Must-Have Features for a Real Estate Website

While analyzing the websites of different real estate companies in Dubai, we felt some of them excelled in providing a satisfactory user experience while some were difficult to navigate. Our analysis helped us conclude eight must-have features that every real estate website should have.

1. Advanced search
A search option is essential to help users find what they need easily from the large number of properties listed on the website. The search should contain filters such as property type, neighborhood, number of rooms, etc. It’s best to locate it on the homepage where users can notice it right away.

2. Images and videos
High-quality images and videos of properties help users know more about a property. The user interaction will increase for properties that have good images and videos. If you can also provide a virtual tour, it will be the best!

3. Contact methods
Make it easy for users to reach out to you when they are interested in a property. Some websites give contact forms for instant inquiry while others provide their number or email id. On some websites, users could schedule appointments for real visits from the website itself, which we thought was pretty useful.

4. Map view
Map view is a must-have as it helps users explore the neighborhood of properties and figure out the amenities and services available nearby.

5. Featured Properties
Providing a list of feature properties can greatly help to attract the attention of users. These could be properties in the most sought-after neighborhood or properties that are available on a huge profit margin.

6. Customer testimonials
Nothing speaks as powerfully as good words from previous customers. If your website has a testimonials section with positive customer feedback, will build credibility and also make potential customers trust you.

7. Mobile compatible
Today, half of the website traffic comes from mobile devices. So, having your website mobile responsive is essential if you don’t want to lose out on potential customers.

8. Chatbot
A live chatbot, available 24*7, will be a great asset to your real estate website as it can contribute to solving user queries at all times. Your website may get visitors from all over the world and a virtual chat assistant can cater to their needs efficiently.

9. Online meetings:
You can book online meetings for sales offers, customer services, real estate agency services, and more from the website by choosing the desired category, picking a suitable date and time, and entering details.

10. Social media and Blog Integration
Social media and blog integration is an important part of Real estate websites. This leads the clients to get knowledge about your standard of company in the market competition.

Here is our list of the most important features for your website to help you successfully market as a real estate agent.

1. Lots of property photos and description
Photographs and detailed property information are considered the two most valuable Web site features by buyers and sellers according to a survey by the National Association of REALTORS

2. Searchable listings
Buyers want to see properties. Provide access to your area’s MLS listings using an Internet Data Exchange. Let visitors know you’re there to help them as soon as they find properties they like.

3. Updated links
Make sure hyperlinks are working and link to the most current information available; when visitors get snagged on broken links or see you don’t keep your site updated, you lose credibility.

4. Type that’s accurate and easy-to-read
As tempting as it may be to experiment with colored or textured backgrounds or to use light-colored text on a dark background the best sites stick with easy-to-read black text on a light background. Proofread for misspellings and make sure words aren’t overlapping an image, which impedes readability.

5. Customer-centric content
Your Web site should tell prospects what’s in it for them. “Consumers aren’t impressed when they see a picture of a person posing with a phone to his ear.

6. Information prospects can use
The best sites go beyond mortgage calculators and local weather to provide information that’s truly valued by the niche customer. For example, if your prospect in a condominium project, publish bylaws and tenant rules and let all the residents know they can find the information on your site.

7. Simplicity
Consumers should be able to take a quick look at your home page and know how to contact you, how to search for homes, and where to find resources for buying or selling. Flashing graphics, slow-loading animation, and too many links will slow them down.

8. Organization
It doesn’t matter how much great information you provide if it’s buried. Don’t make visitors scroll down several screens to find contact information, listing-search tools, or neighborhood data. Organize content into categories and provide clear links on the home page. A site map helps consumers find what they’re looking for.

9. A consistent look
Use the same typefaces, type sizes, design elements, and navigation tools on every page of the Web site. It’s great to have different sections for buyers and sellers but don’t make the sections look like entirely different sites.

10. Short, snappy copy
Use digestible bites of information when explaining how you got into the business and what awards you’ve won. Bullet points and short paragraphs work best.

Custom Landing Page

Just as real estate agents need to learn about each individual client to find the perfect property, real estate marketing requires offering up the right digital content to viable leads online.

Sure, that might sound like a tall order—especially when you don’t know exactly who is visiting your website or browsing your listings. But that’s the beauty of landing pages. By creating targeted real estate landing pages for specific audiences, you can present the right message to the right people at exactly the right time.

Why Do I Need Real Estate Landing Pages?
If you don’t have real estate landing pages yet, you’re missing out on a whole bunch of benefits.

Creating a conversion-oriented landing page will help you:

● Maximize your impact on targeted traffic. When it comes to driving conversions, a landing page is more effective than a basic page on your website. Think about it: if someone clicks on an ad for a Manhattan loft and it takes them to your home page, they might feel like you didn’t deliver on your promise—so they bounce. But if the ad takes them to a dedicated landing page built entirely around booking a private showing of that loft (i.e., around a single conversion goal), you increase your odds of closing the deal.

● Build and grow your email list. With a simple lead generation form and enticing offer, you’ll gather more contact information that’ll make it easier to follow up and nurture leads into clients.

● Showcase properties in depth. Highlight specific aspects of new builds, rental units, or your real estate services that speak to a specific audience. Since landing pages are highly targeted and built around one CTA, you can focus on the details that appeal most to a targeted group of visitors.

● Create a sense of urgency. There’s nothing like an exclusive sneak peek at upcoming listings or early access to pre-construction floor plans to get potential clients excited. Use real estate landing pages to present a time-sensitive offer that wouldn’t make sense to feature on your homepage—all without updating your website.

● Accurately measure campaign results. On a general listing site, you can’t tell how effective your ads are because you don’t have access to those metrics. With a dedicated landing page, on the other hand, you’ll see where your traffic is coming from and what percentage is converting—so you’ll know exactly how well your ads are performing and can focus on the most effective channels.

The Basic Elements: How to Create a Real Estate Landing Page
While every landing page should be unique and match the campaign driving that’s traffic to it, there are a few things all effective real estate landing page examples have in common.

A single call to action
The one thing every landing page needs is a call to action (CTA). You’ve gotta tell interested leads what to do next. Your CTA should always support your conversion goal, so start by thinking about what you want to achieve with a particular campaign.

For instance, if your main goal is to generate new leads within a specific house-hunting budget, your CTA might ask visitors to answer a few questions about their down payment (along with their contact information). Or, if you’re looking to book more appointments, you might encourage leads to select a time slot from your calendar and submit their phone number. Whatever the case, craft a single call to action that supports your conversion goal.

High-impact visuals
Real estate is all about selling a vision—so give your visitors something to feast their eyes on. Use visual content to show leads what you have to offer. Include lots of appealing images, like professional photos of properties, videos and virtual walkthroughs, and even GIFs (perhaps to showcase a panoramic view or preview your real estate tech).