The Importance of SEO for Your REALTOR® Website

Effective SEO practices are necessary to improve the ranking of your website in search engine results pages (SERPs). When potential buyers or sellers search for key terms related to your real estate business, you want to ensure that you are one of the top results returned. For instance, if you are a REALTOR® in Kelowna, you want your website to rank high when a buyer searches for “homes in Kelowna” or “real estate agent Kelowna.” By optimizing your website, you increase the chances of appearing at the top of their search results, when key terms like these are used. 

With increased website visibility comes numerous benefits, like higher click-through rates (CTRs). Your CTR is simply a measurement that determines what percentage of individuals see your website link/advertisement and subsequently click on it. Websites that consistently rank on the first page of search engines are more likely to experience greater traffic (more clicks) than those on the second page or greater. Your CTR is a great metric to keep in mind when trying to improve your website's visibility. This is because it can help you understand what works and what doesn’t when trying to reach your target audience. 

Another reason to invest in a strong SEO strategy is that users often perceive higher-ranking websites as more trustworthy. When users see a website in the top five results of their search, they often assume that the website is an authoritative source of information. This leads them to be more trusting of the services and products you are offering. Not only this, but it will also increase your brand recognition and awareness. The more users see your website, the more familiar they’ll become with your business. 

The Best Real Estate Websites Use These SEO Strategies 

If we’ve convinced you that SEO is a must-have on your real estate website, here are some strategies that you’ll want to consider:

• Local SEO

Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your website to be more visible in local search results on various search engines. For most businesses, they operate out of one or two locations in which they want to target their marketing efforts. This is especially true for real estate agents. If you are a REALTOR® in Victoria, BC, you want to use local SEO to make sure that you are ranking highly for all relevant keywords to real estate in Victoria BC. Where you show up in local SEO is largely determined by relevance, distance, prominence, and organic results. 

• Content Marketing

Content marketing is another age-old strategy that is very effective in boosting a website's location in SERPs. Building a blog that you post consistently to can seriously improve your ranking in search engines. By building your blog you’ll also show potential clients that you are knowledgeable in your field of work. This can help you capitalize on more leads and build greater trust between you and your clients. The use of other forms of content like photos, videos, and interactive experiences is also a great way to utilize SEO. 

• Link Building 

Last but not least, is link building. Linking is a critical component of any good SEO strategy. There are two parts to link building on your website: the first is internal linking, and the second is external linking. Internal links are the ones that improve the navigation of your website. On the other hand, external links are the ones that link from your website to other websites. These are important because they signal to search engines that your content is credible. 

Contact us Today!

The best real estate websites often use SEO to ensure a high rank in SERPs. This helps both agents and real estate firms acquire clients and build a trustworthy reputation. 

For more information about how to implement an SEO strategy into your real estate website, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you as you work toward establishing yourself in the real estate industry. Be sure to check back next month for more information like this! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

The post The Best Real Estate Websites Use SEO and This is Why appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

User-Friendly Navigation

User experience is paramount in web design and real estate websites are no exception. A well-organized and intuitive navigation system helps users find the information they need quickly and easily. One aspect of this includes having a clear menu structure. The main menu should be easy to find and include categories such as "Home," "About Us," "Listings," "Services," "Blog," and "Contact." 

Those looking to prioritize user-friendly navigation should also incorporate some kind of search functionality. For potential clients, a powerful search bar that allows users to filter listings by location, price range, property type, and other criteria is essential. Advanced search options can further enhance the user experience by offering specific filters like "waterfront properties" or "homes with a pool."

Real Estate Brokerage Websites Need High-End Visuals

In real estate, visuals can make or break a real estate deal. High-quality photos and videos can showcase properties in the best light and help potential buyers visualize themselves in the space. Invest in professional photographers who can capture the best aspects of each property. High-resolution images that highlight key features like spacious rooms, modern kitchens, and stunning views can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers. You may also consider developing virtual tours or video slides for feature properties.

