Search Engine Optimization for Real Estate Agents

How Will They Find You?

For real estate professionals, the role of search engines has become increasingly important in attracting buyers and sellers. A study done in 2003 by NAR™, found that more than two thirds of home buyers began their search on the Internet. No doubt that percentage is even higher today.

Thus, most real estate agents have realized the need for a website. However, many report they don't think that they are getting much from their website. The reason that many of these agents are not getting any results from their website is that their websites have not been optimized for the search engines. If buyers and sellers can't find your website it doesn't matter how good your website looks!

In order for buyers and sellers to find you on the Internet, you will need to utilize some search engine optimization techniques, otherwise known as SEO. There are number of different things that are included in SEO and most firms that specialize in developing real estate websites include some type of SEO as part of their initial setup or as an option.

Unfortunately, SEO is not an exact science and continues to evolve as the Internet matures. Agents who's websites are more than two years old or more and have done nothing to them in that time period are probably good candidates for SEO.

How do I know if I need SEO?

There are a few simple ways to check to see if your website needs SEO. First go to your website, look at the title bar (at the very top of your web browser-white text on blue background). Does your title bar say something like: “www.markjohnston.com” (like the image above)

Or, does the title bar read something like: “Berwick Real Estate, Blendon Woods Real Estate, Franklin Park Real Estate, Columbus, OH”. (like the image above) If it reads like the first image with just your name, then your website is probably a good candidate for SEO.

The next thing to do is go to www.google.com and type in the name of one your farm areas plus the words “real estate”. An example would be: “Berwick Real Estate Columbus OH” Does your website come up in any of the search results? If not, again your website probably needs SEO.