5 Most Common Problems with Real Estate Websites

Almost everyone begins their property search online, so having an excellent real estate website is essential. These days, brokerages, offices, and individual agents can't do business without websites. The increased digitalization of our world--and our love for DIY--have led to an explosion of website platforms that allow you to build and operate your own website for a fraction of the cost of hiring a pro. While these are a great option for many professionals, many of these solutions have drawbacks and pitfalls, too. Read on for the five most common problems you might encounter when trying to build a website completely by yourself.

1. Trying to put a real estate site on a platform that just isn't built for real estate

There are so many website-building platforms out there, from design-forward newcomers with catchy names to well-known industry mainstays. The problem is that most of them weren't built specifically with real estate in mind. Real estate websites have a particular set of requirements that aren't shared by many industries: they need high-quality photos and videos, CRM functionality, connections to listing data and property search, a widget for reviews, and more. Some of these platforms might underperform, load slowly, and lack the quality plugins you need, creating major headaches. Working with a purpose-built platform from the outset will help you avoid these issues.

2. Ignoring or neglecting search engine optimization

The best websites in the world are useless if no one can find them. The first stop for finding information online is a search engine, so your website needs to be written and presented with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind. Trying to navigate the complexities of SEO on your own can be overwhelming, and hiring an SEO expert can be expensive. But if you neglect SEO, you won't get the traffic you need to generate the leads to sustain your business.

3. Using a cheap or low-quality IDX provider for your property feed

The whole reason someone has landed on your site is to look for properties for sale. If you aren't displaying reliable, searchable data, they will quickly head elsewhere. Some providers might try to sell you on a bargain, but it's safe to say that you get what you pay for. You need the confidence that your MLS data is accurate, up to date, and compliant.

4. Having too few or low-quality images

Images aren't just something nice to look at. On websites, they serve a special purpose: to draw users' attention to the right spots and get them to linger longer on a page. Plain old text just isn't that exciting to look at, especially on a website that's meant to be selling houses. The right images and visuals can increase views and clicks. Make sure you use a wealth of images that are relevant, properly sized, tagged, and credited (if applicable), and not grainy or squished.

5. Using a cheapo, low-quality hosting service

If your website were a storefront, your hosting provider would be your building. Hosting providers provide space on their servers to make your website viewable online. Super-cheap hosting providers can be notorious for their poor customer service, potential downtime, security flaws, slow loading times, and more. In the long run, trying to save on a bargain hosting provider may cost you far more time and money than you think.

The solution for building award-winning real estate websites

If building a website completely on your own seems too daunting, you're not alone. Thankfully, there's a solution. Constellation1 websites combine the best of DIY, including an easy and intuitive drag-and-drop website builder, with the industry expertise you need in real estate features, IDX, property search, and more to ensure your success. We offer an unparalleled level of customization and regularly make updates and optimizations to ensure your site ranks high in every single search. Plus, a fully integrated CRM means you never miss a lead.

To view the original article, visit the Constellation1 blog.