It’s no secret that in order to be successful in the real estate industry, you need an innovative, easy-to-use, and professionally designed website. But just having a website is not enough. Buyers and sellers will be looking for six key features when navigating your website for the first time. If your website is missing any of these things, you could be missing out high-quality leads.
Buyers and sellers who are on your website are there for a specific reason. They know what they’re looking for and want a way to find it quickly and easily. An easy-to-use search function helps users navigate your website and see exactly what they need in seconds. Buyers who are using your website to search for properties will want advanced filter options so they can narrow down their search according to what they want and need. If they have to scroll through pages and pages of properties that don’t interest them, chances are they won’t be on your website for very long. Innovative Realtor websites also integrate a complete Internet Data Exchange (IDX) that works with your MLS system, allowing buyers to browse a broad range of listings easily.
You can have a beautifully designed website, engaging content and a user-friendly dashboard, but that is not always enough to encourage people to connect with you or take the first step in choosing you as their Realtor. They want to hear from other people who have used your services, which is why testimonials are so crucial for a Realtor website. Done correctly, video testimonials can be a powerful way to show users what you can offer without having to tell them. Buyers and sellers want as much information as possible about your services before moving forward, and a place for them to read testimonials and reviews will help them decide with confidence.
It’s important to remember that the placement of your reviews and testimonials is almost as important as the reviews themselves. Having testimonials plastered all over the front of your website could be distracting or overwhelming for users. Instead, keep them on an easy-to-see and easy-to-find tab, or distribute them throughout your website, so users see them throughout their website experience.
One of the things potential clients will want to know before using your professional real estate services is how well you know the local market. Buyers will want all the information they can get about a potential neighborhood before moving in, and sellers will want to know how their property compares to others for sale in the same area. In-depth, relevant, and accurate content about the different neighborhoods in your area is a critical part of an informative and user-friendly website. Breaking down the local communities in your area with helpful info such as:
can help buyers narrow down the neighborhoods in which they want to start looking. Having this local knowledge on your website also portrays you as an expert in the local market.
A modern Realtor website provides fresh and useful content to users, and one of the best ways to do this is by regularly updating your website with blogs. Blogs not only keep your website updated with relevant industry content, but they also help people find your website. Blogs rich with keywords improve your website’s SEO and makes it easier for users to find their website in an online search. An updated website encourages engagement, discussion, and communication between you and your audience. It can help build an email subscription list and allows prospects to get an idea about who you are, what you know, how you work, and, most importantly, how you can help them.
Real estate is all about the visuals. An effective Realtor website utilizes high-quality pictures and videos throughout. Every picture has a purpose, and the images you use on your website will tell a prospective client a lot about your expertise and experience in the industry. If your site includes property listings, the photos associated with these listings must be high-quality. Use videos to introduce yourself, create tours of specific homes or neighborhoods, or walk users through a particular step in the home buying/selling process. Videos keep people on your website longer and allow users to see the more “human” side of your business. If you’re going to invest in a professional website, don’t settle for mediocre photography. Buyers and sellers want to see bright, bold, high-quality images and videos that stand out.
Once they’ve spent some time on your website, perused through your blogs, watched a few informative videos, and seamlessly navigated through your site, buyers and sellers will want an easy and convenient way to reach you. And they want options. Make it easy for prospective clients to find your contact info. If they have to search your website for your office location or email, they may get frustrated and leave the site. Make it easy for them to find the contact info, and make it easier for them to find a communication method that works for them. List your email, phone, address, and even social media handles to give people plenty of options to connect with you.
Another essential feature that buyers and sellers are looking for is personalized information about you. There are thousands of Realtors across the country, but they ended up on your website. Give them the information they need to see why you’re different than the competition. Dive into your professional experience, awards, qualifications, and certifications. Give them a glimpse into who you are as a person, your values, and your passions. Prospective clients will hire you if they feel like they know you, can trust you and can relate to you. Your website is the perfect place to give them all of this information.
There’s a difference between knowing what your website needs and actually implementing these things effectively. If your goal is to attract high-quality leads, engage with buyers and sellers, and showcase your expertise in the industry, you need a professionally-designed website tailored specifically to you. If you’re ready to take the first step towards creating a unique Realtor website that has everything buyers and sellers are looking for, contact RealtyBloc today!
If you're looking for more personalized advice or have specific questions that weren't covered in our blog, we're here to help!
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