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.

As a REALTOR®, you know that being visible online is crucial to your success. This is largely due to the fact that most buyers and sellers begin their real estate journey virtually. Whether it’s to find their dream home, search for comparable properties, or get in touch with an agent, people are looking to the Internet to find what they need. For agents, this means having a digital presence is more important than ever! One of the best ways to ensure your visibility is through REALTOR® websites. Having a personal real estate agent website will help establish a connection with potential clients while providing them with the information they need to achieve their goals. In this article, we will be going over the reasons why you absolutely need a REALTOR® website in 2023 as an agent! Follow along below to learn more. 

Why Have REALTOR® Websites?

• For First-Time Buyers and Sellers

First-time buyers and sellers generally begin their real estate journey online. This means searching for agents, reading blog articles about what to expect, and checking out listings. Those who have their own personal agent websites can capitalize on these viewers by directing their content toward clients new to real estate. Most often, this is done through a blog. Blogs are a great way to reach your audience and share helpful information. Not to mention, a blog can help establish your credibility as an agent. All in all, having your own website will ensure that you stay top of mind when first-timers take the plunge. 

• To Attract Local Business

Having a website is a good way for you to establish yourself in your local market. When people search for real estate online, they often specify what location they are looking in. For example, a person looking for a home in Vancouver might search: “real estate in Vancouver”, or “homes for sale in Vancouver”, as opposed to, “homes for sale” or “real estate”. Ensuring that you have a website that includes the location(s) you serve and where you are located will help you to generate more leads in your area. 

• So You Can Establish Your Brand

A robust digital presence is integral in cementing your brand. A website can help you do so by connecting you with your audience and setting yourself apart from other agents. Moreover, REALTOR® websites allow you to showcase your personality and areas of expertise. For instance, older folks will gravitate towards agents who are invested in working with retirees and empty-nesters. Whereas, buyers from out-of-town may look to agents who specialize in vacation properties. Use your website to tell your viewers who you are and what makes you unique! 

More Reasons to Invest in a Website as a REALTOR® 

• To Generate More Leads & Grow Your Audience

Lead generation is an important part of being an agent. Without new leads, it is difficult to grow your business. Having a website is one of the best ways to capture new leads and expand your audience. This is possible thanks to the many digital tools at your disposal. For instance, live chat services, contact forms and pop-ups. All of these tools work together to ensure that your website traffic turns into high-quality leads.

• It’s Yours to Keep

As an agent, you may not always stick with the same brokerage. And, more often than not, when an agent switches to a new brokerage, they lose their marketing. This is a big disadvantage that can be costly to mend. With your own personal website, you can switch brokerages all you want without the fear of losing your platform. All that might need to be changed are some logos and brand statements which are very simple fixes. Having your own website will give you comfort in knowing that if you ever switch brokerages, the transition will be seamless. 

• For the Marketing Opportunities 

In today’s market, your website should serve as the foundation for your marketing. This is because there are so many marketing opportunities once you have a platform like a website. For instance, SEO, social media marketing and content marketing! All of these tactics can be routed through your website to draw the most traffic to you, your listings, and your expertise. 

Contact us About REALTOR® Websites Today!

Having your own personal website as an agent is essential to your success. With more and more people beginning their real estate journey online, your digital presence is a must! 

Are you ready to start planning a custom REALTOR® website? Give us a call or chat with us now to get started! Be sure to visit our blog again next month for more content like this.

We look forward to working with you in the near future!

The post REALTOR® Websites: Why Have One? appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

As a REALTOR®, your website is one of the most important aspects of your business. Having a strong online presence equates to a better customer experience, more leads, and a greater platform to establish your brand. However, to achieve this, you must first ensure that your website has what it takes to attract new clients. From optimized content to professional imagery, there’s lots to include on a real estate website. In this article, we will be highlighting six items that websites for REALTORS® need to have. Follow along below to learn more!

What Features Do Websites for REALTORS® Need?

