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Imagine creating a platform that empowers diverse audiences—homebuyers, sellers, renters, real estate agents, and investors—all while generating consistent revenue. A real estate marketplace like Zillow not only bridges these groups but also transforms the real estate experience into one of convenience and trust.
Today, Zillow attracts over 234 million unique monthly visitors and generates billions in annual revenue. Its success lies in its ability to serve distinct audiences effectively. Other property listings websites like Trulia, Redfin, Zoopla, Rightmove, or 99acres.com have attracted huge success and there's still room for new innovations and tech-driven improvements.
The journey starts with understanding who might want to create such a platform and why:
Here, you will be getting a complete guide on how to build a successful real estate website. You'll learn how to create your own online marketplace unique presence by focusing on the core functionalities of your marketplace:
So, why not go for your own real estate app development?
The real estate marketplace is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by customer demand for convenience and the ability to buy property from the comfort of their own space and time.
If we talk about the future of the real estate marketplace, by 2032, the global real estate market is projected to reach USD 7.28 trillion. Creating an online real estate marketplace not only simplifies the process for buyers and sellers but also offers unmatched value to both parties.
Features like virtual property tours, greater accessibility for businesses, and data-driven insights make online platforms indispensable for modern real estate transactions. Coupled with the convenience and efficiency an online platform provides, these benefits highlight the growing importance of building a real estate website that caters to today's digitally savvy consumers.
By doing so, you'll tap into broader markets, enhance user experience, and stay competitive in an evolving industry.
Turn your Shopify store into a multi-vendor marketplace and boost your revenue by 2-5x. With 5000+ integrations & open API support, go beyond traditional use cases and bring a revolution!
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The real estate industry is ripe for innovation, and marketplaces offer a powerful platform to connect buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, and property owners and service providers. Here are some recommended types of marketplaces that can revolutionize the real estate sector:
Example: Ten-X
An auction-based marketplace allows properties to be sold to the highest bidder. This setup is ideal for unique or distressed assets that may benefit from a competitive bidding process.
Example: Airbnb
A P2P rental marketplace focuses on connecting property owners with tenants, offering short-term or long-term rental options. This is beneficial for individuals seeking flexible living arrangements or vacation rentals.
Example: Houzz Pro
A service marketplace caters to real estate service providers—agents, appraisers, inspectors, and more. This type of marketplace enables users to hire professionals for tasks related to buying, selling, or maintaining properties.
Example: Nextdoor
A hyperlocal marketplace serves specific geographic areas, allowing users to find properties, services, and rentals within a narrowly defined region. It’s ideal for users who want a more localized experience.
Primary Stakeholders
i. Property Owners/Landlords:
ii. Tenants/Buyers:
Primary Stakeholders
iii. Real Estate Agents/Brokers:
iv. Service Providers:
"I am so impressed every day that I work with the Shipturtle team. I had a vision to launch a business that would include 3 different kinds of vendors: C2C sellers, small business vendors and on-demand printing/manufacturing vendors. I was starting completely from scratch... I launched my business last month and they have been phenomenal in their customer care and support... They have gone above and beyond to help me succeed. I highly recommend working with Shipturtle."
Nicole DeBoom
eNDe project, United States
While researching ways to build a real estate marketplace, you've likely crossed paths with Zillow many a time. So, what makes Zillow stand out in a competitive and crowded real estate market?
While developing Zillow, the founders Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink found the need for transparency and accessibility of real estate information. Zillow from day one of its launch focused on personalized experience for each user -
Next, let's talk about the efficient and essential features that make a successful and proficient real estate website like Zillow -
i. Advanced Property Search and Filters:
Find properties by location, budget, type, and specific features (e.g., number of bedrooms, amenities, etc.).
ii. Interactive Map Integration:
Locate properties on a map with details on nearby schools, transportation, and community amenities.
iii. Detailed Property Listings:
Access high-quality photos, videos, 3D tours, and comprehensive property information, including pricing history and property taxes.
iv. Property Valuation and Market Analytics:
Tools like estimated property value, local price comparisons, and market trends provide crucial insights.
v. Mortgage Calculator and Financing Options:
Help users estimate monthly payments, loan options, and affordability based on current interest rates.
vi. User Accounts and Saved Searches:
Save favorite properties, set up alerts, and receive updates on price changes or new listings.
vii. Virtual Tours and Augmented Reality (AR) Features:
Explore properties remotely with virtual tours, and visualize changes or furnishings with AR tools.
viii. Neighborhood Insights and Community Information:
Information on neighborhood demographics, local amenities, crime rates, and events helps buyers make informed decisions.
