In this article, we walk you through the development process and its costs, as well as share tips on how to make a real estate website that appeals to your customers.
Highlights:
- According to the Zillow survey, 39% of millennials would be comfortable buying a home online.
- Tech trends like AR, 3D walkthroughs, and mortgage calculators made the process even more convenient.
- If you still don’t have a solid online presence and visibility, you are missing out on many opportunities.
So, how to design a real estate website that has a chance of competing with the big players on the market without spending a fortune?
At Mind Studios, we assist entrepreneurs with reaching their business goals with the help of websites and mobile application development. At present, we already have profound expertise in creating digital products for real estate businesses, and Rentorr is a bright example of our successful cooperation with clients in this sector.
Here is how our client summarized our collaboration on the Rentorr project:
“Mind Studios has put a lot of effort into the development of our project. They’ve been supportive, understanding, and swift at the same time. If the client has an idea, Mind Studios will be able to turn it into something great. They have delivered on time and within budget. They’ve always been fast to respond to my feedback, and we had no language or time zone barriers.”
If you are at a crossroads and searching for ways to make your real estate business more successful and profitable with the help of real estate website development, our tech team is always ready to help you out.
Reasons to invest in real estate website development
Many real estate agents question the need to build their own website. However, having a personalized website offers significant advantages. As Dmytro Dobrytskyi, the CEO of Mind Studios, puts it:
"Today, investing in your own real estate website development is about shaping your business for the future rather than keeping up with the trends. It's an extremely powerful tool that can attract leads, improve customer trust, as well as streamline operations. Besides, a custom-made digital platform allows you to integrate the latest tech trends, optimize marketing strategies, and, cherry on top, provide a seamless customer experience for buyers. Those who invest in a solid online presence today will surely be the ones who will dominate tomorrow."
With that in mind, here are three reasons why having a real estate platform has become an essential part of many agents’ marketing strategies.
Effective audience targeting
The biggest argument in advertising services and property via a digital platform is the fact that it simply is the best way to reach the target audience.
In the US, for example, 93% of buyers visit websites when looking for homes. At the same time, millennials are the biggest group of home buyers on the US market, making up 43% of purchases as of 2022. This generation is definitely more enticed by offers found online than on lawn signs.
As is clear from the reports above, a solid online presence has already become a must for real-estate agencies who want to close deals with the biggest target audience out there. The decision to build a property website is an essential step, just like a social media presence is.
Improved customer experience
To actually transform the visitors of your website into leads, it has to serve a real purpose and meet users’ requirements. In order to make the platform helpful, you will need to study the needs and pain points of your target audience.
However, there are a few basic features of a real estate website that will be needed in any case, including:
- Advanced filtering
- High-quality pictures and detailed descriptions of the property
- Easy way to reach you or other real estate agents at your agency
To sum up, a one-page website technically serves the purpose of maintaining an online presence. However, it needs to be more complex if you want it to bring in new customers.
Mind Studios’ recommendation: We highly recommend following intuitive and mobile-first design practices. Since most searches today are made on mobile devices, you absolutely must optimize your platform for mobile.
Marketing optimization
Real estate agents and agencies that decide to create a real estate website for business purposes also can expect the process of marketing to get easier. For instance, a web platform can allow you to advertise the property and your services via search engine marketing and pay-per-click marketing.
On top of that, you can use a website for content marketing, meaning you can write helpful blog posts there or even start a podcast. What is more, a website can help agents make more valuable and, therefore, effective content by providing access to detailed analytics reports on how users interact with the platform.
Types of real estate websites
The type of web platform you need to build is determined by your role in the real estate industry and the business goals you want to achieve. Here, we’ve collected the four most common kinds of real estate websites on the market.
Real estate marketplaces
These platforms serve as a mediator between property owners and buyers or renters. Here, the owners can post their houses and other property, set the price, add the descriptions, and find prospective customers. Examples of real estate marketplaces include Zillow and Airbnb.
