When it comes to your real estate website, consumers come there in hopes of finding 5 primary tools and pieces of information when they are researching to buy or sell a home. The question is, does your real estate website and it's design easily provide the tools and information they are looking for?
Yes - Other Posts Have Been Written...
While I really like the post Leesa wrote on the "Top 8 Things Consumers Want From a Real Estate Website", I suggest we take a step back and drill down to the real heart of the matter. Why do consumers come to your website? Below are the 5 tools and high-value content that every real estate website (and it's design) should address.
1. I Want to Search for Homes - ALL the Homes!
I suggest you answer that question by providing a large, easy to find feature graphic that says Search ALL Homes for Sale in (insert your area) HERE! Your large search graphic should be linked to your property search tool. Offering a large graphic along with answering this question "Can I Search For Every Home For Sale in the Area On Your Site?" in the affirmative positions you as the "FREE giver" of all the home data and not be seen as a "gatekeeper" of information.
2. How is The Market?
It's the same question REALTORS hear your friends and acquaintances everyday. When asked that question, that's your opportunity to say; " If you are a Raleigh homebuyer, we have tons of inventory and the market is in your favor! In fact, inventory year over year is up xx%, blah, blah blah." If your website fails to address this burning question, you're missing a great opportunity to be seen as the local area expert and connect with your prospects. If you want, you can even buy the data from vendors like Altos Research and Top Producer.
3. How Much is My Home Worth?
It's the #1 reason why home sellers come to real estate websites. It's to determine the value of their home. Does your homepage offer a large feature graphic directing potential sellers to easily find and click to request a CMA? It better if you want your site to "work".
4. Hyper-local Content Rules!
Here is where I think Leesa nailed it! Her list of hyper-local focused information is spot-on. I would suggest you add the following important pieces of information to her impressive list. First, provide neighborhood information! Then on your neighborhood detail pages list the following critical pieces of high-value information:
- offer a quick search of all available homes for sale in the neighborhood (if the neighborhood is large, maybe consider offering pre-defined searches by price point like Mt. Pleasant Real Estate Pro Chuck Avera in the example below!
- min/max price structure of homes in the neighborhood
- min/max of square footage of homes in the neighborhood
- HOA information including dues, special assessments and regularly scheduled HOA meetings
- outline "ALL" the amenities in the neighborhood (walking trails, kiddie park, pool, tennis courts etc.)
5. Consumers Want to Get Between Your Ears!
When I say that I mean home buyers and sellers want to "read your blog" and get inside your head! As you all know, blogging is one of the single most effective tools you can use to help you share your local knowledge and be seen as the area expert. Consumers get to know the real you if you will let your personalty ooze out on the pages. :-)
Your Homepage Home Work!
Now go back and look at your homepage in light of this information and see if your site visitors easily find what it is they are looking for when they arrive on your real estate website!
Thanks for your generous comments!
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