As an estate agent, your digital presence is essential to attract new clients and showcase your properties. However, building an attractive yet functional website requires technical skills and resources that you may lack. No-code website builders now provide an easy solution. With an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can create a professional estate agency website in hours without writing a single line of code.
In this guide, you'll discover how to use a popular no-code platform to build a stunning estate agency website. You'll start by selecting an eye-catching template and customizing it to reflect your brand. Then you'll add pages like About Us, Properties, and Contact to share details on your agency, list properties, and enable client communication. Finally, you'll make the site live on your own domain so clients can discover your new digital space. By the end, you'll have an estate agency website to be proud of, all without technical headaches. The future of no-code web design is here—are you ready to get started?
Why Your Estate Agency Needs a Website
As an estate agency, having an informative and user-friendly website is crucial to your business. Here are a few reasons why your agency needs a professional website:
An online presence builds credibility and trust. A well-designed website shows potential clients that you are a legitimate and professional agency. It allows them to learn about your services, experience, and credentials to build confidence in working with you.
It improves visibility and attracts new leads. A website helps your agency rank higher in search engine results, making you more visible to those searching for properties or estate agents in your area. This can generate valuable new leads and inquiries.
It provides a platform to showcase your listings. A website gives potential buyers a convenient place to view photos, videos, descriptions, and details of properties you currently have available. This makes the search and buying process easier for clients.
It allows 24/7 access to information. Buyers and sellers today expect information to be available on-demand. A website allows people to find and learn about your agency whenever and wherever is most convenient for them.
It enhances your marketing capabilities. A website gives you more opportunities to market your services through content like blog posts, newsletters, and social media. These digital marketing techniques have been shown to effectively engage clients and drive more business.
In summary, a professional, user-friendly website is essential for any modern estate agency. It establishes your credibility, improves visibility, provides a platform to showcase listings, offers 24/7 access to information, and enhances your marketing capabilities. For these reasons, investing in a high-quality website should be a top priority. If you're looking for the best real estate website developers, check out Unicorn Platform's blog post on building your dream site.
How to Choose a Website Builder for Your Estate Agency
As an estate agency, your website is one of the most important tools for attracting new clients and building your business. Choosing an easy-to-use website builder can help you create a professional site without needing technical skills. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating options:
- Ease of use. Look for a website builder with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, pre-designed templates, and live preview so you can see how your site looks as you build without needing to code. Options like Unicorn Platform, Squarespace, and Wix are very simple to use with no technical skills required.
- Customization. While the platform should be easy to use, you'll also want options to customize the look and feel to match your agency's branding. Look for builders that offer customizable templates, color palettes, fonts, and the ability to add your own graphics and content. Some even offer custom CSS and HTML code editing for advanced users.
- Features. For an estate agency site, essential features include property listings, contact forms, email marketing integrations, and SEO tools. Look for a website builder with specific real estate templates and features, or at least the ability to add a property plugin.
- Cost. Pricing can range from free to $500/month or more for enterprise plans. For a small to mid-size estate agency, look for options from $20 to $100/month that offer the core features you need as well as room to grow. Some platforms offer lifetime deals for a one-time fee.
- Support. Look for a website builder that provides helpful resources like video tutorials, knowledge bases, and 24/7 customer support in case you get stuck or have questions. Support can help you get the most out of the platform and build an effective site.
With the right website builder for your needs, you can create an attractive, professional estate agency site to help convert more leads and grow your business. Evaluate options based on the factors above to choose a platform that suits both your technical abilities and budget.
Estate Agency WebDesign Best Practices
To build an effective estate agency website, there are several best practices you should follow:
Focus on Visuals
Include high-quality photos of properties, the agency office and staff. This makes a great first impression and allows visitors to connect with what you offer.
Build Trust
Provide details on your agency’s experience, credentials, awards and testimonials from satisfied clients. This establishes your credibility and expertise. You might say something like:
“With over 20 years of experience in the local property market, our dedicated team of estate agents have the knowledge and skills to guide you through the buying, selling or renting process.”
Focus on Key Information
Have clear sections on buying, selling, renting and property management. For each property listing, include details on price, number of rooms, amenities, location and features. Visitors should be able to easily find what they need.
Offer Resources
Include resources like property price reports, area guides, tax information, mortgage calculators and relocation checklists. This additional value and support is appreciated by clients. You could state:
“We provide resources to help you make informed property decisions and find your ideal home.”
Optimize for Mobile
Ensure your website is responsive so it displays well on mobile devices. Many visitors will first encounter your site on a phone or tablet, so a mobile-optimized design is essential.
Blog Regularly
Publish blog posts on topics related to the local property market, real estate industry trends and company updates. This demonstrates your expertise, builds your online authority and gives visitors a reason to return to your site regularly.
Strong Call-to-Action
Have clearly visible contact information and calls-to-action, like “Contact us today to get started on buying or selling your property!” Make it easy for visitors to get in touch and take the next step.
Following these best practices will help you build an estate agency website that inspires trust, provides value to visitors and generates new client inquiries. With a strategic web design, you'll gain a competitive advantage and see your business thrive.
