How to Build Real Estate Websites: Best Builders of 2023

In today’s real estate market, a robust online presence is crucial for anyone in the industry, from seasoned agents to new entrants. However, with the plethora of website builders available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and challenging to select the right one. Choosing poorly could lead to a slow and inefficient website, detracting from your user’s experience and potentially harming your business. Your best choice for navigating this complex landscape is to work with ProCoders. Our experience with a wide range of website builders ensures that we not only select the most suitable platform for your needs but also build a real estate website that is scalable, performs excellently, and leaves your customers satisfied. To demonstrate the variety of platforms we are proficient in, here are our top 7 picks for the best real estate website builders of 2023. We evaluate them based on usability, features, pricing, and more, guiding you to the ideal tool for your project.

Why A Real Estate Website Could Be the Biggest Asset for Your Business

The website of your company is more than just a virtual business card. It’s a dynamic tool that can significantly impact your real estate business, offering unique benefits and opportunities for growth. Here’s why it could be your biggest business asset:

24/7 Accessibility

Your real estate website is accessible around the clock, allowing potential clients to view properties, read about your services, and even contact you outside of regular business hours. This constant availability can increase your leads and improve client satisfaction.

ProCoders clients also use our very own OmniMind – a service that helps businesses incorporate AI tools such as ChatGPT into their sites and software to be available to their users 24/7.

Enhanced Property Showcasing

With high-quality images, virtual tours, and detailed descriptions, a website allows you to showcase properties in a way that traditional marketing methods can’t match. This detailed presentation helps clients to get a comprehensive understanding of a property before even visiting it.

Cost-Effective Marketing

A well-designed website can be a powerful marketing tool. Through SEO, social media integration, and targeted content, you can reach a wider audience at a fraction of the cost of traditional advertising methods.

Targeted Lead Generation

By utilizing contact forms, subscription pop-ups, and other lead-capture tools, your website can be a valuable resource for gathering information about potential clients. These targeted leads can be nurtured into loyal customers, driving your business growth.

During our Discovery Phase services, we can talk more about your perfect customer, tailoring the website to them and helping you gather and analyze data.

Professional Credibility

A professional website reflects the quality and integrity of your business. By offering a well-designed platform with valuable content, you not only attract clients but also establish trust and credibility in your industry.

For example, we’ve had the pleasure of working with our partner, VillaWay, on their real estate website with luxurious villa listings. A somewhat outdated website has become a minimalistic haven with speedy, smooth-loading pages, and top-notch UX, catering to the pickiest client.

Data-Driven Insights

Modern analytics tools allow you to gain insights into visitor behavior, popular content, and conversion rates. These data-driven insights help you make informed decisions and tailor your marketing strategies to what works best for your audience.

Global Reach

Unlike local print advertising, a website has the potential to reach a global audience. Whether you’re targeting international investors or out-of-state buyers, your real estate website removes geographical boundaries.

Customized Client Experience

Through personalization tools, you can offer a customized experience for each visitor. Tailored property suggestions, personalized greetings, and content based on user behavior can make a lasting impression and increase conversion rates.

AI comes in handy here as well! Personalization is one of the keys to a customer’s heart, and our OmniMind experts say incorporating a smart assistant or search feature does the trick perfectly!

Integration with Other Tools

A real estate website can seamlessly integrate with various tools and platforms, from Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems to booking and scheduling tools. This integration improves efficiency and ensures a cohesive client experience.

Adaptability to Market Trends

As the real estate market evolves, so can your website. You can easily update content, add new features, or change strategies to align with current trends and client demands. This adaptability ensures that your business remains relevant and competitive.

Real Estate Website Development Tech Trends

The real estate industry has witnessed a significant digital transformation over the past few years. From Virtual Reality (VR) tours to AI-driven customer service, the way real estate is presented and marketed online is constantly evolving. Here are some of the latest tech trends in real estate website development that are shaping the industry:

Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR & AR)

VR and AR technologies offer immersive experiences, allowing potential buyers to take virtual tours of properties from anywhere in the world. AR can add interactive elements, helping clients visualize changes and customizations to the property.