Comprehensive Property Listings & Innovative Tools

The heart of any real estate website is its property listings. Providing current and accurate information about each property is crucial for attracting serious inquiries. Be sure to write engaging and informative descriptions that go beyond basic details. Highlight unique selling points, such as architectural features, recent renovations, and proximity to amenities. Use compelling language to paint a picture of the lifestyle the property offers.

Another tool that you may want to incorporate is interactive maps. Maps are an excellent way to show the property's location and nearby points of interest, such as schools, parks, shopping centers, and public transportation. This helps users understand the area and its amenities. If your brokerage will be representing a specific city or suburb, an interactive map is a must-have feature!

Client Testimonials

In real estate, building trust with potential clients is key to converting website visitors into leads. Featuring client testimonials and success stories can demonstrate your expertise and the positive experiences others have had with your brokerage. Include genuine reviews from past clients, highlighting their positive experiences with your services. Use real names and, if possible, photos to add another layer of authenticity.

For those just starting out who may not have reviews yet, consider creating a page on your website to encourage clients to leave a testimonial. If you feel as though you left a positive impact on your clients, kindly ask them to leave their feedback. Also, be sure to set up your Google My Business page so that your testimonials have more reach!

Real Estate Brokerage Websites Need a Blog

An informative blog and resource section can position your website as a go-to source for real estate knowledge. This not only helps with SEO but also builds trust and authority in your market. Write blog posts on topics relevant to your target audience, such as market trends, buying and selling tips, home improvement ideas, and financing advice. Ensure the content is well-researched, informative, and easy to understand.

Providing insights into the local real estate market can set you apart from national competitors. Share data on recent sales, market forecasts, and neighbourhood spotlights to keep your audience informed. You can also offer free resources like buyer and seller guides, checklists, and market reports. These can be used to capture leads by requiring users to provide their email addresses in exchange for the download.

Real Estate Brokerage Websites Should Have Multichannel Contact Options

The ultimate goal of your website is to generate leads. Providing multiple ways for visitors to contact you or express interest is essential. Integrate simple and accessible contact forms throughout the site, particularly on property listings and service pages. Ensure the forms are easy to fill out and that the fields required are relevant and not overly intrusive.

Moreover strategically placing call-to-action (CTA) buttons such as "Schedule a Viewing," "Request More Information," or "Get a Free Consultation" can help entice users to reach out. 

Another contact option is to include some form of live chat or chatbot functionality that can provide immediate assistance to visitors with questions. A great example of software like this is Syncro. This can be particularly useful for capturing leads who may be browsing outside of regular business hours.

Contact us About Real Estate Brokerage Websites!

For more information on designing effective real estate brokerage websites, contact us today. We’d be happy to help you as you work toward establishing your business in the real estate industry. Be sure to check back next month for more information like this! We look forward to working with you in the near future.

The post 6 Things Real Estate Brokerage Websites Need appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

Post regularly to your Google Business page.

First of all, the industry has led you to falsely believe that good real estate marketing needs to consist of a huge budget. This is the most common narrative especially if you listen to everyone who wants to pitch you on the latest real estate software or service. 

Once you’ve been a part of the pitch cycle it seems like you can’t get away from it. The other detriment is that you start to believe that if you don’t do everything you’ll get left behind. So often times you do nothing at all while waiting for the holy marketing grail to reveal itself. 

The fear is real. We’re here to cut the noise with this advice. Less is more. But, it’s how you attain less that will get you more. 

Sounds clear as mud, so let’s get to clarifying below:

Do more real estate marketing with less

You just need to make sure that you're using less to make more. Make sense? Of course not. Let’s look at what we’re trying to say. 

If you were to pay a company like EstateVue to write your content each month, optimize it and post it on your blog, then depending on the visibility of your website this would be less. Why? Because nobody knows your website exists at this point. Yes, writing and posting content is designed to attract more visitors, but how will they know it’s there if you aren’t sharing it? 

The short answer is they don’t.  We aren’t saying you should cut your content budget, quite the contrary. What we are saying is that you should be doubling down on content and using it to share and get better traffic results. You can do this very effectively using Google Business to post and share your content. 

