Real estate agents are continually on-the-move. So are home buyers, sellers, and renters. People of all ages who are on-the-go use mobile devices to stay connected. And they instantly depend on tablets and smartphones to access localized info on-the-spot. Real estate agencies need to capture the spontaneous attention of these potential clients. Discover six reasons why local real estate agents need mobile websites.
People Easily Access Mobile-Friendly and Responsive Websites
Just a few years ago, it was a significant accomplishment to start a real estate website. Real estate agents in business for years may have overlooked the mobile trend. An increasing number of Internet users rely solely on mobile devices to access the Internet. A mobile-friendly website looks good on mobile devices. But it can still be challenging to navigate on high-resolution devices. A responsive website adapts to the size of any mobile device screen used to view it. A mobile-friendly and responsive site helps users seamlessly navigate the website. And this means people on-the-road looking for local homes will be able to see them on your site.
Appear on Local Searches
Google favors mobile-friendly sites in its SERP rankings. Fortune magazine recently reported Google is shifting towards mobile by linking to the small-screen rather than desktop versions of many sites. Mobile websites are more likely to appear on local search engine results than ones that are not mobile-friendly. Real estate agents who are unsure if their websites are mobile-friendly can find out by entering the site URL at https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly. Take up the local search rankings a notch by using localized real estate keywords. Incorporate short-tail and long-tail keywords into the site content and metadata. Long-tail keywords are optimized phrases rather than one or two short keywords. Metadata is the keywords used to describe a web page. An optimized and responsive website will rank better on the search engines. Local users will find these listings in just seconds on their mobile devices. And within minutes, they can be calling you to view or list a house.
Get Social Medial Referrals from Mobile Users
The majority of mobile users access social media regularly. Real estate businesses that engage in social media marketing and have a mobile site get increased targeted traffic. Have a business real estate presence on social media sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram. Include social media share buttons on web pages, house listings, and blog articles. Mobile users can share them in an instant, driving more targeted traffic to the site. Include links to review websites, such as Yelp, to encourage local users to review the agency. Positive reviews encourage more people to contact the agency. Social media marketing and a mobile-friendly website are a winning combination for local real estate agents.
Gain Customers On-the-Spot
People searching for homes are often traveling the neighborhood, looking for signs and following up on local listings. If they pass a house for sale, they are more likely to check the Internet to find out more than to call the number on the sign. Modern consumers prefer to gather information online before taking action. House hunters can instantly gain access to a listing they like. If the description appeals to them, they can contact local real estate agents right away. Often the house can be shown immediately, saving the house hunter and agent time and effort. Instead of making calls and sending text messages to schedule appointments, the agent can arrive at the convenience of the clients. Being accessible online and in-person is one of the best ways to satisfy clients and close deals.
Everybody Is Still Not Doing It
Another benefit of having a mobile site is everybody is still not doing it. Plenty of business and real estate sites are not responsive. And mobile users may have difficulty accessing these sites on mobile devices. In a fast-paced world that expects instant gratification, users will search for what they want on another site. A mobile-friendly site that is locally optimized will grab their attention. Having a mobile website can help real estate agencies attract targeted traffic the competition has failed to accommodate.
Build a Reputable Brand
There was a time when real estate agents relied on word of mouth and printed ads to build their personal brand. While these are still relevant ways to brand a business, most people under 40 go online to find what they want. Build a reputable brand by embracing modern technology. Have an active social media presence. Connect with locals and community businesses. Offer useful information about neighborhood events and attractions. These entries on a blog or social media will appear on local mobile searches. A navigable mobile presence is excellent for brand building and boosting the agency’s reputation.
Make Clients Happy
Making clients happy is the ultimate goal of a real estate agent. When clients feel positive about the agent, they trust them and want to close the deal. And they also refer the agent to their friends, family, and neighbors. A mobile website satisfies clients. They can get housing updates in real-time on their mobile devices and communicate with the real estate agency. When clients are happy, real estate agents are productive and profitable.
Local real estate agents are discovering the value of mobile websites. From improved regional search engine rankings to attracting local buyers on-the-spot, agencies need responsive websites. Don’t get left behind as the rest of the world goes mobile to buy and sell property.
