As a real estate agent, you know that the success of your business relies heavily on your ability to reach potential clients in your local area. And in today’s digital age, that means having a strong local SEO strategy. Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your website and online presence to rank higher in local search results. It involves a variety of tactics, from optimizing your website’s content and structure to building local citations and getting reviews from happy clients.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about local SEO for real estate agents. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your existing strategy to the next level, we’ve got you covered. So let’s dive in and start getting your business the local search visibility it deserves!
What is a local real estate search?
A local real estate search refers to the process of looking for properties or real estate services within a specific geographic area. It involves using search engines, online directories, or other local resources to find real estate listings or services that match the desired location. Local real estate searches are commonly used by homebuyers, sellers, and real estate agents who want to find properties or services within a particular neighborhood, city, or region.
In recent years, local search has become increasingly important for real estate agents as more and more homebuyers and sellers turn to the internet to find local real estate information. A successful local real estate search strategy can help agents improve their visibility in local search results and connect with potential clients in their target markets.
3 Reasons Real Estate Agents Should Invest in Local SEO
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is becoming increasingly important for real estate agents to invest in, and there are several reasons for this. Here are three key reasons why real estate agents should consider investing in local SEO:
- The Yellow Pages have been replaced by Google: In the past, the Yellow Pages and other print directories were the primary sources people used to find local businesses and services, including real estate agents. But today, the majority of people turn to the internet to find local businesses and services, and Google is the dominant search engine. By investing in local SEO, real estate agents can improve their visibility in Google search results, making it easier for potential clients to find them.
- Free Traffic: One of the major benefits of investing in local SEO is that it can drive free traffic to a real estate agent’s website. By optimizing their website for local search, agents can attract more visitors to their site without having to pay for expensive online advertising. This can result in more leads, more clients, and ultimately more business.
- Zippy Results: Local SEO can also lead to faster results than traditional advertising methods. While print advertising, for example, can take weeks or even months to produce results, local SEO can start driving traffic to an agent’s website within a matter of days or weeks. This can be especially beneficial for agents who are looking to quickly build their client base or expand their reach in a specific local market.
Overall, investing in local SEO can be a highly effective way for real estate agents to improve their online visibility, attract more clients, and grow their business.
Read More: Features Of A Successful Real Estate Website
Steps for real estate local SEO
Step 1: Optimize your website
When creating content for your real estate website, there are several key factors to keep in mind:
Focus on local keywords: Use keywords that are relevant to your local area, such as the name of your city or neighborhood, to help improve your visibility in local search results.
Write for your target audience: Create content that is informative and engaging for your target audience, such as homebuyers or sellers in your local area.
Use visual elements: Incorporate visual elements, such as images and videos, to make your content more engaging and shareable.
Keep it short and sweet: Aim for concise, easy-to-read content that gets straight to the point. Avoid using technical jargon or overly complex language.
Use internal linking: Link to other pages on your website to help guide users through your content and improve your site’s overall SEO.
By following these guidelines, you can create informative and engaging content that will not only help improve your local SEO but also provide value to your target audience.
Website recommendations
Meta title and description: The meta title and description are the snippets of text that appear in the search engine results pages (SERPs). It’s important to craft a compelling and relevant meta title and description that includes your target keywords and clearly communicates what the page is about. This can help increase click-through rates to your website.
Optimize individual pages: Each page on your website should be optimized for a specific keyword or set of keywords. This means incorporating your target keywords in the page title, meta description, heading tags, image alt tags, URLs, and throughout the body content. It’s important to avoid keyword stuffing, however, and make sure the content reads naturally and provides value to the user.
Mobile optimized: With more and more people using mobile devices to browse the internet, it’s crucial to ensure your website is optimized for mobile. This means using a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes and loads quickly on mobile devices. Google has also started using mobile-first indexing, which means it prioritizes the mobile version of your website for ranking purposes.
Security (SSL): An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate encrypts the connection between your website and your visitors’ browsers, making it more secure. Google has confirmed that HTTPS (the secure version of HTTP) is a ranking factor, so it’s important to make sure your website is secured with an SSL certificate.
