What Attracts Users To Popular Real Estate Websites?

Real Estate websites are basically a dime a dozen now-a-days. Everyone has one...some work, some don't.  Some constantly strive to improve their site, to reach the goal of gaining more business, and some have them simply to tell clients they have one or to say they have a web presence.

You may have a great website, but not necessarily great traffic to your site or many leads from your site.  The question of 2008 is "What brings the users to large site such as realtor.com, realestate.yahoo.com, redfin.com, zillow.com, realestate.com and those of the similar?"

You may say that the main reason is because of their large name presence, BUT all of these companies and websites had to start from somewhere!  A few years ago zillow, redfin, realestate.com, etc. didn't exist on the net.  What attracts users and keeps users on their websites?

Take a look at each of these websites, open each in a new tab in firefox or internet explorer, so that it's easier to view all with a click of a button.  I'm looking at nine sites now, and here is what I see that all have in common:  Each has a search feature directly on the main page, they each has soft easy on the eyes colors (except remax.com), most have real estate news snippets, and easy to find eye popping buttons taking you to buyers tools, sellers tools, etc.   

Digging deeper you'll see that the website is not all about "me, me & me"  it is setup like a business should be, providing the product/service in a professional manner, including a professional design to meet their specific needs, and the needs of their target client.  There are ways for you to contact them or the listing agent, however they are subtle...every site has a "not in your face" approach, which is what the client is looking for, they like anonymity, and they don't want to be harassed to contact you - such as being prompted for registration to view homes.

The website provides the client with everything they need, in an easy to read and use format, the client can do the proper research they need right from that website.  When designed, the website owners & designers made it so that everything needed is on that website, keeping users put! 

When you are trying to jazz up your website, or figure out why your site isn't bringing in clients or traffic, you need to evaluate what works for the popular websites - including the major national sites as mentioned above, but you also need to look at your local real estate web leaders. What makes their sites shine, why do people talk a lot about their sites, etc. etc. Look at this website we've recently finished, look how the colors flow, and are easy on the eye, everything is in a easy to find manner, and the home search, contact, and listings are right at your fingertips.   Take a look at your website, and compare each feature to your competitors-see what you can improve on.

If you are in the market for a new website, do your research, most canned websites won't give you the easy to use features of the national sites or that a custom site can provide you with.  Talk with a web developer about what you want, need, as well as what you would like to have.  A designer takes all of the above mentioned items (and more) into consideration when building a website, website colors for example, can give a different effect upon users, depending on where your business is.  For example, a real estate website in the cold, wintery, snowy climates usually or should have warm color patterns, and feature local pictures (you're not going to have palm tree lined street pictures for a house in upstate New York)  however, template websites this is something you will have to deal with.  Same goes with a Miami real estate site....you will want light airy colors in your website.  This is just one example of what needs to be taken into consideration.

Closing Thought:  Don't pick a website based on initial cost, remember most designers will work with you on payments, and also remember that you are purchasing the website to help make you money!  Why throw money away month after month for something that doesn't have the features you need or for something that is exactly like everyone else's.  To be successful, you need to stand out from the crowd, bring value to your potential clients, that will help them choose you over your competitor!

Budget minded?  View my 1/6/2008 blog on Marketing budgets, and take the RAMP UP CHALLENGE ‘08

Best of Success in 2008

David Fox
The Real Estate Tech Desk
"Technology & Marketing Solutions for Real Estate"
410-274-4871
http://www.defpc.net/