The actual property business is very large and it requires an awesome web site. Whether or not the location is for a realtor or a big actual property company, each can profit from a streamlined web site on WordPress.
However how do you even begin constructing an actual property web site? Which options do it's essential to have?
On this publish I’ll cowl the fundamentals that each nice actual property web site should have, all centered by constructing on WordPress. Totally different web sites all have completely different interfaces however the finish objective is at all times the identical: to promote & lease property. And an awesome design is a superb first step in the precise path.
1. Begin with a killer WordPress theme
Few actual property brokers need to create their very own design from scratch. It’s a lot simpler and extra environment friendly to work with customized themes.
You'll find dozens on-line, or obtain these free WordPress real estate themes. Right here’s a number of themes that I like to recommend for launching (or updating) an actual property web site:
Houzez
Clear, sturdy, greatest describes the Houzez theme. It helps quite a lot of completely different homepage types with customized search options and property listings besides.
For a small native company you would possibly strive this homepage utilizing the Google Maps characteristic on the high. This attracts consideration straight away and encourages the consumer to have interaction. However different homepages concentrate on the properties, the photographs, and even particulars about the actual property agent.
From luxurious properties to close by flats, this theme presents one thing for everybody. And also you get all these options(search, property listings) constructed proper into the location.
Realtyspace
One other feature-packed theme you would possibly like is Realtyspace. This comes with a drag-and-drop web page builder so you possibly can customise the precise look of your homepage.
The custom-made search characteristic might be probably the most spectacular useful resource. It lets guests kind properties by options, space, value, loos and some different choices. This provides full management to the consumer which is normally a great factor.
Property itemizing pages additionally embody tons of element with a big picture slideshow, bullet level characteristic lists, and house to connect PDFs for descriptions & ground plans. These properties may have agent profiles connected so guests know precisely who to contact.
One factor I don’t like is the custom scrolling however this may be altered with a little bit of JavaScript.
Reales WP
Reales WP works greatest for companies that run excessive quantity properties on the market in bigger areas. This theme leaves quite a lot of house for property photographs when looking.
On the property web page you’ll discover development particulars, loads of photographs, and a dwell interactive map with a pin on the precise location.
Reales is feature-rich, absolutely responsive, and the right alternative for a bigger realty firm trying to stylize their on-line presence.
Residence Villas
Yet one more theme I actually like is Home Villas which helps conventional WordPress and WooCommerce.
This comes full of options like workforce administration, on-line tour scheduling, a mortgage calculator software and a “walkability rating” to seek out useful locations to buy/go to close to the property.
However Residence Villas is usually a quite simple theme too. It may be used for fundamental property listings with a search characteristic with out all the additional widgets.
Positively a flexible theme and this works nice for particular person brokers or bigger corporations.
These are simply my private suggestions for actual property themes however you will discover a bunch extra on ThemeForest.
So long as your theme gives a superb consumer expertise you possibly can’t go incorrect it doesn't matter what you select.
2. Showcase your property listings
Each actual property web site wants property listings. That is true for particular person actual property brokers and bigger companies.
Some realty WP themes include itemizing options constructed proper in. For different themes you’ll want a property itemizing plugin, and fortunately there are loads to select from.
Actual Property Professional
Real Estate Pro is the perfect actual property toolkit in plugin type. It helps on-line funds from Stripe/PayPal which can be utilized for native renting/lodging.
However extra particularly it allows you to monitor who interacts with sure listings and which properties garner probably the most consideration over time. Customers can bookmark listings for later and kind by dozens of classes.
This can be an excessive amount of for a easy actual property agent web site, however it is going to actually work nicely on a bigger company web site.
Uptown
For a cleaner Ajax-powered interface check out Uptown. This comes with a full backend admin panel with a number of settings views for itemizing varieties and consumer performance.
Every itemizing seems in a grid with search choices within the sidebar. Guests can restrict by particular choices and think about every property inline on the identical web page utilizing an Ajax modal window.
Take a look at the demo page to be taught extra and see how this plugin works on an actual web site.
