More and more buyers and sellers are starting their home search online, which means having an effective online presence is more important than ever.
Marketing has always been a crucial part of establishing an effective real estate business, especially for agents not bolstered by the resources of a large, wealthy brokerage, but recently, real estate marketing has meant less billboards and yard signs, and more tweets and Facebook posts.
Technology has evolved as a valuable advertising medium in nearly every industry, and real estate is no exception, which is why building and further maintaining an online presence is imperative for long-term viability.
For those unfamiliar with technology, the idea of building a significant online profile can be daunting, so we’ve put together the following five tips to help improve your Web presence:
1. Don’t ignore mobile. In a 2013 study, the product of a collaborative effort from the National Association of Realtors and Google, researchers discovered that 89 percent of new buyers will use a mobile search engine at the onset and later throughout their home search, and 68 percent will use a mobile application. Smartphone and tablet ownership is reaching critical mass, and more and more it’s helping to defining the customer experience.
Designing your own app might be a bit of a financial stretch if you’re working without the backing of a major brokerage, but at the very least, agents should make sure their websites are mobile friendly.
2. Advertise your locale. Search engine optimization has become a significant consideration for businesses trying to drive more traffic to their sites, but what words are worth the moniker “keywords”? According to the joint study, agents hoping to boost the searchability of their listings and websites should incorporate local terms, as nearly three-fourths of buyers begin their query with something local, like “Chicago homes for sale.”
3. Give online visitors a reason for coming to your site. It’s no secret that people visiting real estate websites are most likely either wanting to buy or sell a home. When you post content, it’s not because you want drive traffic, even though quality content helps boost your SEO standing, it’s because you want to convince visitors to come back. There are literally hundreds and thousands of real estate websites out there, each with just as qualified agents running them, which is why quality content, like linking to a popular news feed or writing a digestible but still informative blog, will help you stand out among the minutia.
4. Establish metrics. An effective, longitudinal online strategy isn’t birthed overnight. As much planning as it takes to get a website up and running, it takes just as much, if not more, to keep it running successfully, which means attracting new visitors and generating viable leads. There are a number of ways to measure the success of your campaigns and overall efforts. Google Analytics, for one, is a free service that helps to track online traffic to your site, including who’s visiting, how they’re getting there and, most importantly, how long they’re staying.
Additionally, monitor your social media pages closely to determine which posts are generating traffic and leads, and which are falling flat. This will also help you to determine the most effective social media platforms.
Once you’ve established your metrics, continue adjusting your campaigns to maximize their effectiveness.
5. Be an authority. Lastly, real estate is, by and large, a business based on referrals, but every referral has to eventually begin with a customer who walked in off the street or responded to an online ad. Building a great online presence is about not only capturing that traffic, but also convincing them that you are an authority in your industry. No one wants to referral their friends or family members to someone who seems unprofessional and out of touch.
Love that NAR/Google study, report called “The Digital House Hunt, Consumer and Market Trends in Real Estate”. I have one tip to add: Market your “Online” expertise in your listing presentations. When you demonstrate to potential clients how well your listings show online compared to some of the crap that’s out there, you are instantly seen as an authority in online real estate marketing.
I simply want to tell you that I am just new to weblog and definitely enjoyed your blog. Very likely I’m likely to bookmark your website . You certainly have fantastic well written articles. With thanks for revealing your blog.
Great ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
Wow, awesome weblog format! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The whole glance of your site is wonderful, as well as the content!
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Whats Going down i am new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its aided me. Good job.
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in web explorer, may check this… IE still is the marketplace chief and a big element of other folks will omit your great writing due to this problem.
I am now not certain where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out much more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent information I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such an ideal approach? I’ve a challenge that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
My wife and i ended up being so satisfied that Michael managed to complete his preliminary research from the ideas he had out of your web site. It’s not at all simplistic just to find yourself releasing guidance which often men and women could have been selling. And we also fully grasp we’ve got the blog owner to give thanks to because of that. The entire explanations you have made, the simple website navigation, the friendships your site make it possible to promote – it is many spectacular, and it’s really letting our son and us recognize that this content is exciting, which is exceptionally essential. Thank you for everything!
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you’ve put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade site post from you in the upcoming as well. Actually your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.
Wow! Thank you! I permanently needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I take a part of your post to my website?
There is clearly a bundle to realize about this. I assume you made various nice points in features also.
I’ve been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your site?
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossips and net and this is really irritating. A good website with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this web-site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Cant find it.
I have been examinating out some of your stories and it’s nice stuff. I will surely bookmark your site.
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my website 🙂
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Wonderful. I’m also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your hard work.
Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also
I have been examinating out a few of your stories and i can claim pretty nice stuff. I will definitely bookmark your blog.
I have to show some appreciation to you just for rescuing me from this particular challenge. Right after browsing throughout the the web and getting suggestions which are not helpful, I believed my life was over. Living devoid of the solutions to the difficulties you have fixed through the blog post is a crucial case, and the ones which could have in a negative way affected my career if I had not noticed the blog. That know-how and kindness in touching everything was very useful. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not come upon such a step like this. I’m able to at this time look forward to my future. Thanks for your time so much for this impressive and effective guide. I won’t think twice to endorse your web blog to any individual who requires direction on this problem.
As I site possessor I believe the content matter here is rattling excellent , appreciate it for your efforts. You should keep it up forever! Best of luck.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this site. Reading this info So i¡¦m satisfied to show that I have a very just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I so much indisputably will make sure to don¡¦t disregard this web site and provides it a glance on a relentless basis.
I¡¦ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of house . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i¡¦m satisfied to show that I have an incredibly excellent uncanny feeling I discovered just what I needed. I such a lot no doubt will make sure to do not overlook this web site and give it a look on a continuing basis.
Thank you for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such excellent info being shared freely out there.
Someone essentially lend a hand to make significantly articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the analysis you made to create this actual put up amazing. Magnificent job!
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post truly made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
I cling on to listening to the rumor speak about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you tell me please, where could i acquire some?
It¡¦s in point of fact a nice and helpful piece of information. I am satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful info specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
You are a very intelligent individual!
A person essentially assist to make significantly articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular submit extraordinary. Magnificent task!
Wow, fantastic weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you made running a blog look easy. The whole look of your website is fantastic, as well as the content!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
I have been surfing on-line more than three hours today, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It is lovely price sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the internet can be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one¡¦s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my trouble. You’re incredible! Thanks!
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article. I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll certainly return.
As a Newbie, I am continuously browsing online for articles that can aid me. Thank you
Good web site! I truly love how it is simple on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS feed which must do the trick! Have a great day!
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.
hello!,I love your writing so a lot! share we be in contact extra approximately your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem. May be that’s you! Having a look ahead to look you.
I have not checked in here for a while since I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly permit me realize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Keep functioning ,terrific job!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we communicate?
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You can not imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
Wow! This could be one particular of the most helpful blogs We have ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Excellent. I’m also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your effort.
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
that’s good, thanks for sharing,.. I think this is great blog
wonderful issues altogether, you just won a new reader. What may you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days in the past? Any sure?