why you should not show addresses - NAR stats

[sdhomes]

Matt, I'm confused. Are you for or against? You seem to be debating both ways here.

[MattL]

I am 100% FOR showing addresses AFTER AND ONLY AFTER a validated login. I do not believe in the philosophy that IDX & "VOW 2.0" dictate. The "I'll show you everything with the hope that you'll call me" mentality just doesn't work.

People won't sign up if they don't have to, and they'll call the listing broker if they think they can get a better deal than dealing with someone else they've never met.

Frankly, I just remembered another reason this doesn't work: listings agencies with lots of properties get passive advertising, subliminally connecting with your potential buyer. "They listed 6 of the 12 properties we like... let's just call them."

Hopefully, I've made my position entirely clear.

-Matt

[MattL]

Oh, and to address the other version (hiding addresses):
"I'll show you almost nothing with the hope that you'll call me."

That, too, will fail, because people have absolutely 0% loyalty to your site at the point that you've cut them off at the knees. A pertinent fact is that the average user spends less than 12 seconds on any given web page -- they will not only leave your site, but potentially remember it as "that site that hides the addresses" forever. Not only will they not use you, they'll actually cast you in a negative light permanently!

Now, all that being said, we do offer one feature on our VOW related to this, but (I think) it employs the logic more appropriately. I.e., user punishment.

Spilling one of our "advantage" features, we allow the agent to block addresses on a per-lead basis. Doing so adds a "for more information, contact <so'n'so>" banner to the search pages. This is to hinder shoppers who have an existing relationship with a different Realtor, but return to your site for its wonderful property search features </shameless plug>. This is akin to trial-type software, where they know that their inaction caused the loss of functionality. Hence they own the problem and can choose whether to rectify it. Either way, you're not the bad guy, just the fair guy.

-Matt

[sdhomes]

Thanks for the clarification. You and I agree on this across the board.