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5-Step Checklist for Creating an Unbeatable Online Presence

Want to dominate your local market? Follow this 5-step checklist to build an unbeatable online presence, attract more clients, and establish yourself as a top real estate expert!

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In today's digital age, establishing a strong online presence is crucial for real estate professionals aiming to attract and retain clients. Your online foundation not only serves as the first impression potential clients have of your business but also significantly influences your visibility in search engine results. By meticulously setting up and optimizing key online platforms, you can position yourself as a trusted local expert and drive more leads to your business. Here’s how to build a solid foundation that will set you up for long-term success.

Step 1: Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first touchpoint for potential clients. Here's how to make the most of it:

Claim and Verify Your Profile: Visit Google Business Profile, sign in with your Google account, and follow the steps to claim your business. Google may send you a postcard with a verification code.

Fill Out Your Information: Business name, address, phone number, website, and business hours. Ensure this information matches all your online profiles for consistency.

Use Keywords: Use local keywords or search terms in your profile description ("real estate agent in [City Name]") to improve local search rankings.

Choose the Right Categories and Service Areas: Select categories like "Real Estate Agency" or "Realtor" to help Google understand your services and put in all your focus areas or neighborhoods.

Add Profile Photos and Videos: Visual content makes your profile more attractive and showcases your services effectively. Post videos with quick tips for buyers and sellers, real estate infographics, and high-quality images, to get more engagement.

Post Regular Updates: Use the “Posts” feature on your Google Business Profile to share market data, new listings, community reports, and links to blogs on your website 2-3 times a week to keep your profile active. It’s similar to keeping your social media updated with content your ideal clients would want to read.

Get Reviews: Google Business Profile reviews are publicly visible real estate testimonials that potential clients can read when looking you up. Aim for 2-3 new reviews each month by asking friends, family, past clients, lender partners, and your SOI. Always respond to reviews, thanking clients for positive feedback and professionally addressing any negative reviews. Google favors profiles with more (quality) reviews, so it’s an easy way to leverage your network to gain exposure even if you’re a brand-new agent.

Add Q&As: The Questions and Answers feature lets you answer common questions clients might have about buying or selling homes. Encourage friends or family to post initial questions to get the conversation started.

Monitor Performance: Check the "Performance" section in your Google Business Profile to see interactions and refine your strategy accordingly.

Keep Information Updated: If you change brokerages, get a new phone number, or expand your service areas, update your profile immediately.

Step 2: Website Optimization

Your website is the heart of your online presence. Make sure it’s easy to find and use for your local clients.

Optimize Titles and Descriptions: Use clear, descriptive titles for each page (e.g., "Buy a Home in [City]") and write brief descriptions that include keywords your ideal clients might search for.

Submit Your Sitemap: A sitemap helps search engines find all the pages on your website. Use tools like Yoast SEO (for WordPress) to create and submit your sitemap to Google and Bing.

Improve Loading Speed: A fast website keeps visitors happy and is favored by search engines. Use free tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to check and improve your site’s speed and find recommendations for improvement.

Use Internal and External Links: Use internal links to other pages on your website to help visitors find related information. Use external links to reputable websites (like local news or community sites) to show that your content is trustworthy.

Fix Any Technical Issues: Regularly check your website for broken links or errors and fix them to ensure everything works smoothly.

Step 3: Content Strategy

Creating valuable content helps attract and engage potential clients while improving your search engine rankings.

Define Your Ideal Client: Knowing who you want to help (like first-time home buyers, for example) helps you create relevant content. Create your own comprehensive Marketing Action Plan here.

Set Clear Goals: Do you want your content to generate leads, build your brand, or establish yourself as a local expert?

Find Topic Ideas: Think about what your clients need help with. For example, "How to Buy Your First Home with Less Than 20% Down."

Organize Content into Primary Categories (Silos): Group related topics together on your website. For example, have a primary category for "Buying a Home" with subtopics like "Tips for Homebuyers" and "Down Payment Options".

Post Content Regularly: Add new blog posts, videos, and other valuable content at least once a week to keep your website fresh and engaging. Be sure to mix it up!

Link Related Content: Develop content that answers common questions and link related articles within each silo to guide visitors through your site.

Promote Your Content: Share your articles and videos on, in email newsletters, and through other marketing channels.

Include Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs): Encourage visitors to contact you, download a guide, or sign up for a newsletter.

🔍 Related Resources: 3 Content Pieces You Can Use 18 Ways

Step 4: Reviews & Reputation Management

Positive reviews build trust and influence potential clients while boosting your search rankings.

Check Your Current Reviews: Look at reviews on Google Business Profile, Yelp, Zillow, and other platforms to see what clients are saying.

Create a Review Request System: Develop a simple process for asking clients to leave reviews, such as sending an email or text with a direct link.

Ask for Reviews Regularly: Aim for 2-3 new reviews each month by asking recent clients for their feedback.

Respond to All Reviews: Thank people for positive reviews and address any negative feedback professionally.

Use QR Codes for Easy Reviews: Create QR codes that link directly to your review page and include them on your business cards or printed materials that you give your clients.

Showcase Reviews on Your Website: Displaying positive reviews on your site builds credibility with visitors (also called “social proof”).

Monitor Your Reviews: Set up Google Alerts or use review management software to stay updated on new reviews.

Create a Review Report: Track the number and quality of your reviews to measure your reputation management efforts.

Step 5: Additional Profiles & Directories

Make sure you’re on other social media platforms and online directories to further improve your local search rankings and make it easier for clients to find your information.

Audit Online Mentions of Your Name, Address, and Phone Number (NAP): Make a list of all the websites and directories where your business is mentioned (like Yelp, Zillow, Realtor.com) and check if your information is correct.

Create or Claim Your Profiles: Go to each directory, create an account if needed, and follow their process to claim your business profile.

💡 Learn How to Take Control of Your Online Profiles to Get More Clients

Ensure Correct Information: Make sure your contact information and website are the same on every profile.

Use a Management Tool: Tools like Yext, Moz Local, or BrightLocal can help you manage all online mentions of you and your business in one place.

Remove Duplicate Profiles: If you find multiple profiles and directory listings for your business on the same site, keep the most complete one and delete the others.

Use Keywords in Descriptions: Naturally include relevant keywords in your profile descriptions to help potential clients find you in their searches.

Add High-Quality Photos and Images: Great images attract more attention and make your profiles look professional.

Track Your Performance: Most platforms have built-in analytics features you can use to gain valuable insights into how people are finding you.

Building a solid online foundation is the first critical step toward establishing a successful real estate business in the digital landscape. By meticulously optimizing your Google Business Profile, enhancing your website, developing a strategic content plan, managing your reviews, and expanding your presence across various directories, you set the stage for increased visibility, trust, and client engagement. Invest the time and effort now to create a robust online presence that will support your growth and position you as a leading real estate expert in your community. Stay tuned for our next steps on implementing advanced SEO tactics to further elevate your online success.

🚀 Start creating real estate content with customizable, done-for-you materials in the Marketing Center.

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