In today's digital age, having an online presence is crucial for real estate agents and brokers. A website not only helps potential customers find you but also allows you to showcase your property listings and provide information about your business. However, finding the right platform for your real estate website can be a challenge, with some options being quite expensive. But fear not! There are affordable alternatives available. In this article, we will introduce you to our top picks for the best real estate website builders that won't break the bank.
What is a Real Estate Website Builder?
A real estate website builder is an online tool that allows brokers and agencies to create professional websites to showcase their real estate listings. These website builders do not require any coding knowledge and usually offer a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to add content. Many of the top real estate website builders, like WordPress, also offer IDX integration, allowing you to easily create and manage property listings.
9 Best Real Estate Website Builders
When choosing the best real estate website builders for our list, we considered several factors. Price was a significant consideration since most dedicated real estate website platforms can be quite expensive. We also looked at ease of use, ensuring that even those new to website building could easily learn and navigate the platforms. Lastly, we considered the features offered by each builder, ensuring that you don't have to sacrifice functionality for affordability. Without further ado, let's dive into our top picks for the best real estate website builders.
1. WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) in the world, powering nearly 44% of the internet. It offers a vast selection of premium real estate themes, plugins, and tutorials to help you succeed. One of the most significant advantages of WordPress is its versatility. Whether you want to build a simple website or create a fully customized real estate platform, WordPress has you covered.
Before we dive deeper into WordPress, it's important to note that there are two versions: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. WordPress.com is an all-in-one platform that provides both the CMS and hosting. On the other hand, WordPress.org is a self-hosted platform that allows you to choose your own theme and hosting. The latter offers more customization options and flexibility, making it ideal for those who want full control over their website's look and functionality.
With WordPress.org, you can choose a theme such as Divi, which provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor, over 2000 pre-made layouts, and endless customization options. Divi also supports integration with +100 plugins, such as RealtyNA, that can be used to build the real estate website of your dreams. If you prefer not to create listings manually, several other real estate and IDX plugins are available.
Key Features of WordPress:
- Highly customizable
- Extensive selection of themes and plugins
- Works seamlessly with popular drag-and-drop page builders like Divi
- Direct integration with real estate and IDX plugins
Aside from its customization options, WordPress is also known for being user-friendly. While there is a learning curve, most people can become proficient in a matter of hours, especially if they use a page builder. Additionally, WordPress allows you to control your site's speed by choosing a reliable hosting provider. SiteGround, for instance, offers excellent speed and security at an affordable price point, starting at just $2.99 per month. With SiteGround, you'll have everything you need to build a blazing fast, secure, and highly customizable WordPress website.
Best For: WordPress is an excellent choice for those who need a highly customized real estate website. With premium themes like Divi and a wide range of real estate plugins, you can create a website that meets your specific needs.
Pricing: Free, but requires web hosting. SiteGround plans start at $2.99 per month.
2. Wix
Next on our list is Wix, a user-friendly website builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for beginners to create stunning websites. Wix is known for its simplicity and offers a wide selection of templates, including several designed specifically for real estate professionals. With built-in SEO tools and IDX integrations with popular services like IDXBroker and iHomeFinder, Wix provides all the necessary tools for creating a successful real estate website.
Key Features of Wix:
- Over 20 real estate templates
- Built-in site analytics
- Free domain for 1 year
- Hosting included
One of the main advantages of using Wix is its integrated marketing features. With Wix, you can enjoy lead capture forms, automated marketing tools, a built-in chat for quick interactions with potential customers, and more. While Wix does require additional payment for professional email addresses, its selection of over 20 real estate themes ensures that you'll find the perfect look for your business.
Best For: If you're looking for an all-in-one solution for your real estate business, Wix is an excellent choice. With its easy-to-use interface, extensive template selection, built-in SEO, hosting, and free domain for 1 year, Wix provides almost everything you need to get your real estate site up and running quickly. Plans start at $16 per month, but we recommend the Business Plan for $32 per month for optimal features.
Pricing: Free, with paid monthly plans starting at $16.
3. Hostinger AI Website Builder
Our next entry, Hostinger, offers an AI-powered website builder that simplifies the process of creating a real estate website. With Hostinger's generative AI, you can create, customize, and launch a new website in just a few simple steps. Hostinger also provides a range of features, including a free SSL certificate, weekly backups, and powerful marketing integrations with Google Analytics, Tag Manager, and Facebook Pixel.
