For you design-geeks and web-heads out there who spend most of your time designing websites with the coolest, slickest, and fastest functionality possible, today’s article might be little on the boing side. We’re outlining a few things to know about realtor website design. Realtor website design, doesn’t that sound sexy.
Well, not every project you get is going to involve CGI scripting for the next edition of Minecraft.
But, every project has a set of unique challenges. Here are just a few things to consider when designing a website for a realtor.
Older Demographic
Number one on the list is the older demographic profile of the user. Buying property takes capital, so most of the people we want to use the site and enjoy it are going to a bit older. In addition, even very old humans in their 60s and 70s are using the internet these days. That is the prime age group for retirees. That means selling one house and buying another (probably in Florida).
Once we understand this starting point, it will guide the rest of our design decisions. For example….
User Friendly
An older demographic means less tolerant customers. Older users are less tech savvy and easily frustrated. I have watched my uncle get so frustrated with a website, pretty much all of them, that he will click on close within 1 or 2 minutes. And because he is so old, the next day he can’t remember which site he tried before. This becomes a vicious cycle.
So, the first moral of this story is, KISS. Keep It Short and Simple. Everything you want the user to do, you must simply as much as possible. Then again. And then one more time. Eliminate as many steps as you can to: registering, logging-on, signing-up for newsletters, and anything and everything else.
High Res Photos = Problems
This one is a real challenge.
Realtor websites are loaded with photos. Keeping those photos to a standard size and resolution will be crucial. Most likely the
photos of the website will come from a variety of sources. Some of the file sizes can be outrageous. Requiring users to prepare their photos adds extra steps for the user, creates user frustration, has a low likelihood of being done correctly (if at all), and generally speaking takes control of this crucial element out of your hands, the expert.
Building in an easy photo editing option on the site is one solution. As long as you can make this simple and only a couple of clicks. You only need two functions: resize and resolution. If these steps require the user to read instructions or watch a video, forget it. You have lost the user for sure. Find the simplest plug-in you can, and forget about functionality options…you only need two.
Larger Text for Older Folk
The older segment of the user base is half-blind…literally. Although making the text larger might seem too obvious and too simple, it is rarely implemented. Making a simple change in text size will really strike a chord with the older user.
All in all, these are just a few things to know about
realtor website design .
Oliver
