Realtor Website Design & Development

The Need for a Professionally Created Realtor Website

Advertising for Real Estate Agencies has changed over the years. Media and advertising has evolved to fit newer, digital platforms. The internet is completely engrained in modern society. Over a billion websites available to help visitors with whatever they need. When looking up any nearby realtors, your target clients can decide within moments if you are the realtor for them or not. With no website a realtor agency ruins its chances of being any sort of chance for customers at all.

A website provides many benefits other than advertising opportunities. With a website a realtor agency will be able to provide quick and easy access to information on both itself and the area that it works in. Communication and convenience are also benefits of being online. Clients are contactable from practically any area via the internet. Any and all website visitors is able see any important  agency changes.

For any website or online presence it is information that defines them. A real estate agency is able to show:

• Who a client will be speaking to
• What are they are able to do for clients
• Why they remain the best choice
• When they are able to schedule an appointment
• Where they are able to look for houses with affordable pricing

Real estate is a business built on choices and options, any lack of information and communication will reflect on any agency. A website will allow clients the information and choices they require in order to pick the right realty firm for them.

Research and Analysis for a Realtor Website

Analyzing your Real Estate Agency

In creating a website it is vital to achieve a clear, concise idea on what makes one realtor different from the next. Strengths, qualifications, and testimonies all come together to paint a full picture of any agency. On a website, the best aspects of any agency are able to be completely displayed for any potential clients to see. Transparency and positive reception are key to any realtor in order to stand out from the fierce competition.

Realtor Site KPIs

Key Performance Indicators, otherwise known as KPI’s, are measurable variables. Using KPI’s allow for any agency to track the progress of business. There are many metrics available to check, including:

• Marketing
  
  • Digital
  • Email
• Sales
• Social Media
• SEO
• Finances
• Support
• Insurance
• Human Resources

Website development works alongside the information given by KPI studies. KPI studies will lead to creating a productive, positive website for an agency. Erase an agency’s weak areas while building on the strong areas upon for greater website results.

Realtor Website Conversion Factors

Conversion Factors are when a visitor comes to a website and they will act in a way that agencies want them to. Wanted visitor actions include clicking certain links or creating appointments. Every webpage has conversion factors. But the factors act in either a beneficial or hindering manner for conversion rates. Conversion factors come in two forms:

1. Drivers:
   1. Factors helpful to conversion rates.
      1. Relevance
      2. Clarity
      3. Urgency  
2. Inhibitors:
   1. Factors that lower conversion rates.
      1. Visitor Anxiety
      2. Web Page Format
      3. Website Loading Speed
         

Realtor Call to Actions

A call to action guides users, and lets them know where they should direct their attention in order to find the information they are looking for. Realty clients have specific needs, pertinent their situations, which means they know what they are looking for. A call to action is answer to a question that clients may have. By spreading calls to action throughout the website clients are able to more easily navigate a website.

On The Map Marketing’s Strategy for Realtor Website Design

We create a website so that every aspect reaches set standards that  create positive experiences for users. In designing a website certain aspects must be both considered and optimized to make sure a website reaches its potential. Essential aspects include:

• On-Site Development
  • Additions and optimization of the content of the website itself. Including:
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Blogs
    • Navigation

• Off-Site Development
  • Development of the connection a website has to the internet.  Developments include:
    • Links
      • Inbound
      • Outbound
    • Directory Connections

Realtor-Client Conversion Focused Website Design

A real estate agency shows clients of the opportunities in their available and the need to take advantage of them. A realtor agency’s website design must keep conversion in mind to benefit an agency and its need for clients. An unconvincing or unattractive website converts no clients and brings in no business. By focusing on conversion factors a website achieves the best chance to attract appropriate business.

Realtor Branding in Website Design

A realtor will only be as successful as their reputation allows. Branding allows for the compression of reputation into understandable, easy to remember symbols. A brand allows for a recognizable agency. Symbols and logos act as a simple way for clients to recognize who they are working with. Branding also allows for a chance for a realtor agency to create a more attractive, relatable image as a whole.

Mockups for a Realtor Website

Website design is not a simple process, nor is it done instantly. On The Map Marketing takes steps to ensure that any agency agrees with any design choices via mockups. Mockups are simple prototypes for a website designed, capable of alteration. Using mockups allows for a final product preview, which must find approval before taking the next step in the website design process.  

Realtor Agency Website Approval

On The Map Marketing works to satisfy client needs, and strives to do so with every page on a website. Specialized teams work on ensuring that every aspect of a website fits a client’s vision and specifications. Every step in the website design process will be transparent and understandable to realtor agency clients. Standards are set, and On The Map Marketing aims to meet them every time.

Realtor Website Code Design

HTML vs WordPress

Among the most used programs on the internet, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) has its uses and weaknesses. A website created via HTML is cheap and does not require much maintenance. HTML websites are financially attractive, but they lack flexibility or the ability to quickly update. When created using HTML, a website is not changeable by anyone  other than the development team. Thus. HTMl websites lack the dynamic capabilities of other programs such as WordPress.

A website created using WordPress is flexible, and capable of changing from the moment it goes online. Anyone with access is able to alter a WordPress based website, updating or maintaining at will. Realtors are able to use the flexibility of the program to show any changes to real estate options in real time to update clients in a hasty manner. WordPress requires consistent maintenance so that website speed and security stay at acceptable levels.

