KW Advanced Agent Website Training:

Creating Custom IDX URLs, adding hyperlinks and more.

Topics to be Covered

• How to create a custom search string to link users to a preset list of property results.

• How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

• How to embed videos from Youtube.com

• Adding widgets to your website using embeddable code.

How to create a custom search string to link users to a preset list of property results.

• Using a custom IDX URL to link your customers and clients to a preset page of results can help to improve the popularity of your website.

• A strong call to action can be used to gain the attention of Google while providing a quick way for users to access information on homes that meet certain criteria.

• Wolfnet has made it easy to create some search options in your BackOffice.

• More advanced techniques can be applied to the Wolfnet IDX URL to build results based on a wider variety of criteria.

Use the Wolfnet BackOffice to Generate Custom URLs

• 1.) Login to your WNT BackOffice and go to “URL Search Builder.”

Click here to begin creating simple URLs

Use the Wolfnet BackOffice to Generate Custom URLs• 2.) Enter your criteria and notice the URL changing at the top of the page.

Entering “townhome” for theProperty-type will add the

Command “&townhouse=Y”to the IDX URL.

This will apply for eachof these criteria and

combinations of criteria.

This URL can be copiedand pasted to your

website.

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOffice

• The URL builder available in the Wolfnet BackOffice will not provide all of the possible criteria for custom search results.

• You can create your own custom IDX URL as long as your MLS sends this data to Wolfnet. Many MLSs do not provide all data types, so please keep this in mind when creating your own custom URLs.

*Tip: Before creating your own search, go to your IDX search page on your website and perform the search that you want to create a URL for. For example, all homes in Austin, TX priced between $250k and $350k with a pool.

Make note of the amount of properties that come up and the first few listings. This will be helpful in determining whether or not the URL you have created is correct. It can also help you to see whether or not there are currently any listings that meet these criteria.

• Open a MS Word Doc to create and store your custom URLs.

Making note of the totalamount of properties

that meet these criteriawill help to confirm that

your URLset up correctly.

Use the IDX search page to view homes that meet the criteria you want in your custom search.

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOffice

The basic format of the IDX URL search is:

http://www.mlsfinder.com/MLS/agentname/index.cfm?action=newsearchsession&search_field=search_criteria

Where:

www.mlsfinder.com/MLS/agentname/index.cfm is the default format of your IDX URL.

action=newsearchsession&search_field= is the command that prompts the type of search you are doing. This tells your browser and Wolfnet’s system that you are wanting the most current results each time this link is accessed.

search_criteria is the specific criteria you are isolating for your custom search.

• To see this in action, look at the example of Austin, TX homes, $250k to $350k with a pool.

http://www.mlsfinder.com/tx_actris/kw_1/index.cfm?action=newsearchsession&min_price=250000&max_price=350000&has_pool=y

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOffice

Results for

http://www.mlsfinder.com/tx_actris/kw_1/index.cfm?action=newsearchsession&min_price=250000&max_price=350000&has_pool=y

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOffice Below you will find a list of common MLS search options

• built_after=year• built_before= year• city= city_name• commercial=Y/N• commercial=Y&condo_townhouse=Y/N• duplex=Y/N• farm_hobby=Y/N• has_family_room=Y/N• has_fireplace=Y/N• has_garage=Y/N• has_golf=Y/N• has_lakefront=Y/N• has_waterfront=Y/N• lots_acreage=Y/N• max_price=dollar amount• min_price=dollar amount• min_acres=number of acres• min_bathrooms=numerical value• min_square_feet=numerical value• multi_family=Y/N• single_family=Y/N• address=street address• zip_code=zip code• property_id=ip of property based on the wolfnet listing. This is

the MLS number which usually has a 3 digit MLS code preceding it. YOu can get this code by hovering the mouse cursor over the listing on your website.

