People turn to the internet when looking for new homes in today’s real estate world. A few years ago, you looked them up online on a desktop, got a map, and drove out to see a potential residence. Today, you grab a smartphone and go, because anything after that, you can look up on your phone. With the gigantic shift to a mobile internet, real estate agents need to stay in the game by increasing their web presence.
Real estate is a field that is defined by you as the agent and the way you conduct your business. It’s making yourself a relevant and important resource to your client base and the community as a whole.
With so many agents out there vying for a piece of the real estate market, it’s easy to get overlooked by potential clients. In order to rise above the fray, you need to find a way to market yourself effectively. If your marketing plan entails sending out mass emails, and placing newspaper and magazine ads, think again..
Marketing and Advertising Has Changed
The days of effective outbound marketing are fading fast. Today, you’ll need to turn your focus to inbound marketing and create an online presence with your website, social media, and content marketing so you can naturally attract your target market to you.
Here are 7 reasons to to have your own website to brand yourself:
- YOU HAVE AN ABSOLUTE CONTROL
Your own personal website for real estate design serves as an internet home base. It puts you in a position where you’re the only agent they can contact online, and you’re the only agent they’ll see again and again. When you combine this with your desire to personalize and style the pages, a personal website becomes very appealing.
- SETS YOU APART FROM THE COMPETITION
Personal websites for Realtors, from what we’ve heard, have never really taken off. As a result, having a polished, attractive website would help you stand out in the marketplace. People have complimented us on our fantastic website, which was thrown together in a matter of days when we first started. We are one of the few real estate agents/teams in our business with a personal website, which is nothing special. As a result, we stand out.
- ALL INQUIRIES ARE YOURS
A big benefit of creating a personal real estate page, in addition to being the only one featured on the site, is that anytime someone asks you for a property on your website, the lead will still go straight to you. You’ll get the lead regardless of who’s listing it is or whose business it belongs to. When it comes to creating a website for your real estate listing, this is something that many people overlook.
- IT’S VERY BUDGET-FRIENDLY, WORTH IT?
The short response is: Absolutely Yes! A popular misconception nowadays is that a social media business page would suffice. Although businesses should be on social media because it aids in publicity and promotion, a website is still needed.
- YOU ARE PROMOTING ONLY YOUR SITE
Having your own website allows you to submit your online marketing linked to your site. If you’re a modern Realtor, you’re probably using Google Advertising, Facebook Ads, and maybe even YouTube Ads. Having your own website gives you a place to connect these advertisements to that is completely yours. You would not be at risk of losing these clicks to a third party. You will be in charge of them.
- THERE ARE COUNTLESS MARKETING POSSIBILITIES
The possibilities for promoting your website and attracting clients are limitless, from content marketing to social media marketing to SEO (search engine optimization). For example, content marketing allows you to create blog-style content that you can then refine with SEO and post on social media to increase awareness of you, your assets, and the fact that you are a real estate agent.
- WHEN IT COMES TO PITCHING FOR LISTINGS, THIS IS A FANTASTIC TOOL
During a listing meeting, being able to say things like, “We have our own website that your property will be featured on.” makes sellers feel unique. No one else they’ve spoken to has discussed it, and if you play your cards correctly, you may be able to impress them with some impressive traffic figures to seal the deal. When it comes to having listings, a little goes a long way, and for some Realtors, we spoke with, their website is that little thing.