If you've been working in real estate for more than a minute, you know that generating qualified leads is one of the hardest challenges for agents. All you want to do is get to that closing stage, but the process of capturing qualified online leads can make that closing table feel far away.
There are actions you can take, however, to better meet that challenge.
Ready to place yourself ahead of your competition? Let's dive in!
If you want to be successful in real estate, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) must be an essential part of your business strategy. SEO is an important tool for brand awareness, building relationships, and positioning yourself as a trustworthy expert in your field. It also increases the visibility of your website, which drives traffic and creates opportunities to convert prospects into clients.
When it comes to people searching the internet, you want to make sure that your business is one of the first options that come up.
SEO keywords are queries users type into a search engine, like Google. They represent opportunities for you to appear in results when your website's content is relevant to that query.
Search engines scan your content for these keywords to decide if it’s relevant to a specific query.
Learning how to use keywords for SEO is important, because we live in an ever increasing online world. People looking for homes, real estate agents, and more are using search engines to find them.
This might seem like A LOT, but never fear! There are plenty of free tools to help you make this as easy as possible.
One option is Google Ad's Keyword Planner. This can help you identify the right keywords, along with geographic modifiers, so customers find your business first. These keywords will bring high quality clicks (or leads) right to you that you can then act on quickly.
Other free tools you might consider are Moz Keyword Explorer, Ryan Robinson's Free Keyword Research Tool, Neil Patel's Ubersuggest, and Semrush.
Next up, content! While SEO sets up your content where audiences can find it, content marketing assures that what they find is valuable and engaging.
Content is any information that lives on the internet and can be consumed on the internet. A blog is one of the best-known methods for creating a regular stream of SEO content, but text-based posts are not your only options. Here are a few to include in your strategy:
When creating and running online ads that promote your content, engaging copy is crucial to high performance. This means you should include SEO keywords that are also on your website, relevant to your business and get a high volume of Google searches.
Focus on what makes you stand out from the competition. Using copy that comes from positive reviews touting things like “expert on local neighborhoods” or “quick response time,” and quotes or slogans that are unique to your business are a great way to be more noticeable in such a competitive industry.
Considering the competitive nature of the real estate industry and the great benefits that can come from incorporating SEO and content marketing into your business strategy, having a strong digital presence is essential. That includes your website.
Don't have one? Build one ASAP. A website is the centralized hub for your personal brand. It displays key information about you and your business, highlights your latest listings and wins, and offers valuable content, like blog posts, guides, and testimonials.
In fact, according to the National Association of REALTORS® 2024 Member Profile, 72% of REALTORS® have a website. You don't want to lose out on opportunities your competitors are getting with theirs.
But I have a page on my broker's website. Isn't that enough? Unfortunately, no. Although maintaining a presence on your broker’s website is good for your team, it’s not going to drive your personal brand and business.
Whether you're building a website from scratch or optimizing one that hasn't been updated in forever, there are several things you should focus on:
Phew! That's a lot to think about, isn't it? Web design is not easy, but don't be discouraged. There are plenty of resources out there.
DIY with website builders, like WordPress, Wix or Squarespace.
Or consider reaching out to a website designer with a proven track record in the real estate industry.
Digital marketing and real estate are two dynamic and ever-evolving industries that are constantly experiencing growth and transformation.
As an agent, adapting to the latest developments is important. Do this, and you can leverage cutting-edge strategies to enhance your business, engage with your target audience more effectively, and maintain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital and interconnected world.
We’re writing more blog posts than ever to help agents like you achieve lasting success with both digital and print marketing. Check them out here — and be sure to bookmark the page to see what’s coming next!