Back in 1981, a National Homebuying Survey revealed that the top-rated information source for homebuyers was their local newspaper. Fast forward a few decades, and today 97 percent of homebuyers search for homes via the internet, i.e. on your real estate website.
These statistics paint a clear picture of how important real estate web design really is. And if you still don't have a website as an up-and-coming realtor, you're only doing yourself a disservice.
Here's how to find the best real estate web designers so that you can put your business on the map!
The best way to find web designers up to the task of creating your website is to understand the full scope of your project. For example, do you need a simple website or do you want to integrate a blog into it as well? Do you need e-commerce capabilities?
By understanding the non-negotiables and project requirements of your website design, you can narrow down your search for web designers with the right expertise.
Next, you'll need to carefully draw up your web design budget. This is super important to not only ensure you're not overspending but will help you find the right designer to suit. Not all real estate web designers are created equal -- they each offer their own experience and pricing to match.
Bear in mind that you also need to budget for website hosting and future maintenance. Make sure you find a designer that offers you a good package for the long haul.
It's no secret that real estate website design is not exactly simple. There are plenty of features required to ensure your website offers enough detail to suit your client base. This is where a designer who specializes in IDX design is imperative.
Always do an assessment of each potential designer's portfolio and their past work. Assess whether their web design experience and design style fit in with your business aesthetic and brand. You also want to work with a designer who's abreast of the latest design trends and website functionality -- especially within the real estate space.
It's crucial that you have a clear understanding of how a web designer works. Ask them about the development process and what that looks like step by step.
They should offer a basic breakdown of the timeline of development so that you can manage your expectations of the project and have an idea of when you can go ''live''.
Your website should function like a living, breathing thing. The job of a great web designer is to create the website you envisioned, but also offer ongoing support to help you keep it alive.
Remember that different designers offer different levels of service within the package you choose. If you want ongoing maintenance of your website so that you can update it regularly and monitor its performance, don't forget to inquire about this with your designer.
The business of real estate is more competitive than it's ever been. This is why you need to set your business apart from the rest with unbeatable real estate web design. And finding the right web designers is absolutely key.
Expand your knowledge of real estate marketing, housing trends, the real estate market in the digital age, and more by exploring the rest of this website.