In the digital world, being discovered online is crucial for real estate professionals. Search engine marketing (SEM) has become a cornerstone of visibility, and since most users rarely venture past the first page of search engine results (SERP), your goal should be to rank as high as possible on the first page. It’ll become even more difficult with Google pushing more sponsored ads and Ai to the top of search results. Achieving and maintaining a top spot requires strategy and consistent effort, but even novice website owners, real estate agents, and loan officers can improve their rankings by applying these five tips.

1. Use SEO and PPC Together

SEM relies on two key strategies: search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.

PPC allows you to appear at the top of the SERP by bidding on high-volume, low-competition keywords. For instance, phrases like “Luxury real estate agent near me” or “Best real estate agency Bainbridge Island” can drive highly targeted traffic. With PPC, you pay only when someone clicks on your ad.

However, PPC alone can be expensive. A more cost-effective approach is to combine PPC with SEO. For organic traffic, optimize your website and content with high-ranking keywords. If your agency is located in a specific neighborhood, begin by optimizing for the neighborhood (e.g., “real estate agency in Fishtown”) before expanding to broader locations (e.g., “real estate firm in Philadelphia”).

Google’s “Google Screened” service is another tool to leverage for local searches. This free verification process helps businesses appear in local search results, instilling trust in potential clients.

ADD AN IMAGE HERE OF WHAT BEING GOOGLE VERIFIED LOOKS LIKE

2. Dominate the First Page

Major directories like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and Homes.com dominate real estate-related searches because Google recognizes them as authoritative sources. To enhance your own SEO presence, ensure your listings and profiles on these platforms are complete and up-to-date.

By strategically using these directories, you can increase the likelihood of your agency appearing multiple times on the first page of search results, which boosts your overall visibility. You should create as many relevant profiles on large sites like these so Google ads more weight to your website. Which also brings up a big point – You Must Get Your Own Website. If you need help with this, let us know!

Google crawls the internet and will look for your name, company, and URL to add authority to you. If you’ve jumped agencies multiple times, it’ll confuse search engines on who you actually work for. One big drawback to changing places multiple times (from a digital marketing perspective of course, we understand there are various reasons to leave a firm).

In short, to dominate the first page you need to be all over the internet with consistent information, your own website, and optimize everything the best you can. This also takes time, so do not expect to crush the local competition any time soon.

3. Claim Your Real Estate Business on Google

Creating a Google Business Profile is a simple yet effective way to improve your local search rankings. By claiming your profile, you can:

• List your name, address, and phone number (NAP).
• Add photos of your office.
• Include business hours and other relevant information.
• Collect and manage client reviews.

A verified and active Google Business Profile improves your credibility and increases your chances of appearing in Google Maps and local search results. So when someone near you searches ‘Realtor near me’ or ‘Mortgage broker near me’, you have a better chance of showing up.

4. Combine Content with Structured Data

Content is still king in SEO. Regularly publishing high-quality blogs, videos, and other materials helps you attract and engage your audience. Keywords remain vital for search engines to understand your content, but structured data (or schema markup) is the technical edge you need to stand out.

Schema markup helps Google identify your content type, increasing the likelihood of your website appearing in rich snippets. Most content management systems, like WordPress, offer plugins to add schema markup. Alternatively, your webmaster can implement this directly.

SHOW AN IMAGE OF WHAT SCHEMA MARKUP LOOKS LIKE. IT’S JUST CODE.

5. Start Sooner than Later

If you already have a website, you’ve taken a significant step toward reaching potential clients and enhancing your credibility. Surprisingly, 36% of broker/broker associates and 27% of sales agents still don’t have a website, which means your online presence gives you a competitive edge. We think this number is highly skewed because most agent websites fall under the parent company, so you’ll never outrank your firm’s webpage if they provided your site and your personal page us under there’s, so you need your own, professional, custom domain website.

To build authority online takes time. Start implementing these strategies today to climb higher on Google and Bing search results and attract more clients. Consistent effort will ensure your website becomes a valuable asset for your business and a reflection of your expertise.

