By 2022, more than 70% of real estate companies already have a website. In today's digital landscape, having a real estate website is crucial for success in the market. In this comprehensive guide, we will show you how to build a real estate website with 8 core features to stay ahead of the competition.
State of the Online Real Estate Market
The real estate market has been thriving for years, with metrics continually on the rise. By 2023, the revenue of the real estate business in the U.S. is expected to reach nearly $543.7 billion. In 2021, 98% of property sellers used property sites, while the majority of real estate buyers searched for properties online.
How to Build a Real Estate Website From Scratch
Building a real estate website from scratch involves several key steps:
- Define the purpose and target audience: Understand the goals of your website and identify your target audience.
- Choose a domain and hosting: Select a catchy and relevant domain name and find a reliable hosting provider.
- Design a user-friendly interface: Create an intuitive and visually appealing interface to optimize the user experience.
- Include property search, listings, visuals, and content: Implement a robust property search functionality and provide detailed property listings with high-quality visuals and informative content.
- Optimize for mobile and search engines: Ensure your website is responsive and optimized for mobile devices and search engine visibility.
- Test and launch: Thoroughly test your website for any bugs or issues before launching it to the public.
Why Create a Real Estate Website
In today's digital age, a real estate website is a must-have for any business in the industry. Here are some key benefits of building a real estate website:
Convenience
A real estate website allows your customers to access property information, photos, and guidance at any time they want. It creates an online presence for your business, making it more convenient for customers to interact with you.
More Customers
Millennials, the main buying group for real estate, prefer to search for properties online rather than visit agencies. By having a real estate website, you can reach a whole new buying group and increase your customer base.
Time-saving
With a real estate website, there is no need for in-person meetings or wasting time in traffic. Complete property information, high-quality photos, and even virtual tours can be provided online. You can also communicate with clients through web forms or emails, allowing for efficient and time-saving interactions.
Types of Real Estate Websites
There are various types of real estate websites available today. Here are a few common ones:
Promotion Website
Promotional websites serve as a platform for property agencies to advertise their business, post property offers, and arrange consultations. These websites are designed to be user-friendly and mobile-oriented for better business results.
Property Listing Website
Property listing sites allow users to find houses for sale or rent. These platforms usually require property agents to list the properties and provide search capabilities for potential buyers or renters.
Real Estate Marketplaces
Real estate marketplaces act as intermediaries between sellers/tenants and buyers/renters. These platforms enable property owners to list their properties and connect with potential customers.
Property Management Websites
Property management websites cater to property owners, providing features for managing properties, tenants, and accounting. These websites can focus on both residential and commercial properties.
Real Estate Investing Websites
Real estate investing websites offer opportunities for investors to participate in equity investment or find properties at reduced prices. These platforms cater to individuals looking to invest in real estate.
Real Estate Aggregators
Real estate aggregators collect data from various websites and display it on one platform, making property search more convenient for users.
How to Monetize a Real Estate Website for Your Business
There are several ways to monetize a real estate website. Here are some popular models:
Advertising
Advertising is the most popular revenue model for real estate websites. By allowing other agencies to advertise their services, you can generate revenue through cost-per-click or cost-per-acquisition models.
Freemium
The freemium model offers free access to basic features, while additional valuable features require payment. This model allows users to experience the website before deciding to upgrade.
Subscription
Subscription models charge users a fixed price for access to premium features for a certain period. This model can be monthly or yearly.
Commission Fee
Although less popular, some real estate websites charge a commission fee for transactions that occur through their platform. This model requires integration with a payment provider.
8 Must-Have Features of a Real Estate Website
To ensure the success of your real estate website, it is crucial to include these core features:
1. Registration
Implement a user-friendly registration feature that allows users to sign up with ease. This feature serves as a valuable source of information and data for targeted ad campaigns.
2. Search
Create a powerful property search functionality with filters and sorting options, enabling users to find their desired properties quickly and easily.
3. SEO
Optimize your website for search engines to improve its visibility and rankings. Ensure your site architecture is SEO-friendly from the start.
4. Listing System
Design an appealing and user-friendly listing system that combines a map and a list of properties. Consider offering alternative views like tables or photo formats.
5. Property Listing Page
Provide detailed property listing pages with high-resolution images, maps, facts, and features. Include contact information and additional features like floor plans, local information, and price trends.
6. Property Posting
Allow property owners to easily list their properties on your website. Streamline the process by providing a clear and intuitive interface for entering property details, attaching photos, and adding contact information.
7. Property Visualization
Enhance property visualization with high-quality images and consider advanced options like 360° photography and virtual or augmented reality experiences.
8. Property Value Estimation
Provide property value estimation tools to help buyers and sellers determine the value of a property. Consider integrating mortgage calculators to assist buyers in assessing affordability.
Our Experience
At Sloboda Studio, we have been digitalizing offline businesses for 11 years. We have helped numerous companies transform their ideas into successful online platforms. Some examples include:
- Home Fit Out: A Canada-based platform that offers customizable furniture solutions.
- Safhyre: A UAE online platform for recruitment, connecting employers with employees and providing access to a database of job candidates.
Conclusion
The real estate market continues to expand, and digitalization is essential for any business in the industry. Building a real estate website involves understanding your target audience, choosing the right monetization model, and implementing core features that enhance user experience. By staying ahead of the competition and providing unique features, you can carve your niche in the competitive real estate market.
