In this episode of the Unstoppable Real Estate Agents Podcast, Kim discusses the significance of community or neighborhood pages on your website and how they can elevate your status as a real estate expert. Several years ago, community and neighborhood websites gained immense popularity. Platforms emerged, allowing agents to create dedicated spaces where residents could connect, share information, and foster a positive community spirit. These pages became hubs for discussing everything from garage sales to local events, creating a sense of unity among neighbors.
Over time, these community pages have evolved. Some agents may have discontinued them, while others opted to manage them independently. The key takeaway here is the importance of such pages for your website and how they contribute to your authority within the community.
As a real estate expert, my advice is simple: don’t just position yourself as a real estate authority; become the community authority. Knowing the ins and outs of your market, being aware of local events, and sharing that information positions you as the go-to person for anything related to the neighborhood.
Building Your Website Foundation
First things first – ensure you have a website that you own and control. I recommend platforms like iHouseWeb.com but do your research and choose what suits your needs. Remember, owning your website provides flexibility and control in the ever-changing real estate landscape.
Domains Matter
Secure a domain for your main website and choose one that reflects real estate, ensuring search engines recognize your focus. Additionally, consider purchasing domains related to specific communities you want to highlight. These community domains can be forwarded to dedicated pages on your website.
Creating Community Pages
Assuming you have your website ready, let’s focus on creating compelling community pages. Dive deep into what the community offers – schools, medical facilities, activities, gyms, and more. Tailor your content to showcase the unique aspects of each community.
Marketing Strategies
Once your community pages are set, it’s time to market them. Utilize postcards to invite residents to your website and encourage them to join a private Facebook group dedicated to their neighborhood. This strategy not only boosts engagement but also fosters a sense of community.
Exclusive Facebook Groups
Maintain a private Facebook group for each community. This creates a close-knit environment where residents can share information, ask questions, and connect. Be cautious about who joins – you want genuine community members, not spammers or outsiders.
Content Variety
Keep your community pages lively by diversifying content. Share market statistics, highlight local businesses, cover events, and even introduce new residents. The goal is to make these pages a valuable resource for both current and potential residents.
SEO Benefits
By driving traffic to your website through community-focused content, you’re inherently boosting your SEO. This organic approach is more sustainable and effective than spending on lead generation.
Personal Touch
Lastly, inject a personal touch. Share your interests, experiences, and even personal videos. Let residents get to know you beyond your real estate expertise. This humanizes your brand and makes you more relatable to the community.
In addition to the strategies we’ve covered, here are a few extra tips to enhance your real estate website’s visibility and engagement:
- Promote Your Community Page in Newsletters: When you create a community page on your website and a corresponding Facebook private group, feature them in your newsletters. Encourage subscribers to explore the community page, join the Facebook group, and share their opinions.
- Drive SEO Through Newsletters: Including links to your community page in newsletters not only directs traffic to your site but also boosts your SEO. Increased website visits contribute to higher rankings on search engines.
- Organic Growth vs. Paid Ads: Unlike big platforms with paid advertisements, aim for organic growth. Research who’s ranking well in your community, set a goal to be #1 organically, and work towards achieving it over time.
- Learn from Successful Examples: Check out various websites in the real estate domain to understand how they present community-focused content. You can find links to the websites Kim mentioned under episode resources below. Analyze their strategies and adapt them to suit your own community engagement goals.
- Utilize Pinterest: Leverage Pinterest which is the second-largest search engine. Create pins linking back to your community pages and drive traffic to your website through engaging visuals.
- Capture Emails Through Facebook Group: When people join your private Facebook group, request their email address. This not only grants permission to enter the group but also enables targeted marketing through email sequences.
- Implement an Email Sequence: Develop an email sequence for new group members, thanking them for joining and explaining what they can expect. Periodically update them on community events and information to keep them engaged.
- Create Community Guides: Go beyond digital content and consider creating physical community guides. These can be handed to buyers or distributed digitally after capturing contact information. Encourage community members to contribute to the guide.
Creating community pages on your website goes beyond traditional real estate strategies. It’s about becoming an integral part of the community, building trust, and establishing yourself as the authority in your field. Remember, it’s not just about selling homes; it’s about selling a lifestyle and fostering a sense of belonging.
Remember, these strategies require some effort initially, but once set up, they can significantly enhance community engagement, generate referrals, and establish you as an authority in the local real estate market. If you need assistance or have questions, feel free to reach out.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Maureen Cool
Lisa Leonard
Nancy Davidson
Masha Halpern
Pat Wattam
Baton Rouge Real Estate