ProCoders developers can implement AR/VR tech and other innovations to draw more potential clients for your business and make the job easier for your real estate agent staff.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI-powered algorithms are being used to provide personalized recommendations based on user behavior and preferences. Machine learning models can analyze market trends, providing valuable insights for both buyers and sellers.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain brings transparency and security to transactions. It can be used to create smart contracts that automate and secure transactions, minimizing fraud and streamlining the buying and selling process on your real estate website.

Chatbots and Automated Customer Service

Chatbots powered by AI provide instant customer service, answering queries and guiding visitors 24/7. These virtual assistants can significantly enhance user engagement and lead conversion. Smart consultants and search features our OmniMind developers excel at will enhance customer experience and help property owners who work with you sell faster.

Responsive Web Design

With the increasing use of mobile devices, responsive web design ensures that real estate websites look and function seamlessly across various screen sizes. This adaptability improves user experience and accessibility.

Big Data and Analytics

Big data analytics tools enable real estate professionals to analyze vast amounts of data to uncover patterns, trends, and insights. These insights can inform marketing strategies, pricing decisions, and property evaluations.

Internet of Things (IoT) Integration

IoT technology enables smart home features to be showcased and controlled through real estate websites. Buyers can virtually interact with smart appliances, lighting, and security systems, offering a glimpse into modern living.

Voice Search Optimization

As voice-controlled devices become more common, optimizing your real estate website for voice search is crucial. This optimization ensures that properties can be found through voice queries, expanding reach and accessibility.

Social Media Integration

Social media platforms are increasingly integrated into real estate websites for marketing, engagement, and direct communication with potential clients. This integration helps in building a community and brand loyalty.

Sustainability Features

With the growing focus on sustainability, real estate websites are highlighting eco-friendly features and certifications. This trend appeals to an environmentally conscious audience and adds value to property listings.

Types of Real Estate Websites

The industry has undergone significant digital transformation, and various types of real estate websites have emerged to cater to different needs and interests. From buying and selling properties to management and aggregation, these websites play an essential role in streamlining processes and providing essential information.

Property Listing Websites

Property Listing Websites are platforms that facilitate the buying and selling of properties, like real estate marketplace. They provide a vast database of available properties, including residential, commercial, and industrial real estate, property prices, etc. Features often include:

• Search Filters: Enables users to search based on location, price range, type of property, etc.

• Virtual Tours: Provides 3D views or video tours of the properties.

• Agent Profiles: Offers information about real estate agents or direct contact with property owners.

• Market Analysis: Some may offer insights into market trends and pricing in specific areas.

Examples of these marketplaces include Zillow, Realtor.com, and Trulia.

Property Management Websites

Property Management Websites focus on aiding landlords and property managers in managing their assets. These platforms offer tools and services like:

• Rent Collection: Facilitates online payment of rent by tenants.

• Maintenance Requests: Allows tenants to log maintenance issues, and managers to track and respond.

• Lease Agreements: Helps in creating and managing digital lease agreements.

• Tenant Screening: Offers background checks and screening of potential tenants.

Software like AppFolio and Buildium are well-known in this category.

Real Estate Aggregators

Real Estate Aggregators gather information from various websites and present it in a unified manner of real estate listings. This can be useful for both consumers looking for a property and professionals who want to analyze market trends. Features often include:

• Consolidated Searches: Provides search results from multiple listing websites in one place.

• Price Comparison: Enables users to compare prices across different platforms.

• Market Trends: Offers insights into larger market trends and analytics.

• Subscription Alerts: Sends notifications about new listings that match user preferences.

Websites like Redfin and Homes.com provide aggregator services.

How to Build a Real Estate Website

Building a real estate website is a significant step towards creating a strong online presence in the industry. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

ProCoders Tip: It Pays To Plan Your Website Beforehand

Before diving into the design and development, it’s crucial to plan your website carefully. Here’s what you need to consider:

• Identify Your Target Audience: Are you targeting buyers, renters, investors, or all of them? Understanding your audience helps in designing the content and features accordingly.

• Outline the Features: List the features you want on your site, such as property search, virtual tours, interactive maps, etc.

