If you are a real estate agent you might be wondering, Do I need my own website as a real estate agent? Will my own website really help me get more leads and sales?

100% YES!

But what if I already have one on my brokerage’s site and I am building up my social media presence? Isn’t that enough?

100% NO!

Here are 7 reasons why a website for real estate agents is essential and why you shouldn’t be relying on a website provided by your brokerage’s firm.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more details.

Why a Website for Real Estate Agents is Essential

1. You Own It!

This is SO important to understand!

If you are currently using the generic, free website on your brokerage’s site, this is a big mistake. This may seem like an easy solution for getting an online presence, but you do not own this.

If you are creating content and putting continual effort into driving traffic to your brokerage website your SEO will build over time and people will start finding you in search results, but if you ever switch brokerage firms you will lose ALL of this! You will have to start over from scratch, building SEO, ranking in search engines, etc.

It’s HUGE waste of time and effort in your business to be building your presence on someone else’s platform. Plus most brokerage websites lack the ability to customize your site how you’d like and generate leads with custom calls-to-action. (See #4)

Your own website will guarantee a consistent web presence, even if you switch brokerages.

Click to join my FREE Real Estate Website Training in April

And if you are working hard to generate leads through social media, you also need to realize, you do not own any of the social media platforms you are on. 

This means if Facebook or Instagram decides to shut down your account one day, you lose all of your followers. All your years of hard work building a following, brand, and leads are gone!

This doesn’t mean that social media shouldn’t be part of your online strategy, but it definitely should not be your ONLY strategy.  You want to use social media to help drive traffic to your strategic website that will capture leads for you 24/7.

Your website is your own piece of the Internet that you own and can control the narrative on.

When you have your own website, you are not at the mercy of constant algorithm changes on social media, which is so important to understand in today’s constantly changing social media landscape.

2.  Your own website helps expand your visibility & reach in a highly competitive market

It can be very difficult to stand out in the real estate space. The second reason a website for real estate agents is essential is because it increases your visibility and reach beyond local networks.

When you optimize your website and content on your site for search engines, also known as SEO, you can show up in Google and other search engine searches. Prospective buyers and sellers can then discover your services and listings through online searches.

The more optimized your site, the more visible you will become.  It’s a really cost-effective way to expand your reach and grow your visibility substantially.  

Plus, the majority of real estate websites are very generic with little to no thought about strategic design or branding which means you have an opportunity to really stand out with a professional, beautifully designed, and strategic website you own.

3. It showcases your expertise which builds up credibility and trust.

The third reason why you need a website as a real estate agent is that a well-designed website instantly boosts your credibility and professionalism.

It acts as a virtual storefront where potential clients can learn more about you and your services

Your website can do the talking for you by showcasing your expertise, achievements, and listings. It can house videos or other content in the form of blog posts, podcasts, etc. where you educate potential clients and have calls-to-action to generate leads.

Your own website can also display testimonials to further communicate the results you provide and why you are the right person to help your ideal clients.

People are much more likely to do business with someone they trust. Potential clients may learn about you on social media or through a referral, but they are going to be checking out your website to decide if they want to work with you.

4. Generates Leads on Autopilot

A website serves as a powerful lead-generation tool. It can turn visitors into leads automatically.

Part of having a strategic website is putting clear calls-to-action throughout your site, especially above the fold, meaning before people have to scroll. 

You want your website visitors to become leads by opting into a freebie like a buyer’s or seller’s guide, booking a call, or some other incentive that requires them to provide their email address.

This gets them on your email list and allows you to build a connection with your audience that you control.

With algorithm changes occurring frequently on social media sites, less and less of your audience is seeing your messages. As things move to a “pay to play” model with promoted ads, you cannot be sure of how many of your followers are actually seeing your posts.

An email list is still the best way to reach potential clients. People typically check their email every day so if you have an important message that you want to ensure your audience receives, email is still your best bet. 

If you have a blog on your site then every single blog post or piece of content should have a call-to-action as well.

5. It works for you 24/7 & