I was commissioned by a Portuguese real estate firm to develop a professional web presence that would allow them to host their own property listings and manage client appointments directly.
The Challenge: Transitioning from Third-Party Platforms
Prior to this project, the company relied exclusively on Idealista to list their properties. The client wanted to maintain the familiarity of that platform’s data structure while gaining the flexibility of a private website. The goal was to replicate the specific data fields used by Idealista, while adding several custom fields unique to their business model.
The Technical Solution
To ensure the website was both scalable and easy for the client to manage, I chose a WordPress foundation using Elementor Pro for the visual architecture.
- Custom Data Architecture: Rather than using a standard “out-of-the-box” real estate theme, I developed a Custom Post Type (CPT). This allowed me to build a backend interface that mirrored the exact metadata fields the client was used to, plus the new custom requirements.
- Dynamic Design: I designed bespoke Single and Archive templates within Elementor. This ensures that every time the client adds a new property, the website automatically formats the layout, gallery, and specifications consistently without any manual design work.
- Lead Generation: Integrated an appointment scheduling system to convert visitors directly from the property pages.
Training & Handover
Ensuring the client felt confident managing the new system was a priority. The handover process included:
- Live Training: A comprehensive walkthrough via video call to demonstrate how to add, edit, and remove listings.
- Custom Documentation: I authored a tailored user manual covering every aspect of the site’s management, serving as a permanent reference for their team.
Result
The client successfully transitioned from a third-party listing service to a fully independent platform. They now have a high-performance website that fits their specific workflow and allows them to manage their entire property portfolio in-house.