• Content Strategy: Plan the content, including property descriptions, agent profiles, blog posts, etc.

• SEO Strategy: Identify the keywords and phrases that potential clients might use to find your services.

• Outsource Development: Consider outsourcing your development instead of spending months and thousands to hire an in-house team. A ProCoders expert has prepared a guide on outsourcing web development in 2023 to help you make the right decision.

Step 1: Choose the Right Platform That Will Suit Your Real Estate Business

Selecting the right website builder or Content Management System (CMS) is essential for creating a user-friendly and functional site. Platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace offer different levels of customization and specific features.

Step 2: Create Design

The design of your real estate website should reflect your brand and appeal to your target audience. Consider the following:

• Choose a Template or Theme: Select a template that aligns with your brand.

• Customize the Layout: Customize the layout to include necessary features like property listings, contact forms, etc.

• Use High-Quality Images: Include professional photos of properties, agents, or your office.

• Ensure Mobile Responsiveness: Make sure the design adapts well to different devices, including mobile phones and tablets.

Step 3: Add Essential Features

Implementing the right features can make your site a powerful tool for both clients and agents. Consider adding:

• Property Listings: Include detailed property listings with filters for easy search.

• Virtual Tours: Incorporate virtual tours for a more immersive experience.

• Contact Forms: Make it easy for visitors to get in touch with you.

• Social Media Integration: Link to your social media profiles for increased engagement.

Step 4: Optimize for SEO

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ensures that your real estate website ranks well in search engine results. Implement the following:

• Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your content, titles, and meta descriptions.

• Create Quality Content: Regularly update your blog or news section with valuable content.

• Build Backlinks: Encourage other websites to link to your site to improve credibility.

Step 5: Test and Launch

Before going live, thoroughly test your site to ensure everything works as intended:

• Test on Different Devices: Check how the site looks and functions on various devices.

• Review Content: Proofread all content for typos and inaccuracies.

• Check Links: Ensure that all internal and external links are working correctly.

Testing is often underestimated by property companies looking to have their own website. Unfortunately, we at ProCoders have seen businesses that needed larger spending after launching a property listing site without proper quality assurance.

Numerous bugs, extra budget, and frustrated clients are just some of the consequences. That’s why we highly recommend you collaborate with a real estate software development company at every stage, including testing.

Once everything is in place, you’re ready to launch your real estate website.

Step 6: Monitor and Update Regularly

Once the site is live, it’s essential to monitor its performance and make regular updates:

• Analyze Visitor Behavior: Use tools like Google Analytics to understand how visitors are interacting with your site.

• Update Listings: Regularly update property listings to keep them accurate and fresh.

• Encourage Feedback: Solicit feedback from users and make necessary improvements.

Do you have an in-house team to handle all of that? Are there enough people on that team? If the answer to either of these questions is “No”, ProCoders are ready to provide a self-dedicated engineering team or help you hire web developers using the outstaffing model.

Features That Will Make Your Real Estate Platform Stand Out

In a highly competitive real estate market, standing out from the crowd is essential. Your real estate platform can be a game-changer if it includes certain standout features. Here are the top 10 features that will truly make your platform shine:

Intelligent Search with Filters

In the dynamic field of real estate, having an intelligent search system with filters is paramount for a seamless user experience. At ProCoders, we realized the importance of an advanced search mechanism and initially implemented Algolia. However, we recently shifted to our own cutting-edge product called OmniMind.

OmniMind.ai is a low-code platform designed for creating custom AI solutions. Often likened to the “Zapier of the AI world,” OmniMind offers a comprehensive solution that encompasses various functionalities.

Key Aspects of OmniMind:

1. Use Your Own Data: OmniMind allows the utilization of personal information and data from various sources to search for answers using AI. This personalized approach enhances the accuracy and relevance of search results.

2. Flexible Solutions: With three distinct options (SaaS, Platform as a Service, Industry as a Service), OmniMind offers a tailored approach, ranging from chat integration with custom data to highly customized solutions using proprietary technologies.