Google is the answer for almost everyone when it comes to getting traffic. It makes sense that Google rewards websites that use its products and services with higher rankings. This is why we tend to see such great results from customers who also use this social medium to share their content. 

When you post to Google Business you’re doing two very important things:

1. Creating a backlink to your website
2. Creating content that appears where people are actively searching for your product your service

The great part about Google is that it’s free. It’s easy to use and since you already have content to share from your blog you have a resource in place to draw from. 

How do you share content on Google Business? 

If you’re new to Google Business then it’s very important that you get your account set up properly first and foremost. There are a ton of help articles on how to do this, but if you need help then you can always rely on a company like EstateVue to help you get organized. We do a lot of what we call digital footprint consolidation around here. 

It involves a heavy audit of your social media profiles, consolidating the message, the medium, and more. Often times we nuke more accounts than we keep. The Snapchat profile you set up for your defunct real estate team isn’t doing you any favours out there.

Once you have your account squared away with an updated profile picture, and updated contact details and have tested the contact methods then it’s time to start sharing. 

Posts are shared as updates on Google business pages. Our sister marketing company in Kelowna, Atomic 55, has an easy-to-follow article that will show you how to quickly get to posting updates on your Google Business page. 

Read it here now: https://atomic55.net/updated-4th-quarter-22-how-to-post-on-google-business/ 

How do you stay consistent with your posts? 

This is the key to any successful marketing plan. Staying consistent. Articles and updates should be shared regularly. We suggest at least posting one article per month to your blog and sharing links back to snippets of each article once every 5 days. 

These are the bare minimums for any SEO campaign. More posts and more shares will result in more traffic, but the goal is to get on track with regular updates before you flood your feed with more of anything.  

Pro-tip for staying consistent with real estate marketing?

Once again, we suggest Google for the win. Google Calendar is a no-fail way to schedule not only your blog posts but your life! Use it to your advantage. It’s another free organizational tool that will keep your work life on track and thriving. 

Simply set aside an hour in your calendar each week for posting on Google Business and you’ll be off to the races. Google Calendar can be set to recur every day, week, month, or year. Reminders can be set as frequently as you require. Once you can see your week in a calendar-like format it can become very easy to tackle even the largest of marketing tasks. We highly, highly recommend that you use a calendar system to stay on track with updates. 

Still not buying that Google Business is a good, free answer to increasing traffic to your website?

Check out this example chart below. 

The yellow highlighted line indicated a change. You’ll notice how we made a very big jump in rankings. The traffic was very flat beforehand. And beforehand, we were not using Google Business to share information. The yellow line indicates the big jump in traffic after we started using Google Business for posting. The numbers don’t lie and neither do we. Google Business works. It’s free. And you should use it. Or pay a company like EstateVue to use it on your behalf. 

Get in touch with our team if you want to learn more about having content created for your website each month. You'll join the ranks of these top-performing agents listed below!

MWP and SEO Customers are featured this month on EstateVue!

Neufeld Jones Real Estate Team in Kelowna is sharing tips on investing in real estate near UBCO.

RE/MAX Vanderhoof has an explanation of how new mortgage rules in BC are affecting home sales in Vanderhoof.

Corinne O'Neil is sharing an overview of the St Albert neighbourhood of Erin Ridge on her website.

The Current Whitehorse Condos have tips on buying a home in the Yukon here!

RE/MAX Elite in Edmonton has a very interesting read this month for all of you haunted house hunters out there, find out more about buying a stigmatized property in Edmonton.

Kevin Moist has an update on sales last month in addition to great info on this Winnipeg Neighbourhood! Read more here now

Bill de Mooy is sharing some great local Langley content this month about elementary schools near homes with suites! Check it out here https://homeswithsuites.ca/langley-houses-for-sale-near-elementary-schools/

Big White Property Group has all the details on why this should be the year that you invest in real estate at Big White

Alpine Realty has a great article this month about how to keep properties in Banff sustainable!

