What real estate agent doesn’t want more business? If you want to increase sales and build your network, a real estate website is vital. But not just any real estate website will do. The best real estate websites have tools that allow MLS access directly from your homepage via IDX integration.
Read on to learn more about creating an IDX website for your real estate business.
Why You Need an IDX Website
First things first: what is IDX, and why does it matter for your real estate website?
As an agent or broker, new clients are the lifeblood of your business. Creating and maintaining a dynamic, informative website is one way to connect with clients, new and old. But a stellar website isn’t enough.
The best real estate agent websites are a one-stop shop for homeowners, buyers, and sellers looking for agents, information, and new properties. Your website should include information about yourself and your business, as well as helpful articles about buying and selling, home improvement, and more. But you should also have a plugin that allows readers to search MLS listings directly from your website without turning to one of the third-party real estate search giants. That’s where IDX integration comes in.
IDX integration programs and plugins take the raw data from the MLS and translate it into code that can be used on your WordPress website. There are many different IDX integration programs, but we always recommend using IDX Broker. This tried and true IDX program creates searchable listings on your business website.
Learn more about IDX integration and why it matters for your website here.
Build Your Own IDX Website
A simple search for IDX website builders will return pages upon pages of professional website builders. But you don’t need to hire someone else to build your IDX website for you. You can do it on your own in just a day or two.
All you need to get started is a domain name and a hosting service. Then, you can choose a real estate WordPress theme (more about that below), making it easy to drag and drop photos, videos, and content to your site.
Finally, you’ll purchase an IDX plugin like those from IDX Broker and install it on your site. It takes minimal effort to add an IDX program to your website. Even those who are incredibly unsavvy in all things technology can probably figure out how to get an IDX website up and running in no time.
Once you activate the IDX program on your site, visitors can search properties throughout the MLS directly from your homepage. You can also customize the IDX plugin to add filters, maps, and highlight your listings.
For more information about starting a real estate website, click here.
Real Estate WordPress Themes
There are countless WordPress themes, seemingly one for every profession and hobby under the sun. Choosing the right WordPress theme is integral to making an effective real estate website.
There are plenty of WordPress themes designed with home sales in mind. These themes feature user-friendly layouts that highlight your business and the properties you represent.
Your website’s theme is outwardly about your clients. But a great WordPress IDX website will also make it easy to update and maintain your website, too. Choose a theme with drag-and-drop options and easy customization tools.
You should also choose a WordPress theme that is responsive (meaning it loads quickly) and is mobile-friendly. With more and more home buyers and sellers starting their searches on mobile devices, it’s increasingly crucial to build a website that caters to a mobile audience.
WinningAgent Themes for Real Estate Agent Websites
If all this talk of websites, WordPress themes, and IDX integration has your head spinning, never fear. At WinningAgent, we strive to provide tools that make it easy to build stunning real estate websites with IDX integration.
Choose from one of our real estate-focused WordPress themes (learn more about them here) to get started. You can choose IDX Broker products directly from our site, then install and go!
If you’re too busy to build your own IDX website (and we know you’re busy!), we also offer a complete real estate website package. Choose this option to have one of our designers build out your site using your images, videos, and content. You will still have complete control over your site and can customize the theme to reflect your personality.
The complete WinningAegnt real estate website package also includes IDX integration set up for your convenience.
Ready to get started? Click here to learn more about downloading one of the WinningAgent real estate themes.
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