MLS data connectivity can be Provided in 2 ways: IDX and Rets. IDX is the test-based legendary system and it is much slower compared to RETS. RETS has a graphical user interface, therefore the integration work would be easier and faster.

In this post, we are discussing the benefits of IDX and RETS. As per the latest trends, RETS based MLS systems are more intelligent in terms of sending updates, so the performance and speed are higher in RETS but before opting you should ask your MLS provider and study your personal requirements.

Today, more than 80% of MLS providers offer RETS. But if the requirement of your website is limited and you are focusing on a target audience, which belongs to a particular city or state then IDX can prove to be a better choice.

IDX

IDX, or Internet Data Exchange, is a standard governed by strict rules and policies, fetches data from individual MLS. The main difference in the working of IDX in comparison to RETS is the capacity, speed and format.

Benefits of IDX Integration

• Search Engine Friendly
IDX has easy Search options which display accurate results. The accuracy and relevance of search result increase the user’s interest and they start relying on the real estate website. A better user experience helps in increasing the sales.

• Capture Leads
The compelling lead capture features of the IDX integrated website help to get a clear-cut idea about the visitor’s interest. It offers an insight look about the visitor interest in the property. And the customer can even receive email alerts on brand new listings if it meets user search criteria.

• Social Media
IDX listings on a website provide leads and Social share buttons let the visitors share listings in social media, creates valuable backlinks and which in turn drives more organic traffic to the website.

• Catch Audience’s Attention
The IDX enabled website contains lesser data from the MLS. The web developers can develop more user-friendly websites by making use of graphics and including actual property small videos. Once the customer gets attracted towards your website, your featured website can help him to generate more business.

Drawbacks of IDX Integration

• Inaccurate Inventories
It is seen that some of the websites implementing IDX overstates the inventories when compared with the actual market. The inaccurate results affect the user’s trust and the website rating goes down.

• Gap between Agents Website Resources
Since the IDX enabled a website to allow manual as well as automatic updations. Many time the websites are displaying old property results which are either sold or disputed. The real estate website company is unaware of this scenario. They outsource the job to outside agents and those agents don’t pass on the queries of potential buyers to owners. Sometimes the situation gets worsened and the buyer gets lost

• Ever-increasing cost
In IDX, data fetching is comparatively costlier and the cost goes continuously up. This restricts the use of the IDX in modern applications. The filtering and integration is also difficult.

RETS

RETS is the modern and much superior way to distribute your MLS listings. The data is actually on your site and new data is uploaded to your site several times a day, creating more timely and accurate information. This gives you a competitive advantage over an agent and office sites that use IDX.

The other major difference is that by pulling the data into your site, you give the search engines more information to look at on your site. The additional information can be added to a website which is not on MLS listing. There is an option to add documents, links, and many more features.

Benefits of RETS Integration

• Common and one solution for all providers
• Pay only once to own the code for life.
• RETS has rich web community
• Connect unlimited sites to a single database!
• No Logo or Product-Branding requirements.
• WordPress MU/Plugin/Theme compatible.
• SEO Dynamic settings/content/meta/title/urls/ etc.
• SEO Indexable listings + Schema/data compatible.

Drawbacks of RETS Integration

If the website is developed for a local community and the potential buyers are less than an IDX website is preferred over RETS. If IDX enabled website is maintained well, then you can get equal benefits as RETS.

Why is RETS superior to IDX?

• IDX systems provide full and elaborated listing, with photos which are to be downloaded that can strain bandwidth and system administration.

• IDX listing is updated normally at night, so the information can be processed and updated on client, realtor websites the next day which leads to a delay of 24 hours.

• RETS is a streamlined, modern and an advanced version of IDX. In IDX system, the entire property listing database does not need to be downloaded daily. Instead, the system is designed so that only the relevant data is pulled in response to a client’s specific search query. But at the same time if a massive search or random search has to be performed, then the website really gives up.

Conclusion

IDX and RETS, both are used in real estate website. IDX produces elaborated and specific results while RETS system display entire listing fetched from MLS. Both the softwares are useful for real estate websites. However, RETS is more preferred these days.

Being associated with real estate website development, we understand how websites should work. So, if you want a great site, at a great price, with great customer service then contact us and leave the rest on us. During the several years of our existence, Matrix Marketers has gained epic experience in providing clear-cut custom solutions that can fit the needs of real estate website.