The post Good Real Estate Marketing is Consistent! appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

There have always been a lot of website solutions available in the marketplace when it comes to websites and digital products. Whether they are geared toward real estate or they are for general business, you can find both inclusive and niche solutions for almost every function.  The crowded space can make it difficult for REALTORS® and their trusted advisors and assistants to make the right decision.

Oftentimes, we see mistakes made where marketing becomes overcomplicated. REALTORS® unwittingly find themselves in a situation where they have too much. Too much marketing is real, so let's get into what you really need to have a great real estate website in Canada. Hopefully, these tips can help you streamline your process and your AP.

There are a few things that you need to keep in mind for your real estate website in order for it to be effective.

One: Choose to develop your website on an open framework

We have discussed the topic of closed-loop websites at length in previous articles.  These are quick-start solutions that are designed for entry-level REALTORS®. They are often offered for free by corporate banners in order to get new agents on their feet. The pros and cons are hefty if you are still using a closed-loop system and have been in the business longer than a year. We see these sites as an option to get started but not a good answer for a long-term strategy.

Developing your website on a closed framework comes with significant barriers. These barriers eventually become apparent when you try to do any external marketing on a closed-loop site. In order to increase your website visibility we suggest that you invest in the following:

1. Hire a professional to register two domain names for your business. One should be your business/trade name and one should be keyword centric.
2. Have a professional company build your website on a universal open-source framework like WordPress. This is important because you can build on the website over time and take that content with you anywhere.
3. Work with a data provider to stream listings in an SEO-friendly manner to your website. Say no to iFrame, and embedded listing tools. Embedded listings don't help your website's visibility.  In some cases, this can hurt your ranking, especially if they have not been optimized to fit with Google's Core Vital metrics.

Building your real estate website on an open framework allows you greater flexibility in the future.

More than any other time in history marketing should be thought of as a long-term investment. Think about where you want to be in years not months. If it's at the top then make sure you are taking the steps to ensure that the money you are spending now is a good investment for the future. Too many agents throw good money after bad and start from the beginning over and over. Invest wisely and plan to build your footprint over time, before you know it your digital footprint will hold a lot of value.

Two: Set aside a small monthly budget (time or money) to work on the site each month

This is an important detail that is the most commonly overlooked and underappreciated. Real estate websites in Canada should not be set and forgotten. We often see assistants and associates focus on social media for the real estate business.

Social media plays an important part in the process, but the order of when to use social media is equally if not more important.

The real estate marketing industry is notorious for jumping on trendy bandwagons and social was no different. In the early days of social everyone was clamoring to post on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube. Every agent wanted to know the answer. What was the magic bullet strategy to being successful on these mediums? What should they post? How often should they post?

Almost every customer we saw in the early '10s wanted to know how to improve their social strategy.

Thankfully that messaging has been tempered. Hopefully, that's because we as marketers have opened our eyes to the social beast and done a better job at explaining how it all works. The biggest takeaway about using social media is this question, do you want to use it because you like the attention and love creating content? Or are you using it as a means to an end - to get better SEO results?

85% are in the latter category. They are REALTORS® first and foremost and they want to be found online to generate new business and sell real estate. Achieving TikTok influencer status is low on their list of priorities. With that in mind, finding a company that can help you to manage an SEO program and get the results you want from social media is key.  If you can't afford that, then religiously schedule time to update your website each month.

Time and money are equal to success 

We suggest that REALTORS® who want to expedite their ranking results post as often as they can on their blog.  A properly written article, posted each month on your blog is imperative to getting ranking results. So, take those quick burst social media posts that you're pumping out and compile them into one concise article. When you add new, unique content anywhere to your website it helps to promote your visibility. Once you have that article written, only then you should share the link across your social media channels.

We recommend that you post at least 300 original words on your website once per month. This is equivalent to spending at least 1.5 hrs on your website each month.  Do not plagiarize, borrow or repurpose content.

If you want to learn more then get in touch with us. We write content for a variety of topics at EstateVue. We cover current real estate trends at both a national and local level. Articles are written by University-educated writers in Canada and optimized specifically for attaining SEO results. Content is developed to target a specific audience and appeals to local topics of interest.