• Easy Navigation

New clients that visit your website need to be able to find the information they are looking for with ease. If it is too difficult, you may risk losing a lead. To avoid this, you want to make sure that it is as simple as possible for users to find information. Having a great menu is a good place to start. Some of the features that your menu should include are an About page, listings, guides (one for buyers and one for sellers), financing, a blog, and a contact page. These are all key items that buyers and sellers will be keen on finding when they visit your website. 

• Responsive Design

Responsive design is essential in creating a positive user experience. The design and development of your website should be responsive to the users’ behaviour and environment. One of the most important elements of a responsive website is making sure that it works on all devices—regardless of size or platform. Additionally, a responsive website will entice users to stay for longer. It can also positively improve how potential customers interact with your site. Achieving responsive design is better left to the web nerds; consider getting help from a company like EstateVue. 

• A Contact Form

What’s a website if users can’t get in touch with you? Having a contact form is of the utmost importance on your website. A good contact form can help you organize client inquiries, gather information about the client’s interests, and gain new business. With the right fields on your contact form, you can impress potential clients by tailoring the experience to their needs. 

Other Must-Have Items

• Great Imagery

Another key item that a real estate website needs is great imagery. When it comes to selling homes, photos and videos make a big difference. If clients can see the homes that you’ve helped to sell/buy they are more likely to work with you. Furthermore, you could include a featured listings page that shows off some of the listings you're working with right now. Here, you can use some of that awesome photography/videography to entice buyers to visit your property. Moreover, since most people begin their search for real estate online, your listings must have good imagery. 

• SEO Content

Optimized content is a no-brainer when it comes to real estate web design. If you want your website to rank higher in search results, then SEO is a great place to start. Successful SEO begins with the creation of interesting/useful content. Then an expert can go through and optimize the post so that your website is more easily found. Over time, SEO is a great lead-generation strategy that your business will benefit from for years. 

• Listing Search Tool

Not all users who visit your website will go there to search for listings. However, it’s good to have the option. A listing search tool with advanced filter options is a great way for potential clients to narrow their search. This can help them come up with shortlists of properties they’d like to view or comparable listings. Having filters such as property type, number of bedrooms/bathrooms, price, amenities, neighbourhood, lot size, and outdoor space can be extremely helpful!

Contact us About Websites for REALTORS® 

For real estate agents, a great website is a must-have item. With more and more people beginning their real estate journey online, your digital presence is key. To make the best impression possible, your website must include some of the above features. 

Are you ready to start building websites for REALTORS®? Give us a call or chat with us now to get started! Be sure to visit our blog again next month for more content like this. We look forward to working with you soon!

The post 6 Things Websites for REALTORS® Should Include 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.

This month, we're talking about inflation and the rising monthly costs of software for REALTORS ® in Canada. With many tech providers feeling the squeeze of inflation they're turning to last resort practices. As a result, many have begun raising their rates for monthly subscription services.

If you rely on software for marketing, real estate listing data, content, and customer data management then you might be looking at where to cut to help your own bottom line. You aren't alone. Canadians are feeling spending pressure at the pumps, the grocery store, and on all consumer-related spending. It was only a matter of time before we saw the aftermath trickle into our business expenditures. The question remains, how can you keep up with the rise in costs? Should you try to keep up? And, what if anything can you afford to cut?  Let's dig in below.

Nice to Hear from You!

Recently, we received an email newsletter from one of our subscription providers. It's one of many emails that has been commonly making the rounds. The company, which rarely if ever has sent an email newsletter in the past is touching base to let us know that for "the first time ever" they will be raising its rates. They've chosen to apply a 20% bump to all monthly plans across the board.

This was an excerpt of their statement:

Now, for the first time, we are increasing the price of your subscription plan to better reflect the value we have added to your business and ensure that we keep investing in research and development.

Now, there's no doubt that thissoftware as a service is invaluable to our business. We use it daily and it helps us to do our job more efficiently.  It's not one we can do without. But a 20%  increase without warning affects a company, so what are our choices moving forward? This is what we boiled it down to,

• One: Suck up the increase
• Two: Pass the added cost onto our customers
• Three: Find another provider who offers better value/service

How Do Tech Companies Evaluate Other Tech Companies?