When do you need it?
You will need a real estate marketplace if your business involves transactions between property owners and potential buyers/tenants. It is an ideal option if you want to create a single hub where users can browse listings, compare different properties, as well as connect directly with owners.
Property listing websites
Property listing platforms are similar to real estate marketplaces since users can also look for property to buy or rent. However, the listings are usually posted by real estate agents, not property owners. RightMove and Realtor are some of the most popular examples of such websites.
When do you need it?
You should consider this option if you want to have a centralized place for listings and property management. It allows agents to easily promote multiple properties as well as attract leads while maintaining control over listings.
Property management platforms
Property management platforms are created specifically for property owners, allowing them to handle selling and renting processes, as well as legal and financial aspects of property management. Appfolio, TennantCloud, and Yardi are the most vivid examples of such platforms.
When do you need it?
This is an optimal solution if you have multiple properties and need to streamline operations (such as rent collection, tenant communication, maintenance requests, etc.) It’s beneficial if you need to handle day-to-day admin tasks effectively.
Real estate aggregators
Aggregators collect data from other real estate platforms and place all those property listings on their own websites, allowing users to find countless options in one place. This is a great option to make a real estate website. They are often considered the most convenient to those looking for property to buy or rent, since it's easier to get a realistic picture of the market and find the option that fits you best.
Property owners also benefit here because the more platforms place their listings, the higher the chances of closing the deal. Among famous aggregator websites are Nestoria and LoopNet.
When do you need it?
It will fit you if you want to provide users with a one-stop-shop experience, a place where they can browse a wide range of listings from various platforms. It should also offer a comparison tool, as well as consolidated data from various sources.
In addition to these main types of real estate websites, they can also be divided into the following categories:
- Personal websites for real estate agents who use a personal brand, vs. Team websites developed for teams of brokers.
- Niche websites focused on selling a specific type of property, vs. Multipurpose websites, advertising all kinds of property.
If you’re not sure what kind of website you need, don’t worry — that’s something we can easily help you with during a 45-minute free consultation. All you have to do is prepare a basic outline of your business goals, contact us, and our business development experts will discuss your needs and possible solutions with you.
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Real estate website builders vs. Custom real estate website development
There are two ways to build a real estate website. You may use online web builders or hire a real estate solutions development company to create your own real estate website from scratch.
What to expect from real estate website builders
Web builders are usually HTML-based editors, and you can build a web platform by simply using the available templates without coding them. The most popular real estate website builders are Squarespace, Placester, and Wix. They’re suitable for simple landing pages, portfolio websites, and basic listing databases.
How to build a real estate website with the help of a web builder? Once you pick the builder, you will have to create an account there, choose an option that suits your budget, and pick a template for your platform. Then, you can edit the template, add your own content to it, and connect the platform to a domain name. Seems fairly simple. However, there are both pros and cons to this way of designing a real estate website.
Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of real estate web development with web builders.
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Disadvantages |
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Overcoming the limitations of website builders with Mind Studios
At Mind Studios, we strongly believe that while website builders are quick and budget-friendly solutions, they are not an optimal choice when it comes to delivering a unique and high-performing real estate platform. Its limitations oftentimes can prevent a website to reach its full potential.
Unlike builders, custom development gives more opportunities to meet your audience’s expectations and satisfy the specific needs of your project. It’s a path we recommend for most businesses that aim to stand out in the market.
When looking for ways to develop a real estate website, consider the advantages and disadvantages of custom development as well.
Disadvantages |
Advantages |
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To sum up, our team would recommend using online website builders if a simple, standardized, and low-budget solution will be enough for you. However, you should switch to custom website development if you want to create a successful project like Zillow or HomeFinder.
And, of course, the Mind Studios’ team is always ready to help you build a custom solution to meet your real estate business needs.
