Sign ups happen after 3 searches. They are generally quality and many give their phone number.

The only way to decide whether to force registration is to test it. Go back and forth a few times with it on and off and see what works for you. Give it at least a couple of weeks each way. Each market is going to be different, so test yours.

I have found that I get substantially more leads with forced registration with no diminishing in the quality of the leads, if they are serious buyers then the leads will be quality. Looky loos go away, real buyers stay. You can also factor this in to your test, afterall, why base such a monumental decision on feelings and assumptions. I have had 18 registrations this month so far and 2 of them had fake emails. I have had 25 people log in to their accounts, that I made them create, and look at listings so far this month.

Have a button to your idx on every page on your site along with some menu links to the idx. Make up a nice looking button and put it everywhere. Don't make them look for it and they won't give up trying.

Have your sign up form on every page where it looks good. The one page you don't put it on will be the page someone lands on.

Let the website visitor have unlimited number of searches.

However, you can limit the level of access. Simply to make them understand, for you this is a business not a hobby.

To create quality leads, structure escalation into the 'touch' system.

Escalate your value proposition. Pause a moment. If you are thinking I said offer a FREE CMA or Neighborhood Report you would be mistaken. Those are SOO FREEE they have no value.

What of value have YOU CREATED? Let's start with the easy stuff for the first escalation.

How about your 79 page Illinois Home Buyer Guide that covers the evaluation to what to look for when in the home and those pesky HOA rules and fees. (no bite, continue)

Second escalation is acknowledging they are seeing all the good stuff gone before they have a chance to see it. Offer to enroll them in your First Look plan exclusive to SERIOUS and INFORMED buyers ONLY. SURPRISE, they qualify but they have to CALL. No bite, continue...

Third escalation confirm they can not obtain a valid house value using online resources that rely on big data. You've got an app for that called CIS Score. Give me a call. No bite...continue

Fourth and final escalation. "Bob purchased last week and opened a position in the BUYER ELITE PLAN. Call me by xxPM to keep this spot saved."

No bite,  rinse and repeat but do not repeat #4.

No, I don't

No, I don't

I should work on this.

We do not force sign-up. Nothing will drive off a prospect quicker than trying to force them to divulge information others offering the same information and access do not.

I have never required registration. Many will just go to another website when registration is required.

parked and reading

Good morning Molly. I do not require folks to sign in, just some basic info like name, phone number or email address. From there it is up to me.

 I have an I am constantly tweaking.

I don't force sign ups. 

Molly Heyen I should get better at that....right now, there's nothing on my site to capture the lead....

Figuring out who your avatar is and then using keywords they would enter in the search bars works best for me.

I don't have a forced sign in on my own site.  When I am facing a forced sign in, I leave the site, no matter what they're selling.

Landing pages have helped greatly.

Way too many agents focus on the product and not the person. Focus on the person and they'll gladly give you as much information as you desire. Once you have that, then you can focus on matching them with the product that will best fit their persona.

Molly,

When someone forces sign ups, I click away.  All real estate agent have the same information.  I think David Barr has given you some good advice.  A

Let them approach you. To intimidating.....

All listings are available online, mobile devices....

I do not force sign up.  I'm reworking my websites ... many new changes in store.  Focus in on engaging ... and connecting with readers.