Three: Ensure you have an attentive listing data manager

Real estate data in Canada is not without unique issues. Data at any level requires immense oversight. The more data you oversee the more time is required. This is very true when it comes to real estate data in Canada. Local real estate data feeds and national real estate data feeds in Canada are never perfect for long.  Adding to that disappointing fact is the rising cost of data. Storage, engineers, and administration costs are driving the cost of access to Canadian real estate data sky high. Many agents find the cost to access their own data a frustrating fee. Nonetheless, a good website requires data to remain competitive.

This combination can be an unsettling discovery for Canadian real estate agents. Especially when you have finicky customers who want to see their homes for sale displayed accurately on your website. Explaining to the customer why photos, price changes, and description updates aren't filtering correctly to your website is nothing short of embarrassing for most agents.  However, we find that when we can explain what to expect from real estate data in Canada it becomes much easier for REALTORS® to have those conversations with their customers.

We understand this first hand.  So these are the questions you should ask before you plug in Canadian real estate data to your website!

1. How will the data be facilitated?
2. Is the data from my local real estate board or CREA's DDF?
3. What are the setup costs to connect to either/or?
4. Are there monthly fees associated with either feed?
5. What are the annual costs associated with either feed?
6. Is their reciprocity in my area?
7. How often will my data be updated on my website? When I add a new listing? When I update an existing listing?
8. What happens with my sold listings?
9. What should I do if I discover a listing is missing or incorrect?

Look for the following attributes when you are choosing a Canadian data provider for real estate data. 

1. Experience and focus in the real estate data space
2. Works with multiple data feed national, local, small, mid, and large
3. Focused on real estate marketing and its unique challenges
4. Responsive and respectful communication

Real estate data is a necessary component of a great online presence for agents. Choose a company that can help you get the most of your data. More important is choosing a company that can support you when things don't go right. Be leery of those who overpromise in the data department, it's best to prepare for technological glitches along the way.

Four: All-in-one real estate marketing solutions - they exist and you should choose ONE!

All-in-one real estate solutions exist. They exist for brokers, agents, and real estate teams in Canada.

This is what you should look for when you're deciding which platform you should engage for real estate data in Canada. 

1. Is the website built on an open or closed-loop framework
2. Does the company focus on real estate-centric activity?
3. Is the website customized to me or does it use stock everything?
4. Is there a marketing package available to complement the website build?
5. What listing data services are included?
6. Does it come with an SSL?
7. What is included for lead generation?
8. Can I export my leads to another CRM?
9. Do I need a CRM in addition to my website?

Your all-in-one real estate website solution should have the basics covered. The list above is a great start for determining whether or not the company you are engaging in is a good choice.

The real estate market is fickle and ripe with change. Similar to technology, nothing stays the same in the real estate market for long either. Find a company to work with that has its finger on the pulse, that's the only way you'll stay ahead of the marketing train!

Check out what a few of our customers have collaborated on this month below! These customers know great real estate data is here in Canada!

Neufeld Jones is talking about buying housing in Kelowna for a vacation property this month.

Brooks Lancaster is sharing information on summer activities near Penticton housing for sale.

Vanderhoof RE/MAX has a moving day checklist for homes for sale in Vanderhoof this month on their blog.

Steve Leddy joins us this month with an article on why you should choose Sherwood Park Real Estate.

Grham Frey over at the Current in Whitehorse is discussing condos for sale in Whitehorse.

Corinne O'Neil has a great resource on her website this month from finding an introduction to other greats agents in Canada to St.Albert condos for sale - learn more!

The Big White Property Group added a new building to their website this month - learn more about Snowy Creek Lodge at Big White!

More great content to read this way!

RE/MAX Elite is tackling the question of whether or not real estate in Edmonton is a cheaper alternative.

RE/MAX Alpine Realty in Canmore got started this month with an article shedding information about real estate in Canmore! Read it now!

Cliff and Scott King join us from Winnipeg this month with great information on houses for sale in Bridgwater Lakes! Check it out.

The Courtenay apartment scene is talked about over on Janice Leffler's blog this month!

