Build the Best Real Estate Website for Realtors in 8 Steps

In today’s competitive real estate industry, having a strong online presence is crucial for success. As buyers and sellers increasingly turn to the Internet for their property searches, a well-designed real estate website can set you apart from the competition and help you close deals more effectively.

With the seemingly never-ending surge of real estate shows and digital platforms, there’s more interest than ever in the real estate market. Statistics indicate that over 50% of home buyers start their real estate journey online. Whether you’re a seasoned realtor or are looking to start building your own real estate business, having an optimized website is a must.

This article will serve as your comprehensive guide for creating a real estate website that not only stands out but also effectively generates leads and closes deals. From securing your domain name to optimizing for search engine results, we will walk you through each step to ensure that your estate website is a digital storefront that appeals to potential clients and transforms website visitors into loyal customers. Ready to begin? Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Secure Your Domain and Hosting

The first step in creating a real estate website is securing a memorable and relevant domain name. Your domain name is your online business identity, so it must be easy to remember and closely related to your real estate business. A carefully chosen domain name can make a strong first impression and set the tone for your entire website.

Tips for Selecting a Domain Name

When selecting a domain name for your real estate website, consider the following:

• Include Real Estate-Related Keywords: Boost your visibility in search engines by incorporating keywords such as “realtor”, “estate agent”, “property listing”, or “real estate”.
• Use Popular Domain Extensions: Choose one of the more recognized domain extensions like .com or .net to establish credibility and trust with your website visitors.
• Domain Name Generator: If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, use a domain name generator to brainstorm potential options.

Choosing a Reliable Hosting Provider

Once you’ve settled on a domain name that represents your real estate business well, the next step is securing reliable hosting. Hosting provides the necessary online storage space for all your website files, ensuring your content is accessible to users at all times. When choosing a hosting provider, consider factors such as your budget, expected website traffic, and technical requirements. By carefully evaluating these aspects, you can select a hosting solution that best aligns with your needs and supports the growth of your real estate website.

Step 2: Choose a Website Builder and Template

Using a website builder such as Wix or WordPress simplifies the process of creating a real estate website. With their user-friendly tools and customizable templates, you can create a professional-looking site without any coding skills. This makes it an ideal option for individuals and small businesses looking to get their real estate venture online quickly and efficiently. Additionally, website builders often include integrated features such as SEO tools, contact forms, and social media integration to enhance your site’s functionality and reach.

Tips for Selecting a Template That Mirrors Your Brand

When choosing a website template for your real estate website, keep the following tips in mind:

• Reflect Your Brand Identity: Choose a template that aligns with the overall look and feel you want to convey. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern design or something more traditional, ensure the template matches your brand’s identity.
• Consider Your Target Audience: Think about what will appeal to your potential clients. Your template should resonate with your target audience’s preferences and expectations.
• Ease of Navigation: Select a template with a clean and straightforward layout that makes it easy for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need.
• Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the template is mobile-friendly so your website looks great on both desktops and mobile devices, accommodating clients who browse properties on the go.

Need a custom real estate website?
Our expert developers can create a tailored real estate website that perfectly matches your brand and business needs, going beyond template limitations.

Get a Free Consultation

Step 3: Design Your Real Estate Website

In the real estate industry, the visual appeal and usability of your website are crucial. Your real estate website serves as a digital storefront, and a professional, polished appearance can help you make a strong first impression and build trust with potential clients. Additionally, a user-friendly design ensures that visitors can easily navigate your site, find the information they need, and ultimately take action, whether that’s contacting you or scheduling a property viewing.

Essential Design Elements

To create an effective real estate website, it’s important to incorporate the following essential design elements:

1. Call to Action Buttons:

• Strategically place call to action (CTA) buttons throughout your website to encourage visitors to take the next step in their home buying or selling journey.
• Use clear, action-oriented phrases like “Schedule a Showing” or “Contact Us Now” to prompt engagement.

2. Simple Navigation:

• Ensure that your website’s navigation is straightforward and intuitive, reflecting the typical research process of your customers.
• Use a clear navigation bar and consider dropdown menus for subcategories to make it easy for users to find specific information.

