Adding Snippets

[missroark]

Sorry if this is an elementary question, but I need some instruction on adding snippets. I want to add snippets on my city pages that create a price table in the navigation menu.

I know I saw one posted on here somewhere but can't find it. Then, after I get the snippet code, do I just paste it into the html code?

If there's some tutorial on adding snippets, that would be great. Or if there's someone I can call to guide me through getting started, that would be fantastic.

Thanks!

[Discover Davis Homes]

Hi Sharon, you need REW to create you a sample snippet and from there you can learn to modify them to get the results you want. To check and see if they have already created any sample snippets, go into your CMS, click manage snippet and the list of available snippets comes up.

Edited to add: I just took a look at your site. Not sure you have a REW IDX installed. The property snippets work only along with their custom IDXs.

[REW Vera]

There's not really a tutorial, but here's what Mike, one of our fine programmers, sends out to his clients:

Here is a quick over view of snippets and how you can use them to dynamically pull in the latest listings into your content pages using various search criteria.
Snippets are blocks of code that can be placed into any page by inserting the snippet's name between number symbols. (ie: #snippet#, #other-snippet#, etc.)

For example, I've created the snippet #sample-idx-snippet# which can be seen on this page, http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/idx-snippet.php.

You can create and manage IDX Snippets from the CMS Backend. http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/backend/

Creating IDX Snippets

Once logged in, click on "Manage Snippets" from the secondary menu. This brings you to the Snippet Manager.

Look for the snippet labeled #sample-idx-snippet# and select "EDIT". You should now be seeing the form containing the snippet code. I'll go through it line-by-line and explain what it does. Take note that anything following double slashes is commented out.

/* Snippet Settings */
$_REQUEST['snippet_title'] = 'Calgary - Arbour Lake';
$_REQUEST['snippet_price_table'] = true;

The code above alters the display of the snippet. You can leave these fields empty or comment them out if you'd like. They control the snippet's h1, and price range links. Change these or comment them out to see the effect.


/* Search City */
$_REQUEST['search_city'][] = 'Arbour Lake';

You can define one or more area to search using the code above. I've attached a list Notice how every line ends with a semi-colon and values are between single quotes.
All available search values are listed on the IDX search form, http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/idx/.

/* Search Postal Code */
//$_REQUEST['search_zip'][] = '';

Instead searching by area, you may want to search by postalcode(s). This you can do using the line above.

/* Search by MLS Number */
//$_REQUEST['search_mls'][] = '';

The same applies for MLS Numbers. Use the code above to select results by MLS Number instead of using cities or zip codes.

/* Property Type */
//$_REQUEST['search_type'][] = 'SF'; // Single Family
//$_REQUEST['search_type'][] = 'COND'; // Condominiums

The above code selects the property type you would like to search. This example searches all Residential Listings. You can un-comment these lines to search by just a single properly class. Note that these values are shortened codes.

/* Price Range */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_price'] = 300000;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_price'] = 0;

/* Bedrooms */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_bedrooms'] = 0;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_bedrooms'] = 0;

/* Bathrooms */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_bathrooms'] = 0;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_bathrooms'] = 0;

/* Square Feet */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_sqft'] = 0;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_sqft'] = 0;

/* Year Built */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_year'] = 0;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_year'] = 0;

/* Acres */
//$_REQUEST['minimum_acres'] = 0;
//$_REQUEST['maximum_acres'] = 0;

The block of code above is used to search fields that contain integer values. Minimum Price, Maximum Price, Minimum Bedrooms, Maximum Bedrooms, Minimum Bathrooms, Maximum Bathrooms, Min / Max.Year Built, and Min. / Max. Acres. Simply fill in the number you'd like to search and uncomment the line (remove the "//").

$_REQUEST['page_limit'] = 5;

The last editable line of code is above. This code determines the number of listings to display per page. Enter any number greater than 0.

/** DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE **/
$_REQUEST['snippet'] = true;
include $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/idx/common.inc.php';
include_once $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/idx/inc/php/pages/search.php';

The above lines must not be changed as they include and set the files that are used to pull in the IDX listings.

