Having a strong online presence is no longer optional – it’s absolutely essential for businesses of all kinds. Imagine a local coffee shop that doesn’t show up on Google Maps, or a cleaning service without any online reviews. Chances are, they’re missing out on a huge chunk of potential customers who are searching for their services online.
The same goes for real estate agents. With over 1.5 million actively licensed agents in the United States, making yourself visible online is absolutely critical. I’ve seen countless agents struggle to generate leads and grow their businesses, and I believe a big part of the problem is hardly any of them have a properly set up Google Business Profile. This lack of online visibility is a major reason why 75% of agents are out of the business within just one year and 87% are out within five years.
But here’s the good news: by optimizing your Google profile, you can beat out the competition and become the go-to agent in your area. Here are my top tips for making your Google Business Profile (GBF) page work for you.
#1—Consistency is key
Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) need to be identical across all platforms, from your Google profile to your social media accounts. Even the tiniest discrepancy can hurt your ranking, so be meticulous!
#2—Details matter
Take the time to craft a compelling business description (use ChatGPT to get started!), choose the most accurate business category, and upload eye-catching, high-quality photos of your business.
But don’t just set it and forget it—aim to update your photos weekly to keep things fresh. Every listing and every closing is an opportunity to add a photo to your GBP page. Don’t forget to add videos as well! Always rename the photo or video file name as a Google keyword, such as “Best Realtors in Fairfax.” This will help you rank higher in the “Google Local Pack” of three businesses.
#3—Become a local content machine
Every week, use the “Add Update” feature to post about open houses, new listings, recently sold properties, and more. The key is to always link these posts back to your website, reinforcing your position as the local expert.
#4—Anticipate questions; provide answers
Put yourself in the shoes of potential buyers and sellers, and fill out the Q&A section of your profile with thoughtful, thorough responses to common questions. This showcases your expertise and builds trust with prospects.
#5—Reviews are your secret weapon
Obsessively collect Google reviews from your happy clients – bonus points if you can get them to add a photo or video, as this skyrockets the legitimacy factor. And don’t just let those reviews sit there; respond to each one to demonstrate your engagement and boost your SEO.
#6—Keywords are your friend
When requesting reviews, ask clients to mention your target city and use the word “Realtor.” These keywords help Google understand what you do and where you do it, boosting your ranking for those crucial search terms. See our Fox Homes website stats specifically from Google Search Console below.
#7—Automate and dominate
Services like Listings-to-Leads can automate content posting to your Google profile, complete with backlinks to your site. Set this up and watch your online presence soar.
Listings-to-Leads allows you not only to auto-post to your Google Business Profile, but using with BrightLocal will allow you to track how you rank versus your competitors.
By implementing these strategies consistently, I truly believe you can rank in the top three of Google’s “Local Pack” results for your area within six months. And while other platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com shouldn’t be ignored, Google is hands-down the best place to focus your efforts if you want to generate seller leads and establish yourself as the premier agent in your market.
So what are you waiting for? Start optimizing your Google Business Profile today and leave your competition in the dust. Trust me – your future self (and your thriving real estate business) will thank you.
And if you want to dive even deeper into all my real estate marketing secrets, be sure to check out my book, Six Weeks to Real Estate Success, available now on Amazon. It’s packed with even more tips, tricks, and strategies to help you take your business to the next level.