We have determined that the software is of value to us. This was the first step in evaluating whether or not to hit that 'Cancel Now' button.

The software allows us to take care of a multitude of tasks that would otherwise require at least one full-time person to manage. The efficiency of the product was never in question.

However, what we didn't know was whether or not something else has come around since we got comfortable using it.

The tasks are repetitive, and common for our industry and overall there's plenty of fish in the sea when it came to companies offering this type of SaaS. A quick Google search looking for like-minded providers presented a bevy of options for us to research.  However, that in itself presented another challenge.

In today's climate when the work calendar is packed and stacked, how do you find the time to research, set up, and then learn a totally new software system?

These are all common factors in the decision to switch tech providers. None of which can be taken lightly because they all come down to how much time and bandwidth you have available.  Oftentimes, this is what companies making a price increase will bank on. That you are happy enough with the product that a small monthly increase won't cause you to throw the baby out with the bathwater. However, when we find ourselves in the economic situation many are facing today, it's inevitable that there will be some wandering eyes.

Sucking Up the Increase is One Thing, Charging It Forward is Another!

Ultimately, in this case, we decided to go with option one. Suck up the increase. Mainly because the software has been good to us and the thought of switching providers is extremely daunting. Even though we aren't 100% on board with the reasoning and are somewhat skeptical that it isn't solely for profit reasons. We all understand that this is par for the course in today's economy. Even if our own rates haven't increased in well over a decade.

We won't be passing on the increase to our customers. This one is a little trickier but we had to look at our own customer base to determine if this would be a smart move or would just ruffle feathers. I'm sure the aforementioned company weighed the very same options. Will the wave of cancellations because people are upset outweigh the future revenue, how long will it take to build back, and basically will we ever financially recover from this? As mentioned, this isn't the only cost that has gone up over the past few months.

Don't Have to Look Too Far 

In fact, the biggest increases have come from the very boards that serve REALTORS®. That's right, listing data. Data storage, access, and integrity continue to go up across the country.  Even the CREA DDF® which was originally established as a free and open source option for Canadian REALTORS® and brokerages to access their own data has recently issued a pay scale model.  And it was not cheap for technology providers who had been largely offering this service as a workaround for agents and brokers who were unhappy with their local boards' data provision.

CREA issued the following statement when it announced the increase in fees.

On April 1, 2021, we introduced Phase 1 of our new fee structure for technology providers operating 51 or more data feeds. We’re now moving into Phase 2 which will commence on October 1, 2021, focusing on technology providers operating 6 to 50 data feeds.

Data feeds are still and will always be free to members. Charges will only be applied to technology providers, as per the new pricing model.

 

Technology providers like us, use the DDF^® at the direction of the customer. The customer, generally a REALTOR®, does not know how to build a website and connect their data to a front-facing solution. That's where technology companies come in on their behalf. The services we provide are to show that data on a front-facing details page, along with providing website visibility and marketing.

Good Data Doesn't Take Care of Itself

Data has become big business. Bigger than anyone could have ever projected. With more and more people and businesses turning to Cloud-based solutions there's no surprise that companies are monetizing. For one, they have to pay for the storage, maintenance, and security on their end, and two, finding engineers that are equipped to do this line of work is not easy. Good data isn't free.

This was a case where we could not burden the cost of the data feed.  As a result, the costs have been re-distributed to participating brokers and agents. We don't mark up our costs and our billing is transparent, but nonetheless, it was something that ruffled feathers. Especially considering that the fee increase came after a major data disruption on CREA's side that lasted weeks. And not to mention they added a little sting to the message at the end.

We understand members may be impacted by introducing new charges to technology providers, through increased service prices or technology providers choosing to discontinue this service. In the rare case of disruptions or rate increases, we have a complete list of alternate technology providers who can ensure your website continues receiving listings from REALTOR.ca DDF^®.

So whether it's a 20% increase in software or a yearly fee increase from inside your own professional membership there is no question that it's getting more and more expensive to do business - online and offline. What can you do to stay alive online and ensure that it's worth it?

