IDX - Realtor Hosting vs Top 10 Hosting

[carlsogr]

I am a Realtor in Bakersfield, CA starting up a new branch and need an affordable hosting with IDX. The Golden Empire Association of Realtors subscribes to the Rappattoni MLS system. What makes Realtor web hosting with IDX so much more than using, say, the Top 10 hosting sites. Can you use the affordable hosting sites like the Top 10s, for your IDX webs. I am talking about enhanced IDX software, not just what Rappattoni offers. These affordable hosting sites have a lot to offer for much less than just about every Realtor web hosting company. Save our pocket books.

[tarheit]

There is no reason you have to use one of the 'realtor' hosting services. They are more expensive because they are often offering more than just hosting but webpage design, support and other services.

Talk to you MLS service. Some offer a way to 'frame' their pages on your website which is a very simple way to do it. With the MLS we belong to, we have the option of either using the framed version, or receiving the raw data daily (which we can import into our own website). Either way there is a fee from the MLS service (that was set by the local board).

We just use the low cost host Lunarpages (http://www.lunarpages.com/id/tarheit). They just provide the hosting (web space, domain name, email etc.) and the design of the web page is up to us. It's worked out great for us, though if we had to pay for the design of a dynamic site it could cost as much as those other services (though may not be a monthly fee). It really depends on how much you want on your website (and how much you can do yourself). A site with 5-10 pages and a framed IDX from your MLS provider is a decent start and shouldn't cost as much.

-Tim

[tarheit]

I should also add, there are free to low cost software for running a real estate listing website out there (we ended up using commercial one because the free ones didn't quite do what we wanted, but it was only $120). The issue tends to be with the IDX feed from the MLS. There isn't always a standard and it can take a bit of work to get a given system to work with your IDX feed.

-Tim

[carlsogr]

That's a relief. I appreciate the update.

Warren C.

[Alpharetta]

Depending on your MLS, you might be able to get a raw data feed and create your own IDX. This would be much better than hosting someone else's. I use a third party IDX for my site. Check out my signature to see the search page. It is hosted by wolfnet and framed into my website.

[tarheit]

Ours offers both a version you can frame, or a raw data feed consisting of a comma delimted file and jpg files. The framed version is very easy to add to your website, though it doesn't do nearly as well in search engines (can't be indexed properly and really isn't part of your site). The other method requires software to import the data and run the website. It's nicer, more flexible and shows up in search engines well, but is more time (or cost) to setup.

-Tim

[cmeesoon]

I recently did a Rappattoni RETS in NC and it works flawlessly ....and.... there are many solutions out there to host your site but paying for a hosting and RETS solution is the way to go if you can find someone in your area they should be willing to do it all "Host and RETS solution" for around 60 to 150 per month depending on what all your site needs and requirements are.