Best 5 Ways Real Estate Pros Can Rank Higher on Google Search Results

In the digital world, being discovered online is crucial for real estate professionals. Search engine marketing (SEM) has become a cornerstone of visibility, and since most users rarely venture past the first page of search engine results (SERP), your goal should be to rank as high as possible on the first page. It’ll become even more difficult with Google pushing more sponsored ads and Ai to the top of search results. Achieving and maintaining a top spot requires strategy and consistent effort, but even novice website owners, real estate agents, and loan officers can improve their rankings by applying these five tips.

1. Use SEO and PPC Together

SEM relies on two key strategies: search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.

PPC allows you to appear at the top of the SERP by bidding on high-volume, low-competition keywords. For instance, phrases like “Luxury real estate agent near me” or “Best real estate agency Bainbridge Island” can drive highly targeted traffic. With PPC, you pay only when someone clicks on your ad.

However, PPC alone can be expensive. A more cost-effective approach is to combine PPC with SEO. For organic traffic, optimize your website and content with high-ranking keywords. If your agency is located in a specific neighborhood, begin by optimizing for the neighborhood (e.g., “real estate agency in Fishtown”) before expanding to broader locations (e.g., “real estate firm in Philadelphia”).

Google’s “Google Screened” service is another tool to leverage for local searches. This free verification process helps businesses appear in local search results, instilling trust in potential clients.

ADD AN IMAGE HERE OF WHAT BEING GOOGLE VERIFIED LOOKS LIKE

2. Dominate the First Page

Major directories like Zillow, Realtor.com, Trulia, and Homes.com dominate real estate-related searches because Google recognizes them as authoritative sources. To enhance your own SEO presence, ensure your listings and profiles on these platforms are complete and up-to-date.

By strategically using these directories, you can increase the likelihood of your agency appearing multiple times on the first page of search results, which boosts your overall visibility. You should create as many relevant profiles on large sites like these so Google ads more weight to your website. Which also brings up a big point – You Must Get Your Own Website. If you need help with this, let us know!

Google crawls the internet and will look for your name, company, and URL to add authority to you. If you’ve jumped agencies multiple times, it’ll confuse search engines on who you actually work for. One big drawback to changing places multiple times (from a digital marketing perspective of course, we understand there are various reasons to leave a firm).

In short, to dominate the first page you need to be all over the internet with consistent information, your own website, and optimize everything the best you can. This also takes time, so do not expect to crush the local competition any time soon.

3. Claim Your Real Estate Business on Google

Creating a Google Business Profile is a simple yet effective way to improve your local search rankings. By claiming your profile, you can:

• List your name, address, and phone number (NAP).
• Add photos of your office.
• Include business hours and other relevant information.
• Collect and manage client reviews.

A verified and active Google Business Profile improves your credibility and increases your chances of appearing in Google Maps and local search results. So when someone near you searches ‘Realtor near me’ or ‘Mortgage broker near me’, you have a better chance of showing up.

4. Combine Content with Structured Data

Content is still king in SEO. Regularly publishing high-quality blogs, videos, and other materials helps you attract and engage your audience. Keywords remain vital for search engines to understand your content, but structured data (or schema markup) is the technical edge you need to stand out.

Schema markup helps Google identify your content type, increasing the likelihood of your website appearing in rich snippets. Most content management systems, like WordPress, offer plugins to add schema markup. Alternatively, your webmaster can implement this directly.

SHOW AN IMAGE OF WHAT SCHEMA MARKUP LOOKS LIKE. IT’S JUST CODE.

5. Start Sooner than Later

If you already have a website, you’ve taken a significant step toward reaching potential clients and enhancing your credibility. Surprisingly, 36% of broker/broker associates and 27% of sales agents still don’t have a website, which means your online presence gives you a competitive edge. We think this number is highly skewed because most agent websites fall under the parent company, so you’ll never outrank your firm’s webpage if they provided your site and your personal page us under there’s, so you need your own, professional, custom domain website.

To build authority online takes time. Start implementing these strategies today to climb higher on Google and Bing search results and attract more clients. Consistent effort will ensure your website becomes a valuable asset for your business and a reflection of your expertise.