Before we begin, it is important to note that the inclusion code for AgentAve is written in PHP.  We do not offer code for ASP.  However, if your developer is able, the code can easily by converted to ASP – it is just a small amount (10-15 lines of code) and well worth the effort.

AgentAve is an IDX solution that can be framed OR included into your website.  The benefit of including instead of framing is the content becomes PART of your website.  This is desireable because included content inherits your styling – so the listings can blend in very nicely.  In addition, you, or your web developer, can overwrite default AgentAve styling to further blend the content. Addtionally, because the content becomes part of your site, the search engines consider the content YOUR content – this is excellent for SEO!

AgentAve provides two types of content.

• Widgets – can be placed on any page.  Quick Search, Slide Shows, Search Results Lists (Such as Historic Properties in Your Town, etc – the source of these widgets is searches saved within the manager back end).
• Primary search and display.   This shows when a user clicks on Search MLS.  Is is ONE page containing code provided by AgentAve.

Getting Started

By default PHP does not allow the use of a remote URL in a require call. In order to allow this you must either edit your system php.ini file or a local copy that is specific to your web site’s files. Change this entry:

allow_url_include = On

AgentAve requires the use of sessions to help track page requests.  Therefore, your calling page should also initiate a session.  This must be done before any output to the browser.  Therefore, the first line of your page should read:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /var/www/vhosts/agentave.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/allow-php-in-posts-and-pages/allowphp.php(373) : eval()'d code on line 1

1. Create a page on your website that will be your MLS page.  (mls.php – listings.php, whatever you like).
2. In the header secion, add the following code: Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /var/www/vhosts/agentave.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/allow-php-in-posts-and-pages/allowphp.php(373) : eval()'d code on line 2
3. Within your page’s main content area, add this code:
   Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /var/www/vhosts/agentave.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/allow-php-in-posts-and-pages/allowphp.php(373) : eval()'d code on line 2
4. Next, log into your account in the AgentAve manager. click on Contact Info. Then, enter your site information at the bottom.

That’s it!  Browse to your search page and you should see a search screen.

To add the quick search widget or a slide show, enter the following code at the appropriate location within your page(s).

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /var/www/vhosts/agentave.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/allow-php-in-posts-and-pages/allowphp.php(373) : eval()'d code on line 2

Finally, to add a saved search results LIST on any page within your site, add this code:

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '<' in /var/www/vhosts/agentave.com/httpdocs/wp-content/plugins/allow-php-in-posts-and-pages/allowphp.php(373) : eval()'d code on line 2

AgentAve has developed several widgets that can be used in WordPress using short codes.  In WordPress, the difference between “widgets” and “short codes” is a widget is designed to be included in a pre defined widget area.  A short code, on the other hand, can be included with a post or page’s content.  WordPress parsed the content looking for short code and replaces the short code with the retrieved content.

Short code looks like this:  [function options]

AgentAve offers a function called “aa_list”.  It will return a search result of listings matching a predefined search (in the AgentAve manager’s screen).

Let’s say you want to create a page on your web site dedicated to a hot new neighborhood in Manchester.  Here are the steps to take.

1.  Log into the AgentAve Manager’s page.
2.  Click on Saved Searches = Create a New Search
3.  Click on Town Selections – Select Manchester
4.  Type in the Development/Neighborhood you wish to include.
5.  Select any other criteria you desire (price, etc).
6.  Save the search – note the ID

Now, log into your WordPress Dashboard and create a new page.
1.  If you wish, do a nice writeup about the development – picture and all!.
2.  Enter the short code to include the listings within the body of the page:

[ aa_showlist listid="xxx" maxrecords="50" ]  (remove the space after the [ and before the ])

where “xxx” = the search id of the saved search.
3. Save the page.

Now, when users visit the new page, they will see your write up and any listings from the saved search.  This list is Live and dynamic.

Here is an example page

I have been developing and maintaining web sites for fifteen years.  Although I have always striven to provide clean – maintainable – websites, I find, when I look at some of the old code, I have not done as well as I had hoped.  Not that I’m bad – it’s just that times and standards change.

A couple of years ago, I jumped on the Joomla! bandwagon.  Joomla! is a website content management system that is a complete package.   The one MAJOR drawback, I found, is it can be extremely complicated.  My average customer would be overwhelmed, period.

A few months ago, I finally took a look at WordPress.  All I can say is “wow!”.  I know it is intended to be “blogging” software, BUT, it just happens to serve very nicely as a content manager!  AND (and this is a BIG and), it is simple to use!

Another big plus is the support.  Finally, no site owner needs to be reliant on his/her developer.  There are literally millions of free and/or for profit “themes” available.  Because WordPress separates the “look” (or theme) from the “content”, CHANGING the look of your site simply entails acquiring and changing the theme.

Finally, WordPress is such a standard that it is supported on most any web host.    So one can MOVE a site to another host with very little effort, as well.

 

 

We are pleased to announce the long awaited AgentAve IDX plugin for WordPress!

WordPress is THE blogging platform for the web. But did you know it is also an excellent content management system for your website? With unlimited free and for profit WordPress Themes available on the web, it gives the site owner the power to easily maintain and enhance is web site.

One of the many benefits of maintaining your website with WordPress is the availability of WordPress plugins and widgets. These little programs bring it all together and provide all the functionality your site may need.

The AgentAve plugin for WordPress is one of these programs. Simply add the plugin to your WordPress Dashboard and create a page that will display the mls search and you’re ready to go!

Get the AgentAve-WP Plugin Here