Real Estate SEO: Beginner’s Guide to Using Keywords to Boost Your Blog
Blog / Real Estate SEO: Beginner’s Guide to Using Keywords to Boost Your Blog
The Power of SEO and Keywords for Real Estate
Are you finding it difficult to get your real estate website, blog, Google Business Profile, or YouTube videos to rank on Google? If so, mastering keyword selection could be the key to reaching more clients and generating quality leads.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through choosing the right keywords, including short-tail and long-tail keywords, and provide actionable tips on how to use these keywords effectively.
Today, I’ll help you demystify keyword research for real estate, guiding you in creating an SEO-friendly strategy to rank higher on Google.
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If you would rather watch or listen to this content, check out the video!
Understanding Keywords: Short-Tail vs. Long-Tail
Choosing the right keywords is fundamental for SEO. Before diving into keyword research, let’s break down the two main types:
- Short-Tail Keywords: These are brief, often 1-3 words, like “Houston realtor” or “real estate agent.” They’re broad and can attract high competition from industry giants like Zillow and Realtor.com. Though valuable, they’re challenging to rank for and aren’t always highly targeted.
- Long-Tail Keywords: Typically four words or more, long-tail keywords allow you to be more specific, such as “Houston condos for sale under $300,000.” These keywords attract a smaller but more targeted audience, making them ideal for generating high-quality leads with specific buyer intent.
For beginners, focusing on long-tail keywords with lower competition and higher specificity will yield better results faster. These phrases often indicate that the user is closer to making a purchasing decision, increasing the potential for conversion.
How to Balance Search Volume and Competition
Effective keyword research balances search volume with competition. Start by using keyword research tools like VidIQ, Keywords Everywhere, or Google’s Keyword Planner. Aim for keywords with a manageable search volume based on your area, especially if you’re in a highly competitive market.
- Search Volume: For larger metro areas, aim for keywords with a monthly search volume between 500 to 1,000. Smaller areas may have fewer searches, so adjust accordingly.
- Competition Level: Look for keywords with competition levels under 40%. Lower competition allows you to rank more easily, even as a newer or smaller site.
As you explore keywords, try variations and alternate word placements. For example, if “Houston real estate agent” is highly competitive, you might try “top real estate agent in Houston” or “best buying agent in Houston.” Experimenting with these variations will help you find combinations that provide the best balance between volume and competition.
Using Primary and Supporting Keywords Effectively
Once you’ve selected a primary keyword, incorporate it into your content’s core elements—title, headings, URL, and meta descriptions. Then, use supporting keywords throughout the content to avoid keyword stuffing and create a more natural reading experience. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Primary Keyword: The main focus of your content, placed in the title, URL, and key headings.
- Supporting Keywords: Related terms that appear naturally throughout the content to reinforce the primary keyword. For instance, if your main keyword is “buying a condo in Houston,” supporting keywords could include “best neighborhoods for condos in Houston” and “Houston condo financing tips.”
Using primary and supporting keywords this way not only strengthens SEO but also helps you cover various aspects of the topic, keeping readers engaged.
Optimizing for Local SEO
Ranking locally is essential for real estate professionals. Use keywords that include your target location to increase your local SEO ranking. For instance, instead of simply “homes for sale,” you’d use “homes for sale in Houston” or “real estate listings in downtown Houston.” Including a city or neighborhood name in your keyword signals Google to show your content to users searching in that area.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) also plays a critical role in local SEO. Linking your blog posts, YouTube videos, or other content to your GBP page can help boost visibility by creating a network of references back to your site.
Actionable Tips to Boost Your Real Estate SEO
To help you start ranking higher and faster, here are a few actionable tips:
- Prioritize Long-Tail Keywords: Start with long-tail keywords to attract targeted leads and rank more quickly. Look for low-competition, high-intent phrases that relate directly to your services or listings.
- Focus on One Primary Keyword Per Content Piece: Each blog post, page, or video should have a primary keyword as its focus. Use supporting keywords to add depth, but avoid trying to rank for too many keywords in one piece of content.
- Use Google Business Profile to Boost Visibility: Post links to your blog articles or YouTube videos on your GBP. Google sees these connections and may reward you with higher rankings. For example, if you create a YouTube video on “How to Buy a Condo in Houston,” add it to your GBP profile with a link to a related blog post or video description.
- Maintain a Keyword Spreadsheet: Track your keywords, search volume, and competition in a spreadsheet. This keeps your strategy organized and allows you to measure which keywords perform well over time.
By following these steps and focusing on targeted, high-intent keywords, you can gradually increase your rankings, boost online visibility, and generate more leads.
Turn Keywords into High-Quality Leads
To sum up, optimizing your real estate website for search is about choosing the right keywords and using them strategically across your content. Let’s recap the steps:
- Use a blend of short-tail and long-tail keywords, with an emphasis on long-tail for lower competition.
- Ensure your primary keyword is present in titles, URLs, headings, and meta descriptions.
- Incorporate local SEO keywords that specify your target areas.
- Leverage your Google Business Profile to create cross-links to your content, amplifying visibility.
- Track your keywords to monitor search volume and competition, refining your strategy as needed.
If you’d like personalized advice or are interested in accessing free resources, training, and coaching through a partnership with me at eXp Realty, book a one-on-one call with the link below. And if you found this guide helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for more SEO insights and tips to help grow your real estate business.
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