Estate agency websites differ slightly from those in other industries. Creating such a site in WordPress isn’t just a matter of uploading a few photos and a property description. This type of website requires the latest knowledge in web development. Some features for this kind of site are quite easy to implement using free or paid plugins, many of which can be found in the WordPress repository. However, implementing some advanced functions may require hiring a specialist in web development, databases, and PHP. Unique features can help your website stand out from the competition. In this article, we will look at the key stages of creating such a website, as well as interesting features you could install on your site.
Key Features of Estate Agency Websites
An estate agency website is not just about having an online presence. What’s important is the graphic design with high-quality photos, a clear property search engine with detailed filtering options, and a form to arrange a viewing.
Key features of any estate agency website:
- Detailed Information: Try to include as much detailed information as possible. Without it, it will be harder to sell or let a property.
- Photographs: The more, the better. Photos are what primarily draw attention to a listing, and users rely on them when searching for a house or flat.
- Contact Details: It is advisable to provide various contact options, not just a phone number: email addresses, instant messengers, etc.
- Online Viewings: These allow estate agents to show properties or negotiate offers with clients who do not live in the local area.
- Maps: These will help interested parties to understand the property’s location.
- Search Filters: A client who has to browse through dozens of pages of listings they are not interested in to find their dream home might get bored before they find it. A good search engine is not just about simple sorting by price. Some people care about the neighbourhood, proximity to a school or a tube station; some are looking for ground-floor flats, while others want a third-floor flat, and others won’t even consider listings without a garden. Provide your users with a well-organised search engine, and your site will sell many properties.
Stages of Creating an Estate Agency Website
The creation of most websites consists of several stages. Remember, however, that website development never truly ends; to be well-positioned in Google, the site must be regularly updated.
Stage One: Choosing a Theme
The first and one of the most important steps is choosing the theme upon which your website will be built. A good theme for an estate agency might already have a built-in function you need, so you won’t have to install an additional plugin later, and some extra plugins can be quite expensive. Therefore, take your time. Think about which features are most important to you and spend some time checking several, or even a dozen, different themes. Don’t focus on the visual aspect of the site – because that can be relatively easily customised to your needs – but rather on the functional side of a given theme. Choosing the first theme you come across without thinking can come back to haunt you in the future.
Here are a few recommended themes:
- RealHomes (Paid): It has a powerful search engine with lots of options, custom photo galleries, and additionally, a dozen different graphic layouts to choose from. The theme allows for attaching documents to each property offered – PDF files, office documents, scans, etc. It is possible to add floor plans for each level of the building. You can very easily and quickly edit property details. A useful feature is the ability to compare individual listings or search for similar properties.
- NexProperty (Free): This is a completely free theme. It was originally created more for occasional property rentals, but it can be relatively easily transformed into a professional estate agency website. This theme has a decent search engine and allows for the convenient placement of all offered properties on a map. It features a clear booking page for appointments and a subpage for staff members. A recommended free alternative to other paid themes.
- VW Real Estate (Free and Paid): A visually interesting theme with a lot of graphical flourishes. It has a simple property search engine. It is also possible to purchase a paid option with technical support, multi-language support, and better SEO optimisation.
- Houzez (Paid): An excellent, extremely flexible theme. There are over a dozen graphic styles to choose from. The theme’s back-end is brilliantly organised, where we can manage properties and clients. Convenient reports allow for detailed analysis. A professional and highly recommended theme.
Stage Two: Selecting and Installing Plugins
Thanks to plugins, you can quickly and without coding extend the functionality of your website. Most of the plugins needed for an estate agency can be found in the WordPress plugin repository. A noteworthy plugin is Realtyna Organic IDX plugin WPL. It allows for the convenient addition and management of property listings.
Stage Three: UX/UI Design
Creating an interesting and unique design is a complex but satisfying process. To ensure the site’s success, it is important to target the right audience and make the site easy to use on both computers and smartphones. A convenient property search is one of the most important elements of an estate agency website. It should search for listings based on all relevant parameters: number of rooms, flat area, location, garage availability, etc.
Stage Four: Implementing Additional Features
The final stage should be the implementation of all additional functions that an estate agency website should have but cannot be implemented using WordPress plugins. If you are not a professional coder, you will need the help of a specialist for this. An interesting option could be, for example, an application for Android or iOS phones. Help with obtaining a mortgage or even comparing offers from different banks could be useful for a potential client.
Summary
Creating a professional estate agency website is not just about choosing a theme and listing properties. It requires creating a good and unique graphic design, ensuring a great user experience, and designing an effective property search engine. Taking care of each of these aspects will certainly result in acquiring a large number of potential clients.
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