Here are a few points to consider when you're looking to reduce monthly software costs:

Choose to work with a company that matches your scale.

This is something that is rarely discussed but in a world of faceless corporations and titans, it is becoming increasingly obvious. The tech company from the US doesn't care about you. You are a number. The company that specializes in real estate tech in the big city across the country doesn't care about you. They care about adding dollars to their bottom line.  They'll never worry about the quality of work that they do for you because they'll never run into you at a conference or the grocery store.

That is what a corporation does - they focus on growth at all costs.  Work with a company your own size and preferably within your own region and you will begin to see a difference. The same tools, and marketing channels are available to everyone, thanks to the Internet. And if that isn't enough you can always consider that more often than not a big corp cannot move as fast as the little guy.

You don't have to go big anymore. It's perfectly acceptable to also go home.

Audit your digital footprint. Do it often and be ruthless. 

Your digital hierarchy should look like this:

• Real Estate Website (SEO Domain + Marketing URL)
• Well curated and maintained social media accounts
• Secondary websites
• Online profiles/listings/directories

Your website should be your biggest investment. From there you can do anything, connect anything, share anything and attract whomever you need. Next up, is social media - BUT. That's right it comes with a really big BUT. Do not have social media accounts laying around that are outdated. Ignore what you've heard and please delete that Tik Tok, unless you're a content creator first/REALTOR® second.

Next up, are secondary domains and websites that are targeted to your specific sales goals eg: homeswithsuites.ca. After that come the local directories and website profiles. These are all great to have for your visibility,  provided that you can keep them updated and current. If you can't, then get rid of them. Why is visibility important you ask? Visibility builds an implied trust and there is nothing more important in marketing than trust.

Look for software that makes you more efficient and includes multiple services for one all-in cost. 

Real estate website providers like EstateVue, are focused on providing software tools that improve REALTORS® quality of work life. As such, there is often a multitude of tools included behind the curtain that aren't even listed because they are deemed need to have not nice to have. We've developed everything from internal communication boards for brokerage-level clients to tracking who the busiest agent is from your broker's website.

There are so many tools that are designed to increase your efficiency so that you can have as close to an all-in-one system as possible when it comes to marketing and engaging with leads.

CRM - use a Google Sheet. Not only will it keep you on track it will keep you humble and connected to your customers. Update it every morning based on the previous day's contacts and incorporate your list into your daily or weekly activities. Send a personal email, and if you don't know what to say then you shouldn't be emailing. That's SPAM. Nobody likes SPAM.

Website chat for REALTORS®- it should be free with your website and is the biggest lead capture and generator you can implement.  If you don't have it then you should. If you don't like it then you should give it another try because your customers love it!

Save time and look at where you can make improvements to your marketing rather than starting immediately from scratch.

If you feel like your subscription services have gotten out of control the last thing you want to do is make hasty decisions. Carefully evaluate what you have. If you make a mistake and cancel too early you might not get back in at the rate you once had. Make a list and come up with a rating system to flag each item and its importance to your business. From there you can make decisions about which service to keep and what is no longer serving you.

During the process, you'll get back in touch with your business, cut down on expenditures, and come away with a fresh outlook on your real estate marketing.

There are companies like us who offer this service if you feel it is overwhelming.  While nothing is free in this world any longer and in fact, prices continue to reach higher and higher there is still one thing that runs true when it comes to marketing. You get what you pay for. Even if your budget hasn't changed you can still make waves with the right planning and guidance.

Check out what some of our MWP and SEO customers are up to this month!

Brooks Lancaster shared an update on market stats in Penticton.

RE/MAX Vanderhoof is providing tips this month on how to add curb appeal to Vanderhoof properties for sale.

Neufeld Jones real estate team has an update on middle schools in the Kelowna-Mission area.

Steve Leddy muses about what makes a good Sherwood Park real estate agent.

The Big White Property Group has all the details on Copper Kettle Resort at Big White this month.

The Current Condos in Whitehorse are discussing homes near Whitehorse transit.

