I was asked for a “key component” comparison between Point2 Agent and Ultra Agent – just thought I’d share…
CUSTOMIZATION –
Point2 Agent – With Point2 you really don’t have a choice of “modern” themes, they’re all outdated and you’re “forced” to customize or hire a designer if you’re unable to customize your own site. Limitless customization is becoming “Limited” for those who use stylesheets. We just had a client who used another designer to create a stylesheet for her website. They also included a customized “Featured Listing” area. However, since Point2 made changes to their platform, she could no longer see certain functions within her website to be able to change out the featured listings. She was stuck with 2 of the same featured listings until we got in there and broke the site down to create the customization within her content instead of a stylesheet. Keep in mind, the stylesheet “effect” is different than a stylesheet hosted elsewhere and taking over Point2′s platform for your website.
Ultra Agent – Nice modern themes, so you’re not forced to customize and can focus on SEO and site content (text and graphics) and you can send in replacement header graphics at no charge for their team to integrate for you.
LISTING DISPLAY –
Point2 Agent – Uses their network listings to display listings and for searches. For the syndication, you have to enter your listings into both your MLS and Point2 Agent – they’re 2 separate databases.
Ultra Agent – Feeds directly from your MLS listings.
BLOGGING –
Point2 Agent – Blogging platform is not very user-friendly or viewer-friendly. There’s no automatic way to get back to the website from the actual blog. Bringing in a graphic for a post requires a URL of the graphic location – it doesn’t let you search your desktop for the image. It’s still in beta.
Ultra Agent – Blogging platform on Ultra Agent coming in October 2009 – it may or may not be more user-friendly than Point2, but we’re still suggesting clients use both Active Rain and WordPress, along with whatever comes with your website.
COST –
Point2 Agent – $49.95/month for Professional level which is what you need to activate the blog and customize it beyond the template.
Ultra Agent – $24.95/month
SYNDICATION -
Great syndication for both.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
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Hi Nancy ~ I’ve been getting more frustrated with the Point2 system and it’s lack of change over the years. I do get a lot of compliments on my website (thanks to you) and I’m wondering, if I were to change platforms…will it have any negative effect on my page 1 ranking on google?
I was worried about that when I took my own site off of Point2 and just went to the free wordpress blog, even though my PageRank went to zero for about 2 weeks, I was still showing up on page 1 of Google for a lot of Point2 related searches – and still am.
Just keep in mind, if you don’t have the “syndication” resources that Point2 Agent has, then you might want to downgrade to just the standard membership level, which is now $20/mo just so you can input listings for the syndication. Then you’d be looking at probably $50/year to host a blog website anywhere!!!
You have choices…a good one is AgentPress and it only costs like $200 to have them set you all up, then if you need me to do anything beyond what they do, I’m glad to help! And you won’t have to host with GoDaddy…it can be HostGator or HostMonster (I hope I’m saying those right!)
Ultra Agent might not be for you though…since you’re really into blogging, take advantage of it. Wufoo forms can be used for your Home Evaluation request, you already have IDX for searching and showcasing listings by area, type, you name it…so you really don’t need a “platform” for agents persay.
Let me know if you need help okay?