Real Estate Blog - Generating Leads Using IDX Tools

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Generating Leads Using IDX Tools

Here's a cool way to setup your IDX and AR Blog as a Lead Generator. Jenniffer Lee from RE/MAX has done a nice job, in my opinion, of adding a feature like this to her Blog. Having this option available on a post like this is potential lead generation at its best. Yes, this is a shameless plug for Jenniffer.

I've read thousands of posts on AR, seen hundreds of buttons and "Search MLS" icons, and have seen some really creative images and ways to entice readers and traffic to visit your listings and MLS systems, but this really caught my attention. As I was making my rounds this morning making sure things are working or being fixed, I couldn't help but notice this and wanted to test it out.

Search Homes For Sale In Florida

I was impressed with her new RE/MAX office, but when I saw this on her most recent post, I just had to write about it. I'm not saying to add this to every Blog post, but to have it on her Profile and on other topic related posts, I think this is genius. Thanks for letting me share this Jenniffer, I can see how a tool like this could generate you much success. Congratulations on your new office, I wish you all the best!

Do you use IDX? What lead capture tools are you using? Did you know tools like this are available?

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 12/15/2008 10:38 PM

Comments (110)

IDX Technology in the ActiveRain Channel

idx, lead generation, jenniffer lee

Originally posted at: Real Estate 2.0 Technology : Generating Leads Using IDX Tools

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110 Comments on Generating Leads Using IDX Tools

DEC

It is a good looking button Brad.

Her post is wonderful and now we all want to know how to link the IDX to a post for ourselves ! Please do tell.....

Hi Brad, I did go over and check out Jennifer's office info. She is one lucky girl to be so successful to have such a beautiful office! But this is like dangling a piece of candy but not letting us have it!

Do YOU know how to do this? You know some of us need step by step training! Ha Ha

Debbie

How do you imbed something like that in your blog?

RT Michael Klijanowicz "How do you imbed somethinglike that in your blog?"

IDX is the best thing for buyer's agents since the invention of the chocolate nut brownie.

@Bill - It's not just a good looking button, within two button clicks, it's a possible lead capture. :-))

I love my Idx system, but had no idea I could embed this information in my posts!!!

Michele - I spoke with Jenniffer on the phone this morning to get her blessings to post about her. She was unaware this was available pryor to her new endeavor. Apparently this is available to ANY RE/MAX Agent and works across the entire Country.

How does it work? It's an iFrame code that gets placed on a post using your html tab.

Where do you get the code? In this case, it would have to be your RE/MAX Office and Broker.

What if I don't work for RE/MAX? There are a couple other options and possible solutions. I'm not sure what type of widget they'll provide, but both RealtySoft.com and SoftRealty.com offer FREE IDX.

I am researching other FREE IDX sites as well. You could also check with your Broker (if applicable) to see if your company offers a tool like this to their agents.

Debbie - step by step, I'm here for ya. See my comment above.... :-))

Thanks for picking up on this Brad. I read that this is what most potential clients are looking for, an easy search, not resumes and fancy sites....

Michael - Two comments up....

Marianne - you can't retweet here! LOL~ Very cute, so..... RT Comment to Michael. LOL~ :-))

Lenn - that would go well with my coffee this morning, does that default me to a buyer's agent? I really liked how she set this up, properly used, I think this could really generate some interest and leads. Like Davis said, consumers are looking and wanting this sort of thing. If Google brings em here, guess where they might go next? I like it. :-)

Mana - You probably have to check with your IDX provider to see if they offer any type of widget or service like this. Since you already have IDX, just tell them how you want to use it, or send them this post as a sample.

David - that's an important concept which I left out of this post. If this is true, then this adds more value to your Blog and your visitors and readers. Less is more, and simple is in..... good goals for 2009. :-))

Hi Brad I think I am like many of us here and I have analysis paralysis on how to do IDX on the blog or website. I sure wish you were my personal assistant. Sometimes all this seems overwhelming.

Lizette - I totally understand. Until I can do a tutorial with one of these services, feel free to contact me if you need some help. I'll be your personal assistant! (Big Smile!!)

