There are a lot of differing opinions on the need for IDX or MLS with a commercial real estate website. Let’s go over exactly what they are and how they showcase your commercial property, and some reasons why or why not to make investments in these platforms.

What is an IDX?

An IDX (Internet Data Exchange) is how real estate agents broadcast their listings from a database onto their website. For instance, if you update LoopNet with your newest listings, edit changes, and delete sold/leased properties, with LoopNet’s IDX, this information will automatically be updated on your real estate website as well.

Case for an IDX

I always recommend an IDX if you and/or your team have zero time to update both your website and online database separately. If you find yourself lagging on updates on your listing database, doing double data entry of a website + online database might be off the table.

IDX is the easiest way to show you’re the most up-to-date listing information.

Using an IDX

There have been some major changes in the commercial real estate online listings game in just the past few years. CoStar and LoopNet entered into a juggernaut merger, some popular listings sites went extinct and some new guys popped up amongst the chaos. Despite the market tilts, there are many companies that offer website integration.

LoopLink. If you use LoopNet, LoopLink is the easiest way to integrate listings into your website. While a great option, it’s pricey (in my personal opinion)! Last time I checked, it was about $300 a month, but they have a sliding scale depending on the number of listings.

Catylist. Since lower cost options such as Xceligent and Property Line became extinct, many of my more price sensitive clients have moved to Catylist. Last I checked, it’s less than hundred dollars a month to integrate your website with the listings feed. It’s relatively easy to setup but can be a little tricky if you’re using WordPress.

CREXi. This used to be just for properties for sale, but they’ve opened it up for leasing too. This is a great alternative, especially since it has the ability to email your listing information to their database.

IDX Broker. IDX Broker has a customizable design options and responsive interface, which is the only one that allows you to adjust how the listing feed looks with customizable options. IDX Broker ensures that commercial real estate websites are not only informative but also visually appealing.

What is an MLS?

An MLS, or Multiple Listing Service, is a database used by (mostly) residential realty professionals to share information about residential properties that are for sale or rent on their website. It is a centralized platform where real estate agents and brokers can list their properties and access information about other listings in the area.

Using a MLS

Most MLS services are locally run (usually by County) so the ability to search and showcase commercial property is hit-and-miss since all of them focus almost exclusively on residential real estate.

If you’re lucky enough to have an MLS with commercial real estate properties, you can integrate it into your website to showcase your listings.

An MLS is the only option with the ability to search through ALL listings in the MLS database on your website (not just yours). An IDX will only show your listings, not all listings. Which makes it ideal, if your county gives any attention to commercial real estate.

Case against an IDX & MLS

If you’re interested in lead capture, IDX and MLS aren’t the best options. An IDX and MLS’s only lead capture is the “Contact Agent” form. If you’re looking to capture folks that want to download the listing brochure, they simply won’t cut it.

With an MLS, you run the risk of your potential clients contacting other agents directly, as that info is NOT hidden.

Lead Capture Method

CRE Plugin. For folks that would rather use their listings for Lead Capture, I have developed a proprietary plugin customized for commercial real estate. Enter your listings into the software easily and hit publish!

As an added bonus, the brochure button can be set to “Lead Capture”, which will require visitors to fill out their contact info in exchange for the listing brochure. The software can also be integrated with Mailchimp, so all those names, emails and info will be automatically saved in a database! Use this database to send listing announcements, closed in your area, and more!

If you get a website with me, you can choose an IDX or CRE Plugin! Setup has no additional costs with me!

If you want my help in expanding your leads game and creating a hands-free sales funnel, check out the website designs.

Anyone can build a website.

Anyone can put buttons on a website and call it “lead generating”.

I’m the only one that provides a the Sales Funnel Masterclasses, giving you strategies to drive traffic to your site, setup automations, and keep in touch with automated welcome sequences to turn traffic into sales.

If you don’t have a sales funnel, you won’t get long lasting results, period.

If you’re nodding along and agreeing that it’s time, let’s get started!  Schedule a call or zoom.

I’m out to take the “broke” out of commercial real estate brokerage. 

I want to start with you.

You coming?  Schedule a call or zoom.