Thread: IDX integrated in site & works w/ analytics?

We have a couple real estate clients and are currently using Wolfnet, but have a couple issues with that IDX solution and need a replacement.

1. The results are framed in our client site, so any search results pages are not crawled by the search engines as being part of their sites. Miss out on all the "long-tail" searches like streets, neighborhoods, etc. that can bring in some low-hanging fruit for clients
2. Doesn't work with our search engine marketing. When we use Adwords, YSM, Adcenter, etc, it provides us with conversion codes that we place on the "thank you" page after a person submits a form. The only way they reach that page is if they have submitted the form so we know if the code was "tripped", then a conversion took place. Unfortunately, wolfnet posts the results of a completed form in javascript, so there is no unique url for that code. Hence, a person visits the form, then it is counted as a completed form. They fill out the form? Counts as 2 completed forms. That of course, is if we could get wolfnet to add the code, which they won't do
3. We would also like to be able to add our regular google analytics tracking codes to each page of the IDX, like if there was a common footer across all so we could do it in one shot. If the idx was integrated in our site as for #1 of this list, then a request for #3 may be redundant. If so, pardon

This isn't meant as a wolfnet gripe in any way. Their product is for a different level marketer and we just need something different...

Catch is we need it at a fairly low price tag. We are decent designers so if there is any type of 1/2 DIY solution, we may be interested in that as well. Any suggestions?

What you need is a fully custom IDX solution. I have one on my site and I rank for MLS #'s and subdivisions I never even thought of. I don't think you are going to find it anywhere for cheap. Putting the custome IDX on my site was the single best thing I have ever done. I had Wolfnet and had little complaints, but they are not even close to my custom IDX.

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor

What you need is a fully custom IDX solution. I have one on my site and I rank for MLS #'s and subdivisions I never even thought of. I don't think you are going to find it anywhere for cheap. Putting the custome IDX on my site was the single best thing I have ever done. I had Wolfnet and had little complaints, but they are not even close to my custom IDX.

That is something we had considered/figured it would come down to, though we're still holding out hope for a box solution that includes server-side. How much do custom IDXs run these days (doesn't need a bunch of tricked-out features)? Any recommendation from your provider? I'm not in Indy...

My provider, Real Estate Webmasters, does custom IDX's all over the nation. The only catch is that you have to have one of there websites to utilize the custom IDX. You should really look into though, they are actually waiving the normal set-up fee of $740 for new sites right now.

We've been developing IDX web sites for years now and one thing I know for sure is that most people don't have any real idea about how IDX integration works. Most agents are used to 'frame' IDX solutions like the one you have, but those are indeed worthless in my opinion.

The fact is that using a framed IDX is the same as sending the traffic directly to your MLS. It doesn't help with search engines in the slightest and you get 'no' pages indexed for your site. You definitely need IDX integrated into your web site, but most agents don't realize how much work that involved. It's not a simple 'plugin' you can add to yoru site.

If you can get an IDX integrated into your web site for less than $1000 you're doing good. You also have to keep in mind a few things:

1. What technology is your MLS provider using for IDX feeds?
2. How is your developer going to integrate it into your web site?
3. How often will you need it to update?
4. What are their rules for using their data?

Prices for a developer to build this out will vary depending on the technology used. If they are using 'flat-file' data via FTP push then the developer has to build out an API that connects via SSH/FTP then downloads all the data and distributes the files to the 'other' API that will parse and dump the data into a 'web' ready format (e.g. MySQL, MSSQL etc).

you also want to make sure that the developer is actually building out the system to be SEO friendly. How they develop the actual system will determine how well you do on the search engines. A good developer will make sure that all pages are 'static' and not 'dynamic'. This means that instead of URLs that have (?id=1&photo=blah) it would use (my-page.html) in the URL. This always works best for SEs.

Creating automatic updating modules is another thing they will have to work out. How often and what options does your IDX provide? I've found that some IDX providers force you to login to their system first then request your dump. This means that your API has to be configured for this as well.

Some MLS/IDX providers make you add their disclaimer (adverts to me) on each and every page. They even make you add the listing agent's info so you chance losing a lead to another office.

I use BrokerExec (source.brokerexec.com) to build out our IDX powered web sites. It's open source so you can get it free.

The point is make sure you go over your needs thoroughly with your developer and make sure they're doing things they way you need while maximizing your online SE efforts.

dangerlarson - WolfNet's solution can be integrated rather than framed. This will allow for SEO as well as the addition of Google Analytics. You do not need to buy a website nor have WolfNet host your website. For details, call WolfNet service and ask for Carrie Ritchie.

I just spent a lot of money on a new website and one of the reasons I did was to implement a custom IDX solution. The money I spent was worth every penny as my google analytics stats show. 80% of my traffic right now comes from users who type in individual addresses into their google or yahoo browser. If you have a framed idx solution on your website, you will never be able to get that traffic.

I understand from talking to agents in other parts of the country that it is not possible to implement a true custom idx solution on their website because of the restrictions imposed by their MLS association. I belong to SoCalMLS and the integration of their data feed into my website has very straightforward.