How Does IDX Websites Help a Real Estate Website?
Most buyers begin their home search months before they reach out to a real estate agent.
How?
Online!
Internet technologies have profoundly changed how home buyers and sellers search for homes and prospects. To be precise, 97% of all homebuyers use the Internet in their home search.
One of the technologies most instrumental in empowering customers in real estate, and ultimately real estate businesses, is the IDX website.
An IDX integrated real estate website has gradually become a demand over the years. It helps agents and brokers gain more quality leads and turn them into successfully closed deals.
However, what is an IDX website? Why does one need it? And how does it benefit real estate businesses?
What is a Real Estate IDX Website?
IDX, or Internet Data Exchange, refers to the policies, standards, and software related to the display of real estate listings on the Internet. It enables agents and brokers that are members of MLS (Multiple Listing Service) to integrate real estate listings from the MLS database into their websites.
Let’s talk about MLS first.
MLS is like an ecosystem that stores information about homes for sale. It’s a system where real estate agents and brokers share information about property listings in a standardized format.
When the Internet was in its infancy, real estate agents and brokers realized they could use the web to promote their listings online. While there were listing-sharing means for MLSs and agents, they were expensive, making them affordable for only a few. The standards for listing data and advances in web technology down the road lowered the costs. It was in the early 2000s when the IDX website picked up the pace. Today, it benefits real estate agents, MLSs, and software developers that serve the real estate market.
How Do IDX Real Estate Websites Work?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has tied several rules and regulations to IDX.
You can use IDX to connect your website to the MLS, import listings, and display them on your website. Since all listings are updated every few hours, your audience has access to the most recent data. They can get in touch with you if they are interested in buying.
Importance of IDX Website in Real Estate
1. Increases Awareness & Engagement
Additionally, social media buttons encourage visitors to share listings, boosting the website’s organic traffic and generating backlinks. As a result, you can expect an increase in brand awareness.
Once you attract a visitor to your real estate website, IDX can help engage them and give clients a reason to stay on your website for a longer period. It will allow you to capture lead information.
2. Captures Quality Leads
IDX websites direct more visitors to your site. Whenever visitors see listings they’re interested in on your website, they can contact you to express their interest. With exceptional service, you can convert those leads into customers.
Moreover, real estate agents can create landing pages with lead capture forms for visitors. They will have to fill in their basic content details to gain access to your listings. It allows you to add clients to your database, follow-up, and conversion opportunities. Moreover, automated marketing software can help you set up the required email or text follow-up.
3. Efficient Lead Management
As mentioned above, an IDX website attracts leads and sends the customer through the awareness stage of the customer funnel. But it doesn’t stop there. It helps you push the prospect further into the funnel and convert it into a customer.
It does so by providing advanced traffic analytics, including Page visit reports by source, search engine, lead, etc. You can use this information for more optimized lead management. Moreover, you can opt for integrated customer relationship management (CRM) to track the leads’ activity on the website so you can prioritize the hot leads.
4. SEO-Friendly Real Estate Websites
Since IDX websites are more valuable than usual ones to customers, they are more likely to receive a high search engine ranking. In addition to generating more leads, it also enhances search engine indexing. Consequently, the presence and influence of a website extend beyond its page. Instead, it generates a shareable link, backlinks, and organic traffic.
5. User-Friendly Website Design
An IDX real estate website ensures a user-friendly experience for the website. Users can filter listings based on their criteria by using the search filters. The simple navigation encourages users to stay longer on the website, gaining traction.
Moreover, IDX real estate web design provides a seamless searching experience for different users. It creates a mobile-friendly website, allowing users to navigate the website regardless of their device and browser.
Making your mark in the already oversaturated real estate market is challenging. The right IDX solution can tip the odds in your favor.
Contact ZipperAgent to integrate IDX into your real-estate website today. Book a demo with our experts to see your real estate business grow exponentially.
