Multiple Websites

With each HomeQuest subscription comes 3 slots for hosted websites.  This means that HomeQuest will host your site on our servers and provide you with the IDX Blogger platform to make a really easy agent website.  You can have more than 3 websites by contacting HomeQuest Support (additional websites for $10/year).  It is important to note that once you add a website to the system, you cannot change it or remove it without contacting support.  HomeQuest support can change or remove a site for $10.

Why would I have more than one website?

Generally, having a single unified website with all of your information is best.  Having one good website will get you more leads than having many small websites with no content that never get updated.  Google likes to refer internet users to sites with continuously updating fresh content, not a static website that has not changed since the 1990’s.  However, if you have a specialty or a very specific marketing niche, another website might be just what you need to get some internet attention.  For example: Hillary C. Agent could have her main website focus on herself, where her second website could be designed to specifically target buyers who are looking for farmland.  Since each website has a specific focus, and they both get updated periodically, Hillary has a good reason for two websites.

What is the advantage of having a single website?

By having a single website, there is only one place to update, one web address to give to clients, and a unified brand for you as an agent.  Each website in HomeQuest stands on its own, and is independent from the others in content, theme changes, widgets and other options.  No content is shared between sites, and there is no method of posting the same content automatically across all sites.  This is done because Google only gives credit to unique content on the internet, if it sees blog posts that have been copied from somewhere else, no credit is given in the overall search rankings.

Note: The exception to this is contact information, and featured listings.  Contact Information for all websites is located on the “Preferences” tab in your HomeQuest account.

Agent Spotlight

Periodically we will be posting and emailing out our Agent Spotlight.  The Agent Spotlight is a way for us to communicate with you the different ways that IDX Blogger can create a unique and successful agent website for you, by highlighting a website each week.  A brief summary of the website is included, and how they are using their site to the fullest advantage.

Some people use the blog heavily, others use the search listings map more, and others still just use it as a nice place for their contact information and a Daily Email signup map.  Click the “Agent Spotlight” category link located in the right hand side bar to review all of our past Agent Spotlights.

Also, be sure to catch the “Tip of the Week” at the bottom of each email.  The Tip of the Week can keep you informed with HomeQuest and IDX Blogger news and tricks of the trade.

IDX Map Navigation update

Coming soon: New map navigation with updated tools.  We have been working on some map improvements for all of our IDX Blogger customers.  Here in the next week or two we will be releasing the new map to everyone.

Stay tuned for more………

Adding a prominent “Search Listings” button

The IDX map is one of the best features about your IDX Blogger site.  The no hassle, no forced signup map brings listings to your clients in a few simple clicks, without having to fill out a form and wait for an email.  Bring more attention to your IDX map by using our pre-created button.  Follow the steps below to add this button widget to your sidebar.

Adding a prominent “Search Listings” button to your IDX Blogger site:

Step 1: Add a “Simple Image Link” widget to your sidebar using the following for your image location and destination (the two pieces of information required for this link to work).

Step 2: For the image location (Point 1 in the image above) use the following address:

http://realestate-idx.com/files/2009/07/search_listings.png

Note: Copy the entire address entirely and exactly and paste it into the image location field (Point 1 on the image above)

Step 3: For the destination address (Point 2 in the image above), enter the address to your website (For example: http://eugenehomefinder.net, or http://yourdomain.com, the http:// is required) FOLLOWED BY

/wp-content/plugins/hq_idx/searchlistings.php

Putting it altogether: http:// + YOURDOMAIN.com + /wp-content/plugins/hq_idx/searchlistings.php = http://yourdomain.com/wp-content/plugins/hq_idx/searchlistings.php

Place this address into the destination address field (Point 2 in the image above).  When you have the image location and the destination address entered, you can click the “Update” button to close the widget editor.  Make sure to click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page to publish this widget to your site.

Step 4: When you have finished, you should have a widget like the one below.  When a visitor clicks on this button, they will be taken to your Search Listings map.  You can also rearrange the order of widgets in your sidebar.