RE/MAX Elite is sharing how to navigate homes in Edmonton as a buyer.

RE/MAX Alpine Realty is continuing to share tips for new real estate agents in Canmore this month they discuss networking!

Kevin Moist is shedding light on the community neighbourhood of Brooklands in Winnipeg this month.

Janice Leffler is shedding light on apartments in Comox for retirees.

Royal LePage Comox has a helpful article outlining the changes to buying property in Comox in 2022.

The Kings Selling Castles in Winnipeg, MB are providing details on what you need to know before moving to real estate in Winnipeg.

The MYLIE Group loves to help Ontario buyers with new homes read more about choosing the right property for sale in Ontario.

Hilbert&Crick's Real Estate Team in Kelowna is sharing news on how climate change concerns are affecting properties in Kelowna.

Miranda Moser shares advice this month about selling properties for sale in Calgary during a buyers market.

John Mattiello is talking about the neighbourhood of Ritchie, Edmonton this month - learn more about real estate in Ritchie!

Graham Frey is giving you great reasons why you should buy Whitehorse real estate here this month!

The post Inflation and the Rising Costs of Software For REALTORS ® 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.

The only difference is that setting and forgetting website maintenance for real estate websites can cause problems down the road. Problems like website downtime and malware injections can be avoided with a bit of attention each month. If you're reading this then you're being proactive, so that's a good thing. Understanding what maintenance needs to be done to your website to keep it running smoothly is important. That's why we're going to break down what you need to do, not just yearly, but monthly to keep your website, fast, secure, and visible!

A Well Maintained Website Gets Noticed

Websites today mean a lot to consumers. They are the first place to validate who you are, and what you do. Consumers will ultimately decide whether or not to do business with you based on this first impression alone.

Here are a few things that will turn away visitors from your website:

No SSL = No Love from customers

Recommended Maintenance Schedule - Annually

If you don't have an SSL on your real estate website today then you're doing it all wrong. If you don't plan on getting an SSL then you should plan on canceling your website altogether because it is of no value to you.

Bold statement? Not when you consider that an SSL is a consumer's one and only first impression of how you value their cyber-security. 

SSL is an industry-standard, used by millions of websites to protect their online interactions and transactions with customers. It protects everything from credit card data, to information collected in your contact forms. SSL also shows web browsers like Google that you are to be trusted. This gives your website a boost in rankings because it recognizes that your website is secure for consumers. As a result, it will rank a website with an SSL higher than one without.

SSLs became mandatory to rank in Google mid-year in 2018.

Your SSL is a yearly maintenance commitment. It requires the purchase of a certificate from a trusted SSL company. The certificate is then installed on your domain URL. The easiest way for you to verify if there is an SSL on a website is to look for the closed lock in the address bar.

A website without an SSL is shown below. Customers who arrive at your website and see this message will bounce.

A website with an SSL is shown below. An SSL tells the customer that their privacy is valued. 

Whether you are focused on marketing your business with SEO or not, you still need an SSL in 2022. The SSL is proof that you are taking customer security and privacy seriously with your online business. Everyone wants a safer Internet. An SSL is a small way to participate in this change.

Too Slow to Load

Recommended Maintenance Schedule - Monthly

There's no place that values instant gratification more than the Internet. In fact, other than the advent of the digital photo, the Internet could be considered the Grandfather of instant digital causing endorphins. This has not changed in the eyes or browsing habits of customers. Speed is also a key factor in Google's last Core Vitals algorithm update. Fast websites get rewarded with higher rankings and more eyeballs.

How do you keep your website running like a cheetah? We have a very small checklist, for reference below. Each of these points represents more than meets the eye, but it's a good place to start to ensure you have a healthy speed score.

First, check what score your website gets before you make any improvements. Go here to check your website speed on both mobile and desktop: https://pagespeed.web.dev/ 

• Reduce redirects
• Delete unused plugins
• Consider a CDN for images
• Compress images as small as possible
• Enable browser caching
• Remove unnecessary CSS and minify

This list should be revisited monthly, and more frequently if you are making regular changes to your website.