When you want to create a snippet, simply copy this code and create a new snippet, editing the code as desired.

Using IDX Snippets

Another important note for when using IDX snippets, be sure to use the #snippet-top# and #snippet-bottom#. These snippets are used to wrap content in so it will only display on the main area page.
This gets rid of duplicate content on the price range pages or the rest of the listing result pages. Check out the "IDX Snippet" page in the CMS and you'll see how these snippets are used.

http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/idx-snippet.php
http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/idx-snippet.php?page=2
http://dev29.rewtemplates.com/idx-sn...200000-300000/

Example Usage:

#snippet-top#
<h1>Area Heading</h1>
<p>We are the top choice Area Realtor.</p>
#snippet-bottom#

Area Listings updated Daily.
#mls-area-snippet#
The content between the #snippet-top# and #snippet-bottom# snippets will not be displayed on the rest of listing result pages.
When using these snippets, you must include both snippets on the page. The top snippet must be before the bottom snippet, or an error will occur.

Hope it helps,
Vera

[missroark]

I really appreciate your help, but I'm afraid I'm still a little lost.

I created the below code based on the sample idx snippet that was in my cms, but all the page displays is a "no results were found" message.

Here's the snippet code I created (all I changed was entering a city name and snippet name):
<?php

$_REQUEST['idx'] = 'residential';

$_REQUEST['search_city'][] = 'Lexington';

$_REQUEST['search_subdivision'][] = 'subdivision name';

$_REQUEST['snippet_price_table'] = true;

$_REQUEST['snippet_title'] = 'LexingtonSearch';

$_REQUEST['minimum_bedrooms'] = '0';

$_REQUEST['maximum_bedrooms'] = '100';

$_REQUEST['minimum_bathrooms'] = '0';

$_REQUEST['maximum_bathrooms'] = '100';

$_REQUEST['minimum_price'] = '0';

$_REQUEST['maximum_price'] = '1000000';

$_REQUEST['minimum_sqft'] = '0';

$_REQUEST['minimum_acres'] = '0';

$_REQUEST['minimum_year'] = '1900';

/** DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE **/
$_REQUEST['snippet'] = true;
include_once $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/idx/common.inc.php';
include_once $_SERVER['DOCUMENT_ROOT'] . '/idx/inc/php/pages/search.php';

?>


Also, I don't understand where it is I'm supposed to put the snippet beginning and snppet ending codes, since they're not used in the few snippet examples I've seen.

Can I call someone on Monday to get help with this? It doesn't seem like it should be that hard since I get the principle behind the snippets, but getting started with them is turning out to be much harder than I thought.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[missroark]

By the way, Vera, your explanation of what each line means was very helpful.

Thanks,

[webmaster]

Sharon,
I see that your IDX does actually exist on REW, however it seems to still be password protected, thus I don't think it is complete yet. It is located here: http://www.lexingtonrealestatesource.com/idx/ - you will not be able to use them until your IDX is complete and has passed compliance.

As for Vera's tutorial - I apologize, I think she has mislead you here - she should not have pasted that tutorial as it was specific to another IDX users IDX (In another board) each board has it's own IDX snippets, what you need is help with "your" IDX snippets. CSR would be happy to provide telephone or email support once your IDX is signed off and complete. This link should prove useful to you http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/...ng-started.php

Have a nice weekend.

[missroark]

Thanks for the update. Knowing customer service will help me with adding snippets is a huge relief. It appears the most successful REW sites use them extensively and I want to add quite a few to my site (as soon as I figure out how!)

Thanks again.

[FindCRE]

Another important note for when using IDX snippets, be sure to use the #snippet-top# and #snippet-bottom#. These snippets are used to wrap content in so it will only display on the main area page.
This gets rid of duplicate content on the price range pages or the rest of the listing result pages.

So these same snippets work on the CMS1, I just noticed that my IDX is showing duplicate content on about 100 pages

[Micheal Pannell Realtor]

Can someone explain this to me. I think i am in the same boat as rich

[Aaron]

See here for reply: http://www.realestatewebmasters.com/thread29454.html