The Internet has brought many advantages to the real estate world from showing requests at the click of a button to 3D property tours and more. As agents and brokers, we strive to keep ahead of the learning curve as the landsape changes before us. It used to be that putting a sign in the yard and listing a property on the local MLS was enough to keep most properties moving, but as the technology changes how business is done, we as professionals also need to change how we do business. Here are some of my favorite tips to optimize your listings for a consumer-first world.
#1 Use Keywords
Most listing portals and property sites are optimized for keyword searching. While general filters help buyers search by number of beds, baths, or price, keywords help them find the items that are important to them like "open concept" or "outdoor kitchen" Your market and the specific property will determine which words you should use.
#2 Name Your Photos
It's a good idea to use the property address in the name of some photos, but switching it up and adding "alt text" to your images before you upload them to websites will give your property an extra chance to show up in image searches. If you keep it as the nonsensical name that photos tend to upload with ( for example img_2502) you miss out on that extra exposure.
#3 Use the Right Address
If you're trying to get somewhere you've never been, there's a good chance you're using Google navigation to get there. With that in mind, make sure the address is findable to Google Maps. For example, you may be accustomed to writing an address as "County Road WW" but Google may know it solely as "Cnty Rd WW" or "CTH WW" -- if Google can't find an address, it's likely your potential buyers won't be able to either.
#4 Don't "fluff" your listing descriptions too much
If you're in an area with a lot of competition with really similar properties, make sure your listing description features the best aspects of the specific property. Many MLS's limit the characters of listing descriptions so it doesn't pay to waste precious space talking about the lovely sunsets (and therefore not mentioning the impressive upgrades) when the neighbor's property has essentially the same view. This also applies for filler call-to-action text like "Must see!" or "Call for a Showing!" These phrases take up characters, but don't inspire any action that a potential buyer wouldn't do on their own.
#5 DON'T WRITE IN ALL CAPS
If you read that sentence is a yelling "voice" you get why this is not the best choice for your listing. Writing in caps lock is more difficult to read for most people and in the best cases, it feels like aggressive yelling, in the worst cases, people skip right over it.
Looking for more advice on optimizing your listings for the digitial world? I suggest checking out How to Set Your Listings Up for Success or Get it Write: How to create the perfect listing description available on the RealtyHive Blog.
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