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.

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.

For example, think back to just five years ago. Grandpa didn’t really know what his mobile phone did. And, now Grandpa might just be an avid TikTok’r. Humans adapt remarkably fast and easily to gradual change. In fact, just last month, Google subtly and unannounced switched up the Gmail interface. At first, I was very annoyed. I grumbled and snickered under my breath all the usual things. Why fix it if it wasn’t broken? This was unnecessary. Should have left it alone. All the anti-change statements I could muster in my head were directed at my screen. 

However, by lunchtime, I had embraced their low-key updates and the shift in the side menu was working out pretty nicely after all.  It’s not like I had to learn a whole new skill to get around it just bothered my sensibilities at first. As much as we love technology we are also inherent creatures of comfort. As a result, small changes to an interface that we use every day for productivity can be an aggravating inconvenience. 

Technology is the biggest driving force for this perpetual motion machine. 

We can thank the younger generations for continually pushing for change. Good or bad it keeps everyone chasing the carrot of life. 

In the same way, the older generation has embraced the odd, normalcy of social media, REALTORS® have also seen their industry get further entrenched in tech. From keyless entry systems and lockboxes to virtual floorplans, the real estate industry is engulfed in a constant tech pitch deck. 

So what do we do when all this tech that we create gets old?  How do we solve all the issues that are arising from higher traffic volumes to server tech that is well past its expiration date? 

What do you do when it takes an hour to open a lock box because the building is concrete and your phone doesn’t have reception? 

It’s a question that many technology providers will be faced with in the coming years. Do you throw the baby out with the proverbial bath water and start fresh? Or do you layer good tech on top of old and cross your fingers for a few more good years? 

Baby, Bathwater, Window

This is the cleanest solution. This is how your real estate technology will thrive and remain competitive.  Although, starting fresh is a great idea most of the time it does come with its cons. Especially, when the cost comes into the equation. 

This is getting expensive

That’s because the cost to build a functional framework and technology backbone today is inevitably inflated than when you first started. While things are more competitive, they are also very much more buyer beware. Countless companies get in over their heads when it comes to developing software. Overpromising through their content writer and then delivering a sub-par, underwhelming end result in the final product.  

If we knew that your solution was a glorified version of Google Sheets would we have bought it to do the job of CRM? 

More cons to fresh real estate technology

The other con to turning a new leaf can be content and SEO clout. It’s not uncommon to see some of the heaviest hitters in the real estate industry not update their websites. Certainly not major overhauls of new technologies, layouts, removing old pages, etc. This is likely because their marketing company has cautioned them against the change for fear of what could happen to the website's positioning. Especially true if the website is getting first-page results for competitive local real estate key terms.

This is not an original idea

Recently, a customer’s team came to me with a website that they thought was great and wanted to emulate. It wasn’t a nice website. But the owner of the said website was the biggest REALTOR® in that city. I always say if I had a dollar for every customer who said they wanted that website I would be as rich as the agent. 

The truth is, they don’t want her website. They want her successful career. They see the outdated website as the silver bullet to real estate victory. 

The fact of the matter is she doesn’t want that real estate website either.  She’s afraid of what will happen if she performs an overhaul, so for now, all we see are small changes to the website. A slight logo update, maybe the colour will shift ever so gradually. What we do see is a lot of content added. We don’t see links change, we don’t see layout changes and behind the scenes - well, we don’t see any of that, but we have a pretty good idea. 

A classic case of layering on old tech

And sometimes that’s not a bad option. It’s like maintaining your pickup truck. It’s old, it doesn’t look the best but it doesn’t look terrible. Most importantly, it does its job extremely well still. So, if the results are still happening, and you can still do everything you need to do to get from A to B. then does it matter what it looks like under the surface? Yes and no. 

Some things can’t be put off

Security holes, declining performance, speed, and broken tech should not be ignored. Like, ever. That’s why the best investment is to have your website professionally maintained each month. 

Hire a company on retainer to do the thankless job of keeping your website up and running. Why monthly? Because that’s the bare minimum required to make sure your website isn’t offline for weeks in the future. Or worse, hacked. Or worse. 

Enlisting a company that understands how to keep your old website and real estate technology running smoothly will get you a longer shelf life than your competitors. They can generally patch, bandage, and bandaid things together as long as your results are being accomplished. Sometimes they can work miracles on old tech and give it more life expectancy. 

Know this with old tech, at some point you will have to let it go. Change is inevitable to stay relevant. Just ask TikTok Grandpa.

