|
What makes a highly visible, inviting website that eventually leads to sales? We'll cover the "do's" and "don'ts" of real estate web design that will ensure that you find a company or designer that meets your needs.
Do's:
-
Make sure search engines can find you. According to research data over 80 percent of people locate real estate websites through three major search engines; 75 percent of those searches go through Google. Your priority is making sure that the search engines find their way to you.
-
Make sure the company you hire really understands how to make your real estate website searchable. To do this, search for their real estate web design company on the Internet; if you can locate them easily, and they outline a clear plan to make you searchable by Google and two other top search engines, then you have a good candidate for your web design project.
-
Make a list of your priorities first and then see what your options are for real estate web design services. Roughly-speaking, the companies fall into two distinct categories. There are larger companies that have hundreds of pre-designed templates with some ability for you make small modifications. Then there are smaller companies that will do much more personal designs and allow you to have greater input into how your website will look. Both have advantages, but make sure you find the one that also meets your budget.
Don'ts:
-
Don't fall into the trap of looking too much like every other website, or of looking unprofessional. One real estate web design company boasts 10 years in the business and 35,000 clients nationwide. Another site boasts 13 years in the business, so they have experience behind them, but be sure their ability to make search engines find you is quite good and that they can personalize the site enough to meet your needs and make you stand out.
-
Don't let companies who do web design tell you whom you should hire. Obviously your business is selling real estate—you need to hire people with the expertise to help you develop an effective interface between you and the web-traveling world. All companies who are providing you information at this stage consider this their strength. Some will tell you that large companies who sell inexpensive templates are impersonal, while smaller companies with more targeted services will emphasize their creativity, friendliness, and ability to suit your needs.
The truth is your real estate web designer needs to meet your specific criteria. As long as your website is searchable, professional, eye-pleasing, and meets your budget it will be right for you.
|
