Every Realtor® wants more leads, but may not know how to get more leads.  When people are shopping for homes, what do they want to see? You got it, listings, lots and lots of listings. IDX gives you the ability to showcase all of the MLS listings on your site. Since people want to see listings, they don’t mind being required to register to view listings, which means a win for you (a lead) and a win for your client (the chance to see lots of listings).

Here are a few tips that can help drive traffic to your IDX search:

1.  Direct all visitors to the IDX search.

People have a short attention span, especially online; they want to see listings right away. Put your IDX search on every page, or make sure every page has a link to the IDX page. The most important place for your IDX search to be is your home page, to ensure it is the first thing your clients see.

2. Use other online tools to direct people to the IDX search.

Use your drip email campaigns to advertise that you have an IDX search (make sure there is a link). Tweet it, Facebook it, and blog about it – whatever you do, just make sure it reaches as much of your intended audience as possible. You differentiate yourself from your competitors by having an easily accessible IDX search.

3.  Utilize the Quick Search Option (URL Builder).

Give your clients the ability to search for homes quickly. For example give them pre-made search criteria, “Ocean Front Properties”, “Properties between 125,000-175,000”, “Foreclosures”. Engage the visitor by giving them a quick option, and then they will want to keep using it.

4.  Include a Call to Action to register and give them reasons to do so.

Include a list of benefits as to why someone would want to register for your IDX. For example:

• All of your searches are automatically saved, and you can go back and review them later!
• You can add any property to your favorites so you can quickly find it later.
• Receive VIP status when you register, including market snapshots, and listing notifiers, etc.

How does Customer Behaviour work? Data is gathered based on the search behaviour of your property search users. When a property search user takes specific actions, such as request a showing, inquire about a listing, or create a profile, an email is sent that summarizes that user’s activity on your property search.

The Customer Behaviour Summary includes information such as number of visits to your property search, searches conducted, cities searched, average price searched, listings viewed, and much more!

For more information on Customer Behaviour available through Point2 IDX please contact our Solutions Specialist toll-free at 1-888-277-9779.

No guess work here. Load up your website up with listings and you would have covered one of the top two things on a home buyer’s list of most valued information on a REALTOR®’s website. 83 percent of buyers who used the Internet last year to research properties said that detailed information about homes for sale are ‘Very Useful,’ according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) 2010 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers report.

And given that 21 percent of sales agents reported generating between 11 and over 100 inquiries from their website, 3 percent pulling between 51 – 100 inquiries and 4 percent more than 100 inquiries, your online store has the potential to be more than just a pretty place. The reason I say this is that there are still 31 percent of agents out there whose websites bring in no inquiries at all! That’s a huge opportunity.

Established REALTORS® seem to be well set then, if they typically carry good inventory. Provided they do most other things right of course. We covered some of those things or ideas, in Parts 1-3 of this series.

Undoubtedly though, even the best sellers’ agents can benefit from additional listings, to attract even more visitors and generate more return visits to their websites. For those who have no listings or just few, this particular challenge can be daunting. Here are three surefire ways to add more listings to your site. As in, many more.

1)    Expand your personal network – This is an on-going exercise that requires time. If you want instant gratification, skip this step and go to points 2 and 3. But in the long run, this step will be key to success and business resilience especially in tough markets.

Here are some facts, also from NAR’s report. The most important thing people look for in an agent is honesty and trustworthiness, and nearly half of all buyers find their real estate agent through a referral from a friend, neighbor or relative, especially first time home buyers.

The more experience and transactions you facilitate, and the larger you grow and foster a supporting network of friends and contacts, the more business and listings you’ll get. Join and participate in local societies and groups, join one or more charities, volunteer time on a not-for-profit board and attend school events if you have kids. A note to self: ‘I won’t spend all my time at such events with people I know. I will reinforce those relationships and make it a point to meet several more people and exchange more business cards or phone numbers. And, my networking does not mean spending lots of time in online chat rooms with other agents.’

2)    Build IDX into your website – This can be as easy as cutting and pasting some code onto your website. IDX or, Internet Data Exchange, is a solution that allows visitors on your website to search approved Multiple Listing Service (MLS) properties in your area. The service is subscription-based and for the value it adds, many would concur is worth every penny.

There are several great IDX service providers in the marketplace today, so here are some things to look for:

-       Easy to plug (technical jargon: frame) into your website.
-       A solution that seamlessly integrates (funnels) leads into your prospect management system.
-       Don’t get held up by a long term contract. You should have the right to get out at any time.
-       Double check on the IDX service provider’s ‘uptime.’ You want a service that is ‘on’ all the time.
-       Affordable. You can usually secure a top name IDX directly or through your website service provider at a reasonable price.

3)      Handshake™ with other REALTORS® in your market – This idea applies only to Point2 Agent users. Handshake™ is proprietary technology that allows you to publish other REALTOR® listings on your Point2 Agent website, and the other way around. The idea is to automatically and immediately give you credibility but importantly, a large inventory to market. Especially for new agents, this advantage can make a significant difference. The more local co-marketing relationships you initiate and approve through your Point2 Agent site, the more listings you’ll get. You can test this technology for free here.

Starting today we’re waiving the set-up fee on ANY Point2 IDX package. What’s the catch, you ask?  There’s only two short weeks to scratch the set up fee! (Regularly $199 and $399*)

We’ve talked about IDX a lot over the past few months, and exactly how it can benefit you.  But just in case you’re new here, here’s a refresher:

• 7 Reasons to Use Point2 IDX

• A Success Story: Point2 IDX in Action

Between now and January 31st Friday, Feb 4th ONLY – when you sign up for Point2 IDX use the appropriate promo code below, and you’ll automatically save the set up fee.  Or, simply give us a call at 1-888-277-9779.

*Existing MLS/IDX rules and restrictions apply.

• Show virtually all of the listings from your MLS/Association on your website
• Leads are sent directly to your account for easy prospect management
• No contract! Cancel at any time
• No website? No problem.  IDX is available to use on 3rd party websites

(And if you really want the long version, check out the 7 Reasons to Use Point2 IDX) Anyway, on to those deals I was talking about… Allow me to take a moment to be extremely cliché – the leaves are falling, and so is the price of IDX.  Okay, all cheesy metaphors aside…seriously, if you haven’t given IDX a try yet, now is your chance. This month has been declared the Three for Free month.  When you sign up for Basic IDX during the month of October, your first three months are free.

Agents

• Basic IDX (regularly $29.99/mo) – 3 months free (save $90)

Brokers

• Basic IDX (regularly $59.99/mo) – 3 months free (save $180)

Why not try it out?  Did I mention that there is no contract?  That’s right, you can cancel at anytime.  But, we’re pretty confident you won’t want to part with it.

Check here to see if IDX is available in your area. Want your Three For Free?  Sign up by logging into your account right here or simply give us a call at 1-888-277-9779.

(Does not include one-time  set up fee. Specific MLS fees may be applicable. Existing MLS/IDX rules/restrictions apply.)

(Note: Normal billing will resume after 3 months unless otherwise notified.)

GotIDX
www.GotIDX.com

Using your Point2 Agent account and IDX solution, GotIDX can create customized listing pages, headers with Quick Searches, and more.  Take your website to the next level and increase your overall leads with their extensive knowledge and expertise.

Check out the special pricing for Point2 Agent members at www.GotIDX.com.