Online marketing for real estate agents is one of the most difficult parts of being a modern Realtor. We’ve seen great business men and women fail because they don’t have the time, energy or know-how to turn their goals into reality in a fast-paced digital market. If that sounds like you, there are a few simple ways to turn your business around. It starts with carving out a few minutes each day and putting in the time.
Mistake #1: Letting your real estate blog fall by the wayside
This mistake has two consequences, and they’re both killers for your online marketing. When users find a blog that’s five years or five months out of date, what do they think? They think you’re out of business or lazy. Moreover, Google needs you to keep your blog updated; otherwise it’s going to slip in the rankings. You can fix an out-of-date blog by typing up a quick post for 30 minutes once a week or simply hiring someone to do it for you.
Mistake #2: Failing to capture web visitors’ information
When a customer lands on your real estate website, you need to collect their information at all costs. Otherwise, your leads are slipping away. How do you get their info? Hit them with a pop-up that advertises a free thing of value (a white paper, an ebook, a travel guide to your city) in exchange for their name and email address.
Mistake #3: Using online marketing entirely for sales
While this may seem contradictory, online marketing and online sales are not exactly the same thing. Sales is closing a deal, but marketing is building a relationship. And relationships are based on give and take. (Like giving a free thing of value in exchange for information.) This is the most difficult aspect of online marketing, and you should bring in a professional if you don’t know how to make it work.
Mistake #4: Having an old fashioned or cheap website
In real estate, websites are getting more and more advanced. Whatever your market, you can bet your competition is investing in a powerful, lead-generating web presence. It’s the only way to stay ahead. If your site doesn’t have a carefully planned user experience and the latest SEO features, you’re fighting from a disadvantage. Making even a small investment in a professional-quality website is worth the initial cost.