As much goes in to Local Search Engine Optimization as goes into Search Engine Optimization in general. The difference is focus – your focus – and where you put your efforts to obtain the best real estate marketing. If you have a physical store on top of your online presence, you will need them to get your own Local Search Engine Optimization done… like some of the important key factors such as NAP (Name, Address, Phone number). If you are a local real estate, your site needs to have all three pieces of information on it, especially on the contact page:
- Provide a local number, even if you have a toll free number, too.
- Do not use an image for this information. Make sure it is all searchable text.
- Use full names with no abbreviations (i.e. avenue, instead of ave.).
- Include zip code, city and state information.
- Be consistent. Wherever your real estate and URL are, make sure your NAP is the same.
Google Local Listings powered by the information in Google Places are prominently listed in Local Search Engine Optimization results. It is a free opportunity to feature your real estate name, map, contact information, and more. This is fantastic for real estate marketing. Once Google approves your real estate, it can be searched by going to maps.google.com . Google local listings often appear on searches that include regional keywords, such as “Iowa real estate” but are now coming up for services that are typically done on a local level.
One important thing to remember – most of these sites will require verification from you that you actually exist. Normally this is via an email, but in some cases, it may be via an automated phone call. So make sure you provide a phone number that you can answer quickly or else your hard work may be for nothing. This is great for real estate marketing.