Speed optimized: Page speed is a ranking factor and also impacts user experience. Slow-loading pages can lead to higher bounce rates and lower conversion rates. Use tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights to identify areas where you can optimize your page speed, such as compressing images, minimizing code, and using caching.
Fresh content: Google rewards websites that regularly publish fresh, high-quality content. This can include blog posts, neighborhood guides, market reports, and more. By publishing fresh content on a regular basis, you can attract more traffic and build your authority in the real estate industry.
Local video content: Video is becoming increasingly important for SEO, and creating local video content can help you stand out from the competition. Consider creating videos that showcase local neighborhoods, provide home buying or selling tips, or feature local businesses. You can optimize your videos by including target keywords in the title, description, and tags, and embedding them on relevant pages of your website.
Advanced website SEO techniques
There are some Advanced website SEO techniques you can use to further improve your local SEO for real estate:
Schema: Schema is a type of SEO code that provides structured data about your website’s content to search engines like Google. It can help you stand out in search results by displaying extra information about your business, such as ratings and reviews, opening hours, and contact details. If you’re using WordPress, you can use the Schema Pro plugin to add schema markup to your website easily.
Accessibility: Accessibility refers to how easy it is for all users to navigate and use your website, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Making your website accessible not only helps users but can also improve your search engine rankings. This is because search engines like Google prioritize websites that are user-friendly and accessible. One way to ensure your website is accessible is to use the WAVE tool to test it for accessibility issues and make necessary adjustments.
By implementing these advanced techniques, you can improve the user experience on your website and increase your visibility in search engine results, ultimately driving more traffic and leads to your real estate business.
Read More: Guide to Boosting Your Website Google Top Ranking
Step 2: Setup and optimize Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile categories available for real estate
Real Estate Agents
Real Estate Agency
Real Estate Surveyor
Real Estate Appraiser
Real Estate Consultant
Real Estate Rental Agency
Industrial Real Estate Agency
Commercial Real Estate Inspector
Setup and optimizing a Google Business Profile is an essential step for any business that wants to establish an online presence and improve its visibility in search results. Here are the steps to follow to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile:
- Claim your business: The first step in setting up your Google Business Profile is to claim your business on Google. To do this, go to Google My Business and click the “Start Now” button. Follow the instructions to verify your business ownership.
- Fill out your profile: Once you’ve claimed your business, you’ll need to fill out your profile. This includes adding your business name, address, phone number, website URL, and hours of operation. You’ll also want to add photos and a description of your business.
- Choose relevant categories: Choose the most relevant categories that describe your business. This will help Google understand what your business does and show it to the right people in search results.
- Get reviews: Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Google Business Profile. Reviews can help improve your search rankings and provide social proof that your business is trustworthy.
- Optimize for local SEO: Use local keywords in your profile description, and make sure your address and phone number are consistent across all online directories.
- Use Google Posts: Google Posts are a great way to share updates and promotions with your customers. Use them to keep your profile fresh and engage with your audience.
- Monitor and respond to customer feedback: Finally, monitor your profile regularly for customer feedback and respond promptly to any negative comments. This shows that you care about your customers and can help improve your reputation.
In terms of writing a blog post about setting up and optimizing a Google Business Profile, here are some tips:
- Start with an introduction that explains why setting up a Google Business Profile is important and how it can benefit businesses.
- Break down the steps involved in setting up and optimizing a Google Business Profile, using subheadings to make the post easy to read.
- Provide examples and screenshots to illustrate each step.
- Emphasize the importance of local SEO and how optimizing for local search can help businesses attract more customers.
- Include a call to action encouraging readers to set up their own Google Business Profile and optimize it for success.
By following these steps, you can set up and optimize your Google Business Profile for maximum visibility and success.
Further GMB optimization
Add relevant categories
Make sure to select the most relevant categories for your business. This helps Google understand what your business is about and makes it easier for potential customers to find you. You can select up to 10 categories for your business in GMB.
Include your business hours
It’s important to include your business hours in your GMB listing so that potential customers know when you’re open. This information can also help Google determine when to display your listing in search results. You can also update your hours for special occasions, such as holidays or events.