We have a vendor provided IDX solution I haven't placed it on my blog but it might be an excellent pace to pick up leads. SEARCH HERE

Thanks for bringing our attention to this - I just stopped over and commented (looking for the "how-to". Lucky I came back here and read the comments - since I am a RE/MAX agent - Yahoo!!

I will check with the local mls , may be an option from that direction...

Terry - I checked it out, the code looks pretty cumbersome, but maybe they have a simple widget or iFrame you can use. Looked like a pretty nifty tool if you can get folks to it. Nice job. :-)

Cathy - You should be all over this then. I'm sure Jenniffer wouldn't mind answering any questions you might have about it, she's a real nice person and just started using this last week. Yahoo is right!! :-))

Michele - that's a great idea, and an excellent place to start if you ask me. I'd be curious what they offer, maybe you'll come back and share with us? Thanks, have a great week and good luck with that. :-)

Now I gotta search one for the insurance industry :)

Great idea - not a day goes by without a new tech tool to research and incoporate into our website, blogs, marketing plan, etc. Glad that you don't post 5 a day or I would never get any work done.

Brad - I think Jenniffer is on to something here. I going to have to check with my IDX provider to see if something like this is available for me.

That is a very cool way to frame the idx feed. Unfortunately New York City does not have an idx feed available so we are out of luck even though we are trying different ways to find one.

Sounds like a nice tool for Re/max agents. Hopefully many will spend the time to put it on their site. Many consumers are looking for listing information when the visit real estate sites.

I recently signed up for the Market Leader and will be comparing to my 1parkplace IDX system. I cant wait. I agree with you. Jennifer's is pretty impressive.

Brad, this looks like an awesome way to go about utilizing IDX to the fullest potential!

Every time I come back to your blog I feel like I'm falling far behind. Cool stuff thanks

Brad - This is a cool way of asking the search easy for the consumer. Congratulations Jennifer on the new office.

Brad...thanks for the Christmas Present! Another "To-Do" for the list next to my computer! Everytime I cross one thing off, I have two more to add!

But this one is worth it! I'm going to have to look into the IDX and see if I can get it on my profile page! Ah, more work on the Profile Page. Another "To-Do"

Whoo-Hoo...I'm a RE/MAX agent too...I'm so excited that this tool is available!! Thanks to Brad for sharing and to Jennifer for allowing him too...I'm off to figure this out now! :-)

I'm embarassed to say I don't know what IDX stands for, but I'm getting that it's important. LOL I'll have to look through the sites you suggested and see if I can figure it out.

Thanks for the compliments Brad! I posted directions and the code on my blog for those who want to add the search box.

Brad- This IDX application looks great.

Our Board just added a new IDX system that is public now and has a lot of different applications. I am going to check to see if they have added features such as this to their new systems.

This is so cool! I'm bleary-eyed right now, but I'm gonna check this out tomorrow. Tonight = sleep. Tomorrow = learn a cool new trick! You always offer so much of value. ~GBU~

Hi Brad,

I have to admit I always get so much out of your blogs! Even the responses that you [provide are informative. Now to see if I can add it to my blog....

Take Care & Have a Great '08!

Jennifer, thanks for popping by. It was great talking with you today and thanks again for letting me share your "secret" with all our friends here. I really like how this works and how you're using it. If you ever need anything at all, you know where to find me, anything I can do to help you out here, you know I will. :-))

I with Terri Vasser among a few oters I suspect. IDX escapes me. Would help explain how we can learn more?

Thanks

Cool Brad...I'l have to figure this one out. You are always on top of things. ;-) So, now, you won't need my little lady in red to mark where you left off? ;-)

Brad, Thanks for the info! I just need to figure this one out as well. I'm working on it though! Thanks and Merry Christmas!!

That's pretty cool, but in my opinion it might be better to just have a link or button for "search homes for sale." As much as we all love active rain, we don't want potential clients to think that its the site for real estate search. We want our individual real estate websites to be that site.

Thanks for letting us know about this! I don't have a personal IDX but, we should be getting it in January--everyone has our firm's IDX search framed for their individual searches. I can't wait to have my own!

Debe in Charlotte

This is really cool. I want one.

That is ultra cool. I can't wait to try it out.

I've been toying with the idea of upgrading my IDX search. Thanks for the posts. I'm book marking for later review.

