Having a business card is enough for some people to think that they have already done all the work needed to get customers. Nowadays, a lot of time and energy is spent on marketing. In addition, there are many avenues through which you can promote your company. One of the most important things is having a website that delivers quality content and is easily found by potential clients. Nevertheless, without this essential step in advertising, it is very hard for your company to be seen or heard by those who might need what you have to offer.
It is so important that you invest some time into making sure your website has everything necessary for success:
- An engaging layout with compelling copywriting
- Professional images and graphics (including video)
- SEO-rich content
- Easy navigation
If you have all of these things in place, you are much more likely to attract new business. And if you don’t, potential customers may move on to someone who does. So ask yourself is my website helping or hurting my business? If it is not in your favor, it may be time to change.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of building and maintaining a good website through the prism of the real estate industry. These concepts are widely acceptable for many businesses. Researchers found that 92% of buyers use the internet during their home search process. Furthermore, 52% of buyers found their home through an online search and this number is constantly growing. Realtors that have a strong online presence fare better than those who don’t.
Use plugins for the best customization
When it comes to website design, certain elements can make or break your site. And while you may not think of them as being particularly important, they can have a big impact on how successful your site is. One of the most important things to consider is plugins. They can be great for adding new features to your site and for customizing your site to better suit your needs. However, they can also cause problems if they are not used correctly.
It is important to choose the right plugins for your site. For example, this IDX powers most top real estate agent websites in the US. The advanced search options allow realtors to present their services and with top mapping tools. It is easy for customers to find properties. This can help you attract more visitors to your site and generate more leads.
Broker reciprocity- the evolution of MLS
The MLS (Multiple Listing Service) is a service that real estate brokers use to list properties. It is a database of homes for sale that includes information about each property, such as price, square footage, number of bedrooms and number of bathrooms. The MLS is also used by agents to find properties for their buyers.
In the past, the MLS was only available to members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). But now, thanks to broker reciprocity or IDX (Internet Data Exchange), the MLS is available to any licensed broker in the US. This change has made it easier for agents to find properties for their buyers. Moreover, it has helped to increase competition in the real estate industry. IDX plugins also allow brokers to showcase their listings on their websites, giving them an edge over their competitors. As the internet has become more prevalent in society, people are using it more and more to find businesses.
Your website is a reflection of your business, so you want to make sure it looks professional and polished. It should be easy to navigate and include all the information potential clients would want to know about your business. Additionally, it should be mobile-friendly, since more and more people are using their phones and tablets to access the internet.
CRM integrations
Using automation tools that can help with integrating customer relationship management. It allows companies to expand their audience through many popular apps that potential customers are already using. When you have a website that is properly designed and easy to use, it shows that you are a credible business. It gives the impression that you are professional and that you care about your customers. On the other hand, a poorly designed website can make potential clients question your credibility and turn them away from your business.
Mobile optimization
It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to have a website that looks good on mobile devices. In 2018, 52.2% of all website traffic worldwide was generated through mobile phones. This number is only going to increase in the years to come. Therefore, your website must be designed with mobile users in mind. The real estate business alone is estimated to be worth $10,5 trillion, and a large portion of that is generated through mobile devices.
If your website is not optimized for mobile, you are missing out on a lot of potential business. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when designing a website for your business. But if you keep these tips in mind, you will be on your way to creating a site that will help you attract more clients and close more deals.
SEO compatibility
Making sure your website is compatible with popular search engines is another key factor in driving traffic to your site. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of optimizing your website for Google and other search engines. When your website is optimized, it appears higher in the search results, which makes it more likely that people will find it. And, as we all know, the higher you appear in the search results, the more traffic you are likely to get.
There are many things you can do to optimize your website for SEO, such as using keyword-rich titles and descriptions, adding alt text to images and creating fresh content regularly. If you are not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available that can help you get started with SEO.
Website layout
The layout of your website is also important. You want to make sure it is easy for people to find what they are looking for and that the most important information is prominently displayed.
A good rule of thumb is to keep your homepage simple and focus on including the essentials: who you are, what you do, how to contact you, and your latest blog posts or listings. For example, a good real estate website can use its blog form for preparing informative and engaging content. Moreover, along with a weekly/monthly article that can be used for subscription content about the latest listings in the area. This is a great way to show off your knowledge about the industry and establish yourself as an expert in your field.
SSL certificate
Another important factor to consider is whether or not your website has an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that encrypts the data transmitted between your website and its visitors. This helps to protect sensitive information, such as credit card numbers and passwords, from being intercepted by hackers. You can tell if a website has an SSL certificate by looking for the https:// in the URL. If you don’t see it, that means the site doesn’t have an SSL certificate and it is not as secure as it could be.
People in the industry
Last but not least, it is important to consider the people who will be visiting your website.
- Who is your target audience?
- What are their needs and wants?
- What kind of information are they looking for?
Answering these questions will help you determine what content to include on your website and how to design it in a way that appeals to your target audience.
For example, if you are targeting first-time home buyers, you will want to make sure your website includes information about the home buying process, as well as tips for finding the perfect home. On the other hand, if you are targeting luxury home buyers, your website should reflect that with high-quality images and a sleek design.
How can a website break a business?
While we have discussed many aspects of how a website can help make a business, we have not talked about how it can break one. There are a few key ways a website can break or ruin a business. One way is if the layout is not user-friendly and people cannot figure out how to navigate the site or find what they are looking for.
Another way is if the content is not well written or informative, and people do not stay on the site long because of it. Lastly, if a website is not optimized for search engines, then it will be very difficult for people to find it in the first place. If any of these things happen, it can reflect very badly on a business and cause them to lose customers or clients.
Final words on how can a proper website make or break a business
A website is a very important tool for any big or small business. It can help you reach a wider audience, establish yourself as an expert in your field and generate leads and sales. However, a poorly designed or executed website can do more harm than good. It is important to put thought and care into your website to make sure it is working for you and not against you. With that said, we hope this article has given you some insights and food for thought on how can a proper website make your business shine.