{"id":7723,"date":"2020-10-19T21:09:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-19T21:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyninja.com\/blog\/?p=7723"},"modified":"2023-01-24T11:38:49","modified_gmt":"2023-01-24T19:38:49","slug":"perfect-real-estate-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyninja.com\/blog\/perfect-real-estate-website\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Design the Perfect Real Estate Website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Starting a new real estate website can be daunting, whether it\u2019s your 1st or your 10th.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

With so much market saturation and competition in the industry, it may seem futile or even impossible to see success. However, everyone brings a special something to the world of real estate that another person needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Figuring out what that special something is and then displaying it appropriately is the secret to a successful website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today,\u00a0I’m going to help\u00a0make starting a new real estate website (or\u00a0updating an existing one)<\/em> much less of a daunting experience, and\u00a0maybe even kind of fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what’s your scope?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few different types<\/strong> of real estate websites<\/a> that you’ll find across the Internet, and knowing which one will work best for you and your clients can simplify how to actually start one. These types can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Search Tool<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n

\"andrew<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sites are generally impersonal, can have either a wide or niche audience range, and requires firm marketing & advertising plans. The crux is differentiating your site from all the other – bigger – ones that have spent thousands of dollars on being the best in the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on your idea of success for this venture (and how wide your audience is)<\/em>, the scope of work will vary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Business Card<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n

\"Colleen<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you just need an online presence so people can find you in the digital realm from the offline world, the Digital Business Card will serve you well. Simple, very little effort required, but won\u2019t actively encourage leads alone at its smallest scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairly small and simple sites that work well for when you’re referral-based, starting out, or already have a steady marketing footprint for other projects and just need a platform for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n

\"Zamian<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essentially a business card site, but built with the intention of pulling in leads by showing your expertise. This may involve neighbourhood recommendations, enhanced listing pages, video market updates, and flashier displays of your service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The intention is to provide an online experience that can make a lasting impression. Go Black Belt, or go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Neighbourhood Guide<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n

\"Chase<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focused on providing information about specific neighbourhoods that you work in, with the intention of gaining leads through the listings provided. All the while presenting yourself as The Source<\/strong><\/em> for this neighbourhood. Not overtly specific to an agent; similar to the Search Tool but expanded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This website type has a large scope, as heavily personalized content needs to be gathered, especially if you’re not the first in your area to have this sort of project – and really want to stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you’ve got the idea for your project. Now what?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are three key things involved in figuring out where to start, no matter what kind of real estate website you have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Knowing who you are<\/strong> & who you want to be in your career,<\/li>
  2. Knowing who your ideal (and\/or realistic)<\/em> client<\/strong> base is & what they need,<\/li>
  3. Identifying concrete goals for achieving success<\/strong> (as it applies to you.)<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Let’s dive deeper into these three key items below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Who You Are<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Several personal factors will affect what type of digital approach will be most efficient for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your natural attitude. Are you energetic? Gentle? Bold? Reserved?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Don\u2019t try to be someone you\u2019re not. If you come off neutral and \u201ceverybody\u2019s friend\u201d online, but in person, you have a strong opinion and a bold personality then your client may feel distrustful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"location,<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    How much time (and\/or money) you are able and willing to put into your digital presence.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Generally, if being found on the internet in a saturated market is your goal, then you will need to put in a lot of work to get there \u2013 or have someone do it for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"time<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Your unique qualities<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Something we advocate a lot for is to find your niche. It\u2019s a lot easier to come up in the search ranking for something that hundreds or thousands of other people aren\u2019t also vying for. What sets you<\/em> apart from other people?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Brad<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    These aspects all flow into a couple of very important branding properties: Your Brand Identity<\/strong>, and your Brand Promise.<\/strong> Your website needs to show consistency in these areas first, and only second does the design of it matter for consistency across your other marketing vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If your messaging and purpose don\u2019t align across all aspects, then your foundation will be unstable for the fancier parts. Did anyone expect to hear a designer say that their work is secondary to anything?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What’s a Brand Identity? What’s a Brand Promise?<\/span> <\/strong>We’ll tell you everything you need to know (and more) about Branding for Real Estate agents in our ebook, Dojo – The Blueprint for Real Estate Marketing Mastery<\/strong>. Learn more and order your copy here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Your Ideal Clients<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When I ask people who their target market is, the most common answer is \u201cI want to work with everyone.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While it may be true that you work with a variety of professions, personalities, and situations, there are likely some that you mesh particularly well with \u2013 and ones you don\u2019t! We want to attract more of the former and less of the latter for real, quality success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What does this mean for your website? Well, people are more likely to interact with things that are reflective of themselves. If you can make your website seem like it was built for them personally, the chances of turning that viewer into a lead is far more likely than simply presenting the same generic information found across the web.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, meet Kindra Sowden.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n

    \"Kindra<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kindra works frequently with women of different lifestyles in Saskatoon – a small, targeted niche. This effectively equates to a smaller pool of clients but is basically guaranteed quality connections resulting in high return\/referral rates. Her website’s design, content, and flow makes her memorable and distinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kindra’s website<\/a> reflects her audience by personalizing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n