Is there a big difference between IDX and VOW other than the price?

I'd think VOW would be better, as it requires a password (so you can capture all of the people that search from the site). Registration also has a negative effect, where a person may go to someone where they can search without registering.

However, an IDX website may not be ALL of the ACTIVE props on the MLS and is 1/2 of the VOW price.

Do you have an MLS search on your website? Your opinions please.

Thanks.

I think IDX does the trick, just add a lead capture form on top of your IDX solution and you'll get the same results, if not better.

The ones that I've seen - VOWs have more features as far as backend goes. Very often it is flexible where you want to set up the registration form. For example I set it up to require regisration when you want to see property details, but you can search and see limited information without registration. Limited info includes price, beds, baths, one picture and partial address.
I'm going with VOW because it keeps track of all my subscribers, their searches, lets them save their favorite properties and sends them emails every time there is a new property in the MLS that matches their criteria. Some of the VOWs are more featured than enothers.

VOWs have a place but when you go with one you are tied into that particular proprietary solution and paying much for the privilege. Pretty much all the advantages you give for VOWs are out of the box with open-realty and what isn't can easily be programmed in. Yes, most likely will have to pay for customization but there are literally over a 100 programmers who will gladly compete for your business and you only need to pay once. How much will a VOW provider change for a small modification?

It depends whom you're working with. There are some providers that will send you a check for giving them ideas on improvement of their software or at least give you a credit within their service. Some, won't move their finger even if you pay top $ for their service - I had both experiences. I have two VOW right now on my sites - one is $350 a month and another one is $350 a year. I'm getting rid of the first one probably next month - needed time to make sure I'm not losing quality over the price. BTW second company does much better job and I did receive a check, a gift card and a few credits from them just for testing their product and helping to improve it by suggesting changes. So, I would say it definitely depends..

I have open-realty installed on my testing server - looks pretty good, but I don't know who are our opponents and if they have any programming skills whatsoever. Also, I never tried downloading from MLS myself and importing into a database, so I only can assume what kind of difficulties it may involve.

We have both on our sites. you can register and keep track of everything, ex save searches, things like that. But we also have IDX.

Our main site is http://www.RealtySouth.com but I am also at www.chriswlee.com.

The link is not working and realtysouth.com crashes FireFox.

$350/yr is a reasonable fee. Most VOWs I have looked at charge $250+ for the setup and a monthly or yearly fee. $350/month is a rip off.

The main reasons I advocate for open-realty are: it is open source, the front-end is css/xhtml compliant, it allows an agent or broker to obtain a web presence quickly and inexpensively and it has two built in visual editors. You don't need to use all the features but it is nice to know they are there for when you will need them. An integrated IDX is a custom add-on. A programmer would typically charge $400-$600 perhaps more depending on the programmer, but it is a one time fee and you own the data.

Sorry about that got a . in the link. I am not sure why RealtySouth would crash foxfire. never has done it to me.

"Is there a big difference between IDX and VOW other than the price?"

The differences are subtle as far as MLS listings go... but just look at what they really are:

IDX: Internet Data Exchange

VOW: Virtual Office Website

Both are solutions to the law of Broker Reciprocity that was mandated by the National Association of REALTORS® on January 1, 2002. Broker Reciprocity is a broker-to-broker program whereby every MLS must allow its broker members to display the listings of other broker members on their web sites, with the exception of any other brokers that may have chosen not to participate in the program.

One is an "office" solution, and the other is really just an exchange or access to the data deemed okay to be viewed by the public. Each solution has subtle differences on how brokers can opt-out, or opt-in, or exclude one brokers listings from appearing on their websites.

But to the end Realtor, do you need a virtual office website? Do you need the abilities to track and manage the leads on your website? If you have a package on your PC (like TopProducer or many others), you don't need VOW. Just put a registration form on your IDX and you'll get the lead capturing benefits of VOW without the expense, and you won't be tied to any one provider.