Call it a case of the tail wagging the dog or just the fact someone took the wrong apple from the apple cart, but change is in the air. Today the wunderkinds at Diverse Solutions are releasing dsIDXpress. In a nutshell dsIDXpress is:
“A plug-in for WordPress that give gives IDX functionality to your website, allows your users to search for and browse available properties on in your MLS, and lets search engines index properties from the MLS on your website.”
I think their tag line says it better.
“MLS on your blog”
For SEO purposes adding dynamic listing content to your blog is like pouring gasoline on a lit fire. And it takes the “agent website” completely out of the equation. In the past the biggest reason you had a website separate from your blog was IDX. Not anymore. Now your blog is your website!
You want to know the test of true innovation? True innovation happens when it puts someone else out of business.
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Diverse Solutions Releases New WordPress IDX Plugin For Indexable Listings
Irvine, CA January 25th, 2010 – Diverse Solutions announced today that they have released a new IDX product called dsIDXpress. The product allows agents and brokers using WordPress to get property listings on their own website and own domain to be indexed by the major search engines. dsIDXpress is different than traditional IDX solutions in that it has both the standard consumer search capabilities as well as the ability to insert specific listings or groups of listings into any page or blog post with their Live Listings(sm) shortcodes. The plugin also automatically builds in search-engine-friendly city, community, and zip code pages that show available properties in the respective areas. Furthermore, listing detail pages are available for every property in the MLS. Overall, dsIDXpress is being touted as a low cost alternative to functionality that was previously only available in high- end custom websites.
The development of dsIDXpress came out of the desire for agents and brokers to have search-engine-indexable IDX listings on their website. With the National Association of Realtors recently adopting changes allowing for search engines to index property listings on an agent’s or broker’s website, the timing couldn’t be more perfect. Diverse Solutions recently completed their beta testing period, and the increase in website traffic from search engines was staggering. Active listings were being indexed by Google and ranking higher than results from the big national sites and large brokers. When asked about the new product, Justin LaJoie, CEO of Diverse Solutions, said, “Since WordPress is quickly becoming the platform of choice for real estate websites, it only made sense that we develop a WordPress IDX plugin that provides the functionality that the industry has been asking for.”
The plugin is built with flexibility in mind with the goal of placing the creative power back in the agents and brokers hands instead of being at the mercy of their vendors. Additionally, the Live Listings(sm) shortcode functionality provides the ultimate control on where listings show up on pages or posts. Live Listings(sm) allows agents and brokers to create the perfect city, community, or zip-specific pages with listings that are updated in real time for that area. dsIDXpress also include a number of WordPress IDX widgets, including their search and mapping widgets.
For more information about dsIDXpress, visit www.dsIDXpress.com or simply search for “dsIDXpress” in the WordPress plugin directory.
About Diverse Solutions
Headquartered in Southern California, Diverse Solutions is a leading provider of IDX technology for clients nation wide. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to enhance the productivity and marketing efforts of real estate professionals through cutting-edge technology, excellent service, and superior quality.
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I don’t think that the Agent website is dead, but rather that the ‘static’ agent website is dead.
Agents need full content management solutions for their website so they can differentiate themselves by offering consumers personalized insights about real estate that go beyond listing information itself.
WordPress is a website now that it has integrated search. This was one of the major revelations of the inman conference in New York.
Our research on agent and broker sites shows that property search is the #1 activity of consumers on real estate websites – having it front and center is still a critical strategy.
The Broker/Agent website model is being redefined around a new content model. Local, user generated content, pictures, videos and narrative is more sought after.
The web traffic stats indicate that home buyers and sellers prefer to get their listing information from a non-broker/agent website, until very late in the buying process.
It has been difficult to measure the benefits from Agent IDX and VOW sites, and expenses hard to justify. This new era in agent generated content and commentary should prove to be more effective and engaging.
I’m curious, how much does this DSIDX cost? Is it a one time fee? Can I use it on WordPress .com and .org? Can I program it to default show the few “lease” houses in a particular city?