Ok Folks,

I have required login for the MLS search and had limited results! Then I have turned it off and tried that with limited results! Anyone have proven test studies as to what really is best?

I'll have to let you know!! I just put my MLS up and i'll see how it goes. I'll be reading my logs and compare that to the phone calls.

Angela

If your IDX is like many (including mine), the information fields are limited. In a frame on the same IDX search page, I have a form with boxes to enter the MLS numbers of properties of interest. I promise a much more detailed information report for the listings. This is the detail sheet from our MLS. The must submit the form with their email address. I then create the full detail MLS report for the listings and email it out. I then put them into TopProducer and they get a series of emails pointing out other areas of my site and services I offer over the web.

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Jim Kimmons
RealtyVirtualAssistant.com
877-352-7411
jim@realtyvirtualassistant.com
Broker/Owner of Gallery Realty of Taos

I am in your market and this is what I have found...

You can't talk to a unique visitor unless there is a way to contact them or they decide to call you

I have been requiring login's for most of the year and have had good success. If every agent on the first two pages of the search engines required logins then every prospect that wanted listing information would login and we would all have more prospects then we would know what to do with.

The big myth is that people won't login. On my website over 2005, 3.5% of the unique visitors Log-in!

This would be way higher if every agent on the first two pages of the search engines Required logins.

I believe the Biggest Mistake that Realtor.com ever made is not charging consumers for access to the listing info.

If you decide to not require a login... Thank you in advance to helping me double end my listings

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If you are looking for San Diego Real Estate or you want to view San Diego MLS listings (or at least that portion of the data feed that SANDICOR allows us to display on our websites) go to a local San Diego County real estate Agent's Site.

P.S. We Love Referrals!

Here's an article I wrote on IDX vs. VOW

It covers 5 factors:
1.) How well does your site develop a sense of trust with visitors in the first 7 seconds?
2.) What does your competition have and how quickly can your site’s visitors click the back button and find a competitor?
3.) How are you marketing the site?
4.) How do you plan to handle your leads?
5.) Does your MLS/Association actually have a VOW policy and offer true VOW data?

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800-372-3166
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MetalSoftware, Inc. - "Transforming Real Estate into Real Results"
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A specialist in real estate web design including real estate IDX, real estate VOW and MLS database integrations.

Spam removed

Well I turned off my registration requirements to search the IDX about 3 months ago. After the Jagger update I am seriously considering turning the registration back on. I want to be more pro-active in contacting the people who sign up either by phone or email to start building the relationship. You just can't rely on people to always contact you. It is a pain in the neck but I think it is better to be a little more aggressive.

I am thinking of having one IDX with limited information - one photo, no address, no Realtor comments, be without a registration page. Then, if the visitors want multiple photos, Realtor remarks and addresses they have to sign up for a more thorough search.

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Marc Rasmussen
Michael Saunders and Company

Sarasota Real Estate

Marc, when you think about it how did you contact your closed deals? Did they call you? through email?

Did you ever find out which method is best for getting quality leads?

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Dana Point Real Estate - Laguna Niguel Real Estate - San Clemente Real Estate

I believe you answered your own question. You win some you lose some. If you have had limited results with either then "for your site" either way will produce limited results. I have been involved with IDX for over 3 years and have not seen any tests that would "prove" one way or another which is best. When a broker asks my opinion I tell my "personal" preference is for no registration but do which ever you feel or believe is in your best interests. An interesting compromise was a request from a broker to limit non-registered search to 5 per user. We just completed the IDX so I can't say if it works or not, but the concept has common sense appeal.

LOL on the double end. Depending on your clients you may want to have both. If I have a new site, zero PR, we run PPC's until they bubble up naturally. Always have a sign in then. If you have been in the business for a long time, and want to service your referral base, then perhaps no sign in. I work heavy in the San Diego market which is very technologically savvy. Some of these agents are extremely evolved and use sign in. Depending on the IDX, there are teasers before the actual sign in. Some require that you provide an actual email in order to retrieve data. My thoughts are have um' sign in!!! I also have clients where the boards are closed and you are pretty much pooched unless you use realtor.com or contact the agent.

Agents - I like to see you have the mindset that you are paying alot of money for this free service. Either you have a driveby site or you have a lead generation site. It's your choice.