The best example of an interactive map is Google Maps – you can view your target address on a map and get directions to a property viewing but you can also zoom out to explore a larger area or zoom in to see the area in more detail. You can click on other buildings near the property to get more information about them and use Google Street View to see what the area really looks like. Millions of users find this functionality extremely useful on a daily basis, even fun!

The functionality available on interactive maps can be used directly on your estate agency website to improve user experience, keep potential buyers on your website for longer and to show them additional properties available that they might not have come across otherwise.

For an estate agency website, the best way to utilise interactive maps is to offer a map view on your property search. This plots all of the available properties that match the user’s search criteria on a map that can be used exactly like any other Google map – users can zoom out, zoom in and use Street View. They can also click on any of the available properties to view more information – usually via a side bar or pop-up which allows them to view key information. They can then decide whether to close this and return to the map or click through for more detailed information on the property.

Visualise the property

You probably already talk to your sellers about making their properties presentable and enticing, initially for photographs or videos for their property listing to make people want to book a viewing, and later for the actual viewings to make buyers want to make an offer.

Adding an interactive map to your property listings can also help encourage buyers to book a viewing. Interactive maps allow buyers to do additional research on a property, and the local area, to ensure it meets their requirements before viewing. They can look at the other properties available in the area, explore the location in more detail to see the services available and see how close it is to transport links. By offering potential buyers this additional information, it means when people enquire about a property, they are already more likely to know that it meets their requirements, saving time for all involved.

Searching made easy

Allowing users to search for properties via an interactive map can make a property search far easier for potential buyers. They can see all the available buildings within a certain area at a glance, whilst still being able to filter by standard criteria such as price and number of bedrooms. Your website should allow users to see salient details about each property without going to another page, such as a pop-up or sidebar when they hover or click on a point on the map. They can then decide if the property warrants further investigation or if they want to move on to the next.

An interactive map also has the potential to expose buyers to properties they may not see through traditional search methods or to consider areas they may not have looked at previously. This not only opens things up for the buyer, but it also means more exposure for the properties you are advertising – win win!

Increase engagement

Users often spend considerable time examining interactive maps and researching properties and the local area to ensure their needs and preferences are met. Building this functionality into your website satisfies a need which will increase user satisfaction. The better the user experience, the more likely they are to use your services. This is true even if their original target property does not meet their requirements - if they are happy with the overall experience, they are likely to come back to check if you have any other properties that might work for them in the future.

As well as improving user experience, offering potential property buyers the functions of an interactive map directly on your website means they stay there for longer. This is great news if you are looking to rank better in Google’s search results – how long users stay on your website is one of the criteria Google uses to determine how to rank you.