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