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Think global – act local.

Implementing a local marketing and SEO strategy is the obvious place to start for real estate agents to become the agent of choice. This is the place to start to grow your reputation and expand on it. Local marketing is a technique that should include both in person and online. If implemented correctly, it will have enormous benefits for your business.

Becoming known in your community is the first step as that is where you will have most of your properties to sell or rent out.

1. Local Networking – Get Known

Face to face networking in your general community and with other local businesses will increase your exposure and attract clients. It is a way to win trust and get referrals. Find out how you can participate in local community groups like the local Chamber of Commerce, sporting associations or other community groups. Find something that coincides with your interests and if you or your agency can’t afford to offer sponsorship, you may be able to volunteer in another capacity.

2. Local Marketing & Advertising – Get Found

  • Social media platforms –  include your location.
  • Facebook ads make it easy for you to target your local area. Your Business page should include keywords and phrases that incorporate your geographical location. Facebook Ads allows you to select your ad audience’s geographical location so that your ads are specifically targeted to your community.
  • Google adwords also has local targeting. Therefore, businesses are able to target users within a distance range of the business’s address.
  • Instagram’s enormous growth and popularity makes it a powerful tool for local businesses as well.
  • Google Search– Getting found locally for your service is much easier than marketing to the to the whole internet.  This gives real estate agents a distinct advantage over many other businesses. Make sure you have a listing on Google My Business so that you show up on Google maps.  Additionally, list your opening hours, any areas you specialise in and you can add images, videos and blog posts. Get Google reviews! Read our post on Google My Business for more information.

3. Local SEO – Show up on Search

  • Website – your website is one of the most important aspects that makes up your digital marketing strategy. Therefore, it will be a key factor as to whether your local marketing is successful or not. Make sure your website content includes the local suburbs or the towns you operate in, a street address and your Google map. If your agency operates in a few locations or suburbs make sure you have links in your footer to a separate contact page for each location. Include the surrounding major towns or suburbs you service as well.
  • Mobile – Your website MUST BE mobile responsive. Your visitors need to find your address and properties easily without zooming. In particular, include an interactive phone number near the top so they can call easily.
  • Keywords – your keywords and keyword phrases on your website must include location.
  • Meta Data – This is the title and description of your website and web pages and is what Google crawls to understand what your site is all about. The meta data is important for your search engine optimisation and should also include location if you want to be ranked for local SEO.
  • Directories – to reinforce your presence locally, list your agency on local directories with exactly the same address details and keywords (including location) so that your information is consistent across all channels.
  • Testimonials – Use testimonials from happy clients to further push your reputation locally. You can even get them to include their location.

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Ultimately, to stand out even more so that you show up in local searches, start branding yourself. If you have a branding website, all of the above points apply.  You will start to show up ahead of your competitors in your local area when people search ‘best real estate agent in your area.

Testimonials on your Facebook page as well as Google My Business will certainly reinforce your reputation.

In conclusion, the best place to get found (for you individually or for your agency), is through local marketing and SEO.  Ultimately, once you have a reputation as the ‘go to’ agent in your area, you will find your influence will start to expand out from your local area.

If you need assistance to get your local marketing and SEO off to a flying start, contact HotsWots Digital to help you get started today.

 

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Judith Shuttleworth

Judith Shuttleworth is the owner of HotsWots Digital and a Director of Open House ID, an app for real estate agents. We have a range of expertise in all aspects of digital marketing and provide personal customer service. Your success is our motivation.

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