• state=state abreviation (ex: sc)• office_only=Y/N• agent_only=Y/N

• STATE=• BUILT_BEFORE=• BUILT_AFTER=• COUNTY=• CITY=• MAX_PRICE=• MIN_ACRES=• MIN_BATHROOMS=• MIN_BEDROOMS=• MIN_PRICE=• MAX_BATHROOMS=• MAX_BEDROOMS=• MIN_SQUARE_FEET=• LISTING_STATUS=• ADDRESS=• ZIP_CODE=• PROPERTY_ID=• SUBDIVISION_TEXT= (also works for neighborhood)• SUBDIVISION= (also works for neighborhood)• AREA_NAME=• AREA_INT=• SCHOOL_DISTRICT_NAME=• STYLE=• GARAGE_SPACES=• LAKE_NAME=• TOWNSHIP=

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOfficeList of common MLS search options continued

Additional Keywords:

• Property Types:• SINGLE_FAMILY=Y• LOTS_ACREAGE=Y• DUPLEX=Y• CONDO_TOWNHOUSE=Y• FARM_HOBBY=Y• CONDO=Y• TOWNHOUSE=Y• MULTI_FAMILY=Y• COMMERCIAL=Y• RESIDENTIAL_LEASE=Y• RETAIL_STORE=Y• INDUSTRIAL=Y (works for Industrial and Project Under

Development)• LOFT=Y• MOBILE_HOME=Y (works for Manufactured and Mobile Home)• COMMERCIAL_LEASE=Y• HALF_DUPLEX=Y• SINGLE_FAMILY_DETACHED=Y• INVESTMENT=Y• BUSINESS_WITH_REAL_ESTATE=Y• MIXED_USE=Y• PROPERTY_TYPE=unit/flat• PROPERTY_TYPE=twin/semi-detached• PROPERTY_TYPE=row/twnhs/cluster• PROPERTY_TYPE=stock%20cooperative• PROPERTY_TYPE=2%20unites• PROPERTY_TYPE=loft%20condominium• PROPERTY_TYPE=tenancy%20in%20common• PROPERTY_TYPE=one%20story

Amenities:

• HAS_FAMILY_ROOM=Y• HAS_FIREPLACE=Y• HAS_GARAGE=Y• HAS_GOLF=Y• HAS_LAKEFRONT=Y• HAS_WATERFRONT=Y• HAS_POOL=Y• HAS_BASEMENT=Y• PROPERTY_VIEW=Y• HAS_OPEN_HOUSE=Y

Generate Custom Wolfnet URLs without using the BackOffice

Important things to remember:

1.) The criteria being used will only work if Wolfnet is receiving this info from your MLS.

2.) The final total properties displayed may be slightly more than with your test search. This is typically due to the use of MapTracks, which allows you to set a default starting point for your territory, while the custom URL will bypass any settings you have enabled on your IDX and pull all listings from your MLS that meet these criteria.

3.) For city names or any other criteria that you enter which include more than one word, you will want to place “%20” between each word.

For example, New York would be displayed as &state=New%20York.

4.) Use the MS Word Document to save your URLs. This can save you time in the long run, should you need to restore a URL or if you would like to build off of an existing URL.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

In-text hyperlinking

• Whether you want to provide a quickly accessed email address, a link to more information on a specific neighborhood or to your property search, adding links in your text can provide a quick and helpful way to link visitors to a wide array of information.

• Your KW website admin tool gives you the ability to add these links quickly and conveniently, using the features of your HTML based page editor.

• When combined with a signaling phrase, hyperlinks can help Google judge the relevancy of your site based on the terms used in the phrase and where the link leads.

---For example, Los Angeles Homes Search, with a link to a list of homes or an IDX search can be used by Google to verify that your site should be returned when ever someone searches for these terms.

Adding hyperlinks to your eAgentC website can be done when using the steps below.

Before you begin, there are a few things that you will need;

1.) A copy of the URL that you will be using to hyperlink to.

2.) Decide if your hyperlink will be placed behind a word or phrase within the content of your page or if the hyperlink will be placed behind a graphic or photo.       3.) If you will be placing your hyperlink behind an image, then please be sure that the image is has already been uploaded to your website's photo library, (section1.3 of the website admin tool), and can be easily accessed.

You will want to make a note of the file location for the photo prior to uploading it to the KW Agent Website Admin Tool.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

In-text hyperlinking

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

In-text hyperlinking

To place a hyperlink within text on your website:

1.) Locate the word/s or phrase where the hyperlink will be placed.

2.) Highlight the text and then use the "insert/edit hyperlink“ button on the page editor.

3.) When the hyperlink box opens, simply enter the URL for the page you are linking to. 

