The three ways agents get a website
1. Your brokerage's free agent page
Cost: Usually free or included with your split. Good for: Brand-new agents who need something online today. Downside: It looks like everyone else's. Leads may go through the brokerage. You lose it if you switch brokerages. (More in Zillow vs. your own website.)
2. An all-in-one real estate platform
Cost: A monthly fee, often with a setup fee and add-ons. Good for: Teams that want a website, CRM, IDX and lead tools in one login. Downside: You rent it. Stop paying and the site goes away. Templates can look alike.
Real example: Luxury Presence's 2026 breakdown of Real Geeks lists third-party prices of $299/month (Establish), $599/month (Grow), $999/month (Expand) and $1,599/month (Conquer), with setup fees reported around $250. Add-ons like AI tools and extra MLS feeds cost more. The article notes Real Geeks asks prospects to request pricing directly, so treat these as estimates. (Luxury Presence, 2026)
Note the source: that's one platform writing about a competitor. Always get a written quote.
3. A custom-built website
Cost: A one-time design and build fee, then hosting and small updates. Good for: Solo agents and small teams who want to look different from every template and own their site. Downside: You'll need a separate CRM if you want one. IDX is an extra vendor fee.
Zenlyx pricing, for comparison. Every package is a one-time fee:
- Essential, $990: up to 8 pages, live in about 5 days.
- Growth, $1,990: up to 15 pages, CRM connection and lead alerts, live in about 7 days.
- Signature, from $3,490: unlimited pages, a custom design system and team lead routing.
Full details are on our pricing page.
Monthly platform vs. custom build: the real comparison
| All-in-one platform | Custom build (like Zenlyx) | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront | Setup fee | One-time build fee |
| Monthly | Platform fee, every month | Hosting, plus IDX if you add it |
| CRM included | Usually | No, connect your own |
| Looks unique | Template-based | Designed for you |
| You own it | No, you rent it | Yes |
| If you leave | Site goes away | Site stays yours |
A simple way to compare: multiply the monthly fee by 36. That's what the platform costs over three years. At $299 a month, that's $10,764 before setup fees and add-ons. Compare it to a one-time build, like $1,990 for a Zenlyx Growth site, plus three years of hosting.
Hidden costs to ask about
Whatever you choose, ask about these before you sign:
- Setup or onboarding fee
- IDX fee, and whether your MLS charges its own fee too. (Read do you need IDX? first.)
- Extra MLS feeds if you work more than one market
- Per-user fees as your team grows
- AI or lead-nurture add-ons
- Domain ownership. Make sure the domain is in your name, not theirs.
- Contract length and cancellation terms
- Who makes changes after launch, and what that costs
When the cheaper option is the right one
Be honest with yourself about where you are:
- First year in the business? Your brokerage page plus a solid Google Business Profile is fine. Put the money into marketing.
- Big team with inside sales staff? An all-in-one platform's CRM and routing tools may be worth the monthly fee.
- Solo agent or small team with a real brand? That's where a custom site usually pays off. You stand out, you own it, and you're not paying a big monthly fee for tools you don't use.
What should every agent website include, at any price?
- A clear headline that says who you help and where
- A bio page that proves local experience
- One page per main area you serve
- A home value page for seller leads
- Phone, text and a short form on every page
- Fast load times on mobile
- Your own domain
If a quote doesn't include these, it's not a bargain. See our work for examples.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build my own real estate website for cheap?
Yes, with a general website builder. Just budget your time. Most agents find that writing, photos and lead forms take far longer than expected.
Is a monthly real estate website platform worth it?
It can be for teams that use the built-in CRM and lead routing every day. For solo agents who only need a great site, you may be paying for tools you won't use.
Do I own my website on a platform?
Usually not. Read the contract. Ask who owns the domain, the content and the design if you cancel.
How much does IDX add to the cost?
IDX usually adds its own monthly fee, and some MLSs charge extra. See do you need IDX? before paying for it.
How long does a custom agent website take?
At Zenlyx, an Essential site goes live in about 5 days and a Growth site in about 7, counted from when we have your content.
