan, Broker, CRS, ABR:

WHAT TO DO???

Ok, it looks like they are both good but can anyone give me input after having used both?

How about the good and/or bad of each for the one  you use?

How was the set up if you were the FIRST in your MLS to set up?

What I LOVE about both is the ability for spiders to index the rss feeds... that is WHY I am looking to go with one of them... So, unless there are other IDX providers out there I know I want one of these... IF there are other options WITH the RSS feed and ability for spiders to INDEX the post... please let me know.

Thanks and looking forward to hearing a lot of great feedback!

Here is my response:

Mark - I personally can say many wonderful things about Diverse Solutions!! I, like you searched out several options with 1ParkPlace &; Diverse Solutions and others. After trying many and working with the customer service reps with several of the companies mentioned above, there is no question there is a huge difference in my opinion.

I went with Diverse Solutions for several reasons, the look, the ability to customize and the flexibility of the features was the highest priority.  Obviously I wanted ease of usability for my prospective clients too!

The fact that Diverse Solutions is constantly working to improve it's product is appealing to me as well. Most recently this week they have rolled out a new update and the newly added features are fantastic.  Staying in the front of the pack in the IDX industry is a high priority with DS and I've seen the progress they are making daily. Surely something to keep an eye on!!

You mention RSS Feeds, I use these to death, a great feature you don't get with most other providers!!  I have them built into my blog pages, I send them out to my buyers, I place them within the body of my emails, posts and various posts within Activerain too!

The modules are awesome and I love the ease of use to pop one into a page. I use the Diverse Solutions Search IDX Page on my personal wordpress blog!! I use the links everywhere, in fliers I create and the search results I get are picking up dramatically!

The Admin control panel is so user friendly and helps you keep all your contacts so organized. The Agent Chat is so awesome and it sends vistors comments to my cell phone (SMS) with a text if I'm not at my computer.

The card and newsletter program, email campaigns  (an extra cost) and all the added features are so amazing. All this in one place is fantastic.. The best part for me is that the support is above and beyond what most companies are willing to offer in the technology field. I am all about Diverse Solutions and if you need any questions answered personally please don't hesitate to contact me direct ...

I know several associates and brokers that use it and I believe I can speak on their behalf, that Diverse Solutions is on the cutting edge and leading the pack for IDX solutions for us Real Estate Professionals!  Best of luck in your decision! (sorry for the lengthy essay here, but I truly am a huge DS Fan) 

Candace Robinson (comment response November 13, 2008)

If you have any questions regarding Diverse Solutions and would like some help setting up your blogs, websites or other sites, please don't hesitate to contact me direct at 480.202.3558 or Candace@AZREBlogs.com