This discussion (no longer available), and the comment by Mike in particular, got me thinking. Finding a real estate website developer that meets all of my specific needs has been a near-impossible task. So, I will ask everybody out there – do you know anybody/company that can help?
Starting with Mike’s criteria:
– Listing/IDX integration, mapping, RSS of listings, email notifications.
– High quality content and integration of this blog (I have sort of implemented this already (archived: 2006))
– CRM tools that will integrate with MS Entourage.
– ROI tracking system for leads
– Good traffic analysis
– Pages/content/design specifically targeting buyers.
– Pages/content/design specifically targeting sellers.
– Take the best ideas here and integrate.
– Will work on Macs, PCs, Linux boxes and all (or most) browsers
– Will be easy to update with my Mac.
I cannot stress enough the need for comprehensive, sticky, intuitive mapping tools. My read is that that is what the consumer wants. I want a site that will accomplish several things:
– High traffic
– Will appeal to high- and low- tech consumers
– Will become the only site that consumers visit – they will want to come back every day.
– Target local, national and international buyers.
– Will be easy to use, add POP accounts, etc.
– 100% uptime, redundant backups, UPS, etc. Downtime (except in extraordinary circumstances) is unacceptable.
– Be fiscally reasonable
– I am sure that there are things that I am missing. I’ll add them as I think of them.
Many feel that using solely their blogs works for them. That is great, but I think that the separation of the two – the site and the blog – works for me and helps achieve my goals. Am I asking for too much?
This one from Uberator looks interesting (archived: 2026).
John L. Scott (archived: 2013) has the mapping down (although they don’t support Safari)
What are the best real estate websites that you have seen?
Interested in Learning More?
Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.
Dig Deeper
Revisiting the “0 to 5 Buyer is Gone” Post – 15 years later
Revisiting the “0-5 Buyer Is Gone” Theory We’re in a different market now. Some of the people who bought between 2021 and 2024 are trying to sell — and the ones who bought new construction, now competing against new construction, are having a hard time.…
A Charlottesville e-bike Success Story
I have an e-bike. I love my e-bike. I ride it to meetings all over the City of Charlottesville instead of driving my car. e-bikes are great. A friend got an e-bike. He loves his e-bike. He has a different perspective, and I asked him…
Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide
Flipping the Switch, Part 3: ADUs, Zoning, and the Practical Guide Part 1 covered the data. Part 2 covered the design. This week: the regulatory landscape, the ADU reality check, and the practical checklist. The ADU Conversation Has Changed When I wrote about this in…
Happy Homeownership Day (on a bicycle)
A good day starts with a bike ride. A better day starts with a bike ride to meet clients for a final walkthrough of their first home. Smile, happiness, projects to be undertaken, projects to be planned, lives to be lived. It's a good day.…