One of the most important elements of design for a real estate website will be the content of the pages that are included in the website layout. Listings that have descriptions, excellent photographs and detailed information is important and essentially needed to be included in the content of a real estate related site. This can come from the customer themselves or it can be content that comes from adding a multiple listing system database connection to the website. Each database provider of each MLS will have a contract agreement that must be agreed upon and signed by the real estate company and also the website provider.
The other content of a real estate website that is designed well will include information and lots of it. This information may need to include community and area information, information about mortgages, insurance, finances, home inspections, home loans and other subjects. It will also need to feature a page dedicated entirely to the credentials, education and history of the real estate company, broker or realtor, whichever the case may be. Photos are important and need to be included on that page also.
School information relating to the local area is a great addition for content. Visitors looking to sell or buy a home are interested in learning more about the area. The information on taxes, utilities, and recreation and entertainment areas nearby will be appreciated by visitors also.
One more important addition of content needed for a real estate website is the realtor, broker or real estate company’s contact information. This should be placed where it can be found almost instantly and included on every page. Placement for that contact information should be at the top of each page, on the side and also at the bottom of every page on the website. Remember that getting contacts is the purpose for the website. This cannot be underestimated.
List the credentials of the associated realtors, their success and groups and clubs they belong to. Addition of a page dedicated to their information is a must. Adding their photo is a plus! Detail the information about any awards that they may have been awarded. Keep it business but do not create it where there is no personalization.
Including forms where mortgage payments can be calculated and other calculations can be made concerning the selling or buying of homes and properties is real helpful also. The real estate company, broker, realtor or agent that you are designing for can offer you much of this content, but if you have access to information on your own, you can offer it to them for use on the website and they will appreciate it because they are very busy professionals.
The layout and navigation ability of a website is also very important. Keep the links out there where they can be found without searching for them. Do not use lots of moving flash items, or large photos that will slow your site down. Remember to resize down to smaller if needed. Visitors are usually in a hurry when visiting online and you need to have all of the information out there where they can go straight to it without too much confusion.
Using simple fonts with plain black ink is always best for the print. After your website has been approved and is online, do your customers a favor and promote it to the search engines for them. They will tell others and you will gain more business as a real estate web designer. Let your customers know that you can be reached promptly and answer as soon as possible to their emails so that they know you take their website seriously. Remember to make your customers happy and they will spread the word for your business.