IDX registration

[ColoradoHomeHelper]

Im wondering what peoples thoughts are on making people register in the actual search over making them register to view the property details.

To me I almost think that including the registration in the search might be the best route as people are filling out the whole search form, they're probably not going to stop if there is an email, phone, name field at the bottom.

On the other hand if they have completed their search and go to get more information on a property and are asked to register they might get pissed and leave...

I really have no idea; I just want to get everyone else’s opinion.

[RonnieG]

See this thread, with lots of discussion (7 pages so far) on this very topic:

http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread1719.html

[webmaster]

The way we typically advise you set up your registration is the way you see it on the majority of our IDX's - why? Because that is what our clients have told us work the best (And many have tried all sorts of registration) i think it works well because users are already committed, they have filled out the search, and likely viewed several "listings" views or pages of listings before they finally see one that they want details on, so being prompted to register (And outlining the features and benefits to register, not make them feel like they are going to be spammed) always helps.

[Dennis Pease]

The way we typically advise you set up your registration is the way you see it on the majority of our IDX's - why? Because that is what our clients have told us work the best (And many have tried all sorts of registration) i think it works well because users are already committed, they have filled out the search, and likely viewed several "listings" views or pages of listings before they finally see one that they want details on, so being prompted to register (And outlining the features and benefits to register, not make them feel like they are going to be spammed) always helps.

Morgan, I had Aaron set mine mine up so that users can look at about 5 details pages before they are prompted to login. They can still see homes and the map search but login required after 5 details pages.

When you say the majority of our IDX's, what is that referring to.

[IntegralImpressions]

Im wondering what peoples thoughts are on making people register in the actual search over making them register to view the property details.

To me I almost think that including the registration in the search might be the best route as people are filling out the whole search form, they're probably not going to stop if there is an email, phone, name field at the bottom.

On the other hand if they have completed their search and go to get more information on a property and are asked to register they might get pissed and leave...

I really have no idea; I just want to get everyone else’s opinion.

I find that the biggest reason for getting a registration or not getting a registration is what your lead page says NOT what it asks for.

Take for example a targeted visitor you get from a Google PPC campaign under the term Denver CO Condos For Sale. If you send that to a general home search page that speaks to all of the MLS or all of Colorado, the prospect is not confident in where they have landed. Now if you change where they land and have targeted landing pages for each campaign, you will have no problem getting a registration.

For example:
Denver CO Condos For Sale goes to a landing page that only speaks about Denver CO & Condos For Sale. The messaging says something like "I know your time is valuable, so I decided to make things simple. I have prepared a list of Denver CO Condos For Sale listings that matches your Search. All I ask is that we shake hands (in a virtual sense) by leaving your follow up information, and I will gladly direct you to the listings." Do this and the consumer feels confidence is what lies behind your form and confidence to give you valid info.

Substitute whatever marketing you want and create a specific landing page for each. On top of this, since you are segmenting your traffic to various landing pages, you can provide targeted results with your IDX solution. So someone searching for Denver CO Condos For Sale will get a list of just condos in Denver once they submit the form.

[webmaster]

Chris, great advice for PPC landing pages where you have direct control of what phrases land on what pages. In natural search, or if they have come from your homepage or something, it becomes much more difficult.

[Cherie]

Landing pages are critical - Chris is right on the mark. I think the question was geared more to the intuitive nature of the visitor behavior when they are doing a home search. When you provide value right up front, i.e., visitor is able to look at several homes before asking to register, they are more inclined to leave their information.

When running a ppc it is always more desirable to send them to a landing page that corresponds with the search.

[Ryan Ward]

I just set up a short term solution unitl I get a custom idx and here is what I found after only a few days. I set it up Friday evening.

On Saturday I did not require registration at all and received zero contacts. Sunday morning I switched it so that you can view homes all day long, but, once you look at the details of 5 different homes and you have been on the site for a few minutes - you are comfortable there, you are required to login to keep view details. This resulted in 6 registrations yesterday and 1 so far today.

So now I'm off to post a new thread about what to do with them.

[Dennis Pease]

I just set up a short term solution unitl I get a custom idx and here is what I found after only a few days. I set it up Friday evening.

On Saturday I did not require registration at all and received zero contacts. Sunday morning I switched it so that you can view homes all day long, but, once you look at the details of 5 different homes and you have been on the site for a few minutes - you are comfortable there, you are required to login to keep view details. This resulted in 6 registrations yesterday and 1 so far today.

So now I'm off to post a new thread about what to do with them.

Ryan, that is basically what I do with my custom IDX. They can browse all they want but they can only look at 5 details pages before logging in to see more details.

I'm in a fairly small market and I had 4 logins over the weekend

When I was in Las Vegas I did not require people to login and I didn't get that many logins there so to me, it's a no-brainer.

[IntegralImpressions]

Ryan, that is basically what I do with my custom IDX. They can browse all they want but they can only look at 5 details pages before logging in to see more details.

I'm in a fairly small market and I had 4 logins over the weekend

When I was in Las Vegas I did not require people to login and I didn't get that many logins there so to me, it's a no-brainer.

One challenge you may face in having an open search without details is the loss of consumer data.

For example:

You do a targeted campaign for condo buyers. You send the directly to a IDX search. They view 45 properties on that first visit. It is my opinion that those 45 properties are going to give you the best idea of what they are looking for. With having a tiered registration process like you have, you are risking not gaining this search information in exchange for getting detailed contact information down the road. While you will get leads, as you illustrated, you will also loose potential leads based on the consumer potentially feeling deceived by the "open search" that all of a sudden becomes a "registered search."
My suggestion is to try and pass the needed login info from your registration page directly to your IDX solution in the URL, thus creating the account at the same time as the lead in a seamless format.

If you have any questions on how to do this, feel free to send me a message.

Chris