There are few businesses that lend themselves to the virtual world as well as real estate. Before the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders were in place, many people in the real estate business were beginning to introduce virtual and 3D tours to their markets.

Below you will find six ways to adapt your real estate business to the virtual world.

Create a Platform

A virtual platform today is what a soapbox was in the Wild West. Create a website that provides information your customers want. There are many sites that offer instructions on how to build and maintain a website. WordPress has directions for website development and options for services associated with the management of a website. GoDaddy and Weebly are two other decent options for DIY website building. These companies can host your site, provide data management and even find content writers for you.

The list of items that need to be addressed when building a website can seem daunting. From domain name to blogs, if you are not familiar with the process you may want to hire a professional who can adjust to new technologies almost as fast as they are developed.

The cost may seem high but as you realize the amount of expertise needed you will appreciate having a professional handle this portion of your business so that you are able to focus on client relationships. The point of a website is to connect you to clients and network with other professionals who work in related fields. It is your community, so it is a worthy investment.

Content

Content is the combination of text, images, sound and videos that bring traffic to your site. The content on your website will determine who visits and how they respond to the site. It is important that the content up to date, creative and, of course, truthful.

Whether you’re working to rent out a Chicago apartment in trendy Lincoln Park or a penthouse in New York City, creative imagery is vital and maybe the foremost reason to hire a web designer.

Ideally, the text should be updated on a regular basis and include facts about the properties you are renting or selling. As you develop a following you can add market forecasts, opinions, and other items that are relevant to the real estate marketplace. Keep your writings professional and do not include political rhetoric.

Follow-Up

Most real estate websites have sections for clients, or potential clients to sign in if they want further information about a property. People are even going as far as selling their houses on Facebook in 2020.

Therefore, it is important for you to monitor the site and your social media channels, so you can provide answers immediately. In today’s market, if you wait for even a day or two to respond the client will look elsewhere. We live in an era of immediacy, and your timeliness can determine your productivity.

Blog Your Way Around the Market

A blog is a discussion, often written as a first-person narrative, about a subject that pertains to your business. Real estate blogs can be written about a variety of subjects and you determine the information you share with those who visit your site. Some real estate bloggers write exclusively about the properties they have available, while others share useful household tips and links to sources for items as diverse as reliable plumbing companies to garden centers.

Keep It Fresh

Your website should not be a static place. The best real estate websites feature constantly changing content, blogs, video tours and photographs.

Facts about neighborhoods, schools, shopping and crime rates can all be fodder for an ever-changing site. If writing daily or weekly blogs is not your forte, you can contract professional writers to help provide your content. Then just okay the writing and post it. It is important to keep your content fresh and truthful to maintain your credibility in your market.

Become the “Go To” Person in Your Market

If your site is visually appealing and provides up-to-date information about properties, along with fact-based opinions about your area of expertise, you will increase traffic. This traffic can make you the first broker, manager or leasing agent potential clients look for when renting or buying. It can also build the number of related business contacts, which increases your sphere of influence.

A good real estate website is thoughtfully constructed, well-maintained and used as a vehicle for communication between agent and client. It will increase your importance in the marketplace and drive customers to your door.