I see that most REW sites (and many other IDX approaches) use an approach where registration is required *after* a user enters search parameters. For example, a user can fill out a search form and see a list of results (or see a map-based search), but then a registration form appears when a user tries to go to a property detail page (or sometimes after viewing X number of detail pages).

My IDX provider (ihomefinder.com) integrates registration into the search form. The benefits I've found from this are that:

1. They are automatically registered for listing alerts that match their search parameters, which is the best kind of drip email there is. Most users end up back on my site over and over again as they receive listing alerts.

2. Their search parameters are included in the new subscriber alert that's sent to me so I can take their parameters into account when deciding whether to follow up (I don't follow up on mobile homes, raw land, or searches under $XXX,XXX).

When users are asked to register later in the process, the agent only receives a registration notice, and you don't have any information about the user's search parameters. And the user won't receive any future listing alerts unless they fill out a second form requesting them.

Am I missing something, or is that an accurate distinction? I have other misgivings with my provider, but I'd be reluctant to switch because of this one *major* advantage.

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Santa Cruz Real Estate | Santa Cruz MLS | Santa Cruz County Real Estate

My IDX is set up to default to send a user new listings that match their search unless they request something else. There are many different opinions but one thought is to let the user get some information before they are required to give you any information.

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Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Davis CA Real Estate
Woodland and Davis CA home search Woodland CA Real Estate

Thanks, Carolyn. My question isn't about whether to have users register to see property information. I'm a strong believer in requiring registration, and I've tested both methods over the last 4 years. I get *way* more registrations when it's required.

My question is, for people who use IDX solutions that don't require registration at the same time that the search form is being filled out (which is the case with your site), when someone registers, do you get details on their search parameters, or do you just get an email alert of a new registration with the user's name and contact info? I'm assuming you get only the name and contact info, but maybe I'm mistaken.

The reason I ask is I don't see how follow-up would be effective if all you know is who they are, but not what they're looking for.

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Santa Cruz Real Estate | Santa Cruz MLS | Santa Cruz County Real Estate

I don't have a lot of information on what people have searched for. I know that some people have more information custom coded on the back end of their site and do have what people have searched for. I agree that it is more useful to know what people are searching for. I can often figure out how someone gets to my site though by comparing the time I get a registration to how that person got there through hittails.com I can also see in google analytics how long that person was on my site. I will eventually have a lot more information programmed into the back end of my site, but put my budget into visible things first.

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Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Davis CA Real Estate
Woodland and Davis CA home search Woodland CA Real Estate

I just noticed that this REW site does ask for some search criteria in the registration section: http://www.nashvillebuyers.com/idx/register.html

The great thing about REW is that you are only limited by your own ideas and your budget.

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Carolyn Gjerde-Tu

Davis CA Real Estate
Woodland and Davis CA home search Woodland CA Real Estate

Also, with the most recent REW IDX you can see every page the user views as well as how they landed on your site.

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Mike Taylor
Indianapolis Real Estate | Carmel Real Estate |My REW Blog

I can't wait until I have my custom IDX. My leads should skyrocket.

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Daniel Gaitan, REALTOR®
Trend Setter Realty
San Antonio, Texas
(210) 846-5282
San Antonio Real Estate | San Antonio MLS | Real Estate News and Tips for Buyers, Sellers & Investors

tHEY WILL SKY ROCKET

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Looking for Real Estate, Investments, Condos in Dallas-Fort Worth-Denton-Keller-Haslet-North Texas Area. We have you covered, 400 New Homes and 60,000 Pre-owned home. Mike Pannell 817-703-3238
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