Your online presence can make or break your business; there are no two ways! Most home buyers start their search online. Your real estate business must have a strong position in SERPs to convert these leads into customers. Here are five SEO tips to dominate local search in Connecticut’s competitive real estate market.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile
What is the first thing your potential client sees when searching for real estate services in Connecticut? Your Google Business Profile! A well-thought-out Google Business Profile can put you leaps and bounds ahead of your competition. You can make your business profile stand out using these methods.
Complete All Sections
Fill out every available field in your profile with accurate information. The information should be up to date. Use your official business name consistently across all platforms. Format the physical address correctly. Your phone number should be where your clients can reach you easily. Respond to voicemails promptly.
Keep your business hours updated. List any holidays or schedule changes to avoid confusing your potential clients. Link your professional website to your Google Business Profile. Write a clear description of your real estate business. Include relevant keywords as it will benefit SEO. List all the real estate services you provide. If you specialize in any field, promote that as well.
Verify Your Business Location
Verified location information helps your business appear in “Near me” searches. Use Google’s verification process to confirm your business location. Keep your address consistent across all online platforms, such as your website or social media profiles. Create separate listings for each area you serve.
Use High-Quality Visual Content
Google Business Profile has space to show off your professional workspace. Add photos of your office, your team members, etc, to build trust with your potential client. Use high-resolution images that are tagged with descriptive alt text.
Get Reviews
Reviews help your rank increase and can nudge your potential clients to decide. Implement a system to ask satisfied clients for reviews shortly after closing a deal. Reply to all reviews professionally and courteously. Don’t ignore negative reviews. Address any concerns expressed by your clients. Feature the best review prominently on your social media platforms or web pages.
Post Updates
Use Google Business Profile’s posting feature to share new listings or market updates directly from your Google page. You can list properties that have just hit the market or promote upcoming open houses. It can help you share insights on local real estate trends. Post regularly to keep your profile active.
Use Keywords in Relevant Field
Use well-researched keywords throughout your Google Business Profile. Google looks for such keywords when ranking your page. It can give your site a better ranking in SERPs.
Create Location-Specific Content
Location-specific content demonstrates to search engines that you’re an authority on real estate in specific Connecticut locations. Use keyword-rich, detailed content to boost your local SEO. When creating content, don’t go for AI. It can fill pages but lacks the human touch that helps you connect with your target audience. Here are some types of content you can add to your webpage.
Focus on CT Locations
Write guides for different states in CT. Each state has its unique character. Show your expertise by covering different aspects of each town. The added benefit is that when potential clients search for specific locations, Google will show your page high up in the SERPs.
Make location-specific FAQs
Develop FAQ pages that answer common questions about buying or selling real estate in specific Connecticut locations. Look for commonly asked questions in Google and include them in your FAQ section. It can show the answers in the “People Also Ask” section and boost your local SEO.
Pay Attention to Formatting
Use natural language when writing. Avoid keyword stuffing in your content. It should provide genuine value to your audience. Arrange the content in clear headings for easy navigation. Avoid unnecessary pop-ups or other distractions on the web page. Remove any duplicate content from your site. Also, fix broken pages by redirecting to relevant pages on the site. It makes your site a breeze to navigate.
Improve Your Website’s Technical SEO
Search engines should be able to crawl easily, index, and understand your website. Technical SEO improves your site’s performance in search results by polishing the backend. Here are some ways to improve it.
Work on Site Speed
A slow website can negatively impact both your search rankings and user experience. Slow-loading sites are a pain to navigate. You can improve your site speed by following these tips.
- Compress images and use appropriate file formats
- Reduce the number of elements that need to load on each page.
- Browser caching for faster load time
- Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN)
- Minimize and combine CSS and JavaScript files
Use HTTPS
HTTPS is a ranking factor for Google. It also builds trust with your visitors as it protects user data. Get your SSL certificates and redirect your HTTP to the HTTPS version to rank better in SERPs.
Make the Site Mobile Friendly
Google uses mobile-first indexing. It uses the mobile version of your site for ranking. Use a responsive design that adjusts to different screen sizes. Optimize your site to be navigated by touch. You should test your site across different screen sizes.
You can also implement Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for your blog posts or news articles. AMP pages load extremely quickly on mobile devices. It can also appear in Google’s Top Stories carousel.
Implement Schema
Structured data can help secure rich snippets. It can lead to a better click-through rate for your page. Choose a structured data markup that suits your real estate business the best. After implementing the schema, you can test your URL using Schema Markup Validator.
Use XML
XML sitemaps help search engines understand your site structure and find all your pages. A sitemap generator tool or plugin can create your XML sitemap. Include all pages that you want to index. Once done, submit your sitemap to Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools. Update your sitemap regularly as you add or remove pages from your site.
You can use XML to index images on your site as well. It helps your image feature in Google Image search.
Build Local Backlinks
Backlinks from other reputable websites signal to search engines that your site is trustworthy. Here are some ways to build reliable backlinks.
Local Business Directories
List your business in online directories for Connecticut businesses. Join your local business associations or chamber of commerce. They provide member listings on their websites.
Offer to write guest articles or provide expert commentary for local news outlets. The content you create can be linked to each other’s site. It will lead to quality backlinks worth their weight in gold. A few links from reputable local sources are more valuable than those from low-quality sites.
Develop Partnerships with Local Businesses
Partner with businesses that work in the same field. Build relations with interior designers or architects in your area. Cross-promote your services and link to each other’s sites where appropriate.
Utilize Social Media
Social media can boost the visibility of your site. It can lead to an uptick of site visitors, indirectly influencing your SEO performance. Here are some ways you can use social media to your advantage.
Claim Your Social Media Profiles
Start by claiming your social media profiles. Create a Facebook business page for your real estate service. You can create an Instagram page to showcase the properties you are representing. LinkedIn can be a superb way to connect with other professionals in your field. Use your YouTube channel to create a video walkthrough or provide industry insights. It provides a platform to promote yourself.
Use consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) information across all profiles. Choose a username that speaks volumes about your brand. High-quality profile and cover images show your professionalism. Fill out all relevant sections. Include relevant keywords in your profile descriptions.
Run Targeted Social Media Ads
Use social media advertising to reach potential clients in your specific Connecticut areas. You can create events like open houses or promote your business using these ads. Retargeting can help you reach users who have previously visited your website or engaged with your content.
Cross Promote Your Content
Develop a content strategy that focuses on your local market. When you create content for your website or blog, share snippets or teasers on your social media platforms. Use compelling visuals or short video clips to attract attention. Add clear calls to action that drive traffic back to your website.
These SEO tips can help your business stand out in a crowded field. Pair it with a service that puts your client’s interest first to reach the apex of your local real estate scene. Our professional service can bring the right tool for you to dominate your local SEO. Contact us at (203) 226-8795, fill out our contact form, or email us to design an SEO plan that works for you.