Web Development Tips for Creating Effective Real Estate Websites

Article by Haley Montgomery (4,670 pts ) , published Oct 29, 2009

If your next web design project is making a real estate website, this article offers ideas for what type of content to include. Read on for three web development tips for creating more effective real estate websites.

Tips for Developing Real Estate Websites

Is your next web development project making a real estate website? Home buyers are increasingly turning to websites as resources in the real estate industry. Sometimes a real estate website is the first place a consumer looks for a property--even before they contact an actual agent. Make your web design project a success using these three tips for creating online content for effective real estate websites.

Establish credibility. In the real estate industry, credibility and integrity are key. Consumers simply won't use a real estate agency they don't feel they can trust. A real estate website is a great tool for establishing credibility. In your website content, include professional credentials for the agency as a whole as well as for individual agents. Link to various professional organizations for which the agency holds memberships as well as the national real estate brands with whom they are affiliated. Provide a brief history of the client's real estate company and an overview of the types of properties in which they specialize. This type of information helps online users know that the faces behind the web pages are experienced professionals.

Create opportunities for personal connections. Real estate customers often make decisions about their agency or specific real estate agent based on the personal rapport they can establish, especially in residential real estate. The home buying and selling process is a very personal endeavor. Offer website users the opportunity to make personal connections with the staff of your agency client by including detailed bios of the agents. Include links to any social networking profiles they maintain, and offer ways to contact agents directly. Good staff bios include primarily professional qualifications and experience, but make it a point to offer a few personal tidbits about local community involvement or specific personal interests. You never know what information will strike a chord with an individual real estate client.

Establish the real estate agency as a resource. By providing more than just property listings, web developers can attract more users to a real estate website and offer a richer experience for existing customers. The residential or commercial buying and selling process can be complicated. Use your website design to offer tips for making it easier. Provide explanations of common real estate terms, checklists for successful moves and area newcomer information. Lists of vendor services like lenders, home inspectors, moving companies and utilities can be invaluable to customers and encourage repeat visits to your real estate website.

When making a real estate website, these are great content goals for web developers. In addition, consider offering real estate content that will make it easier for customers to learn about listed properties as well as expedite the selection process. Offer virtual tours of listings including a variety of media from still photos to video and 360 degree virtual walk-throughs. Also, time-saving features like mortgage calculators and the ability to search listings by specific amenties can be helpful to online users.

 
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