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Real Estate Website Best Practices

By
Real Estate Technology with IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM

Nearly 90% of home buyers search online during the home buying process. Not only are they using the internet for their next home, but to find a REALTOR® who has experience buying or selling their particular type of home. Many real estate agents understand that having a strong web presence is important, but don’t often know where to start.

Here are the top 5 elements to consider when building out your real estate website:

 1. Consider your brand. A website often serves as a visual representation of your brand, so be mindful of the voice, tone and images you elect. For example, if you specialize in selling modestly priced homes in a modestly priced area, your homepage image should reflect this. In other words, don’t show pictures of flashy, urban condos if you’re primarily focused on buying and selling in a suburban setting.

2. Make sure it’s user-friendly. It’s not enough to just have a website—you need to have a website that is informative, easy to navigate and friendly to both buyers and sellers. Consider what function you want your website to serve. What information do you want visitors to absorb when they come to your website and what’s the fastest way to get them there?

3. Create clear CTAs and contact opportunities. For many real estate agents, their website serves as a form of lead generation. In this case, it’s vital to have clear Calls to Action (CTAs), as well as contact information right on the homepage. Adding a contact form to your site can also help you capture new leads. When that lead form is connected to a real estate CRM such as IXACT Contact, they can automatically be added to a drip marketing campaign that ensures you’re connecting with them as swiftly as possible.

4. Provide IDX search capabilities. Having the ability to let users search listings in their area right from your website is a key functionality that cannot only help boost engagement on your site, but keep them coming back.

5. Consider the mobile user. Many popular real estate websites provide mobile friendly sites, as well as easy to navigate apps for both tablets and smartphones. If your potential buyer or seller is already on a mobile device, it’s important to make sure that your website is easy for them to view and navigate. Opt for a responsive design website which automatically adjusts scale and navigation based on the type and size of the user’s device.

Your website can also be a place for buyers and sellers to get vital information and establish yourself as an expert in your field. Provide helpful resources, such as links to local government agencies or tips and tricks for finding a new home. Your site should contain content that is not only useful, but shareable, meaning visitors are inclined to share what they found on your site via social media or email.

Once your website is ready, make sure you update your other marketing materials to match it. With a Realtor CRM such as IXACT Contact, it’s easy to customize the look and feel of promotional materials such as emails and e-newsletters.

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Comments (5)

June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

These are some excellent tips.  Thanks for sharing. 

Oct 14, 2014 01:39 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Great advice for anyone with a website. An easy IDX search, as well as mobile options are critical.

Oct 14, 2014 02:06 AM
Rich Gaasenbeek
IXACT Contact Real Estate CRM - Toronto, ON
Real Estate CRM & Marketing Made Easy!

June & Troy: Glad you found these tipes helpful!

Oct 14, 2014 03:03 AM
Chris Webb
Nova Home Loans - Tucson, AZ
Tucson's Social Media Expert

Clear CTA's are such a great point! 

Oct 14, 2014 06:19 AM
Ann Marie Clements
Remax Realty Group - Gaithersburg, MD
Montgomery County & Frederick County

Good Tips! I signed up for a new website through Market Leader on Friday. I hope I made the right decision, not sure now.

 

 

Oct 17, 2014 10:04 PM