The Ultimate Guide to Real Estate SEO: 2021 Strategies for Voice Search, Local SEO, and Schema Markup
Introduction
Real estate professionals understand that their industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for the attention of potential buyers and sellers. In order to stand out in this crowded field, it's essential to have a strong online presence. That's where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in - by using SEO strategies, real estate professionals can improve their visibility on search engines like Google and attract more traffic to their websites. However, the world of SEO is constantly evolving. What worked just a few years ago may no longer be effective today. As such, it's important for real estate professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in order to remain competitive.
In this guide, we'll explore some of the most important SEO strategies for real estate professionals in 2021 and beyond. We'll cover everything from voice search optimization to local SEO tactics and schema markup - all designed to help you improve your rankings on search engines and connect with potential clients more effectively. Whether you're new to SEO or looking to take your existing strategy to the next level, there's something here for everyone. So why wait? Let's dive into the world of real estate SEO together!
Optimizing for Voice Search
Voice search has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it is estimated that by 2022, over half of all searches will be conducted through voice. This means that optimizing for voice search is crucial for any real estate professional or website owner who wants to improve their online visibility. The importance of optimizing for voice search lies in the fact that people tend to use different keywords and phrasing when speaking compared to typing. Therefore, if your content is not optimized for these longer and more conversational phrases, you risk missing out on potential leads. Tips for Optimizing Real Estate SEO for Voice Search
To optimize your real estate SEO strategy for voice search, there are several tips you can follow: 1. Use Natural Language Phrases
Since people tend to speak naturally when using voice search, it's important to include natural language phrases within your content. For example, instead of targeting "homes under $500k," target "what homes can I buy with a budget of $500k." Including long-tail keywords also helps target specific questions users may have.
2. Create an FAQ Page
Having a dedicated FAQ page allows you to answer common questions related to the real estate industry in a conversational tone while incorporating relevant long-tail keywords into each answer.
3. Optimize Your Google My Business Listing
With local SEO playing a significant role in improving online visibility among potential clients nearby; it's essential that you optimize your Google My Business listing with complete address details like physical location and phone number so they could quickly find information about services offered near them based on their query. Real-Life Examples
Optimizing for voice search has helped many real estate professionals improve their online visibility and engagement positively. An excellent example would be Compass Real Estate Company from New York City which created Alexa Skills program called “What’s my commute?” It allowed users such as home buyers or renters ask Alexa how long their daily commute to work would be from a specific address, and it provided them with the estimated time within seconds. This program helped Compass Real Estate gain significant exposure in their local market and increased online engagement.
Focusing on Local SEO
Real estate professionals know that location is a critical aspect of their business. In a digital age where most potential homebuyers start their search online, it's essential for real estate professionals to prioritize local SEO strategies. Local SEO helps businesses appear in relevant searches based on the searcher's location, making it an important tool for real estate agents who want to reach potential clients in specific areas. Importance of Local SEO
For real estate professionals, ranking high in local search results means appearing at the top of Google Maps and other directories when people look up properties or services within their area. This can significantly increase website traffic and lead generation, as well as boost brand awareness for local businesses.
Local SEO also plays a crucial role in helping real estate professionals stand out from competitors by highlighting unique selling points like neighborhood amenities or historical significance. By focusing on hyperlocal keywords and creating content that showcases these features, agents can attract more qualified leads who are interested in buying property within the area.
Tips for Focusing on Local SEO
To improve your local rankings, start with optimizing your Google My Business (GMB) profile by ensuring all information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes adding photos of listings and office locations as well as regularly posting updates about recent sales or events.
Creating hyperlocal content around niche topics related to your area can be another effective way to rank higher in local searches. For example, if you specialize in luxury homes near golf courses, create blog posts or videos that showcase why this combination makes sense for potential buyers seeking an upscale lifestyle.
Other tips include:
Using schema markup language: Schema.org provides structured data vocabularies that help search engines understand website content better. Encouraging reviews: Positive reviews from satisfied customers not only boost credibility but also help improve rankings.
Building quality backlinks: Links from reputable sources signal authority to search engines while providing additional exposure for your business.
Real-life Examples
Focusing on local SEO has helped real estate professionals improve their online visibility and engagement. For example, a New York-based real estate agency saw a 15% increase in website traffic after optimizing their GMB profile and implementing hyperlocal content strategies. Similarly, an Atlanta-based agent who prioritized reviews and backlinks improved her search rankings for target keywords by over 50%. By leveraging the power of local SEO, these professionals were able to attract more qualified leads and stand out from competitors within their areas.