Creating an About Page That Generats Trust
To build trust and credibility with potential clients, your estate agency website needs an informative yet concise About page. This page should establish your agency as knowledgeable and experienced in the local property market.
Highlight Your Experience and Expertise
Discuss when your agency was established and your experience in the industry. Mention any key accomplishments, awards won, or notable properties sold. Back up any claims about your expertise with concrete facts and statistics. For example, “With over 20 years of experience helping home buyers and sellers in the tri-county area, ABC Realty has a proven track record of success. We have helped over 2,000 families buy or sell a home.”
Introduce Your Team
Feature profiles of your agents and staff, including photos. Mention notable credentials, designations, years of experience, and a bit about them personally. This helps to humanize your brand and build rapport. For example, “John Doe is a Certified Residential Specialist with 15 years of experience. A long-time resident of Springfield, John’s in-depth knowledge of the local community allows him to provide exceptional service to his clients.”
Share Your Values and Mission
Discuss your agency’s core values, priorities, and mission. This provides insight into the type of service clients can expect. For example, “Client satisfaction is our top priority. Our mission is to provide every client with an exceptional experience through integrity, knowledge, and results.”
Call the Reader to Action
End your About page with a clear call to action, such as contacting your agency to discuss their needs or viewing current property listings. For example, “Are you ready to buy or sell a home? Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.”
An informative yet concise About page highlighting your experience, expertise, values, and mission will establish your estate agency as a trusted resource for property needs. Be sure to include authentic details that bring your brand to life and inspire confidence in your services. With the right message, your About page can be a pivotal factor in generating new client relationships.
Showcasing Your Properties With a Gallery
To showcase your property listings in an attractive and engaging way on your estate agency website, an image gallery is essential. ### Highlighting Property Features With Large Photos
Focus on high-quality photos that emphasize appealing features and the overall esthetic of each listing. Use a professional photographer if possible for the best results. For each property, include:
- Multiple exterior photos from different angles
- Close-up shots of architectural details like bay windows or stonework
- Wide-angle interior photos of each room
- Detail photos of luxury features like granite countertops, hardwood floors, or a modern kitchen
Optimizing Your Image Gallery
When designing your image gallery page:
- Choose a grid layout to display many thumbnail previews at once. This makes it easy for visitors to browse many options.
- Include captions or labels with each photo describing the property attributes and details. This helps visitors get a quick sense of the key selling points for each listing.
- Link each photo to the listing page for that property. This allows interested visitors to easily get more information and schedule a viewing.
- Keep your gallery page uncluttered and focused. Remove menus, sidebars, and excess text so the photos are the central focus.
An image-rich gallery is a simple yet powerful way to give visitors a taste of what each unique property has to offer. With professional photos and an optimized gallery layout, you'll have an effective tool for attracting more interest and leads for your real estate business. Be sure to keep your gallery up-to-date as new listings become available to provide the latest options to your site visitors.
Contact Forms: Make It Easy for Visitors to Reach You
Include a Contact Form on Your Website
For visitors to reach you and inquire about your real estate agency's services, include an easy-to-find contact form on your website. A simple contact form allows potential clients to send you a message directly from your site.
Keep the Fields Minimal
Only ask for necessary information from your potential clients. Their name, email address, and basic message details are typically sufficient. Requesting too much personal information upfront could deter some visitors from using the form.
Provide Options for Communication
In addition to a message field, offer multiple ways for clients to connect by including checkboxes for:
- Phone call
- Physical mailing address
This gives visitors alternatives to typing out a long message if they prefer direct contact by phone or mail. Be sure to actually monitor and respond to all selected contact methods promptly.
Double Check for Errors
Test your contact form thoroughly to confirm all fields are functioning properly and messages are being received as intended. Check that:
- All required fields highlight if left blank.
- Emails are reaching the correct recipients in your agency.
- "Submit" buttons lead to a confirmation page thanking the sender for their message.
- Spam filters are not blocking any legitimate messages.
Provide a Quick Response
Replying to all contact form messages within 24 to 48 hours, even if just to confirm receipt of the message and that you will follow up shortly, is important for building trust in your agency's services. Potential clients appreciate a prompt, professional response. Including a simple yet effective contact form on your real estate website, with minimal fields, multiple contact options, and quick response times, makes it straightforward for visitors to reach you with questions or to express interest in your services.
This can help generate quality leads and new clients for your agency. If you're interested in building your own custom real estate website quickly and easily, check out our article on how to build a custom real estate website in minutes.
Blogging for Lead Generation and SEO
To generate leads and improve your search engine optimization (SEO), implementing a blog on your estate agency’s website is crucial. Consistently publishing helpful content shows your expertise, builds authority, and gives potential clients a reason to visit your site.
Post Valuable Content
Focus your blog posts on topics that would interest those looking to buy or sell a home. For example:
- Local housing market updates and trends
- Tips for preparing a home for sale
- Advice for first-time homebuyers
- Profiles of popular neighborhoods
Optimize for SEO
To rank higher in search engines like Google, optimize your blog for SEO.
