Questions about creating a real estate site

onebaddogo · #1 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 02:18 PM

Does anyone know a easy way to create a website that can be updated easily by the owner of it without a much experience.

Such as new listings for a real estate site, or new pictures for a clothing store.. Would this fall under a category of a blog or a site? I'm pretty new at all of this, and have never created a blog, but have done a few websites.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!

sgtmac66 · #2 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebaddogo

Does anyone know a easy way to create a website that can be updated easily by the owner of it without a much experience.

Such as new listings for a real estate site, or new pictures for a clothing store.. Would this fall under a category of a blog or a site? I'm pretty new at all of this, and have never created a blog, but have done a few websites.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!

The simple answer is no to your first question. Unless you hire a professional to create and maintain it for you , you will have to learn on your own. I suppose you could have a pro design it and put it on the web, but you would still need to learn how to update it yourself.

If you take a gander under the CSS forum, you will see that CSS is the way to control and update whole sites with just a few pages of CSS. Others here can give you some pointers, on various types of databases used more complicated methods which are still over my head, lol!

As far as a blog or website, sounds more like a website type of thing with a shopping cart etc. In all cases, though you will either have to have someone do it for you or learn the hard way, like the rest of us.

I wish there were an EASY way to create this stuff without much knowledge, but I haven't found it yet. Stay tuned as others will chime in also.

Star · #3 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 05:45 PM

There is a way to have an internet listing that you can update with a picture gallery, business info, video etc. You can manage it easily 24/7. You can email me for more info. I also went to a seminar recently that suggested Facebook as an alternative for realtors. That might be more maintenance than you are looking for though.

If you are looking to have a website SBI might be a consideration but you need to be committed to learning and following the tutorial to get the most out of it.

designedbylucas · #4 (**permalink**) 04-26-2009, 07:27 PM

There are several systems called CMS that will give you the ability to update your website and. However, your case is a bit different as you are in the real estate industry and you will most probably require the ability to upload your properties, a description to your properties and also image and floor plans. You might even need to integrate the MLS to your site.

At this point I suggest having some one design your site which in this case will be database driven using mysql and php as the main platform.

You might want to consult me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebaddogo

Does anyone know a easy way to create a website that can be updated easily by the owner of it without a much experience.

Such as new listings for a real estate site, or new pictures for a clothing store.. Would this fall under a category of a blog or a site? I'm pretty new at all of this, and have never created a blog, but have done a few websites.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this!

Donk · #5 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 04:28 AM

Open-realty can easily be installed on any webserver with cpanel/fantastico.

For other options take a look at sourceforge.

Regards

Bob

onebaddogo · #6 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 06:18 AM

Thank you for all of your suggestions, I do have an option for open-reality on my webserver as a free download. I will look into that and download it. I will have to do some studying I'm sure on how to use it. I also have Joomla that I can use as a download. I don't know anything about them, but I'm sure with time I will be able to learn. I hope anyway... lol

Thanks for all of your suggestions again! :-)

conceptskateboarding · #7 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

I wish there were an EASY way to create this stuff without much knowledge, but I haven't found it yet. Stay tuned as others will chime in also.

Look on the bright side, if it was easy everyone would have a website and the competition would be emense in any market. Since its not its better for all of us in the long run.

Jack

themegrrl · #8 (**permalink**) 04-27-2009, 11:28 PM

I would suggest using wordpress, it's free and many hosts provide one click easy installation. it's usually used for blogs but can also be used to create a regular CMS website. With little training the owner should be able to update it no problem.

There are quite a few real estate wordpress themes out there, so other real estate agents are already using Wordpress for their sites.

I think ThemeForest has a couple of real estate themes. You could also search google for 'wordpress real estate theme'

lkpub · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themegrrl

I would suggest using wordpress, it's free and many hosts provide one click easy installation. it's usually used for blogs but can also be used to create a regular CMS website. With little training the owner should be able to update it no problem.

There are quite a few real estate wordpress themes out there, so other real estate agents are already using Wordpress for their sites.

I think ThemeForest has a couple of real estate themes. You could also search google for 'wordpress real estate theme'

I AGREE... and Brian Gardner has an EXCELLENT Real Estate Wordpress Theme at his site http://www.studiopress.com ... it's free... just contact him and request it... he'll send it to you...

Hope this helps.

Jordy3738 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 02:50 PM

Wow, these are great answers. As I look at where I have come from in building websites, many things seem very easy now.

I learned with Homestead and have found that their system is pretty fool proof. Most every thing is click, drag and drop. There are plenty of videos and other materials available to help any beginner get started in the right direction.

Even with it being easy to use, building a website and maintaining it is very time consuming.

Whenever I build a site for a customer, I always give two options. 1) Would you like to pay me to maintain your site? 2) Are you interested in updating your website yourself? If so I can show you how... for $$ much per hour.

onebaddogo · #11 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Your right, some great input... Thanks a ton guys :-) I love this site, everyone is so willing to help and there is so many great ideas! I know if I stay with it and keep learning that some day I will be able to actually contribute some bit too. For now I am still a student. Thanks again to all you Professors

kelevraco · #12 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 02:58 PM

For what you are trying to do open realty is perfect. This CMS is designed around the sales and rentals of properties. Every thing is simple to use on it and easly modified. If you have any questions please feel free to ask as I have used this for several rental agencies in the area in the last couple of months.

lkpub · #13 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelevraco

For what you are trying to do open realty is perfect. This CMS is designed around the sales and rentals of properties. Every thing is simple to use on it and easly modified. If you have any questions please feel free to ask as I have used this for several rental agencies in the area in the last couple of months.

I've used Open Realty before also a number of years back and that too is a great script for creating a Real Estate site. I haven't used it in a long time but back then it could be a little tricky configuring it, hopefully they have updated it to where it is much easier to set up... and with better themes...

In fact, maybe I'll go take another look at it... see what's what... it's been a while...

kelevraco · #14 (**permalink**) 05-13-2009, 04:27 PM

Nope the themes still suck but it is easy to create a custom theme for these days.

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