What Are Website Solutions for Real Estate?

Your website is your online "real estate" showroom, so it needs to be appealing and functional. Most experts would agree that your website should also have IDX so that you can provide MLS property search for website visitors. Without IDX, you can display only your own listings, which doesn't provide a compelling search experience. The ultimate goal of your website is to gain new business or sell properties, so it will need the ability to capture leads.

Your website options span a wide range – from 100% custom design, to template-based do-it-yourself. The key to success is balancing your budget constraints with your goals, and finding a vendor who will fit that niche.

Questions to Ask

There are some important questions to ask when buying any real estate technology product and some that are unique to choosing a solution for websites.

First, let's look at general questions you'll want to ask.

• What are my objectives for this piece of technology and will this product help me achieve those objectives?
• What is my budget?
• Does my MLS or Association have any agreements with any vendors that might help me obtain this product at a discount or for free?
• What kind of customer service and training programs are available? Are there webinars and, if so, are they recorded so you can view them at any time? Is the vendor's online help sufficient?
• Will this website work for all of my agents or will they each want their own website?

After you've asked and answered these questions, you can get down to the questions that are specific to websites:

• Does this developer have permission to pull a data feed from my MLS
• Does this website have an integrated CRM?
• Does this website have integrated lead management?
• How easy will it be for me to make changes to this website? Will I need the help of a developer?
• Can this vendor also host my website and email?
• Is it a responsive design that works on all browsers, including mobile?

Your Options

Download our 2013 Technology Guide for more information about your options.

• AgentAchieve®: CoreLogic’s broker business management and agent productivity tool includes integrated websites, lead management, CRM, and e-marketing.

• globalWOLF: Lone Wolf’s globalWOLF is a professionally-designed, user-friendly website with powerful listing enhancement tools, easy Web Manager tools, Bing Maps, lead management, neighborhood/community information, Web traffic reporting, social media features, and more.

• Neighborhood Navigator: This website addition from Onboard Informatics is an easy-to-use online neighborhood search application intended to increase website traffic, provide valuable local content from each listing page, provide a powerful research tool that promotes your local expertise, generate leads, and more – without the need for a developer's help.

Next Steps

• Download the 2013 Technology Guide
• Read articles about websites
• Visit the website section of our product directory
• Ask your MLS or Association
• Contact the vendors above