Or, ask any of these REALTORS® below. You'll learn how they don’t ever have to worry about their website being taken care of, updated, and remaining current. 

REALTORS® who only use updated real estate technology will follow below:

RE/MAX Vanderhoof is giving out tips on how to save money if you're moving to houses for sale in Vanderhoof.

Edmonton's RE/MAX Elite real estate brokerage is showing you the reasons to invest in properties for sale in Edmonton this month.

Brooks Lancaster, Penticton real estate agent has an update on what's new with properties for sale in Penticton!

Neufeld Jones Real Estate Team in Kelowna continues to build out their local resource on schools in the Kelowna area with the addition of middle schools near real estate in Glenmore and Rutland.

Alpine Realty in stunning Canmore, Alberta shares tips for REALTORS® and how to differentiate from other agents in their real estate careers!

The MYLIE Group Real Estate Team has been busy in the community of London, Ontario lately - check out what they've been up to this month!

Josh Miko is the go-to REALTOR® for neighbourhood real estate statistics in West Kelowna - read the latest update.

Kevin Moist is sharing details about the neighborhood of St. Boniface in Winnipeg, MB this month. 

Steve Leddy has tips on how to sell your home fast and move into a Sherwood Park Property here!

Corinne O'Neil has a moving budget planner for Erin Ridge real estate on the blog this month. Check it out!

Even more REALTORS® who only use updated real estate technology,

The Current in Whitehorse explains the typical strata fees of a Whitehorse condo for sale.

Royal LePage Big White describes what it's like to own the Grizzly Lodge at Big White.

Royal LePage in Comox Valley gives blog readers a list of home improvements to add value to Comox Valley properties.

King's Selling Castles are featuring various condos for sale in Winnipeg this month!

Janice Leffler is giving great reasons to move to apartments in Courtenay, especially if you're an empty nester!

John Mattiello describes the popular Garneau area of Edmonton this month!

Hilbert&Crick are diving into a hotly debated Kelowna real estate topic this month on their blog - read more!

Miranda Moser has all the details on Calgary properties for sale this month!

Graham Frey Homes has a fantastic article about homes for sale in Whitehorse - read more!

The post What To Do With Aging Real Estate Technology? 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.

The writing has been on the wall when it comes to real estate in Canada for some time. We all watched housing prices climb to an almost untenable high during the pandemic. Battles were waged for properties that some fathomed would never sell pre-pandemic and home buyers were in a state of panic and desperation.

Often times we saw unheard-of tactics to get the deal done. Frenzied buyers were forgoing protective practices like home inspections. Some even leveraged themselves in what could only be considered a dangerous game of musical chairs. Hoping that the music wouldn't stop while they scooped up their dream property on one side and waited for a buyer on the other.

And now, here we are. Waltzing intrepidly into uncertainty. Prices are declining in most markets throughout Canada. Buyers are tightening the screws, home inspections are back on the table and inventory is beginning to replenish itself. So what does that mean for agents and brokers now that the gravy train of multiple competitive offers has turned back to price reductions?

In most cases, it means buckle up because we are entering a buyers market.

How to market yourself during a buyers market in real estate

If you're an agent that has built your business thoughtfully by expanding your network and reinvesting in your marketing then you likely have a cushion for these rainy day scenarios. If you haven't been in the game long enough then you might just be in need of some advice on how to plan for the ebbs, especially if all you're used to is flow.  The name of the game in real estate is to get listings.

In order to get listings during slower times, you need to position yourself as an expert when marketing for real estate. Customers will gravitate towards a REALTOR® who appears to be aware of and capable of navigating customers through a changing market.  New customers are likely to find you online either through word of mouth or through key terms entered into a search engine like Google. Your first question should be what will they find when they get there?

Here's a quick checklist to review when you load your real estate website:

• No SSL - if your website does not have an SSL then it is not secure. That translates to your customer's data and privacy being exposed online. Invest annually in your SSL.
• Slow loading - some of it can be attributed to Internet connection but most of it can be attributed to your hosting and website infrastructure. Make sure your website performs well in a speed test.
• Outdated/incorrect information - are you still showing sales stats from 2020? Not a good look. Update those benchmark numbers annually and always provide your monthly regional numbers in a blog post.
• Bloated digital footprint - still have that Twitter account that you set up for a campaign that you never started? Now's the time to nuke it. Consolidate your digital footprint and edit it often.
• Broken images - broken images in your listings or your web pages are not ideal.  Show customers, that you care by taking care of your website.