Key Features of Hostinger:
- Up to 100 websites on every plan
- Free SSL certificate
- Weekly backups
- Marketing integrations
While Hostinger does not offer direct integration with IDX plugins, you can embed your property feed using an HTML module with an iframe. This feature allows you to showcase your listings without the need for expensive IDX plugins. Additionally, one standout feature of Hostinger is that you can create up to 100 websites with a single account. This feature is especially useful for creating individual sites for each property listing, allowing you to highlight each property beautifully. With Hostinger's AI website creation, you can set up individual listing sites in minutes and share them on social media for maximum exposure.
Best For: Hostinger is an excellent tool for real estate brokers or agencies who either lack the time or expertise to build a website from scratch. By answering a few simple questions, you can create up to 100 websites, making it easy to showcase your properties. If you prefer seamless integration with an IDX service, WordPress or Wix may be better options.
Pricing: Starting at $12.99 per month, with yearly plans starting at $3.49 per month.
4. Squarespace
For those looking for extensive template options, Squarespace is an excellent choice for a real estate website builder. Squarespace offers two ways to build your website: customizing a template or choosing from a wide range of professionally designed templates, including dedicated real estate themes.
Key Features of Squarespace:
- Hundreds of templates
- Create custom products and scheduling pages
- Extensive marketing features
- Free domain for 1 year
Squarespace allows you to create custom scheduling pages, enabling your customers to book specific time slots to view properties. Additionally, you can integrate your website with your social media platforms, monitor and analyze website traffic, and easily invoice clients for custom services like photography and video shoots. While Squarespace does offer IDX integration with companies like Ultimate IDX, you'll need to subscribe separately for this feature.
Best For: Squarespace is an excellent solution for real estate agents who want to add scheduling for property viewings. Their invoicing tool is also great for offering additional services like photo shoots and property staging. With plans starting at $16 per month, Squarespace offers affordability and functionality. If you want to add the ability to showcase products and services, the Business plan for $23 per month is the best choice.
Pricing: Starting at $16 per month.
5. Shopify
Shopify, primarily known for its e-commerce capabilities, is also a powerful tool for real estate professionals. Like Squarespace, Shopify allows you to sell custom products and offers an auction app, making it ideal for property auctions.
Key Features of Shopify:
- Site analytics reporting
- Access for multiple staff members
- Integrated payment processor
- Sell listings through auctions
In addition to standard features like 24/7 support, a free SSL certificate, integrated payment processing, and a point-of-sale system, Shopify also offers direct marketing to Facebook and Instagram users through its social media app.
Best For: Shopify is perfect for real estate professionals who want to market their listings on their websites and social media platforms. If you specialize in selling products or auctioning properties online, Shopify is an excellent choice.
Pricing: Starting at $39 per month.
6. Webflow
Webflow offers a design interface similar to WordPress, allowing you to have complete control over your website's look and feel. With Webflow, real estate professionals can customize their websites down to the smallest detail, including integrations with Google Analytics, various IDX platforms, and interactive maps for showcasing properties.
Key Features of Webflow:
- Hundreds of real estate templates in the Webflow marketplace
- Integrations with marketing solutions like Hubspot
- Extensive customization options
- Drag and drop builder
For those who aren't designers, Webflow provides a marketplace with hundreds of real estate site designs. Prices range from free to $129, depending on the design and functionality. Webflow also offers numerous integration options via apps, including Hubspot for marketing integration, live chat, AI writing software like Jasper, and more.
Best For: Webflow is perfect for real estate professionals who want complete control over their website's look and functionality. With a wide range of integrations, hundreds of pre-made templates, and an intuitive interface, users can create any real estate site they desire. However, it's worth noting that Webflow lacks direct integration with IDX platforms, requiring the use of Zapier to bridge the gap. In some cases, hiring a developer may be necessary.
Pricing: Free, with paid plans starting at $14 per month (billed annually).
7. Zyro
Zyro is an online website builder brought to you by Hostinger. It offers several features tailored to real estate professionals, including hundreds of templates, the ability to take payments online, and an AI branding assistant that helps you create a business name, logo, and slogan.
Key Features of Zyro:
- Free domain for 1 year
- Free business email for 3 months
- Marketing integrations
- Hundreds of website templates
- Built-in AI branding tools
Zyro's simple drag-and-drop builder and intuitive tools allow you to create a real estate website within minutes. You can easily add sections, pages, a blog, or an online store, and view your site's analytics all in one place. Additionally, Zyro's AI heatmap feature predicts where your site's visitors will likely look, helping you place essential information in strategic places.
Best For: If you're just getting started in real estate and want to manage costs, create branding, and set up a simple website quickly, Zyro is the perfect choice. With prices starting under $3 per month, Zyro offers affordability and ease of use. However, if you require a more customized solution, we recommend WordPress or Webflow.
