How to Build a Real Estate Website
There are various factors involved in the building of a real estate website. What is your role in the industry? Are you an agent, a broker, a designer/developer or some other contributor? Research has revealed that 72% of brokers and agents operate a real estate website while 79% of brokers and manages have a company website.
To successfully build a real-estate website, you need to perform your research and choose a unique domain name. Thereafter, you need to optimize your domain name for local research on search engines. Your domain name must be as short and precise as possible, this will make it easy to be recalled by customers.
The importance of this is underscored by the fact that searches starting with local search terms accounts for about 70% of people who take action on real estate sites, while 52% of actions taken by searchers come directly from local searches.
The next step is to choose a design solution. It is cheaper to use a design based on an existing template. Your site will be up and running in no time as compared to developing a unique site, tailored to meet your specification. This takes longer time and requires more investments. It is recommended to start with a template, then hire the services of a web designer to customize it.
Web Page Features and Positioning of Links
The positioning of icons is critical as it affects the conversion rate of potential customers. The header matters a lot. It should contain your logo, navigation links and social media icons. Slide shows can be included to improve aesthetics, while the slide bar should be stocked with recent posts. This shows that your web page is always updated. There should be a section for featured properties as this will capture the attention of your clients.
The importance of testimonials cannot be overlooked. Its power must be leveraged upon as it shows the user that you render excellent services. Close to the testimonial section should be the contact widget that enables potential customers contact you with ease if there is any inquiry to be made.
At the bottom of the page, there should be navigation links, email address, a functional phone number and an address. These will assist the customers take appropriate actions.
Optimization for Mobile Site
With the advent of mobile devices like the Android tablets, it will be of immense benefit to your business if your website is compatible with mobile device. A study in 2004 showed that traffic on mobile sites exceeded that on desktop sites. This is obvious from the fact that well over 62% of individuals sleep with their mobile devices next to their beds, while 77% of search on mobile devices takes place at home or at work. This is a pointer to the fact that mobile users are three times more likely to contact a real estate professional.
There are various approaches to this concept. With respect to a mobile website, you can concentrate on mobile applications or mobile websites only. This requires a separate build entirely. Alternatively, a responsive design may be preferred as the website automatically adjusts to difference in screen sizes, affording your visitors a great experiences over a variety of devices.
What Are Your IDX Options?
Real Estate Transaction Standard (RETS) – With respect to Real Estate Transaction Standards (RETS), you have more SEO benefits and more customisation. It is easier to use as a result of MLS coverage and Current standards with 80%. Updates are frequent.
IFrame – This is an obsolete technology as it is embedded with HTMS elements. There are updated listings and no search engine optimization benefits since there is no data exchange between your MLS and your site. There is limited customization.
File Transfer Protocol – This is also an obsolete technology with no set FTP standards among MLSs. As compared to RETS, the updates are less but there is better benefits with respect to SEO and more customization with respect to iframe.
Choosing An IDX Provider
Internet Data Exchange (IDX) is basically the exchange of data between a multiple listing service (MLS) and a website. It is a technology use to achieve data exchange. Before choosing an IDX provider, you should be sure of the following:
• Does the provider cover the fee for the integration?
• Are unique and index able pages created for each property listing?
The above has the potential of generating more traffic to your site, quality content is also key to traffic generation.
Creating Your Permanent Pages
Your page should contain key features.
• The Blog – This is an interactive forum where customers discuss and exchange ideas.
• Services Offered – This is where you tell visitors services you offer.
• About Us – This is where you give details about your business and what you do.
The blog is an important aspect of your website as about 70% of internet users read blogs. When your blog is active, you attract much more visitors as it has the potential of increasing the growth of your business by 126%.
When posting on blogs, post contents that add value to your clients and answer the questions that your customers are asking. You could use a calendar to make sure that you post contents at regular intervals.
Finally, your real estate website should be re – evaluated on a regular basis. It should not be static. Remain up to date with modern trends and technology, this will maximize the impact of your online marketing strategies.
Although millions of people visit Brandon's blog each month, his path to success was not easy. Go here to read his incredible story, "From Disabled and $500k in Debt to a Pro Blogger with 5 Million Monthly Visitors." If you want to send Brandon a quick message, then visit his contact page here.