54,940
Anyone, who requires registration to see listing is truly missing the point of how the Internet has changed this industry. With Zillow, Trulia and others a consumer has unfettered access to information.
I spent many years in technology and watched as that world transformed from one with deeply embedded proprietary software to open source software. One by one players who did not see and react appropriately to the new open world disappeared from the scene.
My favorite example of this kind of protective thinking, years ago we had a Pitney Bowes postage meter. They owned that industry. During a move, we lost the electrical cord to the meter. This was only a cord, no transformer, not much different than a lamp cord. However, Pitney had engineered a special proprietary connector to their machine, so to replace it, was about $200 - this is a cable that probably cost less than 25 cents. The moment other alternatives were available to businesses they flocked away from Bowes.
The information world is wide open. Unless you have something very special, if you guard it, clients will just move on to the next information source where they don't have to pay.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Todd Phillips
Phoenix, AZ
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Liz and Bill Spear
Mason, OH
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Fred Griffin Florida R...
Tallahassee, FL
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Jordan Ayan
Scottsdale, AZ
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Silvia Dukes PA, Broke...
Spring Hill, FL
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
259,367
Weve tried the registering after 3 and they just stop using completely. There is just sooo much free no obligation info, it makes it hard to justify
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Ryan Huggins - Thousan...
Thousand Oaks, CA
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
1,057,824
Over the years, we've tried so many different ways of allowing access to our information. At the end of the day, it works best when consumers can use idx without registering, but if they want to set up an account to save the listings that they like, then they will need to register.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY
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Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
2,222,281
By making visitors sign up, it weeds out the "non serious" buyers and you end up with a true lead.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
4,800,132
Yes, I make them sign up, but also give them the opportunity to opt out of updates or calls.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,513,143
I will second Candice A. Donofrio answer!
My feeling is that is a customer service and will contact me for more information.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,555,300
SAME AS Candice A. Donofrio
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
5,117,828
They can look at as many homes as they wish, but if they want more data, after five they are asked to register.
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Gloria Valvasori, Accr...
Mississauga, ON
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
717,185
Registration gets leads which is important to the agents in the brokerage.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
252,600
They can look at as many homes as they like, I do not like to register on websites util I'm "ready" so I don't make potential clients do it ... besides they can find it on another site and I prefer to keep them on mine
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
3,071,589
Candice A. Donofrio nailed this one!
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
3,176,686
My site is wide open. Either they like what they see enough to work with me, or they don't. I know I hate looking for information on the Net and getting forced registration, so I assume my potential clients think the same way. Perhaps not forcing registration costs me some business opportunities, but I can live with that. Bill
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
577,750
I have mine set where they can review the information of 4 properties. If they wish to view more than 4 they must register...
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,712,876
Mine is open. Either make them register up front or not at all is my opinion. They can always go to Zillow without registering.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
2,196,059
new to me
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
5,259,152
I have both ways on 3 sites:
- one does not require registration
- one requires registration after 3 views
- the third one requires it after 5 views.
BY FAR (year-after-year), I get more business from the one that requires 3 than the other two put together.
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Greg Cremia
Nags Head, NC
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
509,449
Thanks for the question Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 ! I'm all ears!
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
2,190,382
I don't like being restricted and never did it. I figured if I provided information and established myself as the local expert, they'd call me when they were ready.
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
6,426,360
I prefer not to do this and when I come to a site that requires it I just move onto another site.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
3,416,088
I do not make anymne sign up to see my listings, i want as many people as possible to see them
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
2,163,933
No, I don't do it. They can get all the free information without registering at other sites.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
5,247,618
I have always ask they register, but do not hold back information if they do not.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
556,536
I routinely experiment trying no forced sign up against forcing registration after looking at some listings. When I turn off the forced registration the leads dry up. When I turn on forced registration the leads come in.
It doesn't really matter what I or other agents like, it is about what works.
You need to experiment to see what works for you, all markets are different.
I make a decent living with this system.
1 out of 20ish is fake.
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,507,223
Yes. I believe it's actually required in California (in some or all of the state). I can't recall if it was at the association level or further up the chain. Something to do with scraping.
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Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
760,185
I have IDX on my website & it'll ask for their info at some point of them searching, I believe I made it super simple though- Name & Email. Bogus names, lol, yes sometimes.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
5,583,328
Andy.... most of those buyers are tire kickers, if they don't want to call or sign in.... we're listing agents, and those who don't call us will fill out the CMA form with all the information about them and the house!!! they're serious... those are who we deal with...
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
3,350,914
I do not like to be forced into registration when I am looking for something online so I do not require it. I am seriously considering removing IDX from my site. Those who have signed up and registered were only tire kicking with me.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
7,872,838
I have never required registration. I keep them on the email lists until they unsubscribe.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
2,785,756
Any interference like you described when I am surfing the net disqualifies
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
2,684,769
No. They will get it free elsewhere.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
3,988,013
If I want more information and feel it will be of value, why not register? My website requires it after 3 searches and people sign up right and left.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
547,687
Great question, I am rethinking my approach now.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,301,224
Think about yourself as a consumer. Thereis so much information available, if I am asked to register I quit and go to another site. We find, you need to pull them in with content and then those who stay and connect are worth having. If you force the connection then they may very well give false information.
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
5,773,392
Andrew,
We are not fans of this and have never been. The information is SO available everywhere. A
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Susie Kay
Plano, TX
921,504
How obnoxious should a marketer be.
RIS Media is a classic example. When I see they are the destination of a link, I don't click.
I do NOT use obscuring methods that can not be resolved by clicking the 'X." Such as a pop up chat window.
However, I Start with something of value, something from which the reader experience some level of success. They will want more. No need to be obnoxious. After all, they know this is a business. And of course their is always the tried and true FREE offer that secures the login.
When it comes to home searches, they have many options. But it is worthwhile to make them aware the good stuff is not where they can see it. Deliver a few example followed by: 'Sign up here."
Be aware, OPT-IN is the magic sauce that makes online marketing work. It is as essential as 'Closing the sale.' But agents need to delineate what they offer to have a perceivable difference than offered by the Evil Empire.
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Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
4,434,177
They can find it elsewhere if we do not provide.
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Andrew Mooers | 207.53...
Houlton, ME
5,879,946
When I first put up my new web site, it was open, they could look all they wanted. Not one registered, or got any calls, but had 500+ on my site each week. I changed back to look at 3, then register, and get 2-5 registering each week, and have now closed some of the web hits.
4,319,873
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 - When information is available FREELY everywhere, how does this help?
3,986,308
4,272,984
Mickey Mouse and Donald Trump seem to be the most frequent signins I get at open houses