3. Mobile-Friendly Design:

• Design a mobile-responsive website that looks great and functions well on both desktops and mobile devices.
• With many clients searching for real estate on the go, a mobile-friendly site enhances user experience and keeps visitors engaged.

4. Social Media Integration:

• Integrate social media icons linking to your profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
• This not only expands your reach but also allows visitors to explore your social media content and share your listings easily.

5. Custom Logo:

• Create a visually appealing logo and real estate slogan that represent your brand identity.
• Your logo will appear on your website, social channels, and other marketing materials, so it should be distinctive and memorable.

Step 4: Add Properties and Visuals

In the highly visual real estate industry, showcasing properties through quality visuals is paramount. Effective visuals can make your real estate website more engaging and help potential clients envision themselves in the properties you are listing. High-quality images, videos, virtual tours, and interactive elements not only capture attention but also provide a comprehensive view of the properties, increasing the chances of converting visitors into clients.

Elements to Include on Property Pages

To create compelling property pages on your real estate website, ensure you include the following elements:

1. Photos of the Property: High-resolution images that capture the property’s best features, both interior, and exterior.
2. Map with the Address Marked: An embedded map that shows the exact location of the property.
3. Key Details and Attributes: Essential information such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, and any special features.
4. The Person Who Listed the Property: Contact details of the listing agent to provide a direct line of communication.
5. Ability to Get in Touch: Clear contact forms or buttons encouraging visitors to reach out for more information or to schedule a viewing.

Advanced Visualization Techniques

Leveraging advanced visualization techniques can provide a more immersive experience for potential buyers. Consider incorporating the following:

1. 360° Photography: Use for both interior and street views, enabling users to get a full sense of the property from all angles.
2. Virtual Augmented Reality (VR): Offer virtual reality tours that allow clients to explore properties as if they were physically present.
3. Video Tours: Create narrated tours, either pre-recorded or live, to give a comprehensive overview of the property layout and features.
4. Drone Footage: Capture aerial views of the property and its surroundings, especially useful for large properties or those with unique outdoor features.
5. Interactive Floor Plans: Provide clickable floor plans that let users navigate through different rooms and areas of the property.
6. Virtual Staging: Digitally add furniture and décor to empty spaces to help potential buyers visualize the potential of a property.
7. Interactive 3D Models: Allow users to virtually walk through a property, offering a real sense of its dimensions and features.

Tips for Quality Visuals and MLS Integration

• Ensure all visuals are of high quality, meeting standards for size, format, and resolution. Consider using a photo resizer to optimize images for your platform.
• Connect your website to a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) for up-to-date property data and listings. MLS integration ensures that your listings are consistently updated with the latest information available, providing a comprehensive resource for property seekers.

Step 5: Determine Key Real Estate Website Features

For your real estate website to be effective and user-friendly, it must include several essential features that enhance the user experience and drive conversions. Below are the must-have features for a robust real estate website:

Must-Have Features for a Real Estate Website

Let’s discuss some must have features of a real estate website.

Advanced Search Filtering

Enable users to easily find their dream property by utilizing advanced search filtering options. Filters such as price range, property type (e.g., house, apartment, condo), location (city, neighborhood, zip code), number of bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, and amenities (e.g., pool, gym, garage) help users narrow down their choices to a manageable shortlist.

Contact Forms and Live Chat

Incorporate clear and visible contact forms on your website to make it easy for potential clients to reach out. You can offer simple forms for general inquiries and more detailed questionnaires for interested buyers or sellers. A live chat feature provides real-time assistance to users browsing your website, offering a personalized experience and increasing the likelihood of converting visitors into leads.

About Us Page

Introduce yourself and your team on an engaging About Us page. Share your values, mission statement, and any awards or recognition you’ve received in the real estate industry. An effective About Us page helps build trust and establish a personal connection with prospective clients before even meeting them.

Client Testimonials

Displaying positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied clients can significantly enhance your credibility. Incorporate these testimonials either on a dedicated page or throughout your site to showcase your success and build trust with potential buyers or sellers.

