Real Estate Web Site Design Mistakes

A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Frances Rhea

Problems with Real Estate Web Design

Creating a great Web design for your Real Estate business is very challenging. Make sure you focus on your prospective customer's goals with your site design. Watch for these common mistakes that can occur in the design phase.

Use of Frames in the Web Site Design

Using frames is always a bad idea. Frames create a problem when listing your Web site with search engines because they will not index the contents of your site. They also cause problems with bookmarks. Your visitor can only bookmark the top-level of your site. When they return to your site, they will get your main page rather than the information they expected. This makes sharing and revisiting of valuable information in your site difficult.

Browsers have trouble printing framed pages. Many browsers will only print a single frame rather than the entire page.

Use of Pop up Windows

Pop-up windows should never load automatically on your homepage. It leaves a horrible first impression and forces your visitor to close the window when they visit. Users are trained to close pop-ups as quickly as possible.

Flash Intro on Real Estate Web Design

Flash Introductions are just that - flashy. Your visitors are concerned with information regarding their purchase. If you must use Flash, make it an optional movie. Do not make it the first thing they see.

Do Not Use Backgrounds

Background images only create a more cluttered appearance and make text harder to read. It will also make the pages slower to load.

Animation and Sound

The use of sound and animation do not add any value to your site visitors. It will only serve to distract and annoy them. These also make the pages slower to load.

Not Enough or Inaccessible Local Content for Real Estate Web Design

Your company's expertise of your area is what will make you different from your competitors. Make your links specific and therefore valuable to your visitors.

Take the extra time to research and include basic information on your site. Your prospective clients should be able to acquire as much valuable information from your site as possible.

Information by Request Only on Web Site Design

New clients will provide their personal information only if necessary. Your visitors must be convinced that they can gain further value by allowing you to contact them.

Real Estate Business Email Address Not Displayed on Web Site

Do not limit your visitors' options to contact you. They will become frustrated and leave your site. Make sure your email address is prominently so that visitors may email you directly if they want.

Broken Links and Pages under Construction

Check your site for broken links to make sure they have not changed.

Do not link to a page that is under construction. If you do not have the information needed, leave the link out.

Lack of Real Estate Listing Photos

Images are an important factor for your properties. Include multiple images of the property to increase interest in your listings.