Should I Pay for IDX?

Agents and brokers all want a modern website with beautiful property listings, and data—lots and lots of data about those listings. If you see a web listing for a property, then IDX made that listing possible. Basically, IDX is the technology that makes the posting of MLS listings on broker and agent websites. IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange (IDE), and is sometimes also referred to as IDD or Broker Reciprocity; it is technology, as well as rules and policies to make these web listings possible.

What is IDX?

IDX is an interchange tool that allows agents to display parts of the MLS database on their own websites. IDX was created by the National Association of Realtors (NAR); think of it as the governing policy that regulates how MLS members are allowed to display active listings. Within the IDX infrastructure, a basic search capability exists as a courtesy to members, but many Realtors and brokers want much more sophistication that the MLS doesn't offer. Use of a customized, advanced IDX tool allows enhanced MLS listings and better property search capabilities.

How is it different from my MLS datafeed?

MLS now provides a raw, unstructured IDX data feed of all MLS data, but unless you're a Realtor and a pretty savvy computer programmer, it's impossible to structure that data to make it work for you. That's where IDX providers, like WolfNet, come into the picture–to use that raw data feed as a starting point, to provide custom search capabilities, lead generation and more products and solutions tailored to your specific needs.

What are the benefits of IDX?

There are two main benefits:

• Increased organic traffic
• Increased lead generation

Basically, pages are created for each listing on your site, and those pages are SEO optimized and also made "web crawlable," meaning that all of your pages are visible to all major search engines like Google and others. The more pages the better—and the higher up in the search results list you rank.

You'll get more potential buyers if you have more content on your website, and an integrated IDX solution allows you to pull in thousands of Google-indexed pages. The solution can create thousands of landing pages that are SEO-optimized to include zip codes, and subdivision or building names. You can even bring in unique listing remarks for each property. As the MLS listing inventory changes, your website will dynamically change, too.

You already pay MLS dues, right? So why not get the maximum bang for your buck by fully utilizing all the IDX features that MLS offers? If you're an agent or broker and haven't yet made the switch to a more robust IDX technology, you're missing out on a valuable boost to your business. Contact WolfNet to learn more about our IDX offerings.

To view the original article, visit the WolfNet blog.