Brad - Thanks to you and Jennifer for bringing this up. I have to figure out how to link the IDX to my blog.

DEC

Awesome. Now if there were only a "how to" post to share the details on how to replicate this on my own site.

Vickie - don't you think I've done enough of those? haha Trying to change my style gradually for the new year. There's a new ActiveBrad just waiting to be unfolded and unleashed. :-O

Jenniffer has posted her iFrame HTML code and directions for RE/MAX agents how to get this Widget Search Box:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/838105/The-IDX-Search-box

She has also shown how you can replace her IDX site with your own. Thanks Jenniffer. :-))

Thanks for the tip, Brad and Jennifer! This will be a great way to add a little value for readers on our Localism posts.

Thanks for the headsup on Jennifer and the widget Brad!

Thanks Brad and Jennifer! I've forwarded this post to my web guy. We're working on our website upgrade and I think we're going to learn a lot from this post!

Brad, Thank you for the post. I work for ReMax so I can try it. I hope it is not too difficult.

Brad,

I did not know about this. Thank you for sharing the idea with us. I am sure that you will be seeing this pop up on a lot of posts in the future.

Very cool feature..........I want one.

Thanks Brad...that's great info!

This is an excellent idea--thanks for the heads up. Now, I just have to maneuver through the legalese with our provider to get this figured out. A job for my assistant.

Brad, I agree with Brian Sharkey....I feel like I am falling very far behind. I bookmark all your posts and will have to sit one day and try everything. Thanks for sharing.

Here's a post by another agent about her listing search widget - and she got zero comments. Maybe it's something people could use until they figure out how to duplicate Jennifer's:

Brad, we have this great tool on our website and I have wanted to add IDX to my blog. As usual you provide a solution! Thanks!

Hi Brad:

Great information and great tool to add...I'll give it a try.

Toula Rosebrock Logo

Great info thank you for sharing the tips.

I think you're right this is good. I will be finding a way to incorproate it into my blog and profile. Thanks Jennifer and Brad for bringing this tip.

brad -- i have not had to use IDX (I am on-site sales agent) - but we have recently started taking off site listings -- i love the way this button looks -- thanks for the info -- JE

Thanks for the great post Brad and thanks for recommending RealtySoft.com. RealtySoft IDX solution is completely free even if you don't have your website with us and we currently cover 40 MLSs (20 more will be added in January). To find out more about RealtySoft IDX solutions please visit http://www.realtysoft.com/freeidx.php to see MLS Coverage please check out http://www.realtysoft.com/mlscoverage.php . To see one of our DEMO IDX websites please visit http://www.realtysoft.com/controlpanel/mywebsites/mywebsite.php?u=5689&t=0101066 .

Peyman, Nothing from Pennsylvania yet it appears. Hopefully you'll plug Lancaster's IDX soon too Peyman. Thanks.

Brad, thanks for the heads up. You spotlighted a member who we can safely assume is no longer flying under the radar, if ever she was.

Great post, keep up the good work associate.

Hi Brad, thanks for all the information. I will bookmark this and go back and do it later.

For those of you asking "What is IDX?"

IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange. It is the only NAR approved method for you to advertise, within your normal real estate business activities, the aggregate of MLS listings on your office/agent web page.
IDX does not require password protection on your internet site
You can display address and/or property location
You can display property description remarks
You must display listing office name

Peyman - thanks for stopping by and for your comment. I had a returned call yesterday from Cathy in your office, but we are playing phone tag. I'm hoping she can provide me with some more information about your site and the tools you offer. Realtysoft has been recommended to me by many different sources as an IDX solution for those who don't currently have something setup. I'm looking forward to hearing from her (or you) to discuss how our members can benefit from your product and tools.

Do you have a widget or search tool like the one displayed here and on Jenniffers Blog? What 20 MLS sources will you be adding in January? What 40 MLS systems are you currently supporting? Let's chat when you get a chance, I'd love to know more about your FREE service. Thanks. :-)

This is awesome! Thank you so much for this post...one of the best tools I have seen!

I love this! I use IDX, but I'm not sure if my provider offers this option -- PLEASE tell us how this can be done.

... I'm sitting on the edge of my seat!