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Must-have real estate website features
Let’s consider the features needed to create a real estate website that can improve the sales of real estate agents. The set of required features will be unique for each project, but we’re going to list the basic ones that will be enough for an MVP.
Features for companies
| Listings management features | They include the tools for adding, deleting, and editing property descriptions, images, and location. |
| Analytical tools | Tracking the popularity of different listings, examining users’ interactions with the published content, etc. |
| Lead capture form | A tool to collect customer data. Usually, users share their personal information in exchange for a discount, a valuable guide, etc. |
| Blog | Allows for text, audio, and visual content publishing. |
| Multiple Listing Service (MLS) | A database of property for sale in a particular geographic region used by cooperating real estate agents. |
| Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system | This is a set of features designed to make communication with clients easier and more efficient. If custom-built, it can allow you to track high-quality leads, analyze sales, automate some of the marketing and sales processes, arrange third-party integrations, and implement other useful features. |
Features for homebuyers
| Advanced search with lots of filters | In addition to price, location, size, and condition, these might include such criteria as neighborhood infrastructure, crime rate, etc. |
| Map-based property listings and map view | For this, you can not only use Google Maps or Open Street Maps, but also integrate them with additional services to demonstrate various locations nearby, like shops, restaurants, schools, and hospitals. |
| Image gallery (carousel, slideshow) | Keep in mind that using high-quality visuals is essential when advertising property. |
| Comparison list | For the customers to weigh their options. |
| Button to schedule a visit | For scheduling visits, preferably with an availability calendar. |
| Instant chat | Enables real-time messaging within the platform. |
| Social sharing and testimonials | Allows customers to leave their feedback, share listings, and recommend the agent or the agency on social media. |
Additional features Mind Studios would recommend adding
Of course, you don’t need to develop additional tools as part of the MVP. However, to our mind, the features below will greatly contribute to a good UX and finalizing deals.
- Mortgage calculator. This feature, especially popular with millennials, can help them compare their rent expenses with possible mortgage expenses and weigh the pros and cons of owning a home.
- 360-degree videos. With their help, users can get a comprehensive impression of a property and decide whether it’s worth seeing in real life.
- Recommendation engine. This tool can boost sales and offer potential buyers more options to choose from.
- Favorites page, which enables users to add the property options they liked to a list for later. This way, the customers do not feel pressured to make the decision right away, and can later review their options and make a conscious decision. At the same time, the agents can analyze the lists and make personalized suggestions to the customers.
Don’t really know which features your real estate website needs? Contact us today to get a free consultation from our tech team on how to create a real estate website that meets your business goals.
Mind Studios’ recommendation: Such giant platforms as Zillow and Redfin report the increasing demand for 3D tours on their websites, especially during the pandemic. So, when designing your real estate website, consider adding 3D tours and AR viewings. They perfectly engage both millennials and tech-savvy users by providing an immersive experience.
Three main real estate website development mistakes
While there are many dos and don'ts when it comes to creating a real estate website, these are three most common mistakes that can easily be avoided:
Mistake #1: Ignoring mobile users
Mobile marketing strategy matters for real estate projects since the majority of searches today are made via mobile devices. What’s more, modern home buyers like to stay in touch with their agents with the help of mobile-friendly websites, instant messengers, and social media.
Mind Studios’ solution
To avoid this mistake, you need to make sure that your platform works flawlessly on all devices and that you are easily accessible on the platforms you're advertising. We also recommend integrating mobile-specific features (such as click-to-call buttons, easy navigation, and fast-loading images) to cater to users who are always on the go.
Mistake #2: Not paying attention to SEO
Since more than half of homebuyers are looking for properties online, you need a strong strategy for search engine optimization if you want to get discovered. Custom-built websites usually provide plenty of opportunities for implementing various content ideas while following SEO strategies.
Mind Studios’ solution
Google’s algorithms are changing quite often, and sticking to basic SEO rules might just help your content get on top. Start small and check if you are combining H2 and H3 headings, if the paragraphs are laconic, and if the text is readable. Also, do not underestimate on-page and off-page optimization to improve your website ranking over time.
