Announcing Our New IDX search!
June 12, 2019We’ve launched a brand new generation of website designs with improved IDX search, now available to all Elite Pro customers!
WHAT’S NEW?
Modern Search Interface
Featuring an intuitive and familiar side-by-side search results presentation (map on left, scrolling listing tiles on right)
Integrated Search Filters
Adjust your search criteria while you browse, and see the map and result tiles update in real time
New map search modes
Draw a shape, search by radius, or detect your location right from the listing results page! Map search modes are fully integrated into the standard search results page for a seamless map search experience.
Instant Browsing
Client-side caching enables LIGHTNING-FAST browsing! Listing details open in a modal window on top of search results so you never leave the search results view. This means NO loading between pageviews
Better Listing Details
More attractive listing information and presentation, now including an interactive Estimated Monthly Payments section. Sliding photo mosaic allows you to view dozens of listing photos in seconds, with videos and virtual tours featured prominently as part of the mosaic. Even more changes coming soon!
Customizable Search Forms
Create as many IDX search form widgets and pages as you want, and customize each one (choose a listing type, a format for search filters, and any default search filter values that you want). This allows you to easily create “custom” search forms for things like Rentals, Commercial, Lots & Land, or Horse Properties. You can even have multiple search forms on your homepage pointing to different things.
Improved Lead Conversion
Calls to action are more accessible, and our teaser registration system works better than ever!
Expanded Keywords
More searchable fields than before so you can create more nuanced saved search pages and allow your website visitors greater flexibility to find what they are looking for.
WHAT’S CHANGED?
No Mixing Listing Types
You can no longer search across multiple “Listing types” in the same search. Instead you have to search within ONE of these sets at a time (your MLS may not have all of these options):
- Homes for sale
- Homes for rent
- Sold homes
- Commercial for sale
- Commercial lease
- Sold commercial
- Business opportunity
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Will it cost me anything to upgrade?
No. All customers are encouraged to upgrade at no additional cost
How will upgrading affect my website’s SEO?
Upgrading will not hurt your SEO. All your same pages will still be there with the same content and meta tags. The new IDX search results pages are now indexable and may even give you a net boost for SEO.
How do I upgrade?
AGENT PRO ACCOUNTS: Request an upgrade here. We will get your feedback and get your site set up for you. There is manual work involved and a site audit to make sure your website is working perfectly.
OFFICE PRO ACCOUNTS: Your ENTIRE office (including all linked agent websites) must upgrade at once, so be sure ALL agents are prepared to upgrade. Request an upgrade here, but allow extra time for us to complete the full office migration.
When will my upgrade be completed?
Please allow two weeks for AGENT PRO ACCOUNT upgrades. OFFICE PRO ACCOUNT upgrades may take longer depending on the number of linked agent websites.
I’m not seeing a searchable keyword I want in the new IDX. Can you add it for me?
If the data you want is in your IDX feed, then yes. We can create a keyword for virtually any value present in the the feed. Contact support to make your request.
What if I don’t like the new IDX website? Can I switch back?
No, this is a one way trip. Please review our sample sites and carefully consider if the benefits of the new features outweigh the comfort of the familiar. Take the leap and don’t look back.
Are you going to automatically upgrade my website at some point?
We introduced our Elite websites in 2009, and until this redesign have been using the same IDX search engine. Ten years for web software like this is ancient. We’re eager to move forward with new development, keeping ahead of new trends and designing for the future. We’d love for you to choose this too. At some point, yes, we will decide to sunset the older code. When that time comes, if you’re still using our legacy product, we make you these promises:
- We’ll let you know ahead of time.
- We won’t ever charge you anything or increase prices as part of an automatic upgrade.
- We will do everything in our power to make the upgrade as painless as possible.
By Kevin Ashley
Kevin is a Web Developer and Marketing Expert for iHOUSEweb. He has a degree in Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and he specializes in front end web development, web advertising, and web analytics. Kevin works closely with real estate agents all over the US, and he helps to communicate their needs to the team of Software Engineers at iHOUSEweb.