Wow, that is really cool to add to the profile. I am in Kansas City, and it's not covered through realtysoft, but I do have a website with idx service. I'm calling them right now to see if they have a widget!!

Thanks guys!

I hope this isn't too far off topic, but I am currently using Homesdatabase.com. I've rigged up a solution similar to this on my website and on several of my blog posts. I'm not particularly happy wiht Homesdatabase, but don't have a better solution at the ready. Any advice?

Awesome for Jennifer! Please help us with step by step details.

Thats pretty sharp. I bet that would make a great email signature.

The national website has just had a massive upgrade and I know that we can now link searches for particular areas which I have used here on AR. Was pretty easy to do. I will look into this and then let everyone know. I read what Jennifer said and it seems pretty straight forward, we'll give it a go tomorrow! Thanks Brad and Jennifer!

Brandi - Step By Step details are coming very soon. I am working with the TEAM at Realtysoft to come up with some awesome solutions and tutorials for how to use IDX and widgets like this whether you're with Jenniffer's Company or not. I'll have more on that right after the first of the year. shhhhh...

Happy Holidays :-)

Will - yes, just hold tight, I am working on a solution for you right now. We have a group of people working on this for you as I speak type.
I should have it put together in the next week or two or so..., it will be worth the wait.

More on that coming shortly....just hang in there a bit longer.

Brad- This is a great idea. I never thought about placing an IDX search on my blog. Although it's not as pretty as Jennifer's, I just added a link to an IDX search, to the bottom of my latest listing post. It's a start.

Wow, this is awesome ! Being a RE/MAX agent I am interested in adding that feature on a localism post or two. Very cool !

Thanks Brad for letting us know and thanks to jennifer for sharing.

For some reason it never crossed my mind to include my IDX. Now I will.

The IDX link on my website is definately one of the best sources of lead capture, and development.

Brad,

Thank you for passing this on. It is excellent.

DEC

Brad -- you're only an hour away can I just drive there and have some of your extreme inteligence rub off on me..... or maybe you can just show me how to do some of these sweet things. I have an IDX program -- off to see if I can get it as a widget.

Susan - let's do lunch or coffee when you're up this way. :-)

Fabulous post. Appreciate it

This is an awesome having the idx right on your blog posts. Great job!

Sharon - if you're looking to buy a home anywhere in Florida in this case, it's even more awesome!!! Just one click away from seeing your choices? Having the selection process done up front without having to go to another site or link some where? I like it! (Big Smile)

Thanks for this great info. I see Jennifer has a post on how to add the box to our blogs.

Well this is cool that Re-Max offers this to their agents. I need to get John L. Scott going with something too. I use iHouse IDX, maybe I'll call them to see if they have a smaller widget. Great idea.

DEC

Jason and Amber - stay tuned, we may have a solution for you here shortly....

Bo - I'll be posting about this in more detail for you, it may not be till after the Holidays though, it's coming my friend. :-)

Teri - I can always use and count on the "Lady In Red" to know just where I am and where I'm suppose to be. :-)) Thanks.

DEC

Hi Brad. Wow. Thanks for showing us this....what an amazing idea!

Very nice!!!

DEC

Pamela - I agree, simply amazing. :-)

Shane - Thanks. :-)

wow! I use the exact eneighborhoods widget on my home page!! http://www.sandyisyouragent.com but I never thought to use it on my blog. What a fantastic idea!

Sandy - any good IDX is great idea no matter where you have it. :-)

JAN

I use an IDX through our MLS, but don't know as much as I should about it. I don't know what some of the capabilities of it are, or where and how it can be used other than on my website. I need to contact them to see what they have to offer, if anything.

JAN

Troy - if you need any help with that, just let me know. I am working with RealtySoft on a couple ideas and solutions for our members using IDX if needed. :-)

JAN

Very nice looking indeed. A watercolor of your town or well known landmarks!

Evelyn - with tools like these, anyone could go out and "paint the town....any color!" :-)

JAN

I haven't been able to use any of the sites you recommended because they are not signed up with our local board. Do you know of any IDX solutions that work with Keller Williams?

Mark - you will need to check with your Broker as to what IDX sites your company is currently using, if any. If not, there are IDX solution providers out there, just use the search tool on AR and type in "IDX" I think you'll find numerous posts and members here that can help.