The MYLIE Group is breaking down the advantages of building homes in Ontario this month.

Royal LePage in Comox Valley shares the economic drivers near Comox real estate on their blog.

Kevin Moist and Associates discuss real estate in downtown Winnipeg this month!

Hilbert&Crick are talking about trends in affordable housing in Kelowna.

Miranda Moser shares the pros and cons of renting vs buying a property in Calgary.

John Mattiello ponders whether sales of real estate in Edmonton are slowing down.

Josh Miko has an update for us about an exclusive gated community in West Kelowna called Thacker Ridge Estates!

The post What to look for when choosing a real estate website in Canada. appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

Some food for thought: The dreams you have are very different from the actions that will get you there.

This statement is one we're feeling as the new year brings forth all of the usual churn and restlessness in our world. January and September are the typical months in which we see an uptick in both new clients and cancellations. It's the new year for many business owners and while some of us are traditionalists, who wait until January 1 to make our moves, there are just as many more who consider September 1 as the official clean slate.

Whatever the month,  the messaging stays the same on our end.

Stay the course. Don't be distracted by others. And whatever you do, DON'T. STOP. NOW. 

Earlier in the month, we provided our highly motivated MWP customers with a first-quarter road map for real estate marketing in 2022. A list of simple tasks and actions that can make a big impact on a customer's search engine rankings. Making a slight adjustment to your routine can have a lasting impact on those dreams of hitting the first page of results. That's why we're including this list below and we encourage you to reach out to us if you're making SEO your priority in 2022.

Have we mentioned how much we want you to pay attention to Google Business? 

I know we have, but how many of you are? Still hung up on Instagram? Well, in 2022 we want most of the focus for our customers to be on Google Business. The platform directly correlates to website search traffic.  Having your account settings configured properly will be key in '22.  It's very important to log in to your GB account and ensure that your profile is up to date and is as complete as possible. Especially important, is your map location. Please make sure that you have claimed your business. Google Business settings should be periodically reviewed and kept current including engagement on your reviews. 

Our MWP customers see posts regularly syndicated to their Google accounts, which promotes healthy engagement and activity that makes Google smile.

Make time right now to review (and ruthlessly edit) your digital footprint 

At the top of the year, it’s always a good idea to review your digital footprint. We talk about this often, because it's often one of the biggest items that REALTORS® and BROKERS overlook. 

Reviewing your digital footprint is simply visiting the various social media accounts and subscription services that you have to make sure that they’re still relevant. We want everything out there to add value to your marketing visibility. 

As a rule, we want all external links on any and all of these platforms to link directly to your website.

The more direct and specific the link the better, eg: if you are mentioning a new listing on Facebook, please include a direct link in the same post to view the listing on your website.

When reviewing your digital footprint ensure the following:

1. Update your passwords. This is really painful but also very important given the Malware threats that exist today.  We have seen some crazy situations lately so we encourage you to update your passwords often, keep them secure and make them hard. 
2. Update your bios or profiles to include a link to your homepage
3. Make sure that your profiles are up to date with the correct information, address, phone, updated logos, etc. This is a good time to update header graphics as well and show the world you're fresh and ready! 

Use the gift of REALTOR.ca to your advantage!

Backlinking is the stuff SEO is made of. It's not complicated, but there is a method to follow for the madness to work. The best thing you can do for your website visibility to shine is to have an outbound link on a big-time traffic generator. We mean high-profile websites. Websites with stellar DA. Since you have access to one of the biggest traffic generating websites online today in REALTOR.ca. Let’s use this to our advantage! When you post a listing and it goes live on REALTOR.ca you need to make sure that you are also adding your new listing to the new 'View Listing' tab that CREA is providing. 

See below for an example, it will show up under your website link on your listing when added correctly.

Tell your story in long-form with a syndicated press release

PR is old school and from my experience, old school works like a charm. Use this vintage technique to your advantage. You can bet, most of your competitors will not do this. One, they won't be able to come up with a viable topic that they're comfortable with, and Two, they won't be able to find distribution. We can help with alllllll of this and it will be the biggest advantage you can give yourself. So, go on, don't be shy, and let's sell your story to the press for added results.