Add a website link
Make sure to include a link to your business website in your GMB listing. This can help drive traffic to your website and provide more information to potential customers. You can also add links to specific pages on your website, such as your online store or a specific product page.
Use Google Q&A
Google Q&A allows customers to ask questions about your business, which you can answer directly in your GMB listing. This can help provide additional information about your business and can also improve your search rankings. Make sure to monitor your Q&A section regularly and respond promptly to any questions.
Keep your information up-to-date
Finally, it’s important to keep your GMB listing up-to-date. Make sure to update your information if you change your business hours, address, or phone number. You can also add new photos and posts to keep your listing fresh and engaging.
By following these tips, you can optimize your GMB listing and improve your online visibility. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-optimized GMB listing – it can help attract new customers and drive more sales to your business.
Step 3: Local directory citations
Local directory citations are an important part of local search engine optimization (SEO) for businesses. They are essentially online business listings that include information about your business, such as your name, address, phone number, and website.
Real-Estate specific directories
For real estate businesses, there are several real estate-specific directories that can help improve your online visibility and attract more potential customers. Here are some examples:
Zillow
Zillow is a popular online real estate marketplace that also offers a directory of real estate agents and brokers. By creating a profile on Zillow, you can showcase your properties and services to potential clients in your area.
Realtor.com
Realtor is another online real estate marketplace that offers a directory of real estate professionals. By creating a profile on Realtor.com, you can increase your visibility among potential clients and showcase your properties and services.
Homes.com
Homes is a real estate portal that offers a directory of real estate agents and brokers. By creating a profile on Homes, you can increase your online visibility and attract more potential clients to your business.
Redfin
Redfin is a real estate brokerage that offers a directory of real estate agents and brokers. By creating a profile on Redfin, you can showcase your properties and services to potential clients in your area.
Trulia
Trulia is an online real estate marketplace that offers a directory of real estate professionals. By creating a profile on Trulia, you can increase your visibility among potential clients and showcase your properties and services.
When creating your profile on these directories, make sure to include accurate and consistent information about your business. This can help improve your search rankings and make it easier for potential customers to find you online. Additionally, make sure to monitor your listings regularly and update them as needed to ensure that your information remains accurate and up-to-date.
Read More: How To Get Clients In Real Estate Business – 23 Amazing Tips
Step 4: Reviews
Reviews are an important factor in local search engine optimization (SEO) for businesses, including real estate businesses. They can help improve your online reputation, attract more potential customers, and even improve your search rankings. Here are some tips for managing reviews for your real estate business:
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews
One of the best ways to get more reviews is to encourage your satisfied customers to leave feedback about their experience with your business. This can be done by sending follow-up emails or messages after a transaction, including a link to your review page on Google, Yelp, or other review platforms.
Respond to reviews, both positive and negative
It’s important to respond to all reviews, whether they are positive or negative. This shows that you value your customers’ feedback and are committed to providing excellent service. When responding to negative reviews, it’s important to address the issue and offer a solution or apology, if necessary.
Monitor and manage your reviews regularly
Make sure to monitor your reviews regularly on various platforms, such as Google, Yelp, Facebook, and other relevant platforms. This can help you address any negative reviews promptly and also help you identify areas where you can improve your business.
Use reviews to improve your business
Reviews can provide valuable feedback and insights into your business operations. Use this feedback to improve your services, processes, and customer experience.
Avoid fake reviews
Fake reviews can have a negative impact on your online reputation and can even lead to penalties from review platforms. Avoid soliciting or posting fake reviews, and make sure that all reviews are genuine and reflect the true experience of your customers.
By managing your reviews effectively, you can improve your online reputation and attract more potential customers to your real estate business. Remember to always provide excellent service and value to your customers, and encourage them to leave feedback about their experience with your business.
Step 5: Real estate backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites that point to your website. They are an important factor in SEO and can help improve your search rankings and online visibility. Here are some tips for building real estate backlinks:
Guest blogging
One effective way to build backlinks is to guest blog on other real estate websites. This involves writing a blog post for another website and including a link back to your own website. This can help improve your online visibility and attract more potential customers to your website.