Mistake #3: Poor quality of images and property descriptions
These components are at the core of your real estate website, and users should be able to learn all the essential information about the property in no more than three clicks.
Mind Studios’ solution
You need to prototype your property introductions very carefully, providing space for text descriptions, high-quality photos, videos, and 360-degree virtual tours. There also should be a questions and answers section, as well as buttons to immediately contact the owner or agent. We highly recommend having consistent image quality across your platform, making sure your property is shown in the best light possible to stand out.
Real estate website development stages
If you decide to build a real estate website that serves the purpose of bringing you more quality leads, the development process will likely include these four main stages.
Discovery stage
Before the development team can actually build real estate websites, they first need to validate the idea, research the market, and analyze user personas and user needs. After that, they can proceed to develop software solutions that will help the clients achieve their business goals.
The discovery stage was a crucial step when we worked on our Rentorr project. During it, we thoroughly researched the needs and pain points of both landlords and tenants by conducting numerous interviews, surveys, and brainstorming sessions, and we made sure we met the expectations of both user groups. We also helped our client with business plan development using in-depth analysis of the local real estate market size and its nuances.
UI/UX strategy stage
At this stage, UI/UX designers develop a visual concept of the website, work on its features that correspond with the users’ needs, solve navigational issues, and in the end, create high-fidelity prototypes — mockups of each page of the website.
The Mind Studios team has created dozens of websites and app designs, some of which were connected to the real estate industry. One of these projects, a website for Rentorr, is the perfect visualization of the UI/UX tips we’ve mentioned above.
When creating the visual concept for the website, we chose green as the main color since it is connected to stability, life, and balance. We paid extra attention to the icons which illustrate the perks of the property.
In addition to standard features, we enhanced the platform with an advanced filtering feature and a price calculator. At the same time, all the elements turned out to be soft and neat so that the users didn’t feel overwhelmed. You can examine the design we created on our Behance page.
Development stage
During this stage, front-end and back-end developers turn the final prototypes into code and build a fully functional website.
Within the Rentorr product, we created helpful functionality for landlords, tenants, and contractors. Landlords got property management with an intuitive dashboard, fraud check feature, financial management, and direct communication with tenants. On the other hand, tenants got advanced search with numerous filters, financial operation management, as well as a communication tool for direct messaging with landlords and contractors. As for contractors, they had job search functionality and financial operations management. All the added features allowed for a streamlined rental process and improved operational efficiency for landlords.
Testing stage
At this point, quality assurance engineers check for any bugs the website has and report to the development team so that they can make the website flawless.
Mind Studios’ tips for a real estate website design creation
Here are our 7 UI/UX design tips that might help you create the best real estate website possible.
1. User-centered design
To come up with efficient UX solutions, it’s essential to study the target audience’s needs and the problems they expect to solve on your platform. Communicating with prospective customers, studying reviews on your competitors’ websites, and checking out forums might help achieve that.
2. Thought-through web usability
Here, we recommend prioritizing functionality over visual trends. To avoid bounce rates, make sure every element of the website is consistent.
3. Intuitive navigation
When creating UI/UX design, it’s important to stick to a three-click rule. This means the users should be able to find everything they need within just three clicks. Elements that can help you achieve this are sticky menus, breadcrumbs, clear headings, and a functional footer with all the essential information.
4. Engaging elements
Micro-interactions are one of the most significant trends with both websites and applications. You can encourage users to leave feedback, contact you, and simply stay on the website by inserting loading bars, interactive animations, and creative CTAs.
5. Credibility
To achieve this, you need to add testimonials, as well as social buttons that lead to your social media where customers can make sure you’re a real agent or agency representative. The quality of the property photos and videos also influences how the users perceive the listings you post.
