RealTown's RealTalk

I would hope if spending 10K  for a website, it would include a custom IDX solution. That can make a huge difference on lead generation vs. an iFramed IDX.  Besides potentially getting great results for long tail searches, it  is one way to really differential one's site vs. everyone elses site.

Does anyone know how to add the tags from Google to point2?

I went on Google, and there is a verification code that you must place on the 'top' under the head html.

I have tried the advanced content feture, it keeps saying it is in teh wrong place!!??

Sorry, I am not too savvy with these things-Jocelyn

Drew,

You mention that for 10K you would hope that you should get IDX. I'm not so sure that I would set my sights so low. Everyone and their dog offers IDX nowadays. In fact IDX is getting to be passe. What you really want is to combine the general effect of IDX (Searching the MLS) with the visual mapping of Google, Yahoo and others. Then add in the analytics tools that they offer and with a few other little tricks you have a thing that's been around for awhile called "mash-ups".

You'll recognize "mash-ups" from those cool MLS maps that show push pins or balloons at the exact point of the MLS listing. When the cursor is moved over the push pin or balloon, more information such as price and address come up with "More Details" as a further hyperlink to see more details. Get a site with mash-ups for your MLS guide and you'll not know what to do with all the calls . . . as long as you are Driving Prospects to Your Website with SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

So what's the best way to find these tools? I do searches on the Internet for various towns and cities (the larger the better) and specifically look for the top agent's ranking. I don't even look at the major real estate company websites as they have somewhat unlimited funds to spend here. You want to find a real estate agent's website that is using mash-ups and ask them how they put it together. These are in such proliferation now, that the cost is coming way down. It's now getting to be 3rd party stuff that you can pretty much buy off the shelf. But you'll have to talk to your local MLS first to find out if they allow these 3rd party companies to access their data (isn't it ironic that I have to say "their data"?).

It might eat into that 10K budget, but the two best things that you can be investing in right now (especially with the market the way it is) is SEO and mash-ups. SEO to drive prospects to your website, and mash-ups to convert them once they get there. You've got to be seen as the most professional agent to work with.

Randy Eagar, CRS
President
Webstarget SEO by Computer Camp
800-277-1316

Randy, I should have clarified. You're preaching to the choir.

I mentioned "custom IDX"  meaning an IDX where all the many 1,000's of listings, pages, etc that get indexed individually.  I have most of the tricks, mash-ups and continually add more, like street view, sold sales, custom control panel for the visitor, etc.  Much of what was so cool is now old news. 

Custom IDX pages are found for addresses, MLS number, tracts, etc. The "off the shelf" versions that more than 90+% of realtors use are typically i-Framed and do not get the same results. All the gimmics look great, but it all about getting found on the search engines, generating leads and then converting those leads to sales. I see many agents having the same landing page, just a different name on the page.  Wow, now that is innovative and a reason to use that agent. Unless they do SEO, the only way they are found is if they do PPC.  There is far more to an IDX than just having one that has all the cool looking stuff no one uses.

I prefer a custom IDX as it is not the same as everyone else's, it generates leads and phone calls and we are seen as more professional than just being like everyone else. I see agents with some of the great "off the shelf" IDX's ready to go out of business.

As is said many times:  what works for some doesn't work for others.