Did you know that about 52% of buyers first encounter their dream house through online searches? That’s significantly more than the 28% who do so through a real estate agent.
What these numbers show is that there’s a lot of real estate marketing action happening online, and if you’re not there, you’re probably missing out. But it’s not enough to be online. You’ve got to attract traffic that’s actually interested in your listings.
This you can do with some pretty good real estate SEO strategies.
What’s Real Estate SEO?
Just like SEO in general, real estate SEO is all about making sure potential buyers can find you online when searching for properties. With 68% of online experience beginning with a search engine, ranking pretty well at the top of the search engine results pages (SERPs) can guarantee a steady traffic flow.
But how do you increase your odds of getting to the top of the SERPs?
Target the Right Real Estate Keywords
Choosing the right real estate SEO keywords is a key part of real estate lead generation.
Say, someone types “best neighborhoods for families in [your city]” into Google. In truth, you want your website to be one of the first they see. To achieve that, think about the words people use when searching for properties. These are your keywords.
Many free and paid tools can help you with keyword research. In fact, set your sights on terms with high search volume but low competition. In reality, this means a lot of people are searching for them, but not that many real estate agents are using them yet.
Let’s say you specialize in selling lofts in downtown [your city]. A good keyword could be “modern downtown lofts [your city].”
Optimize Your Website Content
People don’t just want to see listings; they want information to guide their buying decisions. This is why creating informative and engaging content that uses your target keywords can help you become their trusted resource.
Here are some content ideas you can implement right away:
Local Market Updates
Is there a surge in first-time homebuyers? Are certain neighborhoods seeing a rise in property values? Give buyers the inside scoop on what’s happening in your area.
The Homebuying Process
Walk potential buyers through the steps of buying a home, from pre-approval to closing.
Remember to keep your content local and relevant. For example, people searching for homes in [your city] care more about your expertise there than national market trends.
Build a Strong Backlink Profile
When other high-quality websites link to yours, it tells search engines that your content is valuable. The more high-quality backlinks you have, the higher your website will rank in search results.
Here are some effective real estate SEO tips you can use to start building backlinks:
Get Listed in Local Directories
Many local chambers of commerce, business associations, and real estate listing websites offer free listings.
Network with Local Businesses
Offer to write a guest blog post for a local mortgage lender, title company, or home inspector. In exchange, you can get a backlink to your website.
These simple steps may very well put you on your way to mastering the basics of search engine optimization for real estate and attracting more qualified leads to your listings.
Listing Optimization
Here’s how to make your listings shine:
1. Captivating Descriptions
Don’t just rely on the automated property descriptions. Craft compelling copy that highlights the unique features and benefits of each property. Use your target keywords naturally throughout the description.
2. High-Quality Photos
Some 75% of real estate agents agree that picture quality wins them more listings. In the same breath, 92% of buyers agree that pictures count the most when checking out real estate listings.
That being said, invest in professional photography that showcases the property in its best light. Include multiple photos from various angles, and don’t forget virtual tours.
3. Mobile-Friendly Design
More and more people search for property on their phones. Make sure your website and listings are mobile-friendly and easy to navigate on any device.
4. Utilize Social Media
Social media isn’t just about posting pretty pictures of houses. It’s a powerful tool for connecting with potential buyers and establishing yourself as a local real estate expert. Here are some ways to leverage social media for SEO:
5. Share Valuable Content
Share informative blog posts, local market updates, and engaging content related to real estate.
6. Run Targeted Ads
Many social media platforms allow you to target your ads to a specific audience based on location, demographics, and interests. This is a great way to get your listings in front of the right people.
7. Community Building
Use social media to connect with local businesses, community leaders, and potential buyers. Respond to comments and questions promptly to establish yourself as a trusted resource.
Effectively using social media and other real estate SEO tools can significantly help your rankings and overall real estate digital marketing strategy.
Who said Real Estate SEO?
Real estate SEO best practices can indeed help you increase the eyes on your business, in effect increasing sales. But keep in mind that it’s not a get-in-and-make-a-killing-today game. It takes patience and persistence.
So, keep these tips in mind, and where you encounter difficulties, involve real estate SEO experts. These pros know the ins and outs of real estate SEO trends and will advise you on the best ways to take your business to the top, where it should be.