There are various companies on the market that offer real estate IDX plugins for Drupal, Joomla and WordPress. Some offer the ability to connect to an MLS data base via an API others require you to build and manage your own RETS data base. Whichever method you choose it is important to understand the pros and cons of each open source option.
Real estate IDX plugins via API
Inexpensive solution for agents to display indexable properties on a wordpress blog- Fast, easy and quick solution
- Not a long term solution
- Control css templates and layout
- Very little control over building custom features into the idx. No high level programming integration
- Same URL structure as many sites – bad for Indexable properties
- Has a template website feel
When to use real estate plugins.If you are looking to keep costs down or test market an area you cant go wrong by using an API plugin. In addition to the various companies offering plugins many MLS branches now offer wordpress plugins. Agents can achieve short term success but long term success will be harder to achieve.
Real estate IDX components via RETS
- Various products on the market – Do it yourself IDX
- Highly customizable – Build as you go
- Long term solution
- Investment of time and technology including RETS and PHP
- Have to find the right programmers for the job
- Various components do not offer programming support
- Programmers must learn code and could take time. Process must be repeated for new programmers.
- Startup costs can range from 1,000 to 15,000.
When to use plugins and components. This option is for the savvy real estate agent who has tried many IDX providers. Be ready to invest long hours on maintaining and managing your system. This solution is a great choice if you want TOTAL CONTROL and have in house programmers. Agents who attempt this option must have some type of IT background. Hiring the right programmers for the job can be tricky. This is by far the most expensive option but in the end you will own the code.
Real estate solutions by Galtlinedesign
- Take the headache out of building your own idx. Let Galtlinedesign take over your real estate technology needs.
- Custom build any part of your IDX at anytime
- Long term solution
- Supported IDX solution on open source cms
- Star up costs are competitive to custom template systems but much less than other custom idx services. Call for Pricing
When to use Galtlinedesign. Galtlinedesgin is for real estate professionals who want to build a 100 percent custom idx solution without having to invest time and thousands of dollars. Each agent has the ability to customize any part of the system at any time. This is a long term solution that can drive your business for many years. Upgrade and build on your own dime and keep monthly costs low. This is the ultimate idx solution for real estate agents and brokers.