Local business directories
As mentioned in step 3, local business directories are an important source of citations for your business. They can also provide backlinks to your website, which can help improve your search rankings.
Sponsorship and partnerships
Sponsorship and partnership opportunities can provide valuable backlinks to your website. Consider sponsoring a local event or partnering with a non-competing real estate business to cross-promote each other’s services.
Social media
Sharing your content on social media can also help attract backlinks to your website. When other users share your content, they are essentially providing a backlink to your website. Make sure to share high-quality content that is relevant and valuable to your target audience.
Know More: Best SEO Service Provider Company in Bangladesh
Step 6: Track Your Results
Tracking your results is an important part of any SEO strategy. This can help you identify what’s working and what’s not, and make adjustments as needed. Here are some metrics you should track for your real estate business:
Website traffic
Track your website traffic using tools like Google Analytics. This can help you identify which pages on your website are getting the most traffic, and where your traffic is coming from.
Search rankings
Monitor your search rankings for relevant keywords using tools like Google Search Console. This can help you identify where you rank in search results and identify opportunities for improvement.
Lead generation
Track the number of leads generated from your website and other marketing efforts. This can help you identify which marketing channels are most effective at generating leads for your business.
Reviews and reputation
Monitor your reviews and online reputation regularly. This can help you identify areas where you can improve your customer service and also help you identify any negative reviews that need to be addressed.
By tracking your results regularly, you can make data-driven decisions about your marketing strategy and optimize your efforts for maximum impact.
Frequently asked questions
How are geotags used in local SEO?
Geotags are metadata that provide location information about digital content. In local SEO, geotags are used to help search engines understand the physical location of a business and improve the relevance and accuracy of local search results. By adding geotags to their website or social media profiles, real estate agents can improve their visibility in local search results and attract potential clients in their area.
Where does my website show up in local searches?
The position of your website in local searches can depend on a variety of factors, such as the relevance of your content to the search query, the quality and authority of your website, and the geographic proximity of your business to the searcher. However, to improve the visibility of your website in local searches, you can optimize your website and other online profiles with relevant keywords, accurate business information, and geotags where applicable.
You can also create local directory citations, build backlinks from other reputable local websites, and use tools like Google My Business to manage and optimize your online presence for local search. Additionally, regularly tracking your website’s ranking in local search results can help you identify areas for improvement and adjust your SEO strategy accordingly.
Can real estate agents set up their own Google Business Profile listing?
Yes, real estate agents can set up their own Google Business Profile listing. In fact, it is highly recommended for any business, including real estate agents, to create and optimize their Google Business Profile to improve their visibility in local search results and make it easier for potential clients to find them online.
To create a Google Business Profile listing, real estate agents need to have a Google account and follow these steps:
1. Go to the Google My Business website (https://www.google.com/business/)
2. Click on “Manage now” or “Sign in”
3. Enter the name of your business
4. Choose the category that best describes your business (e.g. Real Estate Agency)
5. Enter your business address
6. If you don’t have a storefront or office, you can choose to hide your address
7. Add your business phone number and website
8. Verify your business by mail, phone, or email
Once your business is verified, you can complete your Google Business Profile by adding photos, hours of operation, a description of your business, and other details. You can also use the Google My Business dashboard to monitor and respond to reviews, track your search visibility and website traffic, and manage other aspects of your online presence on Google.
By setting up and optimizing your Google Business Profile listing, you can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more potential clients to your real estate business.
What is local SEO for real estate agents?
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization) for real estate agents is a digital marketing strategy that focuses on optimizing your online presence to attract more local clients to your real estate business. It involves optimizing your website, Google My Business profile, and other online listings to rank higher in local search results.
How important is local SEO for real estate agents?
Local SEO is crucial for real estate agents, as it helps you reach more local clients and stand out from the competition. According to research, 97% of people search online for local businesses, and 46% of all Google searches are for local businesses. By optimizing your online presence for local search, you can increase your visibility and attract more qualified leads to your real estate business.
What are some key elements of a successful local SEO strategy for real estate agents?
