Now that you have an IDX search solution and powerful real estate website the next step is making sure people actually find it and use it. A great website can be one of your best lead generation tools, but only if you promote it consistently and make it easy for buyers and sellers to take action.
1. Optimize your website for search
Before you promote your site, make sure it is built to perform well in search engines. That means using clear page titles, strong headings, fast-loading pages, mobile-friendly design, and content that speaks directly to buyers and sellers in your market. Local SEO is especially important for real estate professionals. Create pages for the cities, neighborhoods, and communities you serve, and include helpful information that answers what local buyers and sellers want to know. The more specific and useful your content is, the better your chances of ranking for relevant searches.
2. Make your website the center of your marketing
Your website should appear everywhere you market yourself. Add your web address to business cards, email signatures, listing flyers, postcards, signage, social profiles, and printed ads. When people see your website repeatedly, they are more likely to remember it and visit later. Be sure your messaging is consistent. Instead of simply listing your website address, tell people what they can do there, such as search homes, sign up for alerts, or learn about the market.
3. Use email signatures to drive traffic
Every email you send is an opportunity to promote your website. Include your name, company, phone number, website, and links to your social media profiles in your signature. A simple, professional signature helps reinforce your brand and makes it easier for people to contact you or explore your website. It also gives your audience another way to stay connected with you beyond email.
4. Promote your website through print and signage
Do not overlook offline marketing. Your website should appear on business cards, property flyers, yard signs, rider signs, envelopes, postcards, and other printed materials. If you use rider signs, add a short call to action such as “Search all homes at [yourwebsite.com].” Keep the message simple and focused on the benefit to the visitor.
5. Use your voicemail and scripts
Your voicemail greeting can also send people to your website. A short message like “For the latest listings and more information, visit [yourwebsite.com]” keeps your marketing working even when you cannot answer the phone. You can also use the same idea in scripts when speaking with prospective clients. Let them know your website gives them access to current listings, saved searches, and listing alerts.
6. Build quality links and local visibility
Search engines pay attention to websites that are mentioned or linked by other trusted sites. Look for opportunities to get links from local businesses, chambers of commerce, community organizations, newspapers, title companies, mortgage companies, and other real estate-related partners. These links can help both visibility and credibility. They also send qualified visitors who may already be interested in real estate or home services.
7. Get listed in local directories
Submit your website to local directories and community websites where potential clients are likely to search for local services. Chambers of commerce, city guides, neighborhood resources, and local business directories can all help reinforce your online presence. Focus on reputable sites that are relevant to your market. The goal is not just more links, but better visibility in places your audience already trusts.
8. Highlight your biggest value
Do not assume visitors know why your site is useful. Tell them clearly that they can search active listings, save favorites, and receive new listing alerts when homes match their criteria. That kind of value-driven message is much stronger than simply saying you have a website. People respond better when they understand what they gain by visiting it.
9. Follow up proactively
When you speak with buyers or sellers, do not wait for them to take the next step on their own. Ask what they are looking for, collect their contact information, and offer to set them up with listing alerts or saved searches. This works especially well after open houses, showings, networking events, and casual conversations with prospects. Taking 30 seconds to enter their information for them can make the difference between a lost lead and a new client.
10. Encourage new listing alerts
One of the most useful features of a real estate website is the ability to send new listing notifications. These alerts help buyers stay informed and help sellers understand how their home compares to similar properties in the market. They also keep your name in front of prospects over time. That repeated exposure can improve trust, recall, and the chance that they contact you when they are ready to move forward.
Call existing and/or potential clients you may have spoken to in the past and let them know they can now search all available listings and be notified when new listings hit the market.
Example: Hi Bob, just wanted to follow up and see if you still had any interest in 3 bedroom homes around $500,000 – and let you know I have a great feature on my website that will allow you to search all available listings. Also, I will send you any new listings that meet your criteria as they become available.
Special Note! The agents who take it a step further and sign the client up themselves have been very successful in generating new leads.
The Importance: Stress to your clients the importance of New Listing Notifications. They are less likely to miss out on that perfect listing, they will be better educated regarding current market conditions and have realistic expectations regarding pricing. Sellers like this feature also since they can see what their home is up against – what buyers will be comparing the sellers home to.
11. Make sign-up easy
Whenever possible, sign people up yourself instead of asking them to do it later. Many prospects intend to return to your site, but they get busy and never complete the process. If you can enter their preferences during the conversation, you remove friction and increase the chances that they will actually receive updates. Always make it clear that they can unsubscribe or update their preferences at any time.
12. Keep your website active
A website performs best when it is updated regularly. Add new blog posts, community pages, market updates, and property-related content that gives people a reason to return. Fresh content helps search engines see that your site is active, and it gives visitors more reasons to trust you as a local expert. Over time, this can improve both traffic and lead generation.
Final Marketing Note
One of the best tips we could offer is to be proactive when speaking to prospective clients. Don’t just tell people you meet about your new search and listing notification features. Ask them what they are interested in, get their email address and let them know you will keep them informed via email as new listings become available. Take the time (about 30 seconds) to enter their information for them into your New Listings Notification feature (if you leave it up to them they may forget). Let them know they are free to remove their name at any time or simply contact you to do so. Soon enough they will truly appreciate the ability to get new listings as quickly as you do. This keeps your name and website in front of them repeatedly, helping ensure they remember you when ready to make an offer, refer a friend or family member, etc.
The best real estate marketing strategy is not just about getting traffic. It is about being visible in the right places, giving visitors useful information, and making it easy for them to contact you. These are just a few of the ways you can promote your professional real estate website to generate leads and provide outstanding customer service to your existing clients. The more you get in front of a prospective buyers or sellers, the more likely they are to do business with you in the future.
Read more real estate marketing tips in our blog and if you are in need of a real estate website and IDX solution we can deliver. View our mobile friendly and responsive real estate websites available now.
