Real Estate SEO: Convert Traffic to Closings
Are you a realtor struggling to convert site traffic to closings?
If so, you’re not alone. 88% of home buyers feel real estate websites are a useful and reliable source of information. However, 63% of companies cite quality lead generation as their biggest marketing challenge.
Why the discrepancy? Because these companies haven’t maximized their real estate SEO.
Here are seven proven real estate SEO tips that will help to generate quality leads and sales.
1. Target Local Keywords
Most buyers begin their online search with a keyword phrase, such as “Houston realtor.” Focus on your city and optimize your website by using keywords like:
- [city] realtor
- [city] real estate
- real estate listings in [city]
- homes for sale in [city]
- [city] real estate agent
Sprinkle these keywords throughout your site to drive buyers who are looking for homes in your city.
2. Create Video Content
High-quality photos are excellent tools for any real estate site. To really see an increase in traffic and quality leads, though, you need to add some videos.
Offer buyers a virtual tour of a property you’re especially eager to sell. You might also create some videos of the local neighborhood, including nearby parks, schools, or shopping centers.
3. Optimize Local SEO
You may never dominate search engine results for real estate on a national or international level. There’s just too much competition.
However, you can (and should) try to boost your rankings for local real estate.
Create city-specific content on your site. You can also focus on gaining reviews and establishing backlinks from other local businesses.
4. Stay Active on Social Media
Before you can convince a client to buy your property, you first must gain his trust. A sure way to accomplish this is to stay active on social media channels.
Post weekly (or daily, if possible) on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter. Use high-quality photos and videos, and don’t forget to use relevant hashtags like #realestate or #realtor.
5. Write Blog Posts
Blogs are one of the best ways to add quality, traffic-driving content to your website. In addition to the standard description, create 200-300 words of unique content about each property.
This is a great place to incorporate those local keywords, too. Use them in your content, meta description, and title and photo tags.
6. Get Listed
Real estate agent directories receive hundreds of millions of views. To improve your SEO and drive more visitors to your site, make sure you’re listed in these directories.
A few of the most popular ones include Trulia, Zillow, and Homes.com.
7. Provide Online Tools
Free online tools are in high demand and another way to generate quality leads. They provide an excellent opportunity to engage with clients early in the search process.
What are some tools you could offer through your website? Consider adding a mortgage approval calculator or a calculator for the costs of buying a home.
Final Thoughts on Real Estate SEO
The suggestions above will help to improve your SEO and convert those leads into closings.
Would you like more useful advice about real estate SEO? Check out our recent post about overcoming common marketing challenges.