Everyone has that one local news/classified directory listings website

It's not just us that have been subjected to this local phenom, right? We all have that one local website where proliferating opinions and local reporting culminate. Well, chances are that this little homegrown gem generates a hefty DA (Domain Authority) and produces a fair share of traffic. That's precisely why it would be worth posting your property listings on their classifieds platform to create backlinks. If you can get your website link posted here regularly -  the $25 or so per month it costs will pay off traffic-wise in return. In this particular case, you will want to post a link to your featured listings page for best results. If they don't allow a link field then you will have to post it in the body text.

Make the local classifieds part of your new listing routine now! Start today and post a link to the properties you currently have listed for sale. 

And Finally, let's end with Google and the mecca of review platforms, Google Reviews

We are encouraging you to consider using Google Reviews as your preferred review software in 2022. The other ones don't provide you with any benefit. In fact, you provide them benefits when you link back to their website. Remember, you want to be selective with the marketing services you engage and promote in 2022. And you need to be doubly selective with the backlinks you include on your own website! Keeping tight watch and control over your digital footprint is imperative to success.

Put yourself first and ask everyone involved - is this good for my visibility?

The main reason you absolutely need to switch to Google Reviews is that it benefits your search rankings. Towards the end of 2021, we began embedding Google Reviews directly into some customers' websites. The results have been well received and include the ability for customers to easily leave a review when they visit your website, as well as increasing visibility by displaying your reviews. 

For an example of a recently embedded Google Review widget please visit the link below: https://morrisonrealestategroup.ca/#google-review

That's it? That's it. 

And that's right, it's a short list. We'll say it again, The dreams you have are very different from the actions that will get you there. The above list is small in the scope of things you can do, the results are anything but. If you did even one of these items and incorporated it into your routine, you would see positive results almost immediately.

Talk to us about becoming a very valued, MWP at EstateVue in '22!

The post Dreams Vs. Actions When it Comes to Real Estate SEO in 2022 appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

Our customers benefit immensely from consistency and it is, without a doubt, the secret sauce that most are missing when it comes to formulating their marketing plans. 

Keep reading for tips on how to put your business first and better your return on your time in 2022!

What are we going to do more of in 2022?

Less is More 

This is one we’ve been preaching for a while and if you’re an EstateVue MWP client you already know how we feel on this topic. Less is more when it comes to social media marketing. Consistency is more valuable than spreading yourself too thin. Throughout 2021 we spent a significant amount of time with clients getting their social media channels and digital footprints consolidated into a more manageable footprint. 

There isn’t a REALTOR® out there who is doing a fantastic job of managing, Tik Tok, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google Business, and omg what else? Do you want to know why? The answer is simple, if they’re killing it on alllll of the mediums above then they’re more of an influencer than a REALTOR® in our opinion.  

Don’t interpret this the wrong way, you still absolutely need social media for visibility. However, you don’t need all of it at one time. It’s not only impossible to manage but it will also dilute your customer base in many cases. 

Our pro tip is to choose three and only three social mediums to use. This will allow you to stay consistent with your posts, engage with your customers and manage your digital presence. By cultivating a presence for your customers across three mediums you have a much stronger handle on your traffic and your analytics. 

So, which mediums should you use in 2022? We have some ideas! Keep reading!

Facebook is a need, but definitely not a want

Love it? Hate it. We all hate it. We never hear anything positive about Facebook but here we are with the numbers that can’t be ignored.  Facebook (META) now has 3 billion users and these numbers are still growing by the month! So the question of do I need Facebook should really be put to bed. The answer is yes, yes you need Facebook for your real estate business. Facebook will still reign supreme when it comes to raising your visibility profile.

Google Business is the Internets definition of nepotism

If Google wasn’t the most used SERP then we might not recommend using Google Business as part of your social strategy. But the Internet is ruled by giants and the biggest is Google. As such, we consistently see better-ranking results from the businesses who elect to post frequently on the Google Business platform. We highly, highly recommend getting familiar with your Google Business profile. 

