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Real estate-related searches on Google have grown by an astonishing 253% over the last four years. To be successful, real estate investors need to ensure visibility in those searches, and Google Business Pages are quickly becoming one of the best ways to do that.
Google Business Page optimization links real estate searches directly to local quality investors. Here at Prime Client Marketing, we’re experienced in helping real estate investors rank #1 in the Google Map Pack through the assurance of high-quality, lead-generating Google Business Pages.
In this article, we’ll consider everything real estate investors need to know about optimizing their Google business pages.
Your Google Business Page is your online portfolio, which will allow potential clients to see vital information such as where you operate, the types of real estate you offer, contact details, and even operating hours. A Google Business Page also makes it easier for you to encourage and interact with online reviews for enhanced reputation management.
Google Business Pages provide significant growth opportunities for real estate investors, but how can you effectively optimize your page to attract the highest quality sellers and buyers in your local market?
Google Business Pages can’t add credibility to your real estate ventures until you claim and verify your business listing. This is free and easy to do, and is the best way of confirming to Google who you are, and why your real estate listings are deserving of high rankings.
Without this verification, there’s a high risk that your listings won’t appear in searches on Google Maps and the like at all. Even if they do, you’ll have little control over what information appears. By comparison, a verified Google Business Listing is 100% within your control, ensuring information is straight from the source, with the verified backing of Google itself. What’s more, all you need to get started is a free Google account and a (also free) Google Business Profile.
To claim your real estate investment business listing, you must then simply:
Alternatively, if your business already appears on Google Maps, you can simply click ‘Claim this business’ in the business information panel.
Then, you’re free to verify your listing to ensure that only you can edit or add information using a two-step process that will require verification through channels that may include phone, email, or Google Search Console.
The more comprehensive your Google Business Page, the better chance you have at ranking in relevant or even local real estate searches. This is the best way to find and sell properties in your area, and is reliant on your ability to complete your business information online, which should predominantly include:
These key pieces of information are often referred to as ‘NAPW’, and should form a baseline for any Google Business Page. Real estate investors looking to secure high-quality clients and outperform local competitors could also benefit from including:
It’s possible to add up to ten categories to your Google Business Page. This will typically take the form of one prime category, and additional explainer categories.
For obvious reasons, choosing the right categories has a huge impact on whether or not the correct real estate clients (such as buyers and sellers) are easily able to find you. If you are a real estate investor, you want to choose a primary and secondary category. Primary should be real estate consultant. Secondary should be real estate agent(if applicable), property investment company, etc…
Additional categories can then add a more descriptive element, though you should choose as few of these as possible. For example, you might include ‘investment’ or ‘sales’.
Google does update these categories roughly every five months, so you may want to revisit them routinely. But, remember – don’t add too many categories because you think it’ll enhance search visibility. Categories are not keywords. Keep it simple, concise, and relevant to your specific service offerings.
Your Google Business Page description offers a summary of your business in 750 characters which will appear alongside your name, contact details, and reviews in Google searches. You can easily edit this information via the Google Business Profile dashboard.
Optimizing your business description ultimately means getting across as much about your real estate investment business as possible in a concise, informative way. Wordy or complex descriptions can be confusing and will cost you significant leads. Avoid that by optimizing your description using tips that include:
High-quality photos can expedite property sales by 32%, while video content boosts real estate inquiries by 403%. Adding high-quality property photos and videos to your Google Business Page can also result in 34% more website click-throughs.
On average, companies add at least 11 photos to their Google Business Page, which can include business photos, cover photos, and business logos. These pictures appear alongside your Google listing, and will immediately help clients see the types of property you most commonly deal in.
The hallmarks of a high-quality photo or video on your Google Business Profile largely fit the framework for quality real estate media, such as good lighting, camera focus, and so on. To ensure proper presentation, you’ll also want to make sure that photos and videos included on your business profile are:
You can easily encourage and manage reviews through your Google Business Page. This can enhance your credibility and, in standard searches, may help you rank higher or attract more attention than your competitors.
Encouraging Google Reviews couldn’t be easier, and simply involves sharing a review URL amongst your client base, either through email communications or on something like your property invoices. To get this URL, simply:
You can enhance the chances of positive reviews using simple techniques, such as making sure to request reviews at the right time (e.g. after a property sale or purchase, rather than mid-transaction), personalizing your requests, and even simplifying the review process using a template.
Through your Google Business Profile, you should also take steps to manage reviews, which may include publicly responding to negative feedback with immediate resolutions. It’s also worthwhile to continually monitor your reviews and to implement improvements in things like your sales techniques and property timelines per client suggestions.
Google posts are tools that can include text, photos, or videos to promote specific events or business updates, such as open houses or office expansions. These updates are visible for up to six months and serve the ultimate purpose of engaging with existing audiences and connecting with new prospects.
There are various ways to create optimized, engaging Google posts, including:
It’s also worth posting regularly, roughly once a week, as this ensures a relevant stream of information for new searches and existing clients alike.
You can find Google Business Page insights on your Google Business Page by signing into your profile and downloading reports that include information such as:
This information is typically available via either performance insights, bulk performance reports, or Google Analytics tracking. Real estate investors should aim to monitor these insights and analytics at least monthly, or more often in the case of profile updates, to understand things like prime selling periods, popular types of real estate, and property pricing.
Appearing in the Google Map Pack, which refers to the three highest local search results on Google Maps, can help real estate investors generate significantly more local and viable leads. As well as optimizing your Google Business Page more generally, advanced tips for ranking higher in the Google Map Pack ranking include:
Protecting your real estate investments in the modern age requires adept handling of online considerations like a Google Business Page. Ensure your online efforts reap real estate rewards by avoiding the following common mistakes when setting up your all-important Google Business Page:
Google Business Page optimization is key to attracting modern buyer and seller leads in a local real estate market.
Here at Prime Client Marketing, our specialized SEO agents are on hand to ensure you achieve prime Google Business Page optimizations, complete with #1 rankings in the all-important Google Map Pack.
By contacting our gold-standard real estate investor marketing team, you can transform the way you reach clients online for good. Simply call us to get started at (210) 405-0774 or book your free online consultation today.
At Prime Client Marketing, we’re dedicated to bridging the digital divide for real estate professionals. Through innovative solutions and industry insights, we aspire to elevate your business to its peak potential.
We commit to delivering world-class customer service and unparalleled marketing expertise tailored to the unique demands of real estate. With us, you’re not just a client; you’re a partner in a journey towards success.
