Listings Manager Feature on Blogs

[CaliforniaJack]

Hi,

I noticed that in addition to the Listings Managers UI allowing you to post a listing, there's also a "Download Google Base RSS 2.0 File" link. I was wondering if the "Add a Listing" link feeds Google Base, or if the ability to download the Google Base RSS is just a courtesy for those who need it on their blog.

I guess in my case I don't need it to, since vFlyer already does that for me -- which is also why I am asking, because I sure don't want to inadvertantly spam the kindly G people, what with the business and the traffic and the money

I think I'll test this, but I thought I'd take the short route and ask in the meantime.

[webmaster]

This feature allows you to create a feed that you can then provide to Google Base, we have opted to allow people to create this feed and add vs automatically feeding google base (Because not everyone wants their listings on Google base)

If you have another service that already adds your properties to Google base, there is no need to use this feature as it would be duplication of the service.

[zfreidus]

Is there any way to upload my listings? perhaps an XML file? Google Base file? or some other way to automate the adding of my listings? with 60 to 100 listings any given time, adding and maintaining them seperately is not really managable.

[webmaster]

We certainly have the technical ability to do this, however as REW Blogs is a free service, you would have to pay for the labor for us to do it. It would probably take a couple of hours to program something specific for your account.

Is there any way to upload my listings? perhaps an XML file? Google Base file? or some other way to automate the adding of my listings? with 60 to 100 listings any given time, adding and maintaining them seperately is not really managable.

[mitch.argon]

Zev,
I use a service called ListHub from a company called ThreeWide to post my listings (directly from the MLS on entry or any field update) to G Base, AOL, Cyberhomes, and a number of other 'channels' that you can selectively choose from.

Threewide has to have a realationship with your MLS and the broker needs to sign up for the service - they do not work with agents direct.

I just started using this and i have had a few implementation issues but the info seems to be syndicating along. I pay (small brokerage) about $30 per month for the service.

They currently have no solution (exportable html, etc.) for craigslist.

[zfreidus]

Mitch,

I use ListHub. It does the trick. I was asking specifically about the listing feature of the REW blogs. I have an REW blog and noticed that I can post my listings. It would be nice if I could syndicate to REW as well. Maybe REW should work with ListHub... Just a thought.

Zev

[webmaster]

Why would we do that? As I said, it is not a technical limitation of REW blogs we have 30+ developers here - it's just that what you are asking for requires labor (Man hours) to set up, those man hours cost $ (Me $ specifically) so if you wanted it done it's not a problem at all, and I am happy to do it for you, it's just billable is all.

In Mitch's case because we do handle his IDX, (And over 80 other MLS boards) we could pull his listings via office ID or agent ID directly into the REW Blogs as well - once again though, for each person who wanted us to do this for them (To save them the trouble of manually uploading) they would have to pay for whatever time it took.

Mitch,
Maybe REW should work with ListHub... Just a thought.
Zev

[Keith Lutz]

What about for REW customers who upload listings into the CMS, that these automatically get loaded into the REW Blog listings (maybe with a checkbox, in case someone did not want a particular listing uploaded.) I would think the REW backend for CMS listings would all be the same, and easily exportable into the REW blog listings.

Just a thought.

Of course I would be more than willing to pay a low one time fee ($10?), that should probably be mandatory for all who re-sign with REW for their annual fees. This would disperse your cost to code this generic module across many REW clients!