By BTS Brands
Commercial Real Estate Websites are a great way to boost your CRE business, essential in the age of the fast-paced digital economy. You’re likely aware of (and probably use) advertising methods like traditional media and good, old-fashioned word-of-mouth. But to be able to compete in today’s digital marketplace, having a website is a necessity.
From our vantage point as Commercial Real Estate Marketing specialists, here are six important reasons why every Commercial Real Estate Professional (whether an individual or a firm/group) should have a website:
1.) It’s 2020.
It’s time to get with the times. Today, just about everyone has internet access, if not at least one social media account. As for consumers, there are an estimated 296 million internet users in the US alone – that’s nearly 80 percent of the US population – out of 4 billion worldwide.
In this day and age, not having a website puts you at risk of missing out on opportunities in today’s digital, globally-connected marketplace. You don’t want to miss out, do you?
2.) A Website can get you more clients, and clients expect you to have a website.
It works, and there are statistics to prove it. According to AdWeek, 81% of consumers do their research online before making a business decision.
The internet and social media are now indispensable to the modern way of life, with plenty of businesses being based completely online, without physical offices. Yet even traditional brick-and-mortar businesses use the internet to boost business, with ESPRESSO Digital reporting that at least 37 percent of consumers using the internet to look for a store at least once a month.
We also understand that while different Commercial Real Estate businesses and professionals have different styles (whether it’s relying on references, business networking events, or a combination of various different methods), having a website can help you generate more leads and convert more visitors into prospective clients and buyers, regardless of your preference.
3.) Social Media alone isn’t enough.
For plenty of businesses, having a page on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and/or other social media platforms will do. A Commercial Real Estate business, on the other hand, requires the kind of detailed online presence best provided by a website.
This is not to discount social media’s effectiveness as a marketing tool – it is definitely the best way of distributing information widely. However, an effective online presence for Commercial Real Estate does not only require that you be able to list detailed information such as property offerings, but also that your intended audience be able to sort through different categories of information in a simple, easily-understandable way. Such functionality is better provided by a website than a social media page.
It is best if you use the two hand-in-hand, though; put the detailed information on your website, and use your social media pages to make sure your website has more visitors.
4.) It’s a more efficient, and convenient way of doing business.
A smartphone combines your telephone, camera, email, notepad, music player, and many more into one. Likewise, a website can be your calling card, business listing, document storage, and even work platform, among others.
With today’s numerous advances in web design, a website can be packed with just about every kind of feature. From public info such as Commercial Real Estate property listings to sensitive matters such as confidentiality agreements, the possible uses for a website today – and the ways it can benefit clients – are limited only by your imagination.
Having a website makes it more convenient for both you and your (prospective) clients, too – aside from being a one-stop-shop where clients can check out all the property info they need, your website is always online, regardless of where you are and what you are doing. While actions such as personally giving out your calling card or sending an offering memorandum to a prospective buyer sometimes require your personal/physical presence, it’s always more convenient to have the information instantly available on your website at any time of the day.
5.) It’s a way of presenting yourself and your properties professionally.
Appearances matter – having a sharp, professional-looking Commercial Real Estate website can help clients see you as trustworthy and capable. With the right landing page, you can turn this good impression into new leads by encouraging visitors to click around, boosting your email and social media marketing campaigns.
After all, in every kind of business we encounter in our lives (whether as professionals or as consumers), we’d rather trust someone who looks like they know what they’re doing, over someone who doesn’t put in the effort of giving off a professional impression. Not to mention that aside from being common sense, it’s also documented as a best practice by scientific studies and industry names like Forbes Magazine.
6.) It helps you stand out from the competition.
Just like properties, not all websites are created equal. With so many competitors, it’s easy to lose if you don’t have an effective and engaging online presence.
The National Association of Realtors’ page on Quick Real Estate Statistics cites estimates of 2 million active real estate licenses and 86,095 real estate brokerage firms in the US. With so many agents chasing after clients and buyers, you don’t want to get left behind.
A good Commercial Real Estate Website will do the talking for you, show your properties to (prospective) clients, facilitate contact between you and hopeful buyers, and much more. With so much potential functionality and so many ways of building a website, it’s up to you to get a website that makes you stand out from the crowd.
As experts in Commercial Real Estate Websites, this is where we come in.
We at Built To Suit Brands specialize in Commercial Real Estate Marketing, which includes building websites for our clients. So aside from knowing about the statistics and market trends we mentioned in this article, we have real experience with how websites benefit both individual CRE professionals and CRE firms, reinforced by positive feedback from our clients.
Our consultation and planning process takes into account that every different business has its own unique set of needs. If you don’t have a website yet – or if you want to make your existing website better – we can help you identify the best solutions to your business’ needs by scheduling a personalized consultation.
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