Keeping your website fresh is the easiest way to present yourself as a REALTOR® who cares.  If your website is slow, broken and out of date then it's not a stretch for a customer to assign those same qualities to you. Your website is key when marketing for real estate during challenging market conditions.

Reinvest in yourself and your online presence to see results. The sooner you start the better chance you have at attracting the right kind of customers.

If you leave your website to collect dust online then it won't be long before your career is in the dust too. 

What else can you do to stand out? Respond to your leads.

This seems obvious, but it's shocking how many agents don't return contact requests. Your lead generation mechanisms do not have to be expensive, or complex. The only thing that your lead gen needs to do is work. By working, we mean the lead needs to be delivered. And they need to be delivered in a manner that will encourage you to respond - quickly. Think about how you prefer to communicate. If your leads don't come to you in a format that makes it easy to respond then change it.

When marketing for real estate focus on building a database 

A lead database is a simple way to keep on top of your customer list. If you build it, it will grow and by growing your database you will soon have a list of contacts that you can market to. Oftentimes, we see agents focus on conferences and education when they really need to invest a few moments each day adding to their databases. Your database is a savior when times get tough!

A database does not mean that you need more software or an expensive CRM! Don't get caught up in that hype! Start a spreadsheet in Google Sheets with the information you need. First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, and a few notes to jog your memory about the customer. This is a free solution to track your leads that works! This list can be uploaded to an email newsletter list, or used for direct mail in the future.

Don't sell out

We've all heard horror stories about agents who sell out a customer's best interest just to get the sale closed. Don't be that agent! Treat your customers like you expect to see them again. If you don't then you will see them either in a bad Google review or worse in court! Don't sacrifice your reputation for a commission check in tough times!

Build your network!

Great REALTORS® use their networks to their advantage, especially in tough times. Agents who have built a network of business, customer and real estate contacts do well because they have an audience for their inventory. If a customer hires an agent who simply posts their property on REALTOR.ca and sets and forgets it then what is the benefit to them hiring them at all in a buyers market? Use your network to promote your customer's assets. You never know what someone is searching for on the other end.

Your time is valuable when you're marketing for real estate!

When times are tough you need to do what you need to do. However, if you're considering picking up another full-time job while you're still advertising yourself as a real estate agent then we urge you to reconsider your career. Do one thing and do it well.

Another tip to consider is how you are pre-qualifying your buyers. Don't waste your time with tire kickers.  They'll have you wasting your precious gas and time driving them all across town, just to look at places they can't afford or are not qualified to buy. Pre-qualify your buyers before you let them in the door!

During challenging real estate market conditions it's important to simplify, but only where it makes sense. This isn't the time to cut down on your main web property, in fact, this is when you should be investing more time and energy into making it even more of a go-to local resource. The only thing you should be cutting out is the distractions of software and marketing gimmicks that promise to sell houses for you.

Software doesn't sell houses - REALTORS® do. 

Learn more about how EstateVue can take your website work off your plate so that you can focus on your customers and building up your networking opportunities. Just like these fantastic customers on our managed website program are doing below:

Brooks Lancaster is sharing tips on staging a Penticton property for sale this month.

The RE/MAX Vanderhoof office is discussing what types of renovations add value to homes in Vanderhoof, BC. 

Kevin Moist and Associates are sharing the latest market update for the area as well as information on the neighbourhood of Fort Richmond.

Neufeld Jones has added a new guide to Kelowna BC real estate near schools this month. Watch for updates!

Steve Leddy is an Edmonton Real Estate Agent and he's sharing answers to the questions he gets asked alllll the time!

Corinne O'Neil has great information about recreational facilities near St. Albert homes for sale.

Managed website program customers are talking about this right now:

The Current in Whitehorse is giving readers the lowdown on the best cafes near Whitehorse apartments for sale.

If you've been looking for a stand-alone cabin at Big White then you need to read more about Bullet Creek Cabins on the Big White Property Group this month.

Royal LePage in the Comox Valley is sharing tips on making your property in Comox Valley energy efficient!

The Kings Selling Castles are discussing the benefits of owning condos for sale in Winnipeg.

MYLIE Group Real Estate is at it again with great market updates surrounding homes in Ontario.

Janice Leffler is sharing an update for first-time buyers looking to buy townhomes in Comox Valley.

Miranda Moser is preparing buyers on how to buy real estate for sale in Calgary during a buyers market!

The post Marketing for Real Estate with Tough Times Ahead 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!

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