When it comes to SEO for real estate, one thing is certain: it’s absolutely essential that you follow best practice in order to stand out online. According to the National Association of Realtors, 90% of potential home buyers use the internet during their search.
Furthermore, 44% of homebuyers report that their first step in the home buying process is to open Google and search for a real estate agent. Only 17% contact an agent before turning to the internet. That’s an incredible statistic, making clear how critical it is that you have a powerful online presence.
It’s no longer good enough to just have an attractive website. In today’s increasingly competitive digital age, your site needs to appear near the top of a user’s search results for you to be relevant. Along these lines, a significant 60% of searchers click on the top 3 results they find. If you aren’t appearing there, chances are good you’ll be overlooked.
Use Local Keywords
As a real estate agent trying to gain visibility in search, it’s important to harness the power of local keywords across your site and social media posts. According to Placester, most decently sized cities get between hundreds and thousands of searches each month for real estate in that area.
For instance, including keywords like “best real estate agent Mesa” or “top Realtors in Phoenix” would be worthwhile if you are based in Arizona. Anyone in your area who is hoping to hire an agent based on location and reputation is likely to find your website with the inclusion of these keywords. Providing area-specific content is also a smart move.
Use Generic Content
Some users don’t know for sure what they need when it comes to real estate next steps. This is why it pays to use some general SEO keywords and include content that is useful and searchable for those who might be looking to buy or sell. You want to be able to be found in search by those who are seeking more information from an expert, rather than just those who need to find and hire an agent in your area.
Adding a blog section to your website and including articles like “What to Expect from Your Closing,” “Checklist for Homebuyers,” or even “How to Choose a Real Estate Agent” will help you to rank in search. Be sure to employ thorough keyword research before writing this content so that it maximizes your chances of reaching those coveted top 3 spots on Google.
Design a Fast, Responsive Site
In 2020, a whopping 89% of home shoppers begin their search with a mobile device. If their thought process involves seeking a reputable agent to help them buy, it’s clear why having a responsive site that performs well on mobile is key.
Photos and videos on your site should be properly implemented for fast load times and correct display across devices. Google penalizes websites in search results that have slow load times, so it’s imperative your listing photos don’t create a lag.
In addition to these important elements of SEO for real estate, you should verify that your site mapping and backlinks are in order. Metadata is just as important to your search ranking as is the content facing users, so headers, title tags, and URLs should be optimized, as well.
Don’t Forgot Google My Business
When working through your SEO for real estate plan, don’t forget the value of a Google My Business listing. GMB allows companies the chance to be one of a few in their geographic location to rank for basic searches like “Realtor near me.” If your SEO plan is well-executed and you appear in these coveted spots, you will be one of the top three agents potential customers see and, ideally, contact for their real estate needs.
When preparing your GMB listing, be sure to include the following:
- Your exact office location
- Your working hours
- A link to your website
- Your business telephone number
- A thorough, SEO-friendly description of what you do
- Photos (like your agent headshot or some recent homes you’ve sold)
- Categories within which your business lies, like real estate sales or buyer’s agents
Importance of SEO for Real Estate
The importance of SEO for real estate agents can’t be overstated, thanks to increasing numbers of agents with their own websites and other online presences. In addition, searches for real estate help are continuing to grow, as much as 250% in a four-year span. You’ll need to follow SEO best practice in order to rank in search, but successfully doing so should yield great results.
Not sure how to get started? Contact Galileo Tech Media today. Our team of SEO professionals can help you plan the best keywords, content, and Google My Business listing advice to help you grow your business.