Pricing: Free, with monthly plans starting at $2.59.
8. Gator Website Builder (HostGator)
HostGator, primarily known as an affordable shared hosting provider, also offers a website builder called Gator Builder. Powered by Web.com, this builder provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, over 150 professionally designed templates, a free SSL certificate, and a free domain for one year. All templates come with royalty-free images and videos, social media integration, contact forms, and the ability to add maps.
Key Features of HostGator:
- Over 150 templates
- Free domain
- Free SSL certificate
- Drag and drop builder
One standout feature of HostGator is its marketing tools, including free email campaigns to help you promote new property listings. Additionally, the platform offers an optional blog feature, allowing you to inform your audience about the latest real estate trends, mortgage rate changes, and more. With a variety of templates available, all of which can be easily customized to fit your niche, HostGator makes it easy to create a professional real estate website.
Best For: HostGator is an excellent option for real estate professionals who want to focus on email marketing. With affordable pricing and features like appointment scheduling, HostGator is ideal for realtors looking for an easy way to showcase properties to clients.
Pricing: Starting at $19.99 on a month-to-month basis and $4.95 per month with a one-year contract (billed annually).
9. Placester
Last but not least, we have Placester, the most expensive option on our list. However, it offers a range of features that make it worth considering. Placester provides a drag-and-drop code-free website builder, a dedicated customer relationship manager (CRM), IDX integration, and a generous 30-day free trial. With features like featured listings, lead capture forms, property search functionality, and a mortgage calculator, Placester is a comprehensive solution for real estate professionals.
Key Features of Placester:
- 30 real estate website templates
- Dedicated CRM
- Drag and drop website builder
- IDX integration
- 30-day free trial
The biggest benefit of Placester is its IDX manager, which allows you to easily manage MLS feeds and individual listings. This feature can save you a significant amount of money if you need to display property listings. Placester also offers a "do-it-for-me" package, where you fill out a quick form answering questions about your preferences, service areas, and business details. Placester then creates a customized site for you in just a few days. This service is perfect for those who don't have the time or inclination to build their websites independently.
Best For: If you're looking for a website builder with IDX and a CRM onboard, Placester is worth considering. They offer a 30-day trial, giving you ample time to decide if their real estate website builder is right for your business. It's worth noting that Placester does have additional fees for added functionality. If you require more customization options, WordPress may be a more suitable choice.
Pricing: Starting at $79 per month (billed annually).
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Website Builder
Choosing the best real estate website builder for your needs is an important decision. Here are a few key factors to consider when making your choice:
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Cost: Determine your budget and compare pricing options for the platforms you're considering.
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Templates and customization options: Choose a platform that offers templates and customization options that align with your niche and branding preferences.
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IDX capability: If you plan to feature listings on your website, ensure that your chosen platform supports IDX integration.
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Ease of use: If you're building your website yourself, choose a platform that is user-friendly and doesn't require advanced technical skills.
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Marketing options: Look for platforms that offer lead-capturing features, social media integration, and other marketing tools to help you promote your listings and grow your business.
Best Real Estate Website Builder Price Comparison
To help you make an informed decision, we've created a comparison table that includes all the real estate website builders mentioned in this article. This table will help you determine which one best aligns with your budget and specific requirements.
What is the Best Real Estate Website Builder?
Choosing the best real estate website builder is a personal decision that depends on your unique needs. However, two builders stand out from the rest: WordPress and Wix.
WordPress offers unparalleled customization options, an extensive selection of themes and plugins, and seamless integration with IDX services. With WordPress, you can create a highly customized real estate website that meets your specific requirements.
On the other hand, Wix provides an all-in-one solution with an easy-to-use interface, a wide range of real estate templates, and built-in SEO tools. Wix is an excellent choice for those looking for a straightforward and affordable option that includes hosting and a free domain.
If you've decided to go with WordPress, check out our must-have plugins, tools, and guides to enhance your website's performance and functionality:
- The Best SEO Tools to Grow Organic Traffic in 2023
- What is WordPress? Start Here (2023 Beginners Guide)
- How to Speed Up WordPress with 15 Tips (2023)
- How to Create a Landing Page in 2023 (Detailed Guide)
- 31 Best WordPress Plugins in 2023 (Everything You Need)
In conclusion, finding the right real estate website builder is vital to establishing a successful online presence. Consider your budget, customization options, IDX capabilities, ease of use, and marketing features when making your decision. With the options we've highlighted in this article, you'll be well on your way to creating a stunning real estate website that showcases your listings and attracts potential customers.
