Did you know that more than 100,000 new WordPress sites are created every day? Some of those sites are big names, too, like TED, CBS Radio, CNN and Forbes. With numbers like that, chances are good that you have either tried WordPress yourself or at least given serious thought to using it as the backbone of your agent website.

WordPress has a lot of perks, especially its price tag--a big, fat zero. It's an open source platform with a world of themes, widgets and plug-ins that make it easy to customize to your site.

WordPress is a great option for DIY types, but if you're not the kind who enjoys tinkering around with web layouts, there are other options. Most come with a price tag, but their pull is offering users the familiarity and ease-of-use of WordPress.

Today, we're taking a look at one of those solutions. PressRE is a turnkey WordPress website made specifically for real estate agents. The idea behind PressRE is to offer WordPress with industry-specific features. Where normally it would require some technical knowledge to implement tools like IDX, PressRE has these built into specialized real estate templates.

Since templates are arguably the most important part of any website offering, let's start by taking a look at what PressRE has available.

A Look at How Things Look

PressRE offers multiple templates, some of which are designed to match the franchise you're a part of. Each one is responsive and can be viewed on a computer, tablet, and phone with equal ease. With templates, there's always the danger of ending up with a generic site. To prevent this, PressRE technicians will work with you to customize your site to your liking. This includes template installation, content modification, custom graphics, and more.

Below is one template example. For more, click here.

Tools and Features

Beyond the template, let's take a look at the PressRE features that transform a regular Wordpress site into a functional real estate website.

IDX Property Search - This tool enables visitors to search across multiple MLSs using MLS-specific criteria like distressed or waterfront properties. To keep visitors coming back, the "IDX Property Organizer" lets consumers save, rate, and comment on their favorite properties. They'll also be notified of new listings via email when a new property comes on the market that matches their criteria.

Lead Capture - Each Property Details page offers multiple lead capture opportunities. Visitor registration requirements can be customized for different levels of site access.

Neighborhood Pages - Create unlimited pages for the areas you serve. PressRE touts this as one way to distinguish yourself from national sites like Zillow and Trulia. Use these pages to offer detailed neighborhood information that only a local could share. These pages are SEO optimized for high rankings when people search for homes for sale in your area.

Integrated Lenders and Business Directory - Recent research has shown that consumers look to their agent for referrals to contractors and other home services professionals. PressRE lets you add a "Home Services" page to your site to create your own directory of insurance agents, roofers, landscapers, and more. If you work with a mortgage professional, you can add them as an "integrated lender" on your site. Their information will then appear in your Lender Widget and finance page, and any loan lead capture inquiries will go directly to the lender for follow-up.

Blog and Video Content - A WordPress blog is integrated into every theme. If you don't have time to create your own content, professionally written blog posts are available for an extra fee. PressRE also offers free video content targeted to buyers and sellers.

Broker Features - PressRE offers brokers transparency into all of their agents' leads with real-time statistics and lead routing capabilities. Brokers can also create a webpage for each of their agents that includes a photo, bio, a dynamic list of their featured listings, and an email alert sign-up.

Next Steps

• Visit PressRE's website to learn more
• Explore more options for Agent Websites
• Read articles about Websites