Speed is a heavily weighted factor in user experience and SEO because it's what customers have demonstrated is important to them. 

Don't get left in the dust by faster competitors.

Broken Images

Recommended Maintenance Schedule - Monthly

Just as showing a house with a broken front door and a high price point would be bad for business the same goes for your website. Scan your online presence regularly for broken images.  Whether we are talking about broken real estate listing images coming from an interrupted data feed or an agent's bio photo in the portfolio, broken images are negative.

Customers grow increasingly frustrated especially when they are trying to look at something that they want to buy. In the case of real estate photos, when they find the one, the house that they are excited about. They want to view it. A lot. And they want to send it to their friends and family to view. Not to mention their mortgage broker, banker, and lawyer. Put your best foot forward when it comes to showing property images. Always ensure that your website is error-free.

Outdated

Recommended Maintenance Schedule - Monthly

Outdated what? Outdated anything and everything. When I look at a website there are a few key places I check to make sure the website is being maintained. The first is the SSL obviously, and the next is the copyright date in the footer. After I've checked those two boxes I start to zero in on content. When was the last blog post written? Is the home page advertising old dates, events, and developments? Are the listings and sold listings being maintained?

The thing to understand about the Internet and customers of real estate is that they are getting pickier. Especially when it comes to hiring a real estate agent to sell their home in a hot market. Customers are checking out your website before calling. The list above is only a few of the things that they're looking for.

Showing customers that your website is consistently up to date, quite literally demonstrates the control and discipline that you have in your business.

If you think this is a lot of work or costs a lot of money then you should get in touch with us. An investment each month into your website is an investment into your customers that will result in new business.

Check out what our MWP and SEO customers are up to this month below!

Brooks Lancaster is predicting a cooling-off in the Penticton real estate market!

RE/MAX Vanderhoof is getting sellers ready to move with a great moving checklist for recently sold Vanderhoof Homes for sale.

Neufeld Jones Real Estate Team is providing advice for real estate during divorce in Kelowna. 

Corinne O'Neil is shedding a light on St. Albert homes for sale near transit!

The Current has a few tips on what to know before buying Whitehorse condos for sale.

Big White Property Group has real estate news for the neighbourhood of Black Forest!

RE/MAX Elite is discussing the recent foreign buyers ban prohibiting foreign buyers from purchasing Edmonton homes for sale.

Janice Leffler has details on the advantages of living in Comox Townhomes for sale!

Kevin Moist and Associates is sharing what makes North End Real Estate a fantastic option.

MYLIE is giving all the reasons to buy Ontario Luxury real estate!

Royal LePage in the Comox Valley has a great article about summer activities near homes for sale in Comox.

Josh Miko has a great overview of the West Kelowna gated community, Leisure Village. 

Hilbert&Crick are talking about windows and how to renovate homes for sale in Kelowna for a better sale price.

Miranda Moser is giving all the tips on preparing to move to houses for sale in Calgary!

John Mattiello of RE/MAX Elite is sharing how the prices of Edmonton houses for sale are causing anxiety among Albertans.

The post Website Maintenance for Real Estate Websites 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.

In 2022, we wanted to shed some light on what a free website from corporate will get you. We also provide some guidance about who benefits from free real estate websites along with what to look for when you're deciding between free and paid branding for your business.

Read on and get in touch if you have any questions!

What does a free website from corporate get me?

Free website products are generally not any different, better, or more distinctive. They're designed to get you up and running, quickly and cheaply. This is so you can focus on what you do best and stop worrying about marketing and data.

Free corporate sites do all the same things every other real estate website does, except differentiate you from your competition. 

What it does is get you into a website with little intervention from yourself.  The cookie-cutter design leaves you looking just like the next agent after you and the one before that. This lack of personalization makes it harder for customers, especially new ones, to tell you apart. Free corporate real estate websites let you or likely your stressed-out assistant, who did not sign up to be a web dev, whip up a quick online presence in a matter of a few days. A step above a free Facebook business page and although it has some real estate functionality, it's still a step below even a free WIX product.

