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The Best Real Estate IDX Solution
An Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is a real estate property search site which allows the public to conduct searches of approved Multiple Listing Service properties for a certain area. Site users gain the benefit of anonymous property searching. The benefit to Agents and Brokers is that users of their IDX web site can search freely and establish some confidence before registering, saving a search, or requesting more information.
There are many IDX solutions to chose from that differ in style, user experience, admin features, and price. The spreadsheet and screenshots below compare differences between some of the products we have worked with.
In addition to comparing cost, determine the best real estate IDX solution by asking…
- Is your IDX system generating leads for you?
- Which IDX systems are search engine friendly and which are not?
- Where does the lead information go and how are they followed up on?
The availability of particular solutions will vary from MLS to MLS, most vendors list available MLS areas on their websites. Each of the products below are WordPress compatible as a framed option or a dedicated WordPress plugin.
Wolfnet
- http://wolfnet.com
- Pros: MLS, Map Search
Diverse Solutions
- http://www.diversesolutions.com/
- Features: MLS, Map Search, Featured Property Slideshow
dsIDXpress
- http://www.dsidxpress.com/
- Features: WordPress Plugin, Search Engine Indexable
IDX Broker
- http://www.idxbroker.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search, Featured Property Slideshow, WordPress Plugin
Realty Soft
- http://www.realtysoft.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search
Homequest Group
- http://www.homequestgroup.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search, Featured Property Slideshow, WordPress Plugin, Search Engine Indexable
IDXPro
- http://www.idxpro.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search, Mobile Search
iHomefinder
- http://www.ihomefinder.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search, Featured Property Slideshow
Real Bird
- http://www.realbird.com/
- Pros: Map Search, Featured Property Slideshow
SpatialMatch
- http://www.spatialmatch.com/
- Pros: MLS, Map Search, Home Values
An IDX is crucial for any website with traffic, or combined with a Pay-Per-Click marketing strategy. This is not an exhaustive list of IDX vendors by any means, just several we have worked with. Still have questions? Leave your comments below or contact us! Follow @WorkingTheMagic on Twitter!
15 Responses to The Best Real Estate IDX Solution
Dale Kreiser
November 1, 2010
Great post Gabe. The visual comparison is very helpful.
Godfajah
November 2, 2010
Hey Gabe, great article. I talked to Spacial Match and they are $150 to set up and $40 a month.
Gabe Hoggarth
November 3, 2010
Thanks Loren, I’ve updated the spreadsheet to include SpatialMatch pricing.
Nat Ferguson
March 17, 2011
Gabe, great comparison article. I wanted to offer an opinion and point out some date information in your article. First, I’ve been using the Homequest IDX for the last 5 months and have not been impressed. The IDX sometimes shows sold homes as available, and other times does not show new listings. Their customer support is reluctant to make changes to widgets (which they control) and slow to implement updates or requests.
IDX Broker who (per your comparison) has the next largest suite of offerings is misrepresented. They offer a mobile solution, are praised highly for their customer service and are search engine indexable. Did I mention they are still half the price of Homequest?
iHOUSEweb
May 3, 2011
Thanks for including IDXPro in your review of IDX vendors. We’ve come a long way since your first review and invite you to check us out again. We recently released IDXPro 4.0 which offers a wordpress plugin as well as an embeddable search page that seamlessly integrates with any website.
AZRealEstate
June 20, 2011
I’m using dsAgent Search and the IDXpress plugin for wordpress and I love both. If you have questions, want to see a live backend tour, let me know! I sell real estate, however love the geek side of me too! Let me help you with your IDX platform!
Robert Larson
September 22, 2011
Thanks for including Diverse Solutions in your review! A quick update for agents considering our IDX products…
As of earlier this year, our main IDX service (dsSearchAgent) now includes a full mobile IDX search. It performs like a mobile app, but there is no software or application for users to download… they simply redirect to the mobile IDX if they visit your Diverse Solutions IDX from a mobile device. You can test a working demo of our mobile solution on our website http://www.diversesolutions.com/product/ds-mobile-idx/demo or contact us for a free trial version for your specific area/MLS.