6. Effective search engines
To make the job easier for the customers, you need to enable them to filter their options out in accordance with various criteria. Size, price, location, policy regarding pets, neighborhood, infrastructure, and property features are just a few of the numerous factors that influence customers’ choices.
7. Colors
The colors used in your real estate website design should inspire trust, stability, and credibility. White, blue, green, and orange are good options, according to marketing psychology.
Sticking to all these directives might somewhat affect the real estate website design cost. However, the results will definitely be worth it in the long run.
Tech trends in creating a real estate website
Undoubtedly, the real estate sector is evolving at a rapid pace with the appearance of new advancements in technologies that improve both seller and buyer experience. The success of your platform directly depends on the tools and technologies you and your development team choose to incorporate when building it.
Here is a list of technologies our team recommends using if you decide to make your own real estate website.
Real-time data
Integrating real-time data sources like MLS (Multiple Listing Service) data or property data APIs can help you ensure that property information on your platform is always accurate and up-to-date. This will directly influence the trustworthiness of your website.
Predictive analytics
The owners of real estate websites enhanced with predictive analytics tools can analyze historical data and user behavior patterns to forecast property values, future trends, market conditions, and more. You can also use it to help your users make better, more informed investment decisions and thus add value to your services.
Blockchain
This technology can help you achieve enhanced security and transparency in real estate transactions. For instance, blockchain can be used to streamline the property verification process and digital contracts, reduce the need for intermediaries, and improve trust among clients and partners.
AI-powered chatbots
AI chatbots or virtual assistants help provide instant 24/7 support to users looking for properties — by answering common inquiries. Chatbots can typically handle basic queries, schedule property viewings, and even provide personalized recommendations based on user preferences. Besides, with ready-to-use AI plugins and APIs, it’s not that costly to implement.
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)
These technologies are becoming increasingly popular in the real estate industry, since they allow users to visualize properties in real-world environments and make more informed decisions remotely. VR and AR enable enhanced property visualization, remote property viewing, and property customization, all of which create a huge competitive advantage.
If you want to include advanced technologies to your website and stay ahead of the competition — our tech team is just a click away. Our experts will recommend the optimal features that will bring value to you and your clients.
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How much does a real estate website cost?
The cost to develop any website depends on the complexity of the platform, the hourly rate of the team you’re working with, and the number of specialists involved. Building a real estate website from scratch usually requires the following team members at minimum:
- 1 project manager
- 1 UI/UX designer
- 1 front-end developer
- 1 back-end developer
- 1 quality assurance specialist
Based on the features we’ve listed in one of the previous sections, the number of professionals involved, and a $45 hourly rate, we’ve made a rough estimate of how much it might cost you to build a real estate website.
| Stage | Time (hours) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Project management | 240 | $10,800 |
| Discovery and research stage | 80 | $3600 |
| UI/UX design | 160 | $7200 |
| Front-end development | 800+ | $36,000 |
| Backend development | 560+ | $25,200 |
| Testing | 400 | $18,000 |
| Total | 2240 | $100,800 |
If you want to get a personalized quote and find out how much your real estate website will cost, you can always contact our team — they will answer all your questions and suggest the optimal development roadmap for you.
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Conclusion
The benefits of a real estate website are indisputable. Having your own online platform can help you increase high-quality leads, optimize your marketing strategy, and even simplify customer management processes. But most importantly, a real estate website can help strengthen your online presence and connect better with the younger generation of homebuyers.
When you take all these perks into account, investing in a real estate website doesn’t seem like such a daunting task. Besides, you really don’t have to spend a fortune on it. Even when on a budget, there are options of hiring an offshore outsourcing company with lower hourly rates, or starting with an MVP and updating the website gradually.
If you’re still in doubt about the project you have in mind, don’t hesitate to book a free consultation with Mind Studios. Our business development team will be happy to answer any of your questions regarding the cooperation process, possible solutions for your specific idea, and the cost to implement it.