- Choose a keyword-rich title, URL, and headers. Mention your target keyword 3-5 times in your post.
- Write for both humans and search engines. Use natural language and an active voice to keep readers engaged.
- Include internal links to other relevant content on your site. Link to area guides, staff profiles, services pages, etc.
- Promote your posts on social media to increase traffic. Share on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Engage with any comments or questions.
- Make your content scannable. Use bulleted lists, headings, images, and an easily skimmable writing style. Leave plenty of white space.
Post Consistently
To achieve the best SEO results, aim for publishing 2-4 posts per month. Pick a schedule you can stick to long-term. Staying consistent shows search engines your site is an active, up-to-date resource.
By blogging valuable and optimized content on a steady basis, you can establish your estate agency as a helpful resource and earn higher rankings in search results. Over time, your blog can become a lead generation powerhouse, driving more organic traffic and connecting you with motivated homebuyers and sellers.
How to Optimize Your Estate Agency Website for Search Engines
To optimize your estate agency website for search engines, follow these best practices:
Choose Relevant Keywords
Select 3-5 primary keywords or key phrases, plus some secondary keywords, that relate to your location and services. Include these keywords in your page titles, headings, content, image alt text, and meta descriptions. For example, use "estate agents in [location]" or "property management in [location]".
Create Unique Page Titles
Your page titles appear at the top of the browser and are visible to search engines and users. They should be unique, contain your keywords, and accurately represent the content. For example, "Estate Agents in London - Property Management Services".
Write Compelling Meta Descriptions
Meta descriptions are short summaries of your page content, displayed in search results. They should entice the reader to click through while including keywords. For example, "Full-service estate agency in London offering residential sales, lettings, and property management. Get expert advice and service from our dedicated team."
Include Header Tags
Use header tags like H1, H2 and H3 to structure your content. Place keywords in the H1 and H2 tags. Search engines consider these tags when determining page relevance.
Add Internal Links
Link to other relevant content on your site. Use anchor text that contains keywords when possible. Internal links pass authority from one page to another and tell search engines your content is interconnected.
Optimize Loading Speed
A fast loading website leads to higher search rankings and better user experience. Reduce image sizes, minimize redirects, enable browser caching, and consider a content delivery network (CDN) to speed up your site.
Submit Your Sitemap
A sitemap is an XML file that lists all pages on your site. Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools so search engines can discover all your content. Update your sitemap whenever you add or remove pages.
Optimizing your estate agency website for search engines requires ongoing efforts but will drive more organic traffic to your site from people searching for local properties and services. Focus on including relevant keywords, optimizing page elements for search, building internal links, and improving site speed and navigation. With time and consistency, you'll achieve higher rankings and more visibility in search results.
FAQs for Creating an Estate Agency Website with Unicorn Platform
What is an estate agency website?
An estate agency website is an online platform where estate agents can advertise residential or commercial properties available for sale or rent. For estate agencies, a professional website is essential for showcasing listings, attracting new clients, and growing your business.
Why should I create an estate agency website?
Having an estate agency website offers many benefits:
- Increased visibility. A website allows you to reach more potential clients and gain more exposure for your business.
- Improved credibility. A well-designed website helps to establish your agency as professional and trustworthy. Clients are more likely to work with agencies that have an online presence.
- Access to analytics. With a website, you can track metrics like page views, time spent on your site, and lead conversions. This data helps you optimize your website and better serve your clients.
- Low cost. Website builders like Unicorn Platform make it affordable and easy to create an estate agency website without any coding skills required.
How do I build an estate agency website?
Using Unicorn Platform, you can build an estate agency website in a few simple steps:
- Choose a template. Select from professional templates optimized for estate agencies.
- Add your branding. Include your agency logo, colors, and fonts to match your branding.
- Create listings pages. Add pages to feature residential, commercial, sales, and rental listings. Include photos, descriptions, pricing, and contact forms for each listing.
- Add lead capture forms. Include contact forms, email signup forms, and live chat to capture leads and communicate with potential clients.
- Include essential information. Add pages for About Us, Services, Testimonials, and Contact with details about your agency and offerings.
- Publish and promote. Launch your site and spread the word on social media platforms and local business directories. Start optimizing based on analytics and user feedback.
- Update regularly. Keep your listings, photos, and content up-to-date to give clients the best experience on your new website.
Using these steps, you can build a professional estate agency website to help grow your business and better serve your clients. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Conclusion
You now have an overview of how to build an estate agency website without any coding required. Using a no-code platform like Unicorn Platform, you can have a professional, responsive site up and running in a matter of hours. With beautiful templates, an easy to use editor, and powerful features like contact forms, blogs, and galleries, you have everything you need to establish an online presence for your agency. While web design and development was once a complex process requiring specialized skills, new tools have made it accessible to anyone. If you're looking for an affordable, straightforward way to build a website that impresses clients and generates leads, no-code solutions are the way of the future. The next step is simply to get started - you'll have your new estate agency website live in no time.
