Real Estate Website Builders: A Look at 5 Popular Options
Which Real Estate Website Builder is Right For You?
Not so long ago, having a website meant having some serious coding skills. Thanks to the rise of DIY website builders, though, you can turn your web browser into a web design studio.
Now that options abound, finding the right option has become quite a challenge. We’ve prepared a real estate website builders list to help you explore your options. In coming up with this list, we took into account the following factors:
-
Skill Level & Ease of Use
How comfortable are you dragging and dropping vs. writing code? -
Features & Functionality
Does it offer everything you need, from galleries to contact forms? -
Design & Customization
Can you create a website that reflects your unique brand and style? -
Budget
Free plans exist, but paid plans offer more functionality and flexibility. -
Scalability & Growth
Will the platform handle your website as your business expands?
Five highly-rated real estate website builders
Squarespace
If you’re looking for sleek website templates that won’t break the bank, Squarespace might be your ideal option. In addition to aesthetic appeal, this website builder offers an easy-to-use editor that just about any agent can master. It also has Blueprint AI, which can help you build your website based on five design questions.
COST
-
Starts at $16/month
PROS
-
160+ real estate website design templates to choose from
-
Unlimited storage and bandwidth
-
Free SSL on all packages
CONS
-
Limited design customizability
-
No free plan
BEST FOR?
-
For single agents or small teams that are just starting out
Wix
Versatility is Wix’s calling card, thanks to a website builder that’s suitable for businesses of all sizes. Case in point: it has 900+ templates, over 280 features, and more than 750 web apps to choose from.
COST
-
Starts at $17/month
PROS
-
Easy drag-and-drop interface
-
24/7 callback support
CONS
-
Can’t change the template once your website is live
-
The free plan has no analytics & has Wix branding
-
No free plan
BEST FOR?
-
Agents who want to scale up their business in a cost-effective manner
Weebly
At just $10 per month, Weebly offers one of the most affordable single-user website packages out there. Of course, the smaller price tag means a smaller selection of website themes with fewer bells and whistles.
COST
-
Starts at $10/month
PROS
-
Beautiful mobile-responsive themes
-
Robust analytics tool
-
Switch themes even after your site launches
CONS
-
Limited theme customizations
-
No custom domain included with the basic plan
BEST FOR?
-
Agents who want a good-looking starter website at a budget-friendly price
Hostinger
If the attractive introductory rate weren’t enough, the free three months will surely pique the interest of budget-conscious agents. But don’t let the small asking price fool you—Hostinger is easy enough to use for complete beginners but has a rich feature set that will surely please more advanced users.
COST
-
Starts at $2.99/month upon signup; renews at $7.99/month
PROS
-
150 website templates
-
AI website builder and image generator
CONS
-
Control panel can feel sluggish
-
No telephone support (only live chats)
BEST FOR?
-
Agents who want a good balance between affordability and flexibility
Bluehost
While many top real estate website builders are powered by proprietary technologies, Bluehost is geared specifically toward WordPress, the open-source content management system that powers the majority of websites today. If you want the flexibility of a WordPress site but the ease of a DIY platform, Bluehost is a strong contender.
COST
-
Starts at $2.99/month upon signup; renews at $9.99 after 12 months
PROS
-
300 website templates
-
Helpful onboarding wizard
-
Responsive live chat and phone support
CONS
-
No uptime guarantee
-
Price increases markedly upon renewal (starts at $9.99)
BEST FOR?
-
Agents who prefer a WordPress-based website and the flexibility that comes with it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There isn't a single "best" builder, as it depends on your needs. Consider your budget, desired features, and design experience. The list above is an ideal starting point.
Yes, there are free website builders available. However, these may have limitations on features or design compared to paid plans. Think of free plans as a way to test whether a given platform meets your needs.
Yes, you can build your own website. But it requires some technical knowledge and can be time-consuming. Consider the time investment and your technical skills before going this route.
For simple, brochure-style websites or those with a limited budget, website builders offer a user-friendly and cost-effective solution. However, if you need a customized website with more specific functions and features, a web design company with a developer on board might be a better fit.
Transferring a website can be tricky, but some builders allow exporting your site data. It's always best to check a builder's specific policy beforehand. If future flexibility is a major concern, a custom-built website might be a better long-term option.
Many real estate website builders offer built-in SEO tools like keyword optimization and title tag editing. However, the level of control might be limited. If SEO is a top priority, you might need to invest in additional SEO plugins or consider tapping the expertise of a digital marketing strategist for more in-depth optimization.
Responsive design, meaning your website adapts to different screen sizes, is now standard for most website builders. This ensures your website looks great and functions smoothly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
Security measures vary between builders, but most offer basic website security features. Backups are also crucial. Check a website builder's plans to see if automatic backups are included or if they're an add-on service.
Choose your real estate website builder carefully
Which real estate website builder you choose to build your website with is crucial as it can affect how visitors and prospective clients view your brand. While all the options given above have their pros and cons, they aren’t built exclusively for agents or brokers. This means you might have to make compromises when building a real estate agent website on a platform built for a broad range of entrepreneurs.
A better option might be to look for companies that specialize in real estate websites and inquire about their theme-based packages. Agent Image, for instance, has the Agent Pro package which offers beautiful templates with agent-specific features such as featured listings, home search, home valuation, mortgage calculator, and lead forms.
Our theme-based plans also allow for extensive customization and we’ll work closely with you to make sure your site reflects your unique brand story. Furthermore, your website is 100% yours because it’s WordPress-based and not built on a proprietary platform — unlike many other DIY real estate website builders out there.
Whether you’re a new agent who wants to make a strong start or an experienced one who wants an upgrade over their brokerage-issued site, having an Agent Image website gives you a clear degree of separation from your competitors. Not only will we build you an impressive website, but we can also help you generate traffic and attract leads with our full-service digital marketing team.
Just take a look at some of the bespoke-looking theme-based websites we’ve developed for top-producing agents.
For a FREE consultation, call 1.800.979.5799
or send a message here.
