Real estate websites are a need of the hour. The statistics show that 97% of buyers use the Internet when searching for a house. 51% of respondents bought a home they found online.
And this is not surprising because today, real estate websites provide an easy way to search and find the best property in buyers’ budgets.
In the meantime, realtors and real estate companies are also moving online. About 69% of them already have a website, while another 10% plan to have one in the future.
In this article, we will focus on how to create a real estate website and discuss the key features every website must have in 2022.
1. Lots of Quality Property Photos
In the world of real estate, quality images are essential to selling a property. 89% of buyers place the highest value on photos.
Source: Real Estate in a Digital Age
Photos can be a great tool for real estate agents and brokers to get their listings noticed by the public. They can also help buyers visualize what their new home will look like before they make an offer on it.
The design should be aesthetically pleasing and have good use of color to make it look modern, while also being functional.
Photos, a high-quality design, and a layout get together to create a great real estate website, allowing potential buyers to get a sense of the space and see what it would be like to live in the house.
2. Detailed and Snappy Descriptions
The first impression is always the most important. If a property doesn’t have an appealing description, it will be difficult to attract potential buyers.
A good description should be able to communicate all property’s features in just a few sentences. It needs to be clear, concise, and interesting. A well-written and detailed description helps sell a property faster than a poorly written one.
That way, visitors won’t have to spend time reading through pages and pages of text just to find out what they’re interested in.
3. Searchable Listings and Suggestions
The searchable listings allow people to find their dream home in a matter of minutes without going through all the hassle of scrolling through pages and pages of listings.
However, real estate websites are not just about displaying listings. They also provide valuable information to users and make it easy for them to find what they need.
There is a lot of data available for real estate websites. But not all of it can be displayed on the website itself. For example, a map will be shown on the website but not a list of rentals.
4. No Broken Links or Already Sold Properties
Every website should be updated with the latest information like newly listed properties.
The site shouldn’t have broken links or present already sold properties. If it has, the site should be fixed as soon as possible to avoid any confusion.
Also, it is beneficial to add a map of all the locations of the properties that are available for sale in that area or city. This will help potential home buyers find their dream house quicker and easier.
5. Customer-Centric Content
The objective of every real estate website is to provide an excellent user experience. This can only happen if there is relevant, up-to-date, and easy-to-read content that is in sync with the company’s marketing plan.
The website should also have a blog section where people can find new information about real estate trends and other related topics.
Companies should implement a strong SEO strategy to create content that caters to the needs and requirements of the target audience. The latter can help bring in more visitors by ensuring the website shows up higher on search engine results thanks to pages with relevant keywords and phrases.
6. Intuitive Navigation and Consistent Look
Navigation is one of the most important aspects of any website. It is the first thing a visitor sees, and it defines how easy it will be for them to interact with the site. The navigation should be intuitive so visitors can easily find what they are searching for.
Navigation should also be easy to use, with a consistent design and look across all pages.
The website should be responsive and user-friendly. It must look good on all devices, no matter what screen size or browser it is being used on.
7. Well-Organized and Classified Listings
When buyers decide on purchasing a new house, they want to know where everything is located, how much it costs, when it was built, and what its amenities are.
Also, they want to know if there are any homes for sale in the neighborhood or open houses in the area. A good real estate website will provide this information quickly and easily.
The listing pages should be designed so that users can easily find what they are looking for. The pages need to contain the following:
- All the relevant information about a property or building;
- Accurate descriptions;
- Current prices;
- Images and videos;
- Maps with location details;
- Interactive 3D tour;
- Contact information of the seller or landlord.
8. Authoritativeness and Expertise
Two of the most important aspects of selling a property are authority and expertise. The website is the most effective tool for engaging with potential buyers. So it needs to be able to capture their attention and interest with the right tone.
In this respect, a professional copywriter can create persuasive copy that will bring in visitors and convert them into customers. They will help you establish your credibility as an expert in your field, which is crucial for attracting clients.
Conclusion
The Internet is a vast place. And with so many websites out there, it can be hard to find your way around. But when creating a real estate website with the right features, you increase your chances of winning the competition.