3. Customization over AI: One of the standout features of OmniMind is its flexible configuration over AI, including renowned models like OpenAI and ChatGPT, using your data and knowledge base.

4. Your Personalized Knowledge Base: Unlike general AI solutions, OmniMind works like ChatGPT but leverages your own verified, personal knowledge base, ensuring that the search results are more aligned with your specific needs.

5. ETL Solutions with AI: OmniMind functions as an ETL (extract, transform, and load) solution with AI, facilitating AI-driven ETL solutions. This unique aspect ensures that data processing on AI rails is low-code and highly efficient.

In a nutshell, OmniMind is not merely a search solution; it’s an intelligent bridge that connects users with precise and personalized information, elevating the user experience to new heights. By embracing OmniMind, we’ve taken a significant step toward the future of intelligent real estate search.

Interactive Maps and Neighborhood Insights

Interactive maps with detailed neighborhood insights provide potential buyers or renters with valuable information about the local area. This could include schools, parks, shops, and other amenities.

Robust Customer Support with an In-App Messaging Solution

Ensuring prompt and efficient customer support is vital in today’s fast-paced business environment. Integrating an in-app messaging solution, whether through live chat, AI-driven chatbots, or a committed support team, allows platforms to promptly address visitors’ inquiries and concerns.

This commitment to customer service not only enhances satisfaction but also fosters trust, leading to higher lead conversion. With robust customer support available at the touch of a button, users can enjoy a seamless experience that caters to their needs and expectations, solidifying the platform’s reputation as a reliable and user-centric solution.

Top 5 Real Estate Website Builders and CMS

The demand for robust and easy-to-use real estate websites has given rise to various platforms catering specifically to the needs of agents, brokers, and property managers. Our coders often find builders essential for the web development tech stack as they save time and money for our clients, allowing for creating a customized property listing website suitable for their brand.

Below, we’ve curated a list of the top 5 real estate website builders, each providing unique features and benefits tailored to the industry. These builders have been evaluated based on usability, customization options, pricing, and more.

WordPress

WordPress is a powerful and flexible content management system used by millions of websites worldwide. Known for its endless customization options, it is a preferred choice for real estate professionals looking to create a unique online presence. With a variety of real estate-focused plugins and themes, WordPress offers solutions for agents, brokers, and property managers alike.

• Ease of Use: With a wide variety of themes and plugins, WordPress offers flexibility for both beginners and advanced users.

• Integration: Connects seamlessly with popular real estate plugins like IDX for property listings.

• Customization: Unparalleled customization options allow for creating unique designs.

• SEO-Friendly: Excellent SEO tools to make sure your site ranks well on search engines.

• Price: Various pricing plans, including free options with additional costs for premium themes and plugins.

Wix

Wix is renowned for its user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it a popular choice for those without technical expertise.

Offering a wide range of templates specifically designed for the real estate industry, Wix allows for quick and efficient website creation. Its adaptability and integration features provide a robust platform for various real estate needs.

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: Makes building a website incredibly simple, even without coding knowledge.

• Real Estate Templates: Specific templates designed for real estate professionals.

• Mobile-Responsive: Ensures that the site looks great on all devices.

• App Market: Access to various apps and third-party integrations, tailored to real estate needs.

• Price: Free basic plan with premium plans offering more features and no Wix advertisements.

Squarespace

Squarespace stands out with its stylish and modern templates, appealing to those looking to create a visually stunning real estate website.

With built-in MLS integration and strong customer support, it provides a seamless experience for showcasing properties. Squarespace’s e-commerce capabilities also open doors to additional revenue streams within the real estate field.

• Stylish Designs: Offers beautiful and modern templates suitable for a professional real estate appearance.

• Built-in MLS Integration: Allows easy embedding of property listings.

• Customer Support: 24/7 customer support ensures assistance whenever needed.

• E-commerce Capabilities: Great for selling ancillary products or services, that is especially interesting for real estate agents.

• Price: Several premium plans are available, each offering different features and customization levels.

Weebly

Weebly offers an accessible and straightforward platform for building real estate websites. Its intuitive design tools cater to individuals without a technical background, while its real estate-specific widgets provide essential functionality.