CMS Realtor Website Pro’s and Con’s

For quick, modifiable websites there is a program called Content Management System (CMS) to create them. CMS based websites separate the technical aspects of a website from the content aspects, allowing for easier and faster updates. Uploading content is possible for whomever has access to a CMS website, allowing for several sources to add contributions at will. A CMS website is adaptable to user needs, and from the moment of creation it is capable of  customization.  

Realtor Website Mobile Responsive Design

When a website changes to suit a screen that is not automatic, rather that is a product of design. A realtor website must be able possible on any device to bring in as much traffic as possible. The devices a website should be able to adapt to include:

• Monitors
  • Widescreen
  • Small

• Tablets
• Phones
  

Comfort and ease of use play large parts in client conversion. Conversion factors are largely affected by content changes.

The smaller a screen, the more changes needed to compensate for viewer comfort. Certain aspects of a website require emphasis and others shrunk down to convey the right information to users. Website layout will also change, with menus and links altered to be more easily used. Mobile adaption is a convenient benefit for different device users. Adaption is practically a necessity for mobile users to use realtor websites comfortably.

JavaScript and PHP in Realtor Website Design

1. JavaScript: An aesthetic based program. It adds a dynamic sense to menus and content, further enhancing user experience. Not using JavaScript leaves a page static and dry, with little ability to strengthen the design.
2. Hypertext Processor (PHP): Hypertext Processor (PHP): A server-side scripting language used to develop the technical side of a website. Efficient coding and communication within a website is necessary for smooth, positive experiences for users.

Realtor Website API Integration

An Application Program Interface (API) handles the communication and management of software programs. Three types of API exist:

• Local
  • Operating programs provided for application programs.
• Web-Like
  • Represent Common programs such as HTMLs.
• Program-Like
  • Remote programs appear and communicate locally.

API’s require development teams to correctly utilize to their full potential. Utilizing API for a website connections strengthens ties to  authoritative sources, such as search engines. Through API’s a website’s connection to the internet as well as the online community. Connections create further trust in a website, and thus in the realtors it represents.

Website Security

Protecting a website and any users is a high priority in the design of any realtor website. Realty clients trust realtors to find them homes, but trust is difficult to build when they cannot even rely on their website. Malicious threats are transferable from unsecured websites, which leads to both technical problems and reputational damage. Clients look for a realtor agency to put their confidence in, a website’s security severely affects this choice.

HTTP vs HTTPS

There is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS), the difference between programs being in the name. HTTPS is more complex to use but the program allows for a more secure website. Security is essential for any realtor website that wishes to have direct client communication . An unsecured website puts both the agency and the clients at risk of viral infection without proper protection, such as that of HTTPS.

SSL Implementation

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) works in tandem with other security programs. SSL ensures secured connections between clients and realtors online. While necessary for a website it is also necessary for social media links as well. If a realtor website utilizes social media then the information passed between both websites and the user must protected. Lack of SSL raises the risk of private information interception and theft.

Cross Site Scripting (XSS)

An attack program crafted to transmit through a host website. While not particularly malicious towards the website, it is capable of harming users. By transmitting unto user software malicious programs may spread quickly. XSS will allow a party access to the victim’s files and operating system.

Cross Site Forgery (CSRF)

Cookies are the trackers that follow where a user goes online, CSRF takes advantage of this. Infection happens with CSRF utilizing cookies a victim’s software before attacking. CSRF alters victim requests, changing messages to systems. The more access a user has to the infected website the more CSRF is able to infect.

Security Misconfiguration

Security misconfiguration is a simple mistake with very complex consequences . Incorrect application of security may leave website and user data at risk. Through the use of security holes there is a risk of data theft, which in turn will be difficult to recover. The more problems with security misconfiguration a website has the more difficult it is to protect those who use it.

Realtor Website Quality Testing

A website must meet certain standards to attract business. Quality testing is a required point of any realtor website design. Different aspects of the website must be  tested and examined to ensure they stand out from competing websites. Technical and aesthetic parts of a website have different needs, but they all amount to how well a website will perform.

HTML Validation

HTML coding is a science, which means any deviance or incorrect variable could trip up the entire script. HTML validation ensures proper coding and avoid syntax errors. Code based syntax errors lead to problems on web page content. Syntax errors include: open spaces, extra spaces, and misplaced quotation marks. Little mistakes build up, and enough of them draws client attention.

Make JavaScript Error Free

JavaScript controls aesthetic and dynamics of a website. Any problems with JavaScript are very visible to clients and website visitors. Broken links and menu issues frustrate users and lower interest as a whole. Checking JavaScript programs must be thoroughly done to avoid any issues popping up.

Image Licensing

Using licensed images without permission leads to legal issues. Each and every image a website displays must be  checked and approved for usage. If a licensed image improperly used then a court order to take it down is possible. Further usage of unlicensed images may lead to greater legal repercussions.

Content Creation

A website bare of content is static, uninteresting, and generates little traffic. Content creation allows for there to be more attractive elements for clients to cling to. Whether it is videos, blogs, or articles, updates and content interest clients. The more frequently updated a website is, the greater chance there will be for increased traffic. A websites blank spaces will need erasing to make sure that no aspect of the website lacks quality.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO determines the relation that a website will have with search engines. With the amount of usage they see, search engines have become an important aspect of internet culture. By ranking high enough on them a website is able to see increased traffic and reputation. A website will attract clients by using optimized content made for needs specific to general.

Realtor Website Launch

Realtors no longer rely on traditional media like they used to.  An online presence brings in business now. A website brings its benefits, but an online presence is essential  to put a realtor agency out into the public eye. When searching for someone to help them find a home clients will look up trusted names. Without a website, an realtor agency is at an incredible disadvantage.