The importance of digital marketing for real estate business can be inferred by learning about a Mumbai-based real-estate business that leveraged digital marketing to generate 3700 leads, 1080 site visits and eventually a booking of 215 flats. The prices of their apartments were higher compared to their competitors; thus, their biggest challenge was to convince the target audience of the advantages of leading a luxurious lifestyle in the most desirable location of Mumbai.
Another real-estate business aimed at building brand awareness and generating high-quality leads for their real-estate project in Pune. Their pain point was having huge competition in the affordable housing segment. Then how were they able to generate 9000 plus leads and meet their target of lead conversion with 600+ bookings per month in such a competitive scenario is interesting to know.
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Role of Real Estate Digital Marketing in Business Growth
The reason why these real-estate businesses were able to achieve what may sound impossible to you is that they knew that digital marketing for real estate is not just listing the property online, it’s about building and executing a 360-degree digital marketing strategy. By making a 360-degree digital marketing plan for real estate, we mean ensuring that you leave no gaps in your strategy for your clients to slip out.
A Joint Study from The National Association of Realtors® and Google gives some important insights to prove why we’re saying this:
- Over the last four years, real estate-related searches on Google have increased by 253%.
- Online reviews form an important part of the buying process
- YouTube and video content satisfy consumers’ demand for research
- Websites and local search phrases are very important to buyers
These insights clearly imply that today you have no other option but to follow some good real estate digital marketing strategies in order to establish a brand name and close more leads. Let’s look at some important digital marketing strategies for real estate that can help you gain a competitive edge like those above-mentioned realtors!
Generate High-Quality Real Estate Leads and Increase Your Sales with the following Digital Marketing Strategies:
Have a Responsive Website
If you want to experience the benefits of digital marketing for real estate, having a website is the bare minimum requirement. Today when 90%(1) of house buyers use online searches during their buying process, you will miss out on a huge pool of potential clients if you don’t have a website.
Consider your website as your opportunity to put up in-depth information, accolades, stunning digital photographs, and 360-degree virtual tours. You can also link your website to your social media pages. Having said that, make sure your website has a responsive design (one that automatically adjusts according to the different screen sizes), loads quickly, and is easy to navigate.
Implement Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Now online marketing for real estate agents should not just mean making a website and adding some content now and then. To generate qualified leads and stay above your competitors, a sound SEO strategy is what you need.
In simple terms, SEO for real estate means appearing in search results when buyers look for a real estate agent to purchase or sell a home. A lot goes behind making this happen including analysis of competitors, creation of optimized content particularly for local searches, building backlinks etc.
Run Google Search Ads
Google search ads work on pay-per-click model, where you pay only when your ad gets clicked on. While running search ads, you use Google to target a certain keyword and place bids against other advertisers who are using the same keyword. A maximum daily budget can also be set for your advertisement.
Though you need to take a lot into consideration while doing paid marketing, here are some tips that can go a long way- use geo-targeting to prevent your ads from being seen by people of irrelevant locations, separate the ad groups for the different kinds of properties, and create a landing page that converts.
Do Social Media Marketing
Consistent posting on social media can help you become more visible, strengthen your brand, and create a personal connection with potential customers. According to a NAR survey, the three most popular platforms used by realtors are Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram with Facebook topping the list.
Remember that your aim should be to educate your audience and not just sell. You can talk about things like tips on buying a home, minimizing clutter in your home, latest design trends, current market scenario, elements of luxury housing etc. Coming down specifically to Facebook Marketing, create a page for your real estate company as well as a group where potential clients can contact you.
You can even automate your messaging to respond to frequent questions like opening hours, price ranges, etc., and even schedule appointments. Facebook ads is another good way of getting faster results. No matter which platform you choose to advertise on, make sure you use a combination of video, carousel and static posts.
Engage Prospects with Video Marketing
With so much of content all around, one of the biggest marketing challenges is to break through the clutter. Talking about real estate in particular, video has been found to engage audience and satisfy more than one research needs of property buyers like community-related information, a tour of the inside of a home, customer testimonials, comparison of different companies etc. No wonder why videos increase a website’s organic search results by 157% and increase the number of inquiries for your listings by 403%!