Registration and CRM Integration

Encourage visitors to register on your website by offering exclusive access to additional property details or personalized search capabilities. Registration allows you to collect valuable data and track user behavior, helping you follow up with potential leads.

Integrate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to manage and streamline client information, making it easier to communicate and track their journey through the buying or selling process.

Calendar Integration for Scheduling

Make it convenient for clients to schedule property showings by integrating an appointment scheduler on your website. This allows them to view your availability and book appointments directly, saving time and increasing the chances of securing their business.

Step 6: Start a Real Estate Blog (Optional)**

Creating a blog as part of your real estate website can offer numerous benefits. It not only helps establish you as a knowledgeable real estate agent but also improves your website’s visibility through search engine optimization (SEO). A blog can position you as an expert in your field, building trust with your audience and engaging potential clients. Plus, regular blog posts can drive traffic to your site, increasing the chances of converting visitors into leads.

Benefits of Blogging for Real Estate

When you build a real estate website, starting a blog can be a valuable tool for enhancing your online presence. Blogging allows you to share valuable insights and updates on the real estate market, thereby attracting a wider audience. It also helps in making your website a hub of relevant information, which can significantly boost your SEO efforts. High-quality content that includes strategic keywords can help your site rank higher in search engine results, driving more organic traffic to your property listing website.

Content Ideas

To keep your blog engaging and informative, consider creating content around the following topics:

1. Local Facts: Share insights about the community, local events, and attractions to showcase your expertise and engagement with the area. This can particularly help potential buyers who may not be familiar with the region.
2. Community Profiles: Write articles that highlight different neighborhoods and communities. Include details on amenities, schools, and lifestyle, which can help prospective buyers get a sense of what it’s like to live there.
3. Calculators: Provide interactive tools such as mortgage calculators to help potential buyers estimate their budget and monthly payments. These tools can make your website a comprehensive resource for homebuyers.
4. Market Reports: Regularly post updates on the real estate market, including trends, price changes, and forecasts. This information can guide buyers and sellers in making informed decisions.
5. Downloadable Resources: Offer downloadable guides and checklists, such as home-buying guides, seller checklists, and moving guides. These resources not only provide value to your audience but also can be used to capture email addresses for future marketing efforts.

Tips for Successful Blogging

For your blog to be effective, consistency and quality are key. Develop a content calendar to ensure regular posting that keeps your audience engaged. Focus on providing valuable, in-depth information that addresses the common questions and concerns of your target audience. Use a mix of text, images, and videos to make your content more engaging.

Integration of keywords naturally within your blog posts is crucial for search engine optimization. Phrases like “build a real estate website”, “real estate agent”, and “property listing website” should be embedded naturally within your content to improve your site’s search engine ranking. This not only helps in attracting more visitors but also increases the chances of converting them into clients.

Make sure your website has a user-friendly design that makes it easy to navigate through the blog section. Utilize internal linking to keep readers on your site longer by directing them to other relevant blog posts or pages. Share your blog posts on social media platforms to reach a broader audience and drive additional traffic to your site. Lastly, engage with your readers by responding to comments and encouraging feedback to build a community around your real estate website.

Step 7: Optimize for Local SEO

For real estate professionals, it is crucial to create a website optimized for search engines. SEO helps ensure your website appears in relevant search results, attracting potential buyers and sellers who are actively searching for real estate online. By making your website content more accessible and visible through search engine optimization, you increase your chances of generating organic traffic and leads. This becomes particularly important in the competitive online real estate market where standing out is key to success.

Techniques for Local SEO

To effectively reach your target audience in specific geographic areas, focusing on local SEO techniques is essential. Here are some strategies to optimize your real estate site for local SEO:

1. Use Location-Specific Keywords

Incorporate keywords that include the names of cities, neighborhoods, and even ZIP codes relevant to your properties. For instance, phrases like “homes for sale in [City]” or “real estate in [Neighborhood]” can attract local traffic. Adding real estate-related keywords that are geographically specific helps ensure that your website appears in searches conducted by local buyers and sellers.