Also, as a heads up: the monthly price for dsSearchAgent ranges based on your area or MLS. Some markets are less than others; it depends on the size of the MLS and the IDX data fees we pay. In addition, we waive the setup fee and offer further discounts for customers who pre-pay for 1 year of service.
Good luck with your search!
Mark Ciochon
September 30, 2011
I have idx broker on my http://www.omahanehomesforsale.com site and have all the listings indexed by google. Trying to compare them to my site at http://www.housesinomaha.com that only has 5,000 pages indexed. Probably an domain age thing but for 39,99 month idx broker isnt a great deal
Mark Ciochon
September 30, 2011
Shoot meant for 39,99 month idx broker IS a great deal
InstillSolutions
June 1, 2012
Great post! Thanks for putting together this list and the comparison chart. I think a lot of people will find this very helpful. I just hate to see all of these IDX providers that don’t offer the search engine indexability… such a waste! Have those 1k+ additional web pages with photos, property descriptions etc. has such a weight to support the rest of your SEO.
http://www.instillsolutions.com
Albuquerque Real Estate
April 19, 2013
I am looking for a solution that would allow me to highlight a rectangle area as a search result. Any suggestions? Thanks
COGreenDiva
May 11, 2013
Got some questions I am looking for a IDX that works with our MLS
Some other questions I have
Does your IDX use i-Frames?Is your IDX crawlable and indexable by the search engines?Does your platform include lead management?Can you create UNLIMITED IDX pages in your website?Can I manage the content in each page such as the Text Descriptions, Post Photos, Embed YouTube videos, etc.?Does your website platform have a Property Organizer?Do your websites have a registration feature that I can turn on and off anytime?Do you have buyer insight tools?Do I have full control of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of my site?
10.Can I add content in international languages?
Not all IDX is equal the price difference varies and I do not know really what you get. I like some help, please. We spend money when we have a closing and really do not know the product very well we are buying in!
COGreenDiva
May 11, 2013
Looking for help finding a IDX provider. Finding out not all are serving our MLS! Pricing is different and it varies what you get. Do not speak” techy” talk, so just giving my credit card I learn my lesson? Sales people are hired to sell, they do not know behind the scene! Most web sale people cannot show you there product in search engines. They mostly talk in “Parrot talk” Hosting has different issues not all equal And not every web builder has the latest plug-in! Most realtors like myself we have a closing and we go on a spending spree. Looking at many websites for Real Estate they seem outdated and old looking! What is one to do?????
COGreenDiva
May 11, 2013
Hear are some questions I found to ask…
Please NO “Parrot Talk”
Does your IDX use i-Frames?Is your IDX crawlable and indexable by the search engines?
Does your platform include lead management?
Can you create UNLIMITED IDX pages in your website?
Can I manage the content in each page such as the Text Descriptions, Post Photos, Embed YouTube videos, etc.?
Does your website platform have a Property Organizer?
Do your websites have a registration feature that I can turn on and off anytime?Do you have buyer insight tools?
Do I have full control of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of my site?
Can I add content in international languages?
We all need to think outside the box!
Like some feed back please.
Thanks
COGreenDiva
May 11, 2013
Does your IDX use i-Frames?Is your IDX crawlable and indexable by the search engines?
Does your platform include lead management?
Can you create UNLIMITED IDX pages in your website?
Can I manage the content in each page such as the Text Descriptions, Post Photos, Embed YouTube videos, etc.?
Does your website platform have a Property Organizer?
Do your websites have a registration feature that I can turn on and off anytime?
Do you have buyer insight tools?
Do I have full control of the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of my site? .
Can I add content in international languages?
Is it Mobile and Tablet friendly?
Please no ““Parrot Talk”
We need to think outside the box, our buyers and sellers do.
as our buyers and sellers asking questions when we sell them we need too as well and not put faith just in any vendors. Most off them see big $$$signs in us! We are at fault at this ourselves, because love to talk about ourselfs how good we are!