Real Estate Website Tip: Template or Custom Design?
The custom vs. template real estate website debate will probably rage on for years. Both sides are pretty emphatic and are firmly entrenched in their positions. Both routes can be expensive and both can be really profitable.
Here is something to think about…
Most professionals that I work with who have template real estate websites are actually paying a much higher “fee” than they realize. Much more than they would have to pay for a custom designed site.
They are paying the higher fee, over time, in the form of LOST business.
Yes, template sites can be tweaked, optimized and changed as much as you want, but most people never do that. They setup the template real estate website, put in some “content” and are glad to be done.
Setting up a template site CAN be quick and it can be easy. They get their site, listings, lead capture… everything set up within a few days and they are on their way. Unfortunately, that is often when their investment in their site stops.
A few months go by and then they start wondering why nothing is happening. No results
When you design a custom site, YOU’VE got to come up with the content. There is no such thing as “click here to add buyer and seller articles” or stuff like that. You’ve got to take your knowledge, pull it out of your head and put it on paper. For a lot of people, that is hard work. But it’s the right work to be doing.
By choosing the custom route, you are forced to put more work in on the front end. Often times, if you know what you are doing or working with a designer that knows anything about marketing, that will translate into better results, more quickly.
So, basically, there is no “right” choice. There is no “right” price. In the end, only results matter.
Profitable websites aren’t something you can “price shop.” They aren’t sitting on the shelf waiting for you to buy. I know web designers/marketers (whatever you want to call them) that are paid $10,000-$15,000 to create a two or three page website.
Outlandish you might say, but their clients pay that because the fee represents only a small investment for the return they will receive in additional business.
Just don’t forget that a profitable real estate website is an investment, not just a purchase. You need to track your investment. If you pay $10,000 and you get back $50,000 within a year or two…. I’d take that deal any day of the week.
