As of April 2019, more than 56% of the world’s population had access to the internet. In 2015, the International Telecommunication Union approximated about 3.2 billion people (which is nearly half of the global population) would be online by the time the year ended. If these statistics are anything to go by, then the value of online presence (for businesses) can never be overstated.
As a real estate agent who is seeking to differentiate yourself from the rest, it’s critical to have a website for a realtor that you will use to display your properties for sale or rent. You will also need a website to build your brand and win customer trust. Reason being, today’s user is turning online to find anything and everything, including homes.
A while back, people used their desktops to look for homes before driving all the way to view a potential home. But know, they just grab their smartphone and see everything from the comfort of their own house – thanks to responsive realtor websites and 3D view technology with the massive shift to mobile internet, its critical to keep abreast by increasing your web presence.
If you are still on the fence as to whether you should have a real estate website or not, here are some solid reasons why you should get one as soon as possible.
Most importantly, the Internet is full of useful information on how to build a website. If you want to set up your site easily and smoothly, follow Website Advisor tips. You’ll be amazed by the fact that every person can build a website without any coding. And if you are still on the fence as to whether you should have a real estate website or not, here are some solid reasons why you should get one as soon as possible.
Your clients are online
In 1981, 22% of home buyers read newspaper advertisements to find a house, and 8% used friends as a source of information. In 2018, about four decades later, 44% looked for properties online first. This is according to a study by the National Association of REALTORS Research Group.
We live in a digital world – and that applies to search for a home. Home buyers now have applications that allow them to narrow down their search by neighborhoods and locations. Online listings have virtual tours so one can view numerous potential houses while filtering the search to visit a few in a bid to save time and energy. Not having a website means missing out on an opportunity for clients to find you – which translates to leaving more money on the table.
Stay up to date with technology
A website is not just crucial for enhancing sales and building brands; it also gives you a platform to keep abreast with the latest happenings in the industry. Research shows that more than 90% of real estate companies have websites and a feature that stands out on their sites was property listings. By having a site, you can emulate what others are doing or even seek out to be better.
Educate your prospects
Other than buying, home buyers are often looking for information regarding the home buying process, home trends, tips, and every other thing that will make their process easier. You can take advantage of this and become their go-to resource whenever they are seeking answers. Educating your prospects is the best way to earn their trust and consequently, their business. So, instead of displaying your services alone, use your site, social media, and blog as platforms to offer valuable information.
Build and grow your brand
This point goes hand in hand with the previous one – by providing value to prospects and current clients, you get to set yourself as an authority in the industry. People will trust what you are offering and even start referring you to others. This is how you build your brand. Besides, search engines like Google love fresh content, and if you are consistent, they may reward you by ranking your site in the first pages. This can be very instrumental in attracting the organic client and growing your business.
Network with clients and peers
In addition to selling services and educating prospects, your website provides a platform where you can interact with your clients, prospects as well as peers. It also allows you to get feedback from clients – which is valuable information for any business.
