By: Jodie Cordell
In reply to <a href="https://theclose.com/best-real-estate-website-builders/comment-page-8/#comment-453897">Donna Perras</a>.
Hi Donna!
Yes, it's true – Wix doesn't (yet) offer an IDX integration. I actually went through my own MLS to get IDX on my site. My association uses FlexMLS and they, at the time, offered a paid IDX embed code that I was able to add to my site. It wasn't the perfect solution, but it worked then. Now, I don't know that I would be able to compete with all the gorg sites with the integrated IDX on the front page. They're much more eye-catching than what I was doing five years ago. We've come a long way since then! Hope that helps! Thanks for the comment.
By: Donna Perras
Hi Jodie,
I actually love WIX or Vistaprint but you said that you have has WIX for years ago with no IDX????? So how do your clients find homes if you don't have IDX?
Great Material by the way!
Thank you
Donna
By: Lisa Forman
Hi Chris, I have feedback for you on my experience with Placester website builder reviewed above. First, it took me 3 phone calls to try and get through to the company during normal work hours on an early Friday afternoon. The computer prompt continuously put me on hold for long wait times and I had customers trying to reach me so I had to hang up.
Finally, on the third call I waited approx. 6 minutes (the shortest on-hold time period) for a sales representative and I ended up in an overseas call center. Though the woman was pleasant, she spoke English with a heavy accent. I inquired about speaking with a sales rep to discuss the packages and prices. She seem trained only to push and schedule demos of their product. Today being Friday, she stated that they were booked until the following Tuesday. I said that was not acceptable that I did not want to wait for a demo and wanted to speak with a sales rep about packages and how fast I could get a website operational. She finally relented and said a representative was going to contact me within several hours!
I then received a call later from an overseas representative who handles the demos who too spoke English with a fairly heavy accent. I inquired if Placester has a US Support center because each state in America has different laws regarding real estate advertising and specific requirements as to what must be visible on the home pages as well as all footers. She did not answer the question, instead informing that Placester is worldwide and the owner is a real estate broker. Moving on, I asked questions about starting with the DIY version to get my website up and running ASAP while I wait to get an appointment with a developer for the DIFM Option of a Custom website.
Above in your review you state "Click the button below to answer a few quick questions and get your custom site within 48 hours!". I asked her how long would it take to have my custom website created after I sign up and she stated 4 weeks. It may sound like semantics and you were referring to the DIY product but FYI, after you finally get an appointment with a designer it will take 4 weeks to create, not 48 hours.
Lastly, two other points to make. Placester charges $25 monthly for integrated IDX links or $300 annually on top of the subscription price. I have been in real estate for several decades and this charge was new to me. Usually, the MLS will charge for an active IDX link to be used but not the website builder. She claimed that it was a fee for the tech support to monitor the IDX link. I asked why since tech-support cannot change anything on our IDX link generated and serviced by our MLS. It was then the representative stated that she did not believe that Placester was a good fit for me because I was questioning their $300 charge for the IDX link!!!!!
I also wanted to confirm about upgrading or downgrading my plan with no penalties in which she stated that I could not downgrade if I paid annually. I informed her that the FAQ section on the company website states that I can and she stated that she would have to look at that but it was not correct. Overall, a very bad experience indeed. Disappointed because of several issues particularly both times I spoke with reps they were overseas -- I need a US based Support Call Center -- and the other was the poor customer service experience and the additional $300 charge for nothing. None of the previous all-in-one marketing platforms have charged that.
By: Kate Evans
In reply to <a href="https://theclose.com/best-real-estate-website-builders/comment-page-6/#comment-439809">Chris</a>.
Hi Chris - I hear you! Take a look at Squarespace - if you have the time to play around with it and build it out to be what you want, the price is right!
By: Kate Evans
In reply to <a href="https://theclose.com/best-real-estate-website-builders/comment-page-7/#comment-440119">Tom</a>.
Hi Tom - great question - I like AgentFire and they've appeared on this list and could again - I've seen some great innovation and beautiful design coming from AgentFire. we are always evaluating and updating - Watch this space!
By: Tom
What about AgentFire?
By: Judy Michaelis
Such a great resource, thank you Chris! Squarespace is my website builder; I love the ease of use, and the ability to customize my design around my brand — just like the article articulated. I’m looking for pointers to both update my site and make it more efficient. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks TC community :)
https://www.judymichaelis.com/
By: Chris
It would be nice to have a webesite builder, but cant afford since i'm just starting and haven't earned any money yet.
The new guy needs freebees to help get started.
By: Kell
In reply to <a href="https://theclose.com/best-real-estate-website-builders/comment-page-5/#comment-323884">Chris Linsell</a>.
Would love to know your answer here Chris. 2-5 agents, need a beautiful, user friendly site that clients want to utilize. Capture capabilities, multiple landing pages, etc.
By: Sako
yes