Real Estate Developer Websites — Key Requirements
Requirement 1:
A Secure Website with SSL
What is SSL Security? An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Certificate provides private encryption for any data flowing between your website server and the browser that someone uses to view your website. Having this security technology transforms your “insecure” website into a “secure” website.
What does SSL do? Any time the user on an “insecure” website fills out a form and submits it or conducts any other transaction on that website, that data can be easily stolen by a hacker. SSL technology prevents hacker access to that data.
Do website visitors care? Absolutely. A recent survey by a leading software developer shows that 82% of respondents would leave a site that indicates it is not secure.
Why should you care? Trust is paramount in the real estate industry, and your website represents your company and your brand. None of your interactions with financial partners or your clients should be perceived as “insecure.” The security of information is essential. If your website is not protecting users’ data, your overall brand as a trusted partner is threatened.
Is your site secure? It’s easy to tell. Just bring your website up in your browser window and look at the web address line (URL) at the top of the page. It will say “Not Secure” right before your web address, and your URL will begin http:// rather than https:// if you do not have an SSL Certificate.
What should you do? Find a website design firm that will ensure your site is updated with an SSL Certificate. Call us at Great Island Design: 978.741.0112, and we will be happy to help you.
Requirement 2:
A “Responsive” Website
What is it? A “responsive” website is one that automatically reformats on a variety of mobile devices, including smartphones. This allows the content to be easily viewed by users on any size screen.
How is it created? A website developer will build your website in one of the top responsive CMS (Content Management System) platforms (WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal.) WordPress is used by over 60% of all CMS websites and by over one-third of all websites on the internet.
Do website visitors care? Absolutely. More than 52% of all website traffic is on mobile devices such as smartphones. If your website is not responsive, it is not formatted to be seen on these devices, and visitors will not stay on your site.
Why should you care? Not only will mobile viewers not use your website, but Google also punishes unresponsive sites in search rankings, and Google drives 96% of mobile search traffic. An unresponsive site is harder to find.
Is your site responsive? It’s easy to test. Just click on this link and type your web address into the box. It will tell you immediately if your site is responsive or not.
What should you do? Have your website redesigned on a responsive CMS platform. Great Island Design creates high-performing, branded websites for firms like yours. To view some of them, click here.
Great Island Design for Real Estate Developer’s Websites
Why Great Island? We understand the goals of real estate developers, both for corporate capabilities websites or property marketing websites. We have the strategic thinkers, designers, and writers that can help you plan your website to meet your goals now and into the future.
We also know that your brand speaks volumes about the quality and value of your services.
Quality, trust, brand recognition, goodwill—these are among the intangible assets that are essential to engaging financial partners or leasing or sales prospects.
We work across all communications platforms, integrating your brand in print, websites, email, and newsletters, so you reach new clients and stay in touch with your current base.
Please take a look at several websites we recently produced for developers and real estate marketing:
Huntington Development
Sync240 Condominiums
DNK Architects
Please allow us the opportunity to talk with you about how we can help with your branding and marketing communications needs.
“Please accept this recommendation for Great Island Design, a firm our company has had the privilege of working with for over a decade. Their work spans a variety of genres from single family projects to expansive multifamily communities. Their creativity, responsiveness and breadth of services makes them a pleasure to work with and a “go to” for our company. Please feel free to reach out to me for further comments.”
— Sue Hawkes, President, The Collaborative Companies, a Boston residential real estate marketing firm
Great design is just our starting point.
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