There are many cases where free website products make sense, let's see if you check any of these boxes:

You're new to the industry. 

If you are brand new to the real estate industry and you're still learning the ropes then a free website solution might be the answer for you. At this stage of your career, you need to focus on learning and growth. You need a few deals under your belt and some experience that you can leverage. You probably don't have a marketing budget in mind yet and if you did it's been gobbled up already by your start-up costs. We don't see anything wrong with going the free route in this case. Save costs, provided that at the same time you're saving for a new custom real estate website down the road. Eventually, if you're doing it right, then you should outgrow your free website solution.

Don't believe us? Quickly jot down the 5 biggest players in your city when it comes to real estate.  Visit their main website portal. Check the footer to see if they're using a stock solution. Case closed.

You like to work the system.

Player's will play. If you've mastered your industry and you've been in the marketing game for any length of time then you know all about maximizing your digital footprint to capture even more leads.  While free websites are typically built on what is known as a closed-loop system there's an off chance that you might grab a lead or two from having them as part of your lead capture strategy. The downside to free websites is that they demand paid ad budgets to generate traffic. Why? The answer is simple. They use stock everything. Stock content, stock photos, and stock fonts. You're supposed to change it and personalize all of this, but how many do, and how many say I'll get to that later?

You've got a flush ad budget!

Ad words are paid search marketing and are akin to renting. You sink your money into paid Google, FB, Insta, ads day after day. These ads get you positioning for a matter of minutes, maybe hours, and then your link, poof, disappears into thin air. Until you top up your ad budget again. It is virtually impossible to get away from this scenario when you use a closed-loop system.  Paid real estate key terms aren't getting any cheaper either.

The average cost for a paid real estate key term in a larger city center like Calgary runs anywhere between $5-15 per click. 

Positioning a website to rank organically is a tactic that requires consistent effort over a long period of time. This is something the 5 biggest players in your city learned a long time ago. It's the secret, first page of Google sauce that they don't share at the BBQ. If you don't intend to spend at least 4-5 hours on your website each month, then you will never get organic ranking results.

Free websites are designed to be generic, designed to get you something quick and destined to fail you when it comes to generating a meaningful traffic strategy that benefits you financially in the long term. 

Who benefits from a free real estate website?

Website branding is something that every real estate agent needs. Corporate knows this. They just don't want to deal with the colossal headaches required to manage it all. By passing you along to a free solution they essentially get the pain relief that they need to manage all the other things they need to do for you. Websites require intense oversight if they're to be good.

There has never been an industry that requires more of an online presence than real estate. Unfortunately, the industry does very little in the way of in-depth training to educate REALTORS® on what they need. Very little is explained about how much time, money, and effort is involved to maintain an online presence that is worthy of customers. Even less is explained about how important it is to invest in a healthy budget each month for success. Agents who are successful in the industry know what is required to stay at the top of the real estate game. They pay accordingly, and they listen carefully to the advice of experts because they know that great results take consistent effort. They also know that your web presence is a long game.

Should I pay or should I go free?

If you're honest with yourself, you're clear on your goals and you want to be successful then never go free. Free is cheap and cheap makes you look like you're in it for the wrong reasons. Are you in real estate for the wrong reasons?

Customers want to learn more about what makes you different so that they can make a choice. Can they count on you when a deal goes sideways? Are you a neighbourhood expert? Do you have local resources available on your website? Have you made an effort to attract customers to your business?

Your website is still your first impression. Do you want your first impression to scream I'm cheap?

Check out some of our great MWP content this month!

These are some of the biggest players in their cities who are doing all the right things with their websites, social media, and branding. Check them out and compare what they have going on to what your free website from corporate offers. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

RE/MAX Vanderhoof has started 2022 off with a look at trends for Vanderhoof houses for sale in 2022.

Brooks Lancaster is discussing the Okanagan dream this month on his website with an article about Penticton houses for sale near vineyards! Sounds dreamy!

Neufeld Jones Real Estate Team is sharing the latest real estate statistics for Kelowna along with a guide to Upper and Lower Mission Real Estate near Elementary Schools. This is a great resource if you're moving to Kelowna, BC!

