Real estate investors thrive on high-quality leads, and SEO is a key channel to find motivated sellers. However, Real Estate Investor SEO differs from other industries, often marred by spammy tactics. To succeed, REIs must navigate this challenging landscape to connect with genuine leads.
Written by a seasoned SEO expert with 12 years of experience, this article is your guide to thriving in Real Estate Investor SEO in 2024. We’ll uncover ethical and effective strategies that rise above spam, helping you connect with motivated sellers and elevate your real estate investments.
Join us as we explore insights and techniques to reshape your SEO efforts. Learn how to make your SEO work for you, propelling your real estate investments to new heights by sidestepping spam and embracing authenticity. This is the ultimate guide to success in Real Estate Investor SEO for 2024.
1. Find the Right Domain Name
Selecting the right domain name is a crucial step in the journey of optimizing your real estate investor (REI) website for search engines. Consider this: most people searching for cash home buyers in Google tend to use keywords like ‘We Buy Houses,’ ‘Sell My House Fast,’ or ‘Cash Home Buyers.’ Now, take a moment to look at the top 10 domains in the search results. I can guarantee that at least 5 out of 10 of them will be Keyword Rich domains.
Having a keyword-rich domain is not an issue; in fact, it can expedite your journey to achieving fast results in search rankings. However, it’s essential to note that the choice between a keyword-rich domain and building a brand name is ultimately up to you. Keep in mind that opting for brand building may require more time to see significant results.
Consider this comparison: while a plumber might receive hundreds of leads per month, the reality for most real estate investors is that they typically garner only a handful of organic leads—usually 4, 5, or 6. In this context, every lead counts, and a keyword-rich domain can help capture those valuable leads.
It’s worth noting that using a keyword-rich domain doesn’t equate to spam. Google recognizes this and has guidelines in place. Exact Match Domains (EMDs) are domains that precisely match a search query. Google’s approach is to assess the overall quality and relevance of a website, including its content and backlinks, rather than penalizing EMDs outright. However, if a keyword-rich domain is paired with spammy content and links, it may face penalties.
Read more here: https://www.sistrix.com/ask-sistrix/google-updates-and-algorithm-changes/google-exact-match-domain-emd-update/
2. 2nd Step is to choose keywords
“Selecting the right keywords is a critical step in your real estate investor SEO strategy. In this phase, you’ll encounter a handful of major keyword variants for Real Estate Investing (REI): ‘We Buy Houses,’ ‘Cash Home Buyers,’ and ‘Sell My House Fast.’ It’s essential to conduct thorough research to determine which keyword variant offers the highest Click-Through Rate (CTR). You can easily accomplish this using Google AdWords Planner.
Drawing from our experience, we’ve noticed that the keyword variant with the highest conversion rate varies by region. In some areas, ‘Sell My House Fast’ tends to convert better, while in others, ‘We Buy Houses’ takes the lead. Therefore, it’s crucial to choose your primary target keyword wisely, as it directly influences your SEO strategy. This step is closely related to the first one, as having a keyword-rich domain is often desirable.
It’s important to note that selecting your primary target keyword doesn’t mean you can’t use other related keywords in your content. The focus here is on identifying the primary keyword to guide your SEO efforts and potentially inform your domain choice. For instance, if ‘Sell My House Fast’ is your chosen keyword for conversions in your region, you may consider purchasing a domain that includes this keyword.
3. Develop Content
When it comes to developing content for your real estate investor website, optimization is key. It’s crucial that your content is tailored for targeted keywords and your intended audience. However, it’s equally important to strike a balance and ensure that it sounds natural and engaging.
Moreover, your content should incorporate trust signals seamlessly. Building trust with your readers is vital, and your content should exude credibility and reliability.
Consider creating dedicated city pages for every city you wish to target. This approach allows you to segment your keywords effectively. For instance, you can create city-specific pages for phrases like ‘We Buy Houses {Dallas},’ ‘Sell My House Fast {Dallas},’ and ‘Cash Home Buyers {Dallas}.’
It’s worth noting that this approach might seem a bit repetitive, even bordering on spammy. However, it’s still possible to rank these pages, generate leads from them, and have them indexed by Google. The key is to ensure that your content offers genuine value to users and presents something unique. While there is always a risk involved, your primary focus should be on acquiring leads while keeping your campaign within the bounds of ethical SEO practices.
In addition to content optimization, pay close attention to the technical aspects. Ensure that your Title tags, internal linking, image alt tags, H1 headers, and meta descriptions are all meticulously optimized. These elements play a pivotal role in search engine rankings and user experience.