With a dedicated mobile app and basic SEO tools, Weebly makes online property management convenient and accessible.

• User-Friendly Interface: Designed for those with no technical background.

• Real Estate Widgets: Provides specific tools for listing properties.

• Mobile App: Manage your website on the go with a dedicated app.

• SEO Tools: Basic SEO tools to help your site get found online.

• Price: Free to start, with affordable premium plans that provide more advanced features.

Duda

Duda is a collaborative website builder designed to facilitate teamwork on website projects. Its personalization tools allow real estate professionals to create engaging, visitor-specific experiences.

Optimized for fast loading times and easy widget integration, Duda offers a comprehensive solution for real estate agencies looking to engage their audience and efficiently present listings.

• Collaborative Platform: Enables team collaboration on website projects.

• Personalization Tools: Offers personalized content to engage visitors.

• Fast Loading Times: Optimized for speed, ensuring a smooth user experience.

• Widget Integration: Easy integration with real estate-specific widgets and tools.

• Price: Different pricing tiers are available based on features and support requirements.

How ProCoders Can Help You Build a Real Estate Website

ProCoders is an international staff augmentation company with a specialization in building real estate marketplace-type sites for property owners, agencies selling real estate, and other businesses in the market.

Our cases range from local minimalistic marketplaces for small businesses to smart platforms where users can fill and sign complicated contracts, create tickets whenever something is wrong with the property, and communicate with managers and housing owners.

We offer essential services for your project, such as:

• Discovery Phase – a 3-stage process that starts with a 1.5-hour free workshop where we discuss your idea, examples of real estate platforms you may have, what website builders you may need, etc. Then, our specialists research the market, competitors, technologies, etc., and visualize your future real estate site. Finally, we provide the deliverables and you decide whether you want to enter the list of the best real estate websites with ProCoders!

• Staff Augmentation – a very effective solution for property owner businesses and agencies that have a development team but need additional staff. You may require a QA specialist, a designer, or frontend/backend engineers to speed up the time to market or get a fresh perspective on the product. We are ready to provide them.

• Team as a Service – an approach we pair up with the Discovery Phase to make sure you get a fully dedicated team with only the specialists you need for the project, its duration, and tech requirements.
  We provide developers with knowledge of 50+ programming languages, website builder options, and frameworks. Our designers meticulously transfer our partners’ visions into professional site designs. ProCoders’ QA specialists possess in depth knowledge of common website builder bugs and methodologies to test them. We’re ready to provide the full package!

The first thing we recommend to do is applying for our Discovery services to get a clear understanding of your real estate agency and the needs of property buyers and owners, analyse as many real estate websites as possible, and come up with a roadmap to your very own website with featured listings.

Conclusion

The real estate industry is at an exciting juncture, marked by technological innovation, evolving consumer behavior, and new marketing paradigms. In this dynamic landscape, a real estate website serves as more than just a digital storefront—it’s a comprehensive platform that connects buyers, sellers, agents, and investors.

From planning and building a real estate website to understanding the essential features and latest tech trends, this guide has delved into various aspects that make a web resource a pivotal business asset. The integration of VR & AR, AI, blockchain, and other innovative technologies signifies not just the present but the future of real estate online interaction.

As we’ve explored, a real estate website can enhance accessibility, offer personalized experiences, build credibility, provide valuable insights, and even transcend geographical barriers. It’s a versatile tool that encapsulates the essence of the modern real estate business, providing unparalleled opportunities for growth and success.

For businesses that hire real estate agents and look to carve a niche in today’s competitive market, embracing these insights, tools, and trends is essential. The investment in a well-designed, feature-rich, and technologically advanced can pay dividends, fostering connections, conversions, and long-term relationships with clients.

All of that is achievable with ProCoders real estate website development. We have our skilled professionals ready to transform your business with smart design, top loading speed, and even AI that will draw new customers and retain existing ones.

In an age where technology is synonymous with convenience and customization, a robust and adaptive web resource is not an option – it’s a necessity. It’s an empowering asset that reflects the quality, vision, and ambition of your real estate business, positioning you at the forefront of a continually evolving industry.