4.) Use the "target" tab to set the hyperlink to open within the same page, new window, etc...

This will work for any page within your KW agent website or any other external website.

***NOTE: you can also use this method to insert any email address by selecting the appropriate link type.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphicsIn-text hyperlinking

1.) Locate the word/s or phrase where the hyperlink will be placed.

2.) Highlight the text and then use the "insert/edit hyperlink“ button to enter the URL.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphicsIn-text hyperlinking

3.) When the hyperlink box opens, simply enter the URL for the page or email address that you are linking to. 

*Use this drop-down menu to select the link type.

4.) Use the "target" tab to set the hyperlink to open within the same page, new window, etc...

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

Using Graphics

To place a hyperlink behind an image on your website:

1.) Insert the image where the hyperlink will be placed.

2.) Highlight the image and then use the "insert/edit hyperlink“ button on the page editor.

3.) When the hyperlink box opens, simply enter the URL for the page you are linking to. 

4.) Use the "target" tab to set the hyperlink to open within the same page, new window, etc...

This will work for any page within your KW agent website or any other external website.

***NOTE: you can also use this method to insert any email address by selecting the appropriate link type.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

Using Graphics

Click the insert/edit image button to begin.

Click “Browse Server” to search for a photo from your website’s photo library.

Click “OK” to proceed.

How to create a hyperlink using text or graphics

Using Graphics

1.) Once your image appears in the page editor, place it where you like, then click on the image so that it is highlighted

2.) From here, repeat the steps of adding a hyperlink with text.

3.) Click “Save.”Then preview your site to confirm that the link goes where you intended.

How to embed videos from Youtube.com

• To embed a streaming video to your website:

• 1. Upload your video to http://youtube.com/.

• 2. On YouTube, you’ll see that the code is available in the “Embed” field. Highlight the embed code and then right-click to copy it.

• 3. Log in to your website admin tool and locate or create the page where you want to embed the video.

• 4. Click the "source" button on the toolbar of the text editor and you’ll see the source code that already exists for that page.

• 5. Put your cursor within the code in the location on the page that you'll want this video to display, right-click and choose “paste”.

• 6. Click the save button and preview your site.

How to embed videos from Youtube.com

On YouTube, you’ll see that code clearly available in the “Embed” field. Copy that code to the Windows clipboard or an MS Word page.

Click here to customize the appearance of the video player. Select the color scheme and player size. Also note the additional settings.

Embed code will look similar to this:

<object width="640" height="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6O-UFD5q-HI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6O-UFD5q-HI&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object>

How to embed videos from Youtube.com

1.) Click the "source" button on the toolbar of the text editor. 2.) Put your cursor within the code in the location on the page that you'll want this video to display. 3.) Right-click and choose “paste”.

4.) Click the save button and preview your site.

Adding widgets to your website using embeddable code.Steps on adding HTML Code/Widgets to Your eAgentC Website –

– The Widget must provide you with html code to embed into your website. Find and copy the code. Depending on the site, it may be called HTML, Source Code, Embed Code or something similar.

– Go to the desired step on the agent website admin tool with the text editor that you intend to embed the code to, (step 3.7 to add a new page specifically for that widget).

– HINT – (not necessary) – type a word into the text editor before you begin as a place marker and hit save (example: type 'Place Widget Here', so when you click 'Source' you can easily find it)

– To add the code: Click the Source button on the toolbar. Place your cursor in the desired spot and paste the code– if you typed the place marker word, hit Ctrl+F to find the word – highlight the word and paste the code over it.

– Click Source again, you widget should appear.

– Save your changes and make sure it is placed correctly on your website. HINT - it may help to create a table to keep the widget it its desired location on the page.

Thank you for joining us!

We hope you have enjoyed this training.

• A brief survey will be sent out shortly after today’s webinar. Please take this opportunity to share your thoughts about this webinar.

Your feedback is welcomed and is used to gauge the success of these webinars.

• For general info about the information covered today, please visit KW Support’s searchable support site, http://answers.kw.com.

• If you have specific questions related to today’s webinar, please send them to Support@kw.com, Attn: Colin Chisholm.

• Thanks again for joining us!

KW Avanced Agent Website Training:

This concludes“Creating Custom IDX URLs, adding hyperlinks and more.”