Kevin Moist and Associates from Winnipeg continue to build out their neighbourhood guide to the city. The latest addition to their Winnipeg neighbourhoods portfolio sees the spotlight on Garden City and West Kildonan!

The Big White Property Group wants to introduce you to Happy Valley at Big White for a new winter vacation home because ski season is getting underway at Big White with fresh powder arriving daily!

More MWP Content for January is below - keep reading!

RE/MAX Elite is starting off the new year with a great article about Real Estate in Edmonton for 2022

London, Ontario Real Estate Team, The MYLIE Group, welcomes a new agent this month to their team, along with giving us a look at real estate in Ontario for the upcoming year!

Royal LePage in the Comox Valley is showing you around the local transit options for commuters. Read all about transit and Comox Valley Houses For Sale now!

Calgary Real Estate Pro, Miranda Moser is digging into the inventory issues plaguing the country as of late. Read more on her blog this month about how homes for sale in Calgary are few and far between.

Josh Miko has his pulse on the market with the latest real estate market update on West Kelowna Houses! 

HILBERT&CRICK are predicting more bidding wars when it comes to buying homes in Kelowna this year. Read their outlook and also download the free guide to appealing your BC property assessment!

An interesting read to go with your Saturday morning cup of coffee from John Mattiello! How houses in Edmonton are being affected by Baby Boomers - Read more! 

The post Free Real Estate Websites from Corporate – Good, Bad or Ugly? appeared first on Real Estate Websites in Canada for REALTORS®, Brokers and Banners.

A Consistent Effort Over Time is the Magic Bullet for SEO for Real Estate Websites

Just as there are all types of real estate website companies that offer SEO services there are also all types of customers who want some version of it. Be it, bad advice in the past, poor experiences by the DIY crowd, or other unsavory experiences; many customers are once bitten and twice shy.

It's understandable given today's work quick and cheap climate. Many agents who are looking for SEO services are looking for a magic bullet. Even more, come to realize that the magic bullet is actually equal to consistent effort over time. This realization also brings to the forefront that the best time to start your SEO strategy was yesterday.

I Want to Start SEO Now!

The second best time to start your real estate website SEO is today.  With a proper, consistent SEO program you do not have to break the bank in order to get consistent results. In fact, many of our customers pay between $200-500 per month for us to work on their websites regularly each month.

Each month they rest assured that a skilled individual is logging into their website. They check on the framework, update website plugins, review the data and compare listings to REALTOR.ca. Our team also handcrafts a custom real estate blog article each month for all of our SEO customers. Depending on the package level we wither create social media posts on your behalf or send you the link for distribution.

In order to get great results, we start with attainable goals in our SEO for Real Estate Websites.

Keyword research - not only do you want to be found under what people are searching for but you want to be able to attain some real results. If you have a brand new website and are new to the space then it's best to not set your keyword goals too lofty in order to avoid disappointment. Generally, we start customers off with a blend of keywords based on several factors. These factors can include competition index, visibility ranking, and search volume among other things.

Get in touch with us if you're looking to increase your reach and visibility using SEO for Real Estate Websites!

Sample blog posts for the month of September in Real Estate Websites

Neufeld Jones is featuring downtown Kelowna real estate this month on their blog!

Get the low down on Elementary Schools in Sherwood Park Real Estate from RE/MAX Elite!

Real estate in Vanderhoof is close to great schooling this fall according to RE/MAX Vanderhoof.

Houses in Penticton are encouraged to Vote in the upcoming Federal election this September!

Houses for sale in Comox are super close to Mount Washington on Vancouver Island. Check out what Royal LePage Comox has discovered this month!

Affordable houses in Kelowna? Hilbert&Crick have you covered!

Miranda Moser is discussing open vs traditional floorplans on her Calgary real estate blog this month!

John Matiello is spilling all the details on Edmonton Real Estate Agents and Edmonton amenities this month!

Josh Miko wants to show you modern West Kelowna homes for sale this month!

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