A successful local SEO strategy for real estate agents includes optimizing your website for local keywords, creating a Google My Business profile, building local citations, and getting positive online reviews from satisfied clients. It also involves creating high-quality, informative content that appeals to local clients and using social media to engage with your target audience.
How can I improve my website’s local SEO for real estate?
To improve your website’s local SEO for real estate, you should focus on creating high-quality, informative content that includes local keywords and phrases. You should also optimize your website’s meta tags, headers, and descriptions for local search, and ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and loads quickly. Additionally, you should build high-quality backlinks to your website from other reputable websites in your local area.
How can I optimize my Google My Business profile for local SEO?
To optimize your Google My Business profile for local SEO, you should ensure that your profile is complete and accurate, with up-to-date information about your real estate business, including your address, phone number, and business hours. You should also include high-quality photos and videos of your real estate listings and encourage clients to leave positive reviews on your profile. Additionally, you should use Google My Business to post regular updates about your business and engage with your local audience.
How many people search for “real estate” on Google in my area?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not straightforward, as search volume can vary widely depending on the location, time of year, and other factors. However, there are several tools available that can help you get an estimate of search volume for specific keywords in your area.
One of the most popular tools for keyword research is Google Keyword Planner. This tool allows you to enter a keyword or phrase and see estimated search volumes for that keyword, as well as related keywords and their search volumes.
Another tool you can use for keyword research is SEMrush. This tool provides detailed information about search volume, competition, and other metrics for specific keywords, as well as insights into the top-ranking websites for those keywords.
Finally, Ahrefs is another popular tool for keyword research and SEO analysis. This tool allows you to see estimated search volumes for specific keywords, as well as information about the top-ranking websites for those keywords, backlink profiles, and other important metrics.
While it’s helpful to know the search volume for relevant keywords in your area, it’s also important to focus on more specific and targeted keywords related to your real estate business. For example, you may want to target keywords like “homes for sale in [your city]”, “real estate agents in [your city]”, or “luxury homes for sale in [your city]”.
By focusing on these more specific keywords, you can attract more targeted traffic to your website and improve your chances of converting visitors into clients. Additionally, by optimizing your website and online presence for local search, you can improve your visibility in local search results and attract more potential clients in your area.
Keyword | Monthly Searches | Competition |
Real Estate | 10,000 | High |
Homes for Sale | 5,000 | Medium |
Real Estate Agent | 2,500 | Low |
Luxury Homes | 1,000 | High |
Home Values | 500 | Medium |
This table shows hypothetical data for search volume and competition for various real estate-related keywords. The “monthly searches” column represents the estimated number of monthly searches for each keyword, while the “competition” column provides a rough estimate of how difficult it is to rank for each keyword in search results, based on factors like the number of competing websites and the quality of their content and backlinks. Keep in mind that this is just an example and actual search volume and competition data can vary widely depending on your location and other factors.
Ready to Get Started?
Now you understand why a comprehensive Local SEO campaign is so important in driving more potential customers to your real estate agency. Make your way through the steps in order, and fully complete each one before starting the next.
If you’re a business owner and trying to improve your business Local SEO, feel free to ask us any questions by dropping a comment below or contact us online or call us today at +8801319681121. We look forward to hearing from you!
Want Help with SEO?
At Main Street ROI, we specialize in helping real estate agents attract more local customers through Google. If you’d like help with your SEO, Call at +8801319681121 or contact us online today to see how Gariweb can improve your SEO performance to drive more traffic and sales.
Why Gariweb?
Gariweb Have Proven Success Rate for our Company. Gariweb Achieve Top #1 No Position in Our Targeted Location. So We Must Rank your Company in your Targeted Location.
At Gariweb, we understand the importance of ranking on the first page of GMB. After all, this is where the vast majority of clicks and conversions happen. That’s why we specialize in SEO and digital marketing strategies that are designed to improve your search engine rankings and drive more traffic to your website.
Our team of experts will conduct a thorough analysis of your website and industry, and then develop a customized strategy that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. From on-page optimization to link building and content creation, we use the latest techniques and best practices to ensure that your website not only ranks well but also attracts and engages your target audience.
With Gariweb, you can be confident that your business is getting the visibility it deserves on the world’s largest search engine.