2. Optimize Business Listings

Claim and optimize your business on local directories such as Google My Business, Yelp, and real estate platforms like Zillow. Accurate and up-to-date business listings with complete information, including your address, phone number, and business hours, can significantly enhance your local SEO efforts. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews, as positive feedback can boost your search rankings and build trust.

3. Create Location-Based Landing Pages

Develop dedicated landing pages targeting different neighborhoods or regions you serve. These pages should include localized content, such as community profiles, local market statistics, and amenities. This type of website content can improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for potential clients to find information relevant to their area.

4. Develop a Local Blog

Starting a blog focused on local real estate topics can also enhance your local SEO. Write about community events, market trends, and neighborhood features. Use location-specific keywords naturally throughout your posts. Not only does this attract local visitors, but it also positions you as an expert in the local real estate market.

5. Utilize Local Backlinks

Seek opportunities to gain backlinks from other local businesses and organizations. Collaborate with local publications, real estate blogs, or community websites to get featured or mentioned. This can significantly improve your website’s authority and search engine rankings.

6. Mobile Optimization

Ensure your website and its properties look and function well on mobile devices. Many users searching for real estate do so on their smartphones, and a mobile-friendly site can keep visitors engaged and improve your SEO rankings. Google prioritizes mobile responsiveness, making it a crucial aspect of your overall SEO strategy.

Step 8: Launch and Maintain Your Real Estate Website

Before your new website goes live, it’s essential to thoroughly review and test everything to ensure a smooth launch. Follow this pre-launch checklist to make sure your site is ready for website visitors:

1. Review Content: Carefully proofread all content on your site, including property listings, articles, and the About Us page. Make sure the website content is clear, engaging, and free of errors.
2. Test Functionality: Confirm that all website features are working properly, including contact forms, search functions, and any interactive elements. Ensure your real estate site is easy to navigate and that all links are functioning correctly.
3. Mobile Optimization: Verify that the website and its properties look great on mobile devices. With many users searching for real estate on their phones, a mobile-friendly design is essential.
4. Gather Feedback: Ask friends, colleagues, or a focus group to navigate your site and provide feedback on the user experience. This can help you identify any issues or areas for improvement before launching.
5. SEO Check: Ensure that your website is optimized for search engines with relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt tags for images. This will help your site rank higher in search engine results.

Tips for Maintaining and Updating Your Website

Once your website is live, regular maintenance and updates are crucial to keep it running smoothly and effectively. Here are some tips to help you maintain your site:

1. Regular Content Updates: Consistently update your website content with new property listings, blog posts, market reports, and community news. Fresh content keeps your site relevant and engaging for returning visitors.
2. Monitor Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics to track website visitors, page views, and user behavior. This data can help you understand which features are working well and where there may be room for improvement.
3. Update Software: Keep your website software, including plugins and themes, up to date. This helps ensure your site remains secure and functions correctly.
4. Engage with Visitors: Respond to inquiries made through contact forms and live chat promptly. Engaging with website visitors quickly can build trust and encourage potential clients to take the next step in the real estate transaction process.
5. SEO Maintenance: Regularly review and update your SEO strategy to keep up with changes in search engine algorithms. This includes updating keywords, adding new backlinks, and optimizing new content.

Conclusion

Creating the best real estate website involves carefully planning and executing each step. From securing a memorable domain name for your real estate agency to optimizing for local SEO, each element plays a critical role in building a business website that stands out. A strong online presence in the real estate marketplace is crucial for attracting website visitors and converting them into clients. By focusing on quality real estate listings, advanced website features, and user-friendly design, you ensure that your estate website is a digital storefront that makes a strong first impression.

If you want to create a great site that meets your business needs, start building it today. Whether you’re focusing on real estate transactions, creating a property management website, or launching a new real estate investment site, taking these steps will help you build trust with your audience and succeed in the competitive online real estate market. Use this guide for creating your own website and leverage the tools and keywords mentioned to achieve your goals.

FAQs

Thank you!

Please check your email to confirm subscription.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter!

Stay updated with the latest industry news, articles, and fresh case studies delivered straight to your inbox.

Subscribe