Is Your Website Doing its Job?

I’m working on a few estate agents’ websites at the moment, including one for a real estate agent in Chicago. Your website is such an opportunity to showcase your agency and attract new clients, but most agent websites just miss the mark.

I’ve put together here my top 5 website tips to help you evaluate your own website, and see if it’s actually working for you:

  1. Know what you want your site visitors to do – this is what website strategists call having a ‘single conversion goal’. In other words, if a visitor only clicks once, where do you want that click to be? The first click is the most important, as it starts building on a relationship – however fleeting – that you have with that visitor, so you need to make every click count.  If you don’t want your visitors to be invisible to you, that click needs to be them entering their email address, so offer them something of such high value, that they can’t resist giving it to you.
  1. Keep your site vendor- (and/or landlord-) focused.  Unless you have too much property you can’t sell, of course. Most agents I talk to are short of stock, so check your home page – does it appeal to vendors? Do you have information on selling houses? If not, get some.  There’s no point in having a wholly buyer-focused site if it’s vendors you want.
  1. Be their guide – when someone comes to your house for the first time, you will likely invite them in, guide them to the room you feel is relevant, and offer them refreshment.  Think of your website in the same way.  Invite them in (give them something relevant to click on), guide them to the right part of the site (make sure their journey is easy to navigate with lots of signposting) and offer them something they want (relevant and timely information and advice).
  1. Give them something to keep coming back for. There’s no point in having a lovely (and probably expensive) site if your visitors simply use it to grab your phone number.  To encourage return visits, you need to update it with relevant (there’s that word again) and current content.  You’re reading this, aren’t you? That’s because I write a new article every week to keep agents coming back for more. If you don’t yet feel ready to dive into the murky world of blogging, then at least have some vendor-focused tips and information right front and centre of your home page, with a clear indication that you update it often.
  1. Learn from the best. There are some changes going on in estate agent website design – it’s an exciting time.  Here are the websites I like best at the moment, and that I think reflect the latest thinking in design.  If your website is due for a refresh – or even a reboot – then these may just give you some inspiration.

John D Wood – a screen-filling image and simple call to action defines this great design. My personal favourite, though I’d change the property search box in the centre to something more vendor-focused.

Marsh and Parsons – another great visual site, and the Latest News video blog by Peter Rollings is a very engaging feature.

Haus Properties – loving the grass! Jamie Lester has a real drive to prove differentiation, right from the outset.  If only he’d ditch the property search box….

Ivy Gate – Jason Tebb’s new startup venture earned him Best Newcomer at the Times’ Awards last year, and with good reason.  Attention to detail, exception photography and a real passion to do things better, are all in evidence on this beautiful site.

Olivers London – a brand new innovative agency with a completely different approach to web design.  One to watch!

Finally, if you’d like to know if your website is working, and if not, how you can fix it, drop me a line at sam@home-truths and I’ll let you know how I can help.
What to read next – Should Estate Agents Blog?

What to do next: Do you get my Supertips? They’re jam-packed full of great tips and marketing strategies just like this one, and best still – they’re free! Get yours here ->www.samashdown.co.uk/samsupertips

Speak to Sam: If you’d like to know how I think you could improve your marketing, just answer a few short questions here and I’ll tell you if and how you could be more effective.

Sam Ashdown

Sam is an industry-renowned marketing strategist to estate agents. She helps agents grow and flourish, using her unique smart marketing techniques and strategies. Sam works with agents throughout the UK to help them gain more valuations, win more instructions and sell more properties.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Majority of Tenants Unsure How Changes Will Affect Them, Says LRG

With major changes to the private rental sector on the horizon, 62% of tenants say they don’t know whether the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill will address their concerns – highlighting a growing need for clearer communication around what the reforms will mean in practice. LRG’s latest Lettings Report shows that while landlords are widely aware…
Read More
Home and Living

Perfume Storage Tips: How to Keep Your Fragrances Fresh

Perfumes are sensitive compositions that can be significantly affected by how they are stored. Proper storage ensures that your favorite fragrances stay fresh and maintain their intended scent profile. In this article, we’ll explore practical, fun, and effective tips to help you preserve your perfumes in perfect condition. Understanding the Sensitivity of Perfumes Perfumes are…
Read More
Breaking News

Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning. The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 02/04/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Made Snappy 360 appoints new CEO and Sales Director to accelerate growth in the property technology space Made Snappy 360, the fast-growing proptech company known for its virtual tours and floor plan technology, has appointed industry veteran Mark Beresford-Ward as its new Chief Executive…
Read More
Home and Living

Expert reveals the exact date parents must start renovating in time for summer

Loft and attic renovations are gaining popularity this spring, with nearly 11,000 monthly Google searches, highlighting them as one of the top home renovation projects Brits are planning in the coming weeks. Loft conversion specialist Sally McClean, loft conversion specialist from Enfields loft conversions Rooftop Rooms, shares the exact dates homeowners should start their renovations…
Read More
Breaking News

Nationwide HPI – Annual house price growth steady in March

Annual rate of house price growth remained stable in March at 3.9%, unchanged from February Northern Ireland remained the top performing area, with annual price growth accelerating to 13.5% London weakest performing region, with 1.9% year-on-year rise Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide’s Chief Economist, said: “UK house price growth remained stable in March…
Read More