ix. Seamless Communication Channels:
In-app messaging allows secure, direct communication with agents and sellers, making it easy to ask questions or schedule visits.
x. Responsive Design and Mobile App:
Easily browse listings, receive notifications, and manage saved properties on the go.
i. Agent and Seller Profiles
Display profiles with credentials, reviews, and transaction histories to build credibility with potential buyers.
ii. Detailed Property Listings Management
Customize listings with high-quality media (photos, videos, 3D tours) and detailed descriptions to attract buyers.
iii. Review and Rating System
Positive reviews and high ratings for properties or agents build trust and help attract buyers.
iv. Market Analytics and Valuation Tools
Use valuation tools and market insights to set competitive pricing and analyze buyer interest.
v. Seamless Communication Channels
In-app messaging with buyers and agents keeps interactions organized and secure.
vi. Property Management Dashboard
A centralized dashboard to manage listings, monitor views and inquiries, track offers, and get data on listing performance.
vii. Lead Management and Follow-up Tools
Track interested buyers, schedule follow-ups, and manage leads efficiently to streamline the sales process.
viii. Advertising and Listing Promotion Options
Promote listings with premium placements or highlighted features to reach a wider audience and attract more potential buyers.
ix. Data Security and Privacy Measures
Secure login, encrypted communication, and data privacy policies protect sensitive information shared during transactions.
x. Responsive Design and Mobile App
Manage listings, respond to inquiries, and track performance via mobile, giving flexibility to adjust on the go.
Shipturtle offers marketplace plugins that make it easy for businesses to sell on multiple platforms at once. These plugins work with popular cart platforms like Shopify and Woocommerce, helping to manage vendors, listings, and orders with ease, making it a great choice for businesses of all sizes.
Why Shopify and Woocommerce?
Although there are numerous plugins available in the market, Shopify and Woocommerce stand out as strong contenders because:
Shipturtle is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for integrating with Shopify, enabling backhand functionality in your real estate marketplace website. Here is a breakdown of the whole procedure of real estate software development:
Now that you have finalized your real estate website idea, and run your market research, the crucial step is choosing the right platform to develop your website in no time.
i. Custom coding and integrations are costly.
ii. Building and testing takes significant time.
iii. Requires advanced backend systems for scalability.
iv. Needs experienced developers and designers.
v. Ensuring strong security measures and compliance.
vi. Continuous updates and bug fixes are necessary.
vii. Compatibility issues with payment, shipping, and CRM tools.
viiii. Balancing design with functionality for ease of use.
i. Shopify store or any CMS platform
ii. Shipturtle app and its open APIs
That's how simple it is to create a multivendor marketplace or platform with Shipturtle!
Moreover, it is way more cost-effective with pre-built 400+ marketplace workflows and at the same time, flexible to customize based on your unique requirements!
100%
Go live on Shopify in less than 48 hours using our out-of-box multivendor functionalities. Our solution offers 400+ pre-built workflows, including vendor management, product listings, order processing, and payment management. The app is configurable, has no code & boasts 1000+ integrations!
To design a great and easy-to-use experience, here's what you need to ensure:
Example: Check out 99acres.com, a shining example of how to effectively provide property listings, a user-centric interface, and trusted services that have earned it a high demand among users.
In the coming times, the demand for platforms that connect brokers, property managers, and sellers with their potential buyers is going to shoot. With the increasing demand, the real estate market is going to be competitive.
An effective marketing strategy will give your platform a run ahead of your competitors. Following are some tried and tested marking strategies that work effectively for the real taste marketplace.
The real estate marketplace is growing and evolving step by step with the advancing technology. Here's how you can seize the future trends and growth opportunities in this market:
i. Adoption of New Technologies: AI, Machine Learning, and Automation
ii. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Practices
iii. Global Expansion and Diversification
The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted work and living preferences, resulting in increased demand for office spaces, suburban properties, and flexible living arrangements, reshaping the housing market.
In a market with many local and global real estate players, starting a reputable real estate platform can be profitable. Despite its promising appearance, real estate website development is not an easy job. You must keep track of multiple elements, including functionality, integration with third-party solutions, advanced search options, UI/UX design, market trends, and more.
Integrating features that match the changing preferences of newer audiences can help you get ahead of your marketing competitors. With Shipturtle, you can quickly and easily establish a scalable real estate marketplace without requiring any coding expertise. Building something extraordinary has never been more accessible!
Take a demo today to learn more about our use case for your business idea.
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Khyati is a versatile content writer. She holds a Masters in Journalism and crafts compelling narratives that drive user engagement. With a keen eye for detail and a strategic approach, Khyati helps Shipturtle communicate messages effectively and connect with the target audience.