Agent Spotlight: Aaron Majors

This weeks agent spotlight is Aaron Majors and PortlandHomeAuction.com with M Realty. Aaron is a home auction expert and has focused his website on short sales, home auctions, REOs, and bank owned homes. Aaron’s website was designed to be a resource for information, as well as a great home search tool. The location of each home auction is also placed onto his map, so his clients can find home auctions on the map just as easily as they find homes.Aaron has also included a Foreclosures, Buyers, and Sellers page which have been filled with information to help ease and inform a client the whole way through the process.

IDX Blogger was built to be an agent website, a blog, a source of information, and a great home search tool (no sign up required) all rolled into one easy to use package from HomeQuest. Visit our site to see more examples and see how we can help you get a custom website matched perfectly to your branding and business.

Agent Spotlight: Joelle Lewis

Joelle Lewis, Broker

This weeks agent spotlight is Joelle Lewis SearchPDXHouse.com. Joelle Lewis is an active blogger and an agent with RE/Max. The header graphic for this site is based on previous branding that she had created for her business. As an active blogger, this site is another outlet for her to share her news and experienced views of Portland and our real estate market. Her site has a simple, yet appealing look designed for ease of use.

IDX Blogger was built to be an agent website, a blog, a source of information, and a great home search tool (no sign up required) all rolled into one easy to use package from HomeQuest. Visit our site to see more examples and see how we can help you get a custom website matched perfectly to your branding and business.

Tip of the week
IDX Blogger is gaining national attention for its easy to use Agent Website/Home Search IDX solution. Garron Selliken is going to be speaking at the Inman Connect Conference in San Francisco, CA Aug 5-7 2009. Check out the speakers list for this year. For the most recent tips and how to info please visit our blog!

Agent Spotlight: Tony and Libby Kelly

Tony and Libby Kelly, Brokers

This weeks agent spotlight is Tony & Libby Kelly TonyAndLibbyRealestateBlog.com. Tony and Libby are active bloggers and agents with Keller Wiliams Realty. The header graphic for this site is based on previous branding that they have created for their business. As active bloggers this site is another outlet for them to stream real estate related content to the world. It has a layout and content that presents info as a traditional “news feed” blog.

Since IDX Blogger is built with WordPress its only natural that some will use it as a traditional blog. Visit our site to see more examples and see how we can help your real estate business.

Tip of the week
Content for your blog is just as important as styling. Unique, quality content will help bring visitors to your site and give them a reason to stay. For the most recent tips and how to info please visit our blog!

Agent Spotlight: Marisa Swenson

Marisa Swenson, Broker

This weeks agent spotlight is Marisa Swenson from PDXMetroProperties.com. Marisa is a neighborhood specialist and M Realty agent. The header graphic for this site was created based on an idea that Marisa presented to our graphic designer. The focus of the content is to present her local knowledge of the communities where she works and plays.

Using IDX blogger to present local expertise is just one of the many ways we are seeing the platform being used. Visit our site to see more examples and see how we can help your real estate business.

Tip of the week
Did you know that HomeQuest allows you to create 3 websites with your account? If you already have one or more sites with us they can be switched to the new IDX format at no charge. For the most recent tips and how to info please visit our blog!

Agent Spotlight: Kevin Levy

Kevin Levy, Broker

Did you know that HomeQuest offers completely custom WordPress header and page design for your IDX blogger theme? In the coming weeks we will be sending out a newsletter to spotlight agents who currently utilize HomeQuest and IDX Blogger to its full potential.

In the spotlight this week is Kevin Levy and RelocationToPortland.com. Kevin is a Portland relocation specialist and M Realty agent. The goal was to create a site that would appeal to his relocation clients and create a strong brand. Kevin uses a completely custom IDX Blogger header with a custom landing page template designed to funnel internet traffic to certain areas of his website based on what they searched for.

Kevin can now highlight his area of expertise right on his homepage with ease. You can too! Visit our site for more information!

Tip of the week
We have been posting a lot of information on our blog about the IDX Blogger sites. You will find info regarding new features being added as well as how to and tips and tricks. If you havent visited our blog please take a look! Future emails will contain recent posts from the site.