An industry-specific website builder provides the perfect platform for your real estate business.
You need a real estate website builder designed just for agents and brokers.
It allows you to showcase properties, highlight your experience, and generate leads from clients.
But not all builders offer the same great features.
Some provide more customization and integration, while others focus on an easy-to-use interface at the best price.
Picking the right one for your specific needs is key.
Look for a builder with tools like custom designs, SEO optimization, lead generation forms, and IDX listings.
These are the building blocks for a top-performing real estate site that helps you get found online and convert visitors into leads.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the must-have features, pricing plans, and actual examples to help you choose a builder to create your real estate website.
You'll explore how to use content and SEO to boost your search visibility and traffic too.
By the end, you'll be ready to find an affordable website builder that offers the right mix of design, functionality and support to take your real estate marketing to new heights.
Meet Ylopo AI:
The pioneering 24/7 AI real estate assistant that actively converts leads 365 days a year.
Chapter 1: Essential Features for Your Real Estate Website
User-Friendly Page Builder
You want a website editor that makes customizing your site a walk in the park.
No coding skills needed - you just drag and drop elements like text blocks, images, and buttons exactly where you want them.
The best page builders let you see your layout take shape right before your eyes.
No second-guessing! And you can check how it looks on both desktop and mobile with just a click.
Powerful SEO Tools
Getting buyers to find your site through Google is mission-critical for real estate pros. Look for SEO features that help you:
Tweak page titles and descriptions to rank higher
Add alt text to images (helps a ton with SEO)
Get a mobile-friendly, lightning-fast design
Display listings with structured schema markup
Don't forget detailed analytics to track your traffic and top keywords. Knowing where you rank clues you in on what's working.
IDX Integration for Live Listings
IDX (Internet Data Exchange) is internet lingo for displaying active listings from your local MLS right on your website. This hooks potential clients by letting them:
Search and filter properties matching their criteria
View high-res photos, prices, details, and more
Fall in love and want to work with you!
The best website builders make IDX integration a total breeze. Set it up in just a couple clicks.
Lead Capture and Follow-Up
Your website needs to convert casual visitors into quality leads you can actually follow up with. Scope out tools like:
Eye-catching calls-to-action urging visitors to inquire
Sleek contact and sign-up form builders
Automated chatbots to greet and engage people
Built-in CRM to track and nurture every new lead
Don't let motivated buyers slip through the cracks - give them an easy way to get in touch!
Professionally Designed Real Estate Templates
Generic website templates are so cookie-cutter. You need designs crafted specifically for real estate - with gorgeous property listing pages, agent bios, community info, and more.
Top builders provide a huge selection of fresh, modern templates tailored for individual agents, teams, brokerages, you name it. Integrated Blogging Platform
Becoming the go-to resource in your area is a smart way to generate more leads online. An integrated blog tool lets you easily:
Share homebuying tips, market updates, neighborhood guides
Showcase your in-depth local expertise
Build trust with potential clients
Boost your visibility in Google for relevant searches
The best blogging features make it simple to write, format, and publish posts that drive more traffic to your site.
Connect Your Own Domain Name
A custom domain name like YourName.com or YourCityHomes.com gives your online presence credibility and professionalism. It makes you look like an established local expert.
Ensure your website builder allows you to quickly map your domain to your site. This tiny touch makes a big impact on how clients perceive you.
Social Media Marketing Tools
In today's digital landscape, a strong social media presence is non-negotiable for real estate success. Look for integrations that allow you to share:
New property listings
Your latest blog posts
Listings getting lots of engagement
With just a few clicks, you can get your content in front of an audience on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and beyond to reel in more leads.
Manage Leads with a Real Estate CRM
A real estate CRM is Mission Control for keeping track of every prospect from first contact through closing. The best website builders include a CRM or integrate with leading solutions like:
Wise Agent
Follow Up Boss
LionDesk
Having a CRM streamlines follow-up by organizing leads, automating workflows, tracking interactions, and more.
Room to Grow with Your Business
As your real estate hustle takes off, you need a website that can scale right alongside it. Don't get boxed into an inflexible platform.
Opt for a builder with affordable upgrade paths to unlock more advanced features like:
Priority support for speedy issue resolution
Expanded storage for your media libraries
Marketing tools to promote listings better
Team/office accounts to collaborate seamlessly
The right solution grows with your needs and never holds you back as your business expands.
MaverickRE:
The data-driven real estate platform that skyrockets your business through predictability, efficiency and control.
Chapter 2: How the Best Real Estate Website Builders Stack Up
Let's take a closer look at how some of the top names in real estate websites compare:
Ylopo for Best-in-Class Custom Websites
Pros:
Totally customizable branded IDX search and websites
Powerful home search with map view, filters, mortgage calculator
All leads funnel into your CRM for easy follow-up
Gorgeous, mobile-friendly website designs convert visitors into leads
Cons:
Doesn't include its own CRM - you'll need a separate system
No built-in SEO tools or guidance
Placester for Affordable Simplicity
Placester is a popular affordable website builder that makes it easy to integrate IDX listings.
Pros:
Budget-friendly plans with intuitive DIY design tools
Includes lead capture forms and email popups
Offers seamless IDX integration to display listings
Cons:
Limited design customization options to make your site stand out
Basic CRM doesn't include advanced follow-up and marketing tools
Propertybase
Propertybase aims to be an all-in-one solution with IDX websites, modern designs, and a built-in CRM.
Pros:
Includes a capable CRM to manage leads and contacts
IDX search spotlights listings in a compelling way
Modern design templates for a polished site
Cons:
Need to contact them for a price quote
Steeper learning curve to fully utilize all the features
No free trial period before you buy
Sierra Interactive
Sierra Interactive tightly integrates must-have features like IDX, CRM, and lead generation into one platform.
Pros:
IDX, CRM, and lead gen tools work together seamlessly
Capture leads with live chat and targeted pop-ups
User-friendly drag and drop page editor
Cons:
Pricier than similar all-in-one solutions
Some users say support is hit-or-miss
If you already use another CRM, the built-in one may be redundant
The smart move is to compare a few different builders to find the one that checks all your boxes.
Ylopo Webinars:
Unlock a vault of real-world, battle-tested strategies from top realtors nationwide.
Bring Your Vision to Life Today with Ylopo
Ylopo is the website builder of choice for savvy real estate agents and brokers ready to raise the bar.
You'll get all the tools you need to showcase your unique brand and attract more clients, without cookie-cutter constraints.
The intuitive drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to craft your perfect site, no matter your style.
Eye-catching lead forms and popups turn visitors into valuable contacts, while the integrated IDX search keeps buyers coming back to browse the latest listings.
Plus, with built-in blogging, you can position yourself as the go-to local expert and boost your visibility on Google and social media.
It's a true all-in-one digital marketing command center for your business.
If you're ready to ditch clunky old website builders and create the real estate website of your dreams, you've found your match in Ylopo.
Book a free custom demo today to see exactly how Ylopo can take your real estate brand to new heights.
About the Author
Aaron “Kiwi” Franklin
Head of Growth
Aaron "Kiwi" Franklin is the Head of Growth at Ylopo and an innovative technologist and serial entrepreneur who has over 25 years of experience creating digital solutions for major brands and pioneering companies at the intersection of technology and real estate. His depth of expertise stems from leading development of the first website for Apple to founding a global community of over 1,000 elite athletes. Connect with me