Why Every Real Estate Pro Needs Their Own Website

In today’s digital age, it’s crucial for real estate agents to establish a strong online presence. According to the 2018 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, 50% of home buyers found their new property on the internet. Agents who lack a website risk missing out on valuable leads and growth opportunities.

While some agents rely solely on their brokerage’s website, a one-page profile limits their control over incoming leads and pits them against colleagues within the same firm. To truly excel, agents must prioritize their personal brand over the brokerage’s identity.

A personal website is the key to marketing an agent’s individual brand, attracting quality leads who specifically want to work with them. It also safeguards against the need to start from scratch if an agent decides to change brokerages. Don’t wait for necessity to strike; build your personal website and manage its SEO today – it will follow you wherever your license hangs. Here are eight points to consider:

1. Complete Control: Unlike platforms like Zillow and Trulia where you compete with other agents, your personal website provides an exclusive online home base. It’s where you’re the sole agent they can contact and interact with. Your website allows you to infuse your unique style and personal touch, making it a compelling choice.
2. Marketplace Distinction: Personal real estate websites haven’t gained widespread popularity, making a professional and attractive website a rarity in the market. Standing out with an exceptional website can set you apart from the competition and draw compliments from potential clients.
3. Exclusive Leads: Having your face prominently featured on your website ensures that every lead generated through it is exclusively yours. Regardless of whose listing it is or which real estate company it belongs to, the lead goes directly to you – a benefit often overlooked.
4. Cost-Effective: Creating your real estate website is surprisingly affordable. You can kickstart it with web hosting from Bluehost for just $3.95/month. The options are plentiful, and we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on starting your real estate website in the future.
5. Promotional Hub: Your website serves as the central hub for your online marketing efforts. Whether you’re running Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or YouTube Ads, you can confidently link them to your own website, ensuring that clicks and leads remain under your control.
6. Endless Marketing Opportunities: Your website opens up a world of marketing possibilities. From content marketing to social media promotions and SEO optimization, you can utilize various strategies to attract clients, showcase properties, and establish your real estate expertise.
7. Portability: When agents change brokers, transferring marketing materials can be cumbersome and costly. With a personal website, the transition is seamless. You can update logos and content easily, ensuring your leads continue to flow in throughout the process.
8. Listing Presentation Power: Mentioning that your listings are featured on your own website during a listing meeting can leave a lasting impression on sellers. It’s a unique selling point that sets you apart from competitors. Additionally, sharing impressive traffic numbers from your website can help seal the deal and win listings.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Prioritize Your Personal Website: Your website should serve as your primary online hub, consolidating traffic from all your online profiles and social media. Setting yourself apart from competitors and controlling your online brand is essential in a business where trust is paramount.
2. Provide Valuable Resources: Use your website as a platform for educating clients and offering resources beyond your services. Consider tools like home buyer’s checklists, mortgage calculators, guides to loan programs, access to MLS listings, FAQs, virtual tours, community resources, and current listings.
3. Leverage Analytics Reports: Owning your website provides access to valuable analytics. Track visitor behavior, search keywords, popular pages, and traffic-driving content. Use this data to refine your content strategy and attract more visitors.
4. Explore Cost-effective Alternatives: If building and maintaining a website seems daunting, consider cost-effective alternatives. A Facebook page can serve as your central hub, and Messenger bots can handle client inquiries 24/7. Additionally, Instagram can help you showcase listings and boost client engagement.

A personal website or active social media presence is essential for real estate agents. It empowers you to market yourself effectively, track leads, and create a trusted online brand, ultimately leading to business growth. Don’t miss out on the opportunities the digital world offers – contact SiteBuilder Design for help establishing your online presence today.