The real estate industry is in flux.
For years now it’s been easy for homebuyers to get information that was once available exclusively through Realtors. Meanwhile, the Internet continues to transform the dynamics of the home-buying process.
One thing hasn’t changed though: Real estate transactions are still based on trust.
In fact, now more than ever, Realtors who can demonstrate their trustworthiness are attracting qualified local leads – especially when the Realtor shows up online, where home buyers are looking.
Fact: A 2008 study from the National Association of Realtors reported that 87 percent of U.S. home buyers used the Internet as an information resource during their home-buying process. 
It’s also a true that more of today’s home buyers are accessing the Internet from their smart phones. They are using location-based services like Google Places and Yelp (from the desktop as well as mobile devices) to find trusted real estate professionals who can guide them through the home-buying process.
What does that mean for you, the real estate professional?
In a word: location, location, location.
It matters online as much as in the real world. When people in your neighborhood go online to look for a Realtor, you want them to find you. Therefore, it is critical to establish your online visibility and maintain it over time.
How? Step one is to create search engine and directory submissions (at Google, Yahoo!, Bing, Yelp, etc.). Done properly, these will result in higher search engine rankings in your locale. Monitor your entries on these search engines, and improve your rankings over time to build greater:
• Trust, through positive reviews and testimonials
• Relevance, through targeted local exposure
• Sales, through increased visibility to qualified prospects
Smart Realtors are moving now to solidly establish their online local presence.
Peer-reviewed local listings enhance credibility, even as people grow more jaded by traditional marketing methods. Your reputation is going online, and that’s a good thing.
Now you must proactively manage it going forward.
Need help being more visible to local prospects? Find out how to get on the map!
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