4. Design and Develop the site
This step represents a significant stride in the right direction. Drawing from our extensive experience, we’ve learned that a simple yet effective design, coupled with the right format for the contact form and trust-building materials, is pivotal for a successful real estate investor’s website.
When it comes to design, prioritize a clean and appealing look. A clutter-free layout not only attracts visitors but also ensures easy navigation. Remember, an overly complex design can overwhelm users and potentially drive them away.
Equally important is the optimization of your contact form. It’s essential to incorporate the correct format and fields within it. Request crucial information, including the visitor’s name, phone number, property address, and perhaps their asking price or price range. These four fields have proven to be highly effective for REI websites, enhancing their performance in lead generation.
Building trust is paramount in the real estate industry, especially since the market is flooded with cash home buyers, not all of whom are as reputable as you. To instill confidence in your potential clients, strategically scatter trust-building materials across your website. Display reviews and testimonials in various formats—text, images, and videos—to showcase your credibility and reliability.
Ultimately, your website’s primary goal is to convert visitors into leads. To achieve this, every aspect of your design should contribute to that objective. Ensure strategically placed call-to-action buttons, persuasive content, and user-friendly forms to create an environment that encourages users to take action.
5. GMB/GBP (Google Business Profile) is a Huge Plus
Google Business Profile, often referred to as GBP, is essentially a business listing on Google Maps. If you’ve ever searched for keywords like ‘We Buy Houses {City}’ or ‘Cash Home Buyers {City}’ and noticed the prominent display of three business listings on Google, then you’ve encountered these Google Maps listings. Each of these listings is a Google Business Profile.
In essence, not having a Google Business Profile means you’re missing out on the opportunity to secure a spot in that coveted three-pack of local search results. To compete effectively for local keywords in your target area, having a well-optimized Google Business Profile is an absolute necessity.
Based on our extensive experience, we’ve found that having a business title rich in relevant keywords can be highly effective in the real estate investment industry. It’s important to note that using a keyword-rich business title is acceptable as long as you’ve legally registered that business name with the state.
To maximize the benefits of your GBP listing, ensure it’s thoroughly optimized. This includes providing essential information such as your service area, a comprehensive description, regular posts, and any other pertinent details that potential clients may seek.
6. Backlink Building
So, you’ve got your website up and running, your content is in place, and your Google Business Profile (GBP) is launched as part of your SEO campaign. But remember, SEO is an ongoing effort—it’s not a one-time task. With over 200 ranking factors in Google’s algorithm, backlinks are a pivotal one.
Building quality backlinks is a significant part of the SEO puzzle. It involves reaching out to friends, industry associations, local organizations, and relevant blogs to establish links to your website. Building backlinks can be challenging, as it requires convincing other webmasters to link to your site. However, this effort can make a substantial difference because not everyone can successfully build links.
At Investor Nitro, we’re here to support your SEO journey. Our Real Estate Investor SEO package includes the acquisition of high-quality backlinks every month. This proactive approach ensures that your website continues to strengthen its online presence, making it a valuable asset in the competitive world of real estate investment.
7. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
It’s entirely possible that your website ranks impressively high in search results, and you’re receiving a healthy stream of clicks. However, if those clicks aren’t translating into actual conversions, it’s likely that your website’s Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) needs improvement. Several factors could be contributing to this issue, such as a slow website, malfunctioning forms, poorly placed forms or phone numbers, or a lack of trust-building materials.
To address this challenge effectively, take a close look at your website to determine why your users might not be converting as expected. At Investor Nitro, we leverage technology to analyze user journeys and identify areas for improvement on your site. By making data-driven changes, we help you enhance your website’s CRO, ensuring that your high-ranking site doesn’t just attract clicks but successfully converts visitors into valuable leads.
8. Reporting and Tracking
Effective tracking and reporting are instrumental in making data-driven decisions for your real estate investor SEO campaign. By implementing robust tracking systems, you gain valuable insights into your website’s performance and user behavior.
With proper tracking, you can pinpoint the geographic locations of your visitors, understand how they are converting, identify the most effective marketing channels, and allocate your resources accordingly. This means you can invest more in channels that yield positive results and reduce budgets for those that aren’t as effective.
Furthermore, tracking and reporting help you monitor your rankings in search results, providing a clear picture of your SEO campaign’s progress. By staying informed through comprehensive data analysis, you can fine-tune your strategies and optimize your real estate investor SEO efforts for maximum impact.
Ready to supercharge your real estate investor SEO strategy and start attracting motivated leads? Look no further than Investor Nitro. With over a decade of experience in the field, we’re here to elevate your online presence and boost your ROI. Contact us today at 817-826-9451, and let’s embark on a journey to real estate investment success together. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your SEO game—reach out to Investor Nitro now!
