Mobile is still on the rise and continues to shake up the way that real estate operates. With more and more prospective clients turning to their mobile devices to find listings, agents and property related information - it has become a prerequisite to have your website cater to mobile users.

According to recent statistics, released by Statista, approximately 95% of internet usage in South Africa is made up by mobile.

The numbers don’t lie, mobile visitors are clearly the largest growing audience demographic. Which means that real estate websites can no longer ignore a user’s mobile experience.

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Different Mobile Solutions

Mobile websites
Mobile websites Designed specifically for mobile phones, they have a different URL and are separate from the full site. They work optimally on smaller screens, allowing for maximum functionality and convenience.

Responsive websites
Designed using a development technique that dynamically adapts the layout of the website to the size of the screen. It adapts on a desktop, tablet, or mobile using page sizing, flexible images and font sizes.

Which is Better?
While mobile visitors may not notice an immediate difference between a dedicated mobile version and responsive website, your choice will affect what is possible to design. Website studios may also only develop for one type.

The type of mobile-friendly option you choose to have developed would depend on its intent. There is no definite right or wrong answer, but:

  • For a single purpose website, ‘responsive’ is generally preferred, as the content would be the same regardless of device. A blog or corporate information website are good examples.
  • For a multiple-purpose or more interactive website, a dedicated mobile site is the best way to deliver content uniquely suited to mobile users.

Mobile Website For Real Estate

Real estate mobile websites should be designed with the experience of sellers, buyers, tenants, landlords and investors in mind. Think about the tasks these users would need to accomplish while driving or walking around a neighbourhood. As these users are not static, they need information based on their current location.

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Here are some convenient features of the mobile real estate website:

Call an Agent
Instantly go from viewing a listing to calling the agent. Making the interaction between browsing a website and making a call, seamless and much more convenient.

Add to Contacts
With a push of a button, prospects can download a virtual business card, with a full set of details.

Properties Near Me
Me Easily locate a list of properties that are in proximity to your current location, helping users find a new home in a suburb they are passing through or already reside in.

On Show Near Me
As with the ‘properties near me’ function, users can search for local on show properties instantly. This allows users to get travelling times, distances and directions to showhouses while visiting showhomes.

Branch Near Me
Branches are mapped to help prospective clients quickly find their physical location. This function is the fastest way for a mobile-website visitor to locate and visit their nearest branch.

Takeaway

Mobile is here to stay and as the number of mobile users across the globe rises, it is critical to cater for this group of users. Decide on whether your company needs a responsive or mobile dedicated website, add convenient features specific to mobile use and you will be on your way to making the most of the mobile age. Next up: Content for Robots and Humans