As a real estate agent, you already know how important your website is. It’s the first chance potential customers have to learn about your services, and if they don’t like what they see, they won’t be sticking around for long. In fact, the National Association of Realtors reported recently that 97% of homebuyers used the Internet in their home search. That means you need to make sure your website stays up-to-date and in line with the latest trends.
A website serves as the face of your business, and it provides prospective buyers with a window into the type of service they can expect from you. With that in mind, it’s important to keep your website up-to-date so that it remains attractive and informative.
Here are 8 flashing warning signs on when and why you should update your website:
1. Your website looks outdated or unprofessional
If your website design is outdated or does not reflect the professionalism and expertise of your business, it may be time to update it. This can involve redesigning the website to make it more modern and user-friendly, as well as ensuring that the content and imagery are relevant and up-to-date.
2. Your website is difficult to use on mobile devices
As more and more people use their smartphones and tablets to access the internet, it is important to have a website that is mobile-friendly. If your website is not optimized for mobile devices, it may be difficult for users to view and navigate on smaller screens, which can lead to a poor user experience and potentially result in lost leads or inquiries.
3. Your website is not generating leads
If your website is not generating leads or inquiries, it may be because it is not well-designed or optimized for search engines. This can make it difficult for potential clients to find your website and can prevent you from reaching your target audience. Updating your website can help improve its visibility and attract more leads.
Updating your website is more than just keeping up appearances; it’s also about staying ahead of the competition. An outdated website will make potential buyers think you are behind the times, which will lead them to look elsewhere for help with their real estate needs. Additionally, if you do not keep your information current, search engines may not recognize your website or push it back in search engine rankings. Both of these outcomes can have negative effects on your business as a whole.
4. Your website is not secure
If your website has been hacked or is not secure, it can put your business at risk and damage your reputation. Updating your website to improve its security can protect against hacking and other security threats, and can help ensure that your website is safe and trustworthy for users. We hear more horror stories every day about online security and hacking, it’s much better to get ahead of it and invest in some basic prevention.
5. Your website is not integrated with your marketing tools
If you are using new marketing tools or platforms, but your website is not integrated with them, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to reach and engage with your audience. As you invest in your CRM and database, you also want to make sure that your website can integrate there. Updating your website to integrate with these tools can help you improve your marketing efforts and increase your reach.
6. Your website is not reflecting your brand
As your business or brand evolves, it is important to ensure that your website accurately reflects who you are and what you do. If your website is not up-to-date, it may not accurately reflect your brand, which can lead to confusion and a poor user experience. Updating your website can help ensure that it accurately reflects your brand and resonates with your target audience. One simple thing you can do is make sure you accurately and precisely state the areas you cover as an Agent. Especially in real estate, your brand is the most important aspect of your business so you don’t want a website that either doesn’t match or doesn’t live up to your brand.
7. Your website is not generating traffic
Ultimately your website is mostly there to generate traffic and the business that follows. If your website is not generating traffic, it may be because it is not well-designed or optimized for search engines. This can make it difficult for potential clients to find your website and can prevent you from reaching your target audience. Updating your website can help improve its visibility and attract more visitors.
8. Your website is missing personalization
If your website is not meeting your business goals, such as generating leads or inquiries, it may be partly because it is missing personalization. You need to make it your own with a solid about us page and make sure other parts of your website like your listings stand out.
Updating your real estate website is an essential part of staying competitive in today’s market. It should be an ongoing process rather than something done only once a year or when major changes happen within your business. By making sure your content is fresh, relevant, and engaging; ensuring that its design is modern, and providing a user experience that is simple yet effective—you can ensure that visitors will stay longer on your site and return again in the future for their real estate needs!