Realcon
With the Realcon plugin it’s straightforward so as to add property listings onto any web page it doesn't matter what theme you’re utilizing. This plugin has a ton of options with three itemizing types(record, grid, and maps) together with a Google Maps API key for including maps onto your web site.
You'll be able to edit listings proper in WordPress so guests see when a property goes up on the market, and when properties finally promote. You too can add data for various brokers and embody close by facilities to every property.
This is likely one of the richest property itemizing plugins on the market. It helps any theme with a clear responsive design, an easy-to-use admin panel, and tons of optionally available options to take your actual property listings to the following degree.
three. Add an interactive map
Since actual property is all about location it’s helpful to incorporate embedded maps onto your web site. Even higher for those who can add interactive maps so customers can search round close by areas.
You'll find tons of WP plugins for adding maps onto your web site. These are normally free and fairly easy. However for those who’re searching for one thing with extra options take a look at these two plugins.
Progress Map
The Progress Map plugin can fill the void in case your theme doesn’t assist default map placements.
With this plugin you possibly can choose the place to drop pins and embed these into any web page. You'll be able to spotlight the placement of every property in your web site, together with close by factors of curiosity like grocery shops or public providers(library, fireplace station and so forth).
This could additionally assist potential consumers be taught extra concerning the neighborhood and even plan their route to go to in the event that they setup an open home. However solely use this plugin for those who want map performance as a result of it may be overwhelming in case you have a dozen different plugins working too.
Map Search
For a bit extra performance strive the Map Search plugin constructed with Ajax auto-updating expertise.
This lets the consumer search by key phrases or location to seek out close by properties on the market. Every search hundreds dynamically so the web page by no means must refresh. And you may replace property listings in WordPress for full management.
You could like this if you'd like a visible search element in your web site. It’s actually not required however it might positively enhance the consumer expertise.
four. Make the sale: contact/reserving varieties
Each single web site wants a contact web page and realty websites are not any completely different. You might need potential consumers searching for extra details about a property or somebody who desires to schedule a tour.
One of the best WordPress contact type plugin is Contact Form 7. It’s free, straightforward to setup, and it really works like a allure. Plus it’ll mix into any theme you select.
Any typical actual property web site ought to do nicely utilizing the CF7 plugin. However for those who want one thing a bit of extra highly effective contemplate the VR Booking plugin made particularly for scheduling on-line excursions/leases.
This does value a bit and it comes with a ton of options. I like to recommend it for bigger actual property companies that do quite a lot of quantity and have dozens of scheduled excursions per 30 days.
Utilizing this plugin you possibly can even assist on-line bookings in the course of the weekends when no person’s on the workplace. The consumer picks accessible dates from a calendar and chooses the perfect time for a tour. Then you definately get an e mail replace every time somebody schedules a tour. Easy!
However for a typical realty web site begin small and add options over time. If you may get by with a easy contact type then CF7 is your go-to plugin.
5. Add stunning photographs that promote
Pictures is large when promoting actual property. Images are sometimes the defining issue of what attracts folks into the location. This could embody property listings on the location, but additionally picture headers and property photographs used all through your web site as promotional instruments.
When grabbing inside photographs you need each room to look brilliant, spacious, and pure.
Research the photographs on Houzz to see what they appear to be. You’ll discover each sort of room with hundreds of photographs to sift via.
Snapping your personal photographs will be powerful however obligatory for those who can’t rent a photographer. Fortunately you possibly can nail down the fundamentals of pictures with only a few months of follow.
Listed here are some intro guides to get you began:
- How to Photograph Real Estate: Lessons Learned
- Real Estate Photography – a Guide to Getting Started
- Photo 101: Five Tips for Shooting Interiors
Launching your web site will be straightforward and for those who construct it on WordPress you’ll have the peace of thoughts understanding it’s safe.
I hope this publish presents sufficient sources that can assist you get shifting in your actual property web site.
Browse bestselling & trending real estate WordPress themes.
Want to advertise your actual property enterprise? We’ve acquired you lined – take a look at our greatest video templates and real estate flyer templates.