Utilizing Schema Markup
In the world of real estate SEO, utilizing schema markup can significantly improve a website's online visibility and engagement. Schema markup is a code that helps search engines better understand the content on a webpage and display it in rich snippets or featured snippets in search results. By using schema markup, real estate professionals can provide more detailed information about their properties to potential clients, making it easier for them to find relevant listings. Importance of Utilizing Schema Markup
Schema markup is essential for improving a website's ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs). When Google crawls through webpages, it looks for structured data like schema markup to help determine what type of content is on the page. This structured data provides context and additional information about the content, allowing Google to show more informative and visually appealing snippets in its SERPs.
Moreover, with voice search becoming increasingly popular among consumers today, schema markup has become even more critical. Voice assistants rely heavily on structured data such as schema markup when answering user queries. Without proper implementation of this code, websites may not appear as relevant answers during voice searches resulting in missed opportunities for businesses. Tips on How to Utilize Schema Markup
Utilizing schema markup requires some technical knowledge but implementing it correctly can yield significant benefits. The following tips will help real estate professionals optimize their site with schema:
Identify Relevant Types
Real estate agents must first identify which types of schemas are most appropriate for their business needs based on the services they offer such as property listings or agent profiles.
Implement Code Correctly
Once identified types are chosen then an appropriate JSON-LD script should be implemented into HTML coding correctly according to instructions provided by Google or other recognized sources.
Keep Content Updated
The details provided within the schemas should be kept up-to-date; otherwise outdated information could confuse users leading them astray from your website causing lost sales opportunities.
Real-life Examples of Using Schema Markup
Several examples illustrate how schema markup has helped real estate professionals improve their online visibility and engagement. A few are discussed below: Property Listings
With the help of schema markup, property listings can be made more informative for users searching online. For example, a real estate agent could use structured data to display information about a listed property's location, number of rooms and bathrooms, square footage, price range etc., making it easier for potential buyers to narrow down their search.
Agent Profiles
Schema Markup also helps businesses in creating compelling agent profiles that provide consumers with relevant details such as contact information or areas of specialization. Providing this level of detail makes it easier for customers to find an appropriate agent quickly while also improving the business' SERP ranking.
Staying Up-to-Date on SEO Trends
Staying up-to-date on SEO trends is crucial for real estate professionals to maintain their online visibility and engagement. As search engines constantly update their algorithms, it's essential to stay informed about the latest changes in order to adapt your strategy accordingly. The Importance of Staying Up-to-Date
SEO trends are constantly evolving, and keeping abreast of these developments can help you improve your website's performance and rankings. By understanding the latest best practices, you can ensure that your site is optimized for both users and search engines alike. This means providing high-quality content that meets user intent, optimizing for voice search queries, implementing local SEO strategies, and utilizing structured data markup. In addition to improving your website's performance, staying up-to-date on SEO trends also helps you stay ahead of the competition. By being one step ahead of other real estate professionals in terms of SEO knowledge and implementation, you can gain a competitive advantage over them.
Tips for Staying Up-to-Date
One way to stay informed about the latest SEO trends is by attending industry conferences or webinars. These events provide valuable insights from experts in the field as well as opportunities for networking with other real estate professionals. Additionally, following reputable blogs such as Moz or Search Engine Journal can keep you updated on algorithm updates or new features within Google My Business.
Another effective way to stay up-to-date on SEO trends is by joining relevant professional associations or groups such as the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) or Real Estate Webmasters (REW). These organizations often offer educational resources designed specifically for real estate professionals looking to enhance their digital marketing skills.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment with new strategies based on emerging trends! Test out different tactics such as creating video content optimized for voice searches or using schema markup to improve click-through rates from SERP results pages. Real-Life Examples
Real estate companies like Redfin have seen significant improvements in their online visibility and engagement by staying up-to-date on SEO trends. By implementing strategies such as optimizing for local search queries, creating high-quality content, and utilizing structured data markup, Redfin has been able to increase organic traffic to their website.
Another example is the real estate brokerage firm Zillow. They have taken advantage of emerging trends in voice search by developing a skill for Amazon Echo that allows users to get information about property values or rental prices with just a spoken command.
Conclusion
In summary, the world of real estate SEO is rapidly evolving with new trends and technologies. In order to stay ahead of the curve in 2021, it's important for real estate professionals and website owners to implement these top SEO strategies: focusing on voice search optimization, leveraging local SEO tactics, and implementing schema markup on their websites. By doing so, they can increase their online visibility, attract more qualified leads, and ultimately grow their business. It cannot be overstated how crucial it is for businesses in this industry to prioritize their digital presence through effective SEO techniques. Therefore, we encourage all readers to take action now by incorporating these strategies into their marketing efforts and staying up-to-date on future developments in the field. See Also