Update those profiles, and check your locations because Google Business is where the most relevance for your business comes in, especially when it comes to local! Many customers are unfamiliar with Google Business and how it works. Posts will show up in your listing and allow for a great opportunity to create backlinks to your website.  See below for an example:

LinkedIn or Twitter for 2022?

Twitter is a big city medium. Maybe that’s a bit controversial but as a company that focuses on hyper-local advertising for its customers, we have found that Twitter is almost always the underperformer in our playlist. The slow adoption rate for locals is likely the biggest barrier to Twitter's taking off. Smaller centres with populations of 500k or less just don’t tend to have the enthusiasm for it.  It’s great for using hashtags and gaining followers, particularly if you’re attending conferences or events, but for gaining a local audience it seems to be only getting more dismal. 

That’s why. We’re giving up on Twitter for 2022 and instead, we will be turning our focus back to LinkedIn. LinkedIn has been steadily gaining as a preferred social media platform. They have added in a suite of new features that make it much more ad-friendly. Coupled with the closer connections it affords to local colleagues it’s really a no-brainer to turn your focus from Twitter to LinkedIn. 

We highly recommend getting LinkedIn added to your social media repertoire for 2022.

Newsletters are baaaaack

Newsletters really fell out of fashion in the real estate marketing world over the past few years. Mostly because they were never consistent and partly because they were also very spammy. We’re bringing back thoughtful, curated newsletters this year. We’ll be sending them out quarterly at first and making certain that we have something to say well in advance. 

Email remains one of the most powerful tools at your disposal.  A valid email address is data gold. There are several tips to consider if you want to use email marketing as a marketing method in 2022.

Keep reading if you want to add newsletters to your program or you want to refresh your existing plan. 

1) Develop personalized content that matters

Give your customers the feeling of exclusivity to keep them engaged with your content. Get to know your customers and make sure that you’re segmenting your customer base according to their interests. Don’t send buyers' content to sellers and vice versa. Don’t send first-time buyers' advice to your investors. Email marketing fails when it’s used as a blanket strategy. Don’t rush your email marketing and take the time to curate content based on your customers' wants. 

2) Keep newsletters minimal and concise 

Don’t send out novels in hopes that everyone will be inclined to read. Keep your newsletters short and make the format very clear. Minimal design is ideal and your layout should either be very interesting and engaging or very easy to follow along. Small snippets, catchy headlines, and lots of backlinks to your website are key to making newsletters work for your business in 2022. 

The average person receives over 150 emails per day. That’s a dizzying amount of communication. If you hope to stand out then don’t oversaturate. Give them something to look forward to. 

Focus on consolidating your real estate marketing channels in 2022

Focusing on the foundations of digital real estate marketing is key in 2022.  It’s a great time to consolidate at the start of a new year. Get rid of the social channels that no longer serve you and clean up that digital footprint. You’ll feel lighter and more in control of your business. Also, try not to get distracted by those shiny squirrels as the year wears on. The newest, latest and greatest will always be around the corner, but stick to the devil you know and you’ll be much happier with mastered results rather than useless, fleeting tech. 

Here’s a list of wrap-up posts from some of our real estate customers in 2021! We hope to see more of you included in this list in 2002! Get in touch if you want to subscribe to our Managed Website Program in 2022, we have limited spots available in each Canadian city.

The team at Neufeld Jones has launched their year-end wrap-up on their website this month - head over to their Kelowna real estate blog to read about their year of content now!

Real estate in Vanderhoof gets the review treatment this month!

Penticton real estate gets the wrap with Brooks Lancaster over on Penticton Houses For Sale this December.

Heading up to Big White this winter? Us too. Check out real estate in Snow Pines with the Big White Property Group before you go!

Edmonton's RE/MAX Elite is getting nostalgic this month with an entire year in rewind on their blog! Check it out!

HILBERT&CRICK have a great year-end recap on their blog this month! Check out how they're looking back at Kelowna Real Estate in 2021

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