The way your website looks and functions can make or break your business. Nowhere is this truer than in the competitive world of real estate, where first impressions really (and we mean, really!) matter. GGMS, a leading American digital marketing agency for estate agents, recognised this and turned to KIJO (we’re a web design agency in London)  to revamp their real estate website design. The results? A platform that not only looks impressive but drives user engagement and conversions.

In this article, we’ll explore the strategic moves behind GGMS’ investment and the key lessons you can learn from KIJO’s approach to this real estate website design.

Lesson 1: How to Create a Flexible WordPress Template System

What is the best way to create a flexible template system?

KIJO’s Solution
KIJO introduced a WordPress Multisite platform, housing multiple website templates tailored to various property types. A multisite allows the central management of plugins and WordPress updates. Using Elementor’s Global Styles system, GGMS’ clients could seamlessly adjust colours, fonts, and layouts to reflect their unique branding. We created demo sites in order to showcase what the themes were capable of too. This wasn’t just about aesthetics – it was about agility and independence.

The Result
Our team created 4 bespoke templates with live demos. These can be customised and used across GGMS clients’ websites.

Lesson 2: How to Create a Customisable & Flexible Property Platform

GGMS wanted to build bespoke layouts and functionalities without needing coding expertise.

KIJO’s Solution
We tapped into Elementors widget API to create completely bespoke widgets. The team created 25 widgets for each function of a property portal. These can be added to the page into any layout, and each widget has a host of settings. This means the visual appearance and functionality can be completely customised.

What are widgets? Widgets are small, reusable interface components that provide specific functionality or display information which enhance user experience and interactivity. They can include elements like search bars, contact forms, calendars, social media feeds, or in the case of the GGMS project, custom property search tools and booking forms.

By allowing users to quickly access features or information, widgets improve navigation and make a website more dynamic and user-friendly. Specifically, our widgets allowed for:

• Advanced Search and Filtering. This made the property searches more intuitive.
• Saved Properties and Dashboard Widgets. This enhanced user engagement and return visits.
• Sticky ‘Book a Tour’ Widget. This encouraged users to book property tours effortlessly.

These widgets allowed users to fully personalise their website experience, reducing dependency on external developers and speeding up implementation.

The Result
KIJO developed 25 bespoke, and powerful Elementor widgets which enabled a custom – and intuitive – property platform. 83% of users requested a property tour during testing  showcasing the platform’s effectiveness in converting leads.

Lesson 3: How to Connect to a 3rd Party API

To ensure a dynamic user experience, GGMS needed to connect property listings with live data from their backend systems. This required robust API integration.

KIJO’s Solution
KIJO developed a mock API environment to test dynamic data retrieval. We then provided documentation and access to GGMS. This gave their team guidance on how to structure their API. APIs were then created around each function required. These were Omni Search, Search Results, and Single Property pages. The bespoke Elementor widgets were then connected to the API.

The Result
We enabled full property platform functionality by pulling live property data dynamically. This functionality resulted in 70% of users rating the platform’s UX as positive. This highlights the success of these interactive elements.

Lesson 4: How to Effectively Collaborate with a Client & Conduct Competitive Research Comprehensively

An impressive user experience doesn’t happen by accident. It requires collaboration and a deep understanding of user needs. GGMS partnered closely with KIJO to design a platform that resonates with its audience.

KIJO’s Solution

• Competitor Analysis. KIJO studied leading US real estate sites like Redfin and Zillow to identify UX best practices.
• Collaborative Design Process. Working with GGMS’ CEO, Mike Gallagher, we built a design system and a library of 25 widgets tailored to specific functionality requirements.
• User-Centred Design Principles. We prioritised Minimalism, a Clear Hierarchy of Information, and Browsing Choice to enhance navigation and usability.

The Result
KIJO delivered a comprehensive template system as well as bespoke Elementor widgets based on detailed competitor search and intensive collaboration with a true market leader of a client.

GGMS Real Estate Website Design Was a Smart Investment with Long-Term Benefits

GGMS’ strategic investment in real estate website design wasn’t just about modernising their platform; it was about transforming their business model. By working with KIJO to prioritise flexibility, customisation, dynamic integration, and UX design, they created a scalable solution that drives engagement and conversions.

For your estate agency business, the lesson is clear: investing in bespoke website design isn’t just a cost – it’s a competitive advantage. Whether you’re in real estate or another industry, prioritising user experience and flexibility in your digital platform can transform your business outcomes.

Thinking about upgrading your website? Learn from GGMS’ success and partner with experts like us at KIJO (a web design agency in London) who understand the power of strategic website design.

Book a Complimentary Consultation with KIJO’s Head of Partnerships

Need expert guidance on your next digital project? Book a complimentary, 30-minute consultation with our Head of Partnerships & Co-Founder, Kirk Thompson. Let’s bring the vision of your brand to life—book your free consultation via the link below:

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