As I continue to develop real estate websites for real estate businesses across the US, I have realized the need for an “pre-purchase” questionnaire. There are several factors that should be considered when selecting an IDX plugin, and most real estate agents are not aware of them. So here are just a few:
- Is it approved by your MLS?
It’s great to chat with other agents across the country about their awesome IDX plugin and the features it offers. If it is not available through your MLS, all the knowledge may be wasted. Now, you can contact the plugin developer and see if they are working on your MLS. And you can reach out to your MLS to find out what you need to do to get them approved. But the first step in the entire process is to find out if it is approved by your MLS. - Is it responsive?
Your IDX plugin may offer a mobile platform, but that is not responsive. If your plugin offers a mobile site, this means that your visitors are being forwarded to a mobile site from your current website. A responsive website offers a seamless experience and only one site to maintain.