Another point that surfaced in the study was that YouTube is the most sought-after destination for property buyers. You too can leverage videos to create virtual tours, neighborhood tours, educational content, and showcase client testimonials. Since you’re doing this to make people “buy” your property as their “homes”, do focus on emotions and include the right call to actions.
Do Email Marketing
Email is one of those marketing tools that allow you to segment your audience and send unique information to each category. This helps you to provide your potential customers with the information they need to advance in their buying journey.
Some email marketing strategies that have been proven to work are- having a moderate frequency of sending emails (1 per week usually works well), having a clear call to action, providing some valuable information, including testimonials, personalizing emails, optimizing them for mobile phones etc.
Retarget your Prospects
Retargeting is getting people who have already visited your website to see your brand again and again. You will be amazed to know that prospects that have been retargeted have a 70%(2) higher conversion rate. One way of doing this is that you will feed a list of emails you’ve received from your leads into some platform like Facebook or LinkedIn which will then display your ads to those people.
Another way it is done is when someone accesses your website or engages with an advertisement posted by you, they consent to receiving cookies that will help future ads target them. Apart from social media, you can also use Google Display Retargeting for the purpose.
Another cost-effective way of retargeting is sending SMS and WhatsApp. Yes, you heard it right, you can not only use these mediums to schedule appointments with ease but nurture your prospects by sending them exciting property images and personalized messages.
Get yourself Listed on Real Estate Websites
A quality property listing is essential to successfully generate leads. A thorough parameter for a good listing would be having an appropriate title for a property that also highlights its USP, accurate information, high-quality photos, and its location on a map.
To keep it current, any information about the property that changes should be updated right away. Some popular options to get yourself listed on are HomeBazaar.com, 99acres.com, MagicBricks.com, and Housing.com.
Conclusion:
Digital Marketing for realtors can be overwhelming considering the fact that they are usually occupied with word-of-mouth marketing or buyer consultations. We cannot deny the fact that practically almost every real estate agent and broker is trying to use one or more digital marketing tactics, but what makes a difference is how realistic the goals are, how well-rounded the strategies are and how well the plan is implemented.
So, if you are planning to implement digital marketing services for your real estate business, Channel Technologies can be your reliable real estate digital marketing agency.
Contact us for a free digital marketing consultation!
FAQs
What are the best digital marketing of real estate? ›
- Create email campaigns. ...
- Develop a user-friendly website. ...
- Pay per click advertising. ...
- Content marketing (add relevantly and SEO optimized content) ...
- Virtual tour hosting. ...
- Invest in SEO.
- Leverage social media.
- Start a blog.
- Maximize search engine optimization (SEO).
- Create a call to action (CTA).
- Engage influencers.
- Build a mailing list.
- Create an affiliate program.
- Social Media.
- Email Marketing.
- Website Marketing.
- Referral Marketing.
- Branding + PR.
- Property Marketing.
- Local sponsorships. ...
- Local content on your website. ...
- Build your Google Business Profile. ...
- Become a columnist in local magazines. ...
- Host free seminars for home buyers. ...
- Partner with local businesses. ...
- Create a newsletter. ...
- Start an email nurture campaign.
- Buy Real Estate Leads.
- Engage With Your Community.
- Ask Existing Clients for Referrals.
- Create a Website.
- Post On Social Media.
- Specialize In a Niche.
- Try Cold Calling.
- Host Open Houses.
- Be Available.
- Set Goals.
- Have a Marketing Plan in Place.
- Become an Expert in Your Market.
- Build Relationships.
- Ramp Up Your Social Media Efforts.
- Implement Small Business Systems.
- Don't Only Focus On Selling.
- Set a Goal and a Budget. ...
- Leverage Influencer Marketing. ...
- Focus On a Single Social Channel. ...
- Leverage Email Marketing. ...
- Focus On SEO and Content Marketing.
- Free.
