Three Search Features Every Property Site Should Have

by Kristen White Blogger

One of the first things a user looks for in a property website are the listings and search capability because this is how they are going to see what’s available and potentially find the home they are looking for. A website should be able to handle simple search criteria entry as well as advanced versions so that users can look into specific details and narrow the options that are shown based on their selections. A professional web design firm familiar with the real estate industry is a great resource for the site because they have the experience and knowledge regarding both real estate and web design. This avoids trial and error and wrong judgement on what actually works. And users are guaranteed to have a positive experience on the site.

A quality property web design will be accessible from any device with just as much ease as it has on the computer. Smart phones are typically used by people who want to see what’s available. So, the site must be mobile-friendly with all the necessary functions.

Real estate agents should also have the capability from their portal to make updates while they are on the road so that administrative work does not require them to be in an office or on a laptop. The best design team can easily incorporate this into the code for a seamless experience for both real estate agents and clients.

A third feature that a realtor website must have is easy access and navigation to all the information they want. If the home page of an agent’s site contains their biography and business information, this is helpful but is not the primary target of a user who is doing a casual search or looking for a property in particular. They should not have to ‘hunt’ for the search field or look for the listings. They should be on the front page with engaging images to capture their attention. And there should be an easily visible contact link. Everything else can be managed through tabs or links to other pages depending on the size of the site and business. By putting the search on the first page they will come to, users are more likely to stop and use the capability and then make a decision on whether to work with the agent or move on to someone else.

Do-it-yourself site templates are cheap and an easy way to get a new business started but they have limited support and feature options that can do more harm to a company who’s just getting started and trying to compete with more established firms. An investment into a quality backed tech design firm who understands the industry can ensure that all the right tools and features are setup from the beginning including SEO prioritization and keywords to help with Internet search rankings. Once users find the site, give them a reason to stay by providing the exact tool they want to find the home of their dreams.