How to design for real estate websites

Introduction

Designing a website for real estate is one of the most daunting tasks that web designers face. It can be difficult to create a website that looks professional and appealing, while also highlighting the most important features that real estate websites need. However, with a bit of creativity and know-how, you can make a website that stands out from the competition. In this guide, we will discuss the best practices for designing a real estate website.

Choose A Template

When it comes to designing a website for real estate, the first step is to choose a template. There are many different templates available, and each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the type of content you plan to include on your website and select a template that meets your needs. Make sure to choose a template that is mobile-friendly, as many people will be viewing your site on their smartphones and tablets.

Choose A Color Scheme

Colors can have a huge impact on the look and feel of your website. Choose a color scheme that reflects the type of real estate you are selling. For example, if you specialize in luxury properties, you may want to use a black and gold color scheme. On the other hand, if you specialize in affordable housing, you may want to use a bright and cheerful color palette. Make sure to pick colors that are easy to read and won’t be too distracting for visitors.

Include High-Quality Photos

Real estate websites must include high-quality photos in order to be successful. Make sure to select photos that show off the best features of each property. If possible, use professional photos that have been taken by a photographer. This will ensure that the photos are clear and sharp. You should also consider including interactive features, such as 360-degree views or 3D tours, to give visitors an even better idea of the property.

Include Relevant Information

Make sure to include all of the relevant information about each property on your website. This should include details such as the size of the property, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities, and more. You may also want to include a list of nearby schools, shopping centers, and other attractions. This will give potential buyers an idea of what the area has to offer.

Make It Easy To Contact You

Finally, make sure to make it easy for visitors to contact you. Include a contact form on the website and make sure to respond promptly. You should also include your email address, phone number, and social media links so that visitors can reach out with any questions or concerns.Website Design Considerations for Real Estate Websites

Designing a website to showcase real estate offerings is an important task requiring careful consideration. When done correctly, a real estate website can be extremely helpful for marketing, sales, and overall customer experience. To make sure your website meets your goals, here are some key things to consider when designing your real estate website.

Identify Your Goals for the Website

Before you dive into the design process, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the purpose of the website. A real estate website can serve many functions, such as providing detailed information about a specific property, showing photos of available properties, enabling customers to search for properties, and allowing customers to contact the company. By identifying your specific goals for the website, you can ensure that every aspect of the design will be tailored to meet these objectives.

Prioritize User-Friendly Navigation

The layout of a website is critical for providing customers with an engaging and user-friendly experience. This is especially true for real estate websites, where customers need to be able to find and access information quickly and easily. When designing your website, make sure to prioritize navigation, including a top menu bar, breadcrumbs, and clear categories. These features help customers to easily find what they are looking for and navigate throughout the website.

Choose an Appealing Color Scheme

Choosing an appealing color scheme is an important part of creating a website that draws in and engages customers. The right color scheme will create a visually pleasing experience that helps to draw customers in and keep their attention. When picking a color palette for a real estate website, it is important to choose colors that are both aesthetically pleasing and that also reflect the brand image. For example, many real estate companies use colors such a beige or light blue that create a calming atmosphere and convey a sense of trustworthiness.

Include High-Quality Images

Images play an essential role on real estate websites. High-quality images of properties will give customers a better understanding of the offerings and will help to draw them in and engage them. If possible, include images of the interior and exterior of the properties as well as photos of the surrounding area. It is also important to keep in mind that most customers are viewing the website from a mobile device, so it is essential to optimize photos for mobile devices to ensure they look good on any device.

Incorporate Search Functions

One of the main features of a real estate website is the ability for customers to search for properties. To provide customers with an easy and efficient way to search for properties, incorporate search features into the website. Search functions should include filters that allow customers to narrow down their search by location, price, number of rooms, etc. Additionally, to make sure customers can easily find the search function, prominently display a search bar in the header of the website.

Add a Contact Form

A contact form is an essential feature of any real estate website. This allows potential customers to contact the company directly, which can have a big impact on sales and customer service. When adding a contact form to the website, make sure to include fields such as name, email, message, and any other pertinent information that can help customers get their questions answered quickly and easily.

Optimize for Mobile Devices

The majority of customers are now accessing websites from their mobile devices, so it is important to optimize your website for mobile devices. Ideally, your website should be designed and built to be responsive so it looks great on any device and platform. Make sure all the elements on the website, such as images, search functions, and contact forms, are optimized for mobile devices to ensure customers have an enjoyable experience regardless of what device they are using.

Conclusion

Designing a website for a real estate business requires careful consideration for all the details. From selecting an appealing color scheme to optimizing for mobile devices to incorporating search functions, there are many factors to consider when designing a website. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can create a website that is engaging, user-friendly, and effective at driving sales.

To go fruther on the topic

If you’d like to explore more on the topic of How to design for real estate websites, we recommend the following litterature:

1. Real Estate Website Design: Strategies and Best Practices by Jacob Gube
2. The Design of Web-Based Real Estate Portals by Kim H. Veltman
3. Creating Real Estate Websites That Work: A Guide for Real Estate Professionals by Robin L. Cabral
4. Real Estate Website Design: How to Create an Effective Online Presence by Aaron Gershonowitz
5. Realtor.com Secrets: Strategies and Best Practices for Achieving Success with Online Real Estate by Jason Keck
6. Real Estate Website Design: A Comprehensive Guide to Building a Professional Online Presence by Garrett French
7. Real Estate Website Design: How to Build an Amazing Website That Drives Traffic by Joe Fielder
8. Real Estate Web Design: A Guide to Designing Effective Real Estate Websites by Mark Blanchard
9. Designing & Developing Effective Websites for Real Estate Professionals by Bob Rains
10. Building a Real Estate Website: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Professional Website by David A. Karp