- Exclusive.
- Easy.
- Limited.
- Get.
- Guaranteed.
- You.
- Because.
- Choose how to communicate with customers. How to develop an attractive website. Choosing adequate social media and making a profile.
- Choose a digital marketing strategy.
- Other tactics to attract new customers online.
- Create a website.
- Build a blog.
- Develop email marketing campaigns.
- Employ virtual staging.
- Try experiential marketing.
- Partner with local businesses.
- Run paid Instagram promotion.
- Use drone photography.
How can I promote myself in real estate? ›
Setting up a Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram business account is essential if you want to be found online. By posting market area updates, contributing to local social media groups, commenting on relevant topics, and connecting with your clients on these platforms, you can start building a tribe of followers.
How do you create marketing content for real estate? ›- Optimize Your Website. Everything starts with your website. ...
- Write Helpful Blog Posts. Blogging is an excellent way to share your knowledge with your target audience, and keep your customers informed. ...
- Produce Amazing Videos. ...
- Publish Informative Infographics.
- Ask for referrals. ...
- Network. ...
- Offer discounts and incentives for new customers only. ...
- Re-contact old customers. ...
- Improve your website. ...
- Partner with complementary businesses. ...
- Promote your expertise.
- Offer quality products. Good quality is the most important reason cited by consumers for buying directly from farmers. ...
- Cultivate good people skills. ...
- Know your customers. ...
- Use attractive packaging. ...
- Let customers try samples. ...
- Be willing to change.
- Identify Your Ideal New Customers. ...
- Use Direct Response Marketing to Attract Customers. ...
- Give Something Away to Entice New Customers. ...
- Give Your Business a Face Lift to Increase Sales. ...
- Get The (Right) Word Out.
- Be A Card Taker. ...
- Spend Time With New People. ...
- Join Local Organizations, Chambers, Or Networking Groups. ...
- Attend Conferences And Real Estate Networking Events. ...
- Have Fun. ...
- Develop A Rock Star Team. ...
- Create A Website And An Online Presence. ...
- Stay Active On Social Media.
...
Final Stage: Operation
- Ongoing marketing and leasing.
- Finding a buyer, if not done earlier.
- Determining a hold strategy, if not selling.
- Ramping up property management.
- Achieving stabilization.
Successful Agents are Always Learning
It is not just learning from experience, it is also proactive and intentional research. Successful real estate professionals read books, watch videos, attend seminars, listen to podcasts, read blogs, and more.
- 1.) Persistence. Being persistent has bubbled up in study after study as one of the main personality characteristics successful agents share. ...
- 2.) Knowledge. ...
- 3.) Attention To Detail. ...
- 4.) Assertive Attitude. ...
- 5.) Strong Work Ethic.
- Implement Solid Business Systems. ...
- Forge Strategic Partnerships. ...
- Email A Monthly Real Estate Newsletter. ...
- Optimize Your Real Estate Website. ...
- Prospect Consistently. ...
- Hire Help. ...
- Recruit Buyer Agents. ...
- Ask For Referrals.
How do you grow real estate sales? ›
- Pick and choose your specialty:
- Research and evaluate:
- Know how to market yourself:
- Stage the property you are selling:
- Create a website and use social media:
- Encourage referrals and word of mouth:
...
6 Ways to Make Money with a Real Estate License
- Become a referral agent.
- Create a downline.
- Invest in real estate.
- Represent yourself.
- Become a broker.
- Leverage your credentials.
You'll need to know how to communicate, listen, provide suggestions and decipher the information people provide. After all, you're selling someone a home — likely the biggest purchase of their life. The art of real estate lies in enticing them without sounding greedy or manipulative.
What is the easiest way to start in real estate? ›- Review your state's guidelines. ...
- Complete a real estate pre-licensing course. ...
- Pass the state real estate exam. ...
- Apply for a license. ...
- Find a brokerage. ...
- Consider joining the National Association of Realtors. ...
- Become a broker.
A marketing strategy is a long-term plan for achieving a company's goals by understanding the needs of customers and creating a distinct and sustainable competitive advantage. It encompasses everything from determining who your customers are to deciding what channels you use to reach those customers.
What are the 7 marketing tips in launching new products? ›- Study your competition. ...
- Target the ideal customer. ...
- Create a unique value proposition. ...
- Define your marketing strategy and tactics. ...
- Test your concept and marketing approach. ...
- Roll out your campaign. ...
- Know your product's lifecycle.
Sales words such as 'proven', 'genuine', 'authentic', and 'endorsed' can help build trust. With increasing competition, customers want to partner with a brand they can rely on. When you use the word 'proven', it tells the customer that your product or service is market-tested and effective.
How can I win my customers? ›- Be proactive. Being one step ahead of your customers is a sure way to win their loyalty. ...
- Get creative with marketing tactics. Customer loyalty is also won when brands make experiences fun. ...
- Take responsibility for actions. ...
- Encourage team spirit among employees.
Offer Incentives to Get New Customers
Incentives are also a smart way to keep the customers you've worked so hard to attract. Consider setting up a loyalty program and encourage them to refer your business to others. A combination approach may also be effective – one that rewards customers for referrals made.
The key to creating content that attracts your target customer every single time always comes back to the quality and value of your content. If you can produce content that's useful, relevant, and solves a problem for your customers every single time – the customers you want to attract will soon follow.
Is digital marketing good for real estate? ›
According to the National Association of Realtors, 90% of buyers search online to start their house hunting journey. While digital marketing for real estate agents constantly change, a digital marketing strategy remains one of the easiest and fastest ways to get your name out there and attract clients.
Can digital marketing help in real estate? ›Yes, digital marketing can help in real estate. In fact, it is playing a key role in the success of the industry. With the help of digital channels such as websites, social media, and email marketing, real estate businesses can communicate with potential buyers and sellers all over the world.
How do I start real estate digital marketing? ›- Make Your Website a Priority.
- Create Social-Media Accounts.
- Start Developing Content.
- Offer Virtual Tours.
- Provide Proof of Your Success.
Facebook is currently the dominant social media platform, especially among those that are in the home-buying and selling phases of their lives. Facebook is a great platform to real estate agents to nurture and generate leads.
What is digital real estate examples? ›In a nutshell, digital real estate is an online commodity that you can invest in and earn profitable returns. Salient examples of digital real estate include websites, blogs, mobile apps, and e-commerce stores. You can build your own digital real estate by purchasing a domain name or starting a blog through WordPress.
How does marketing help real estate? ›Through marketing, you can reach a broader audience to sell your services to, which can eventually generate more leads that convert into lifelong customers. Future growth: Because a real estate agent marketing plan outlines the goals you want to achieve throughout the year, you can plan for future growth.
What is the purpose of digital real estate? ›Renting Website Space. Just like you rent out investment properties, you can invest in digital real estate and rent it out. You earn cash flow for renting the property to others while gaining the capital appreciation the site makes.
How can I promote my real estate business on social media? ›- Promote the town, not just the house.
- Be yourself.
- Educate your buyers.
- Chat with your followers.
- Respond to comments, good and bad.
- Avoid simply shouting about your home listings.
- Don't forget video.
- Never assume you're only connecting with first-time buyers.
- Get a professional website.
- Know the best ways to reach potential home buyers/sellers in your local area.
- Drive them to your website and then capture them as new leads.
- Nurture every lead and continue to follow up with them.
- … profit!
- Update Your Cover Photo Frequently. ...
- Create Helpful Tabs. ...
- Remember the 80/20 Rule. ...
- Respond to Comments. ...
- Use Photos and Video. ...
- Focus on Local Interests. ...
- Share Interesting and Informative Facts. ...
- Offer Helpful Advice.
Can I be successful in real estate without social media? ›
The most effective lead generation systems rely on strong social media presences of agents. Your competition is on social media. 77% of realtors actively use social media to promote their business in some way. If you aren't on social, you will lose clients to other realtors who effectively leverage their presence.