Why Your Online Presence Matters in 2025 (for Real Estate Agents)

Your buyers and sellers aren't relying on one channel. They're searching across:

• Google and other search engines
• Video platforms like YouTube and TikTok
• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Online directories and real estate portals
• Your blog and article content
• Sometimes paid ads (not today's focus)

When someone googles "Realtor in Houston, Texas" (or your city), Google isn't just looking at your site. It's cross-checking directories, citations, and profiles to assemble the most authoritative result. Consistent NAPW (Name, Address, Phone, Website), backlinks from high-authority domains, and properly built profiles help you rank—and help AI systems trust and recommend you.

If you only set up one thing today, make it Google Business Profile (GBP). It's wild how many local businesses still haven't claimed it, and among those that have, most haven't optimized or maintained it.

Your GBP checklist (quick hits):

• Claim your profile and fully complete the Edit profile section.
• Use Service Areas (don't rely on just county names—list the individual areas).
• Add Questions & Answers, Products, Services with descriptions, and Photos.
• Post updates consistently (like social posts).
• Focus on reviews + responses (AI reads these—use location and service keywords naturally).

Agents who post consistently for 2–3 months often start seeing 6–8 inbound calls regularly—just from GBP. People read reviews, scan photos, and choose who to contact right there. Done right, this is pull marketing that compounds.

I have a full Google Business Profile Playlist and a Google Business Profile Course if you want deeper setup guidance—plenty of free videos to get you started.

Beyond GBP, you need your industry profiles in place:

• Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin → Claim and complete your profiles. Don't assume they auto-populate correctly. Use AI tools (like ChatGPT) to draft a professional bio that matches your brand and market.
• Brokerage profile → Many brokerages give you a profile or mini-site—make sure it's built out, branded, and link-worthy.
• Local Realtor board → Many boards (e.g., HAR in Houston) host robust agent pages with solid local SEO. Build yours out—profile photo, description, specialties, and links.
• Chamber of Commerce & local magazines/directories → Add your listing for citations and backlinks.
• Bing Places & Apple Maps → People do use them. Show up everywhere your clients might search.
• Yelp, Homes.com, Trulia → Round out the basics.

Pro tip: Keep your contact info and branding consistent across every profile. That consistency is a trust signal for search engines and AI.

You do not need every platform. Focus on what you can consistently maintain (weekly at minimum; daily is better if possible). Quality beats quantity.

• Facebook: Strong for 55+ demographics and local groups. Business Pages can work, but the gold is often in community participation and groups.
• Instagram: Great for mid-demographics; personal brand + real estate content together works fine if done professionally.
• LinkedIn: B2B and referral power. Keep it professional—less personal content, more authority posts.
• YouTube & TikTok: Your video presence matters. YouTube is long-form (and chapters are searchable). TikTok is a dominant short-form search engine. Use both if you can.

Scheduling: Use a scheduler (Buffer, Hootsuite, or GHL's built-in scheduler) to batch and automate. Also schedule GBP posts regularly—treat it like a social feed.

AI systems and modern search look for clear, consistent signals across your ecosystem:

• Matching name, phone, email, website everywhere
• Profiles that link back to your website (high-authority backlinks)
• Fresh, useful content (blogs, videos, GBP posts)
• Reviews with relevant keywords and location names
• YouTube chapters that align with searchable queries

When your ecosystem is consistent and active, AI is more likely to surface your content for local, intent-driven searches.

A strong content flywheel builds authority and traffic:

• Website + Blog: Publish question-and-answer, value-based posts that target local search. Internally link to other relevant posts; add external links to authoritative sources when helpful.
• YouTube: Turn blogs into videos (and vice versa). Use keyworded chapters so viewers (and Google) can jump to exact answers.
• GBP: Repost highlights as Updates and use the FAQ section.
• Repurposing: Start with one foundational piece and repurpose it across platforms with minor edits.

You don't have to do everything all at once. First, claim and build the core profiles. Then add a repeatable cadence for your blog, social posts, GBP updates, and video content.

1. NAPW Consistency: Ensure your Name, Address (or Service Areas), Phone, Website match—everywhere.
2. Review Sprint: Ask clients, colleagues, friends, and family to leave honest reviews on Google (and optionally cross-post to Yelp/Zillow). Stagger submissions over weeks.
3. Keyworded Responses: Reply to reviews using location and service terms naturally.
4. Join Local Groups: Answer questions in Facebook and community forums. Provide value—no spammy self-promo needed.
5. Schedule Posts: Create a monthly content calendar and schedule your posts and GBP updates in one batch.

If you have questions, drop them in the comments. If you want help with anything marketing-related, schedule a marketing consultation and we'll map a plan to grow your real estate business. Want my resources, training, courses, and our real estate snapshot for free? Book a 1:1 call to learn how to partner with me at eXp Realty inside the Agent Wolf Pack.

What's the fastest way to get more calls without paying for ads?
A: Optimize and post consistently on your Google Business Profile. Ask for reviews weekly, add photos, publish Updates, and answer Q&A. It's the highest-leverage free channel for local leads.

Do I need profiles on Zillow and Realtor.com if I already have a website?
A: Yes. These are high-authority domains that strengthen your backlink profile and help Google/AI verify your credibility—plus consumers actually check them.

Which social platforms should I prioritize?
A: If you can only do two, choose YouTube (searchable long-form + shorts) and Facebook (local groups + 55+ demo). Add Instagram or TikTok as your bandwidth allows.

How many reviews should I aim for each month?
A: Shoot for 5–10 new, honest reviews per month across key platforms (Google first). Consistency beats one big dump.

Should I list a physical address on GBP?
A: Most agents are better off using Service Areas (not a storefront address) to avoid verification headaches and keep your coverage flexible.

How often should I blog for local SEO?
A: Aim for 2–4 posts per month that answer specific local questions (schools, neighborhoods, new construction, market processes). Repurpose into YouTube and GBP.

What's the first thing I should do after reading this?
A: Claim and optimize your GBP, then download my Online Presence Checklist (link below) and knock out the core directories this week.