Commonly asked questions

What is IDX?
Do I have to update the IDX listings on my website?
Do I have to change websites or hosting companies to add IDX?
How often do you update our IDX Data? 
Do I have to belong to the MLS board or association?
What if I belong to more than one board? Can I show all the listings?
How long does it take to set up my IDX solution?
I didn't think I could advertise other agents listings?
What is a VOW?
Can people on my site contact the listing agent from my IDX?
Can't I just use Realtor.com?
My Local Board offers a free feed for the listings, can't I just link to that?
Do I have to show all of the IDX listings?
Do I need to let you know if I change email addresses?
How important are the email leads? If someone is really interested won't they just call me?
I am so busy now, why would I want to add IDX?
My broker has a website and it shows all the IDX listings, why wouldn't I just use that?
How will people know that I have IDX available?
What is an E-Flyer?
How reliable is your service?

What is IDX?
IDX stands for Internet Data Exchange. It is also known as Broker Reciprocity. IDX allows realtors to show
the active association listings on their website. Website viewers can search for properties by
certain criteria such as price, area, bedrooms, etc.. IDX is lead generating, which means no matter who the listing office or agent is, you will be the only one that they can contact for more information. When you get your email lead, it will show the MLS number as well as the contact information for the person inquiring.

Do I have to update the IDX listings on my website?
No. At MLSSoftware, we update all of the listings directly from your association. Every time a listing is
listed or sold in your MLS it will automatically be show in our next IDX update. All you need to do is check
your email frequently for leads.

Do I have to change websites or hosting companies to add IDX?
No, The IDX links are added directly to your existing website. We will work with your web designer to add the links or we can add them for you.

How often do you update our IDX Data? 
Our service is designed to process the IDX information daily, and refresh the IDX data once every 24 hours.

back to top

Do I have to belong to the MLS board or association?
You must be a member of the association you want to show the listings for in order to participate in IDX.

What if I belong to more than one board? Can I show all the listings?
Yes, you can show any association that you are a member of. The only stipulation is that you must have
separate searches for each association.

How long does it take to set up my IDX solution?
In most cases we have your IDX running with in 2-3 working days.

I didn't think I could advertise other agents listings?
Realtors that participate in IDX are allowing their listings to be displayed by other agents on the
internet. Each Realtor Association has their own set of rules for IDX. Most association rules state that at the bottom of each listing it has to say "Listing courtesy of: Listing Office Name". Some association’s state that the listing
office, listing agent and phone number must be show. Check with your local association for your rules and
guidelines.

What is a VOW?
A VOW is a Virtual Office Website. With a VOW, your website visitors must login with a valid email address
as well as give their name and answer up to 10 specific questions that you would like them to answer. These are
questions that you choose, such as price range, area, bedrooms, contact information, etc.. Once they have
answered these questions it is as though the customer has come to your office and answered questions, so
they are given an individual password and allowed access to the IDX data. They are usually shown more
information such as listing addresses and comments. You also receive an email each time a new user registers, along with the answers to the specific questions you have asked.

Can people on my site contact the listing agent from my IDX?
The users on your site can only email you. No matter who's listing it is, your email is set up as the
contact for more information. This is the whole concept behind IDX.

Can't I just use Realtor.com?
With Realtor.com your customers can search through the listings, but even if you have sent them their from your
website, they may not understand that when they hit the "More Information" button, the email has just been
sent to the listing agent. And how much loyalty is there once that listing agent has contacted them
regarding the listing they are interested in? You just unintentionally sent your competitor a great
referral!

My Local Board offers a free feed for the listings, can't I jsut link to that?
Your local board may offer a free IDX feed, but that feed probably shows the listing office and agent
contact information along with an active link to their email address.  These programs are geared towards promoting the listing agent and office.

back to top

Do I have to show all of the IDX listings?
You can choose what types of properties you want to show, such as residential, vacant land, commercial, multi family etc.. If you focus on residential and vacant land only, then you do not need to show commercial or multi family listings.

Do I need to let you know if I change email address?
Yes! We will need to go into your IDX setup and change the email address, otherwise your leads for your IDX
will be undeliverable to your old address

How important are the email leads? If someone is really interested won't they just call me?
The email leads you receive are qualified prospects. These people are choosing to look at your website and
your IDX listings. If they want more information on a specific listing, they are expecting a response. How you handle their email will probably determine whether or not they want to work with you. If you "blow them off" they may feel that you will do the same thing in other stages of the process.

I am so busy now, why would I want to add IDX?
Use your IDX as a tool for your existing clients. By letting them know that they can go to your website and
do their own property searches, you can relive some of your time and they are able to do their own research
and become more involved.

My broker has a website and it shows all the IDX listings, why wouldn't I just use that?
You can use your brokers website. The only thing you have to ask yourself is who gets all the leads for the
site? The leads are probably randomly distributed  the same as floor calls. Would you display For Sale signs for
your listings with your brokers phone numbers? By having your own website and IDX program you are branding
yourself and encouraging customers to use YOU!

How will people know that I have IDX available?
You want to market your website on all of your advertising! You want to include in your advertising that you have all the area listings available on your website. We have also found that successful agents send out a postcard or letter to
everyone in their farming list telling them that they now offer all of the IDX listings on their website.. You would be surprised by how many people will use your site once they know it is available.

What is an E-Flyer?
Your customers can print an e-flyer for any property on your website that is in your VOW or IDX solution.
When they print the e-flyer, it will show your name, logo and all of you contact information (company address, phone,
email, website, etc..) across the top of the page similar to your letterhead. The property information, similar to a home sales sheet or spec sheet will be on the rest of the page. When they print out the e-flyer to show their spouse, family members or friends, they will have all of your contact information on the top of the page and no questions about who to contact regarding that listing.

How reliable is your service?
Since we have 25 years in the computer industry we are qualified to manage several dedicated Unix and Windows NT servers in an environment that has redundant power with power generator backup, redundant Cisco powered networks, with multiple Service Provider Connections to the Internet with access to over 35 OC3 connections with 99.9% guaranteed uptime per month.

back to top

Simple, Affordable Web Site Design for Real Estate Agents and Brokers Offices.