From total newcomers to seasoned professionals, the question of whether or not you really need your own website as a real estate agent comes up quite a bit. In today’s landscape, most brokerages provide to their agents a pretty limited profile page (usually tied into the centralized site) that more often than not includes basic features such as a bio, a list of previous sales, a home search, and testimonials. Those can be great! But we’re not talking about those. What we’re referring to are the third party custom websites that agents/teams build outside of the standard one provided by the company.
The fact remains that people turn to the internet when looking for new homes in today’s real estate world. A few years ago, you looked them up online on a desktop, got a map, and drove out to see a potential residence. Today, you grab a Smartphone and go, because anything after that, you can look up on your phone. With the gigantic shift to a mobile internet, real estate agents need to stay in the game by increasing their web presence.
So, is putting forth the money and effort towards your own personalized website worth it as a real estate agent? The answer really depends on you and your needs as a Realtor. Because, Real estate is a field that is defined by you as the agent and the way you conduct your business. It’s making yourself a relevant and important resource to your client base and the community as a whole.
With so many agents out there vying for a piece of the real estate market, it’s easy to get overlooked by potential clients. In order to rise above the fray, you need to find a way to market yourself effectively. If your marketing plan entails sending out mass emails, and placing newspaper and magazine ads, think again.
As web designers for agents, we know it’s hard for us to not come across as bias – but here’s the simple truth: Having a website is definitely NOT for everybody. But nearly every single top producing individual and team DOES have their own website. There’s definitely a reason for this. Allow us to explain:
A website is not a passive entity. Yes, simply having one can establish a certain sense of authority and legitimacy when going after bigger listings or developments – but only to a certain extent. There are a lot of real estate agents out there who believe that by simply having their own website, they’ll suddenly be a big player in the game and that the leads will start pouring in. That’s just not true. There are only two reasons to have a website if you’re a real estate agent:
- You enjoy creating content for your community or listings and need a platform/portfolio to foster an audience of buyers and sellers (think: articles, listing videos, local news or happenings, etc).
- You want to utilize the latest digital marketing strategies and be in total control of your lead capturing efforts (Facebook ads, landing pages, etc).
If you as a realtor are not willing or able to use a website to do those things, having one in the first place may not be in your best interests. Top producing agents understand the potential of having their own platform and lead capture system and are willing to invest the time and money to create content and be on the cutting edge.
NB: Real estate is an industry that relies on personal relationships so a website alone will never overshadow the importance of putting yourself out there and networking face to face. However, if you’re able to utilize the potentials a custom website provides – just like the one we created below, the results can be overwhelmingly successful!
MARKETING AND ADVERTISING HAS CHANGED
The days of effective outbound marketing are fading fast. Today, you’ll need to turn your focus to inbound marketing and create an online presence with your website, social media, and content marketing so you can naturally attract your target market to you.
Here are the top 5 reasons to have your own website to brand yourself
- BECAME A CLIENT RESOURCE
The first step is to create your website, where your current, and prospective, clients can go to learn more about you and the services you offer. However, most agents make the mistake of doing only that and no more; in today’s competitive marketplace; you need to go beyond displaying your services. You need to use your website, blog, and social media to become a valuable resource with pertinent, helpful information.
- BRAND YOURSELF
Set yourself apart from the competition, you do not want to be just another pretty face on a standard corporate site. By having your own site you are creating your online brand, as your website is a direct reflection of your authority, goals and services. Home buyers and sellers want to work with someone they can trust. The National Association of Realtors website states that 54% of buyers and 64% of sellers found the agent they worked with either from a personal referral or they used an agent they had worked with before.
- STAY CURRENT
From the National Association of Realtors, 96% of Americans are looking to buy their house on the internet. As realtors we need to understand the power of internet in generating the sales we need. The internet makes it easier for potential clients to find you and your properties. Having internet presence will allow all current and potential clients to get in touch with you and the information you have at anytime and anywhere.
- GROW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
You may argue that you do not need the added expense of a website since your broker or agency supplies you with one as part of employment, but nothing could be further from the truth. What happens if you leave that brokerage? Personal branding in real estate is important. You need to set yourself apart from the competition. You don’t want to be lumped in with everyone else in the office on some generic corporate website; otherwise what’s the benefit of the prospect choosing you over another agent in your office using the very same corporate resources?
- BE THE “GO-TO” RESOURCE FOR YOUR CLIENTS
Let your clients learn about you and your services, this is a great place for the client to get to know you and confirm they made the right choice by selecting you to be their realtor. Adding tools like Mortgage Calculators, Information on Loan Programs, Home Buyer Tips and access to MLS listings will increase the value of your website. Make your website the only place they need to go.
Ready to own a professional website for your Real Estate business?
We’re here to help. We know this can be a lot to take in, so if you’re unsure of how you should proceed with regards to your online presence, we also provide consultations where we evaluate your needs and provide you a path towards.
