|  Frequently
Asked Questions
What is
IDX?
IDX, or "Internet Data Exchange" is a program mandated by the
National Association of Realtors which allows participating brokers to bring the
listings of other participating brokers to their personal websites. Technically
speaking, IDX is a stream of MLS data extracted in raw form from the MLS database,
manipulated by an IDX consultant and delivered to an agent's or broker's website.
Do I have to have server capacity
to host my MLS database?
No. The contents of the database are stored on
IDXdirect's servers. Searches on your website are transferred to IDXdirect's server
and the results are transferred back to your website. Your website visitor does
not know that the data is not on your personal website. How
many MLS's can I have with my IDX package?
With IDXdirect's next-generation
IDX solution, you can seamlessly integrate as many MLS databases on your website
as you wish, providing that you belong to each MLS you request. Why
do I need IDX?
Recent surveys conducted by reputable organizations indicate
that real estate buyers and sellers are rushing to the Internet to research the
market. These same surveys indicate that these consumers want to conduct their
research anonymously in the early stages. IDX allows consumers to access segments
of the MLS database without providing any identifying information. You can also
use IDX searches by your clients as an indicator of how ready they are to close
a transaction. If their property saves are vague and/or sporadic, leave the client
alone to continue shopping on your site. Clients will return if you have provided
the means for them to save searches. If property saves are specific and/or frequent,
step up your communication efforts because this client is ready to move. Why
do I want to give away MLS searches without obtaining contact information from
my website visitors?
Consumers WANT to initiate their real estate transactions
with anonymous investigation. With IDXdirect's client communication tools, including
Listing Alert and Property Saves, you allow your website visitors to conduct free
and anonymous searches, but require contact information if the visitor wants email
alerts for new properties or to save search results. How
does IDX differ from the VOW products I've heard about?
VOW products allow
website visitors access to a greater portion of the MLS database than IDX products
and require that website visitors register (i.e., give up contact information)
PRIOR to conducting a search. Reputable surveys indicate that consumers prefer
to conduct their searches anonymously, at least in the early stages. Do
I need a website to have IDX?
IDXdirect's IDX solution is a web application
that integrates with a web page. Think of it like software for the Internet. Although
IDXdirect's solution can be integrated with your Realtor.com page, we recommend
that you integrate the package with your personal website. If you don't yet have
your own website, consider one of our affordable template websites. How
fast can I get up and running with my IDX package?
The answer to this
question depends on your MLS's connection process, but IDXdirect can often have
you up and running within 48 hours of receiving your order. I
am a seller's agent. Why would I need IDX?
Sellers
need to know what the market is doing in their neighborhood. IDX allows you to
generate CMA's and to otherwise educate your unrealistic sellers. Realtor.com
and my MLS both offer extremely inexpensive framed IDX solutions. Why would I
choose IDXdirect's product over a framed product?
Framed website content
is yesterday's news. Framed pages load more slowly, are sometimes incompatible
with newer web browsers and are composition pages incapable of being captured
by search engines. Most importantly, you don't control the content of the framed
portion of the page (the vendor controls it) and you can't capture any information
or interaction that your client provides to the framed portion of the page. What
should I look for in an IDX product?
Look for daily updates to the search
database, including photos. In today's competitive market, you and your clients
need the earliest possible access to new listings. Look for speed. Website visitors
will lose interest if results are not instantaneous. Look for reliability regarding
your vendor's servers. If your MLS data is not accessible because your vendor's
server is down, this reflects poorly on you. Most importantly, look for tools
that will allow you to capture website visitor information. Without these tools,
you are just giving away the searches without allowing yourself an opportunity
to build relationships. How are
IDX products priced?
Typically IDX products are priced by set-up and subscription.
The set-up covers the price of the web application which provides the means to
conduct MLS searches on your website. The subscription covers the price of your
vendor hosting the data on your behalf and providing the data updates (preferably
on a daily basis). For a limited time only, IDXdirect is waiving the set-up fee
on its IDX Pro Package for online orders.
How
do I get started?
For a limited time, IDXdirect is waiving the set-up
for its IDX Pro Package with annual subscription. Sign up
online.
I purchased an IDX Pro Package. How do I learn about its features?
A comprehensive User’s Guide has been created to help our clients maximize their use of our IDX Pro Package and IDX-Powered Websites. Click here to download a copy.
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