Once the steering committee’s IDX recommendation is complete, then we can really move on to getting the wireframes completed, designed, and built.

I thought it would be helpful to put together a checklist for site participants so they know exactly what they should be working on right now:

  1. Logo – if your logo isn’t done already, you need to get that in order as soon as physically possible. It’s generally the starting point to any website design. I know a couple designers that I can connect you with if you don’t already have someone. Or you can use a service like 99designs. Note: if you are okay with just text in your header, a logo is not necessary – but I personally wouldn’t recommend that approach.
  2. WordPress.org needs to be setup on your domain name, preferably on wpengine.com (affiliate link). You can see the reasoning behind that decision here. If you need help with this, shoot your fellow Geek Build 2012 participants an email and they can point you in the right direction. If that fails, shoot me an email.
  3. A list of the various components you want incorporated into your home page. We know search, a home value request up sell, and market stats are going to be there along with some blog content. What is your desired branding? What do you want to highlight? A short sales call to action? An amazing photograph of the community? Something else?
  4. What are your most important communities? Is the site specifically dedicated to one city, or are you covering several? This will be a major factor in your home page design.
  5. A list of 2-3 websites that have designs that resonate with you in some way. It could be the overall design, or just various pieces of the website that you like.
  6. What colors do you like on websites? Reds? Browns? Greyscale? White?
  7. Get your content in order

Questions? Concerns? Leave a comment…

Note from the Editor: Not sure what Geek Build 2012 is? It’s building a few real estate websites from scratch publicly with the help of the Geek Estate Community and overseen by an experienced steering committee. Read more about Geek Build 2012 here, or view all posts related to Geek Build 2012 here.

**Geek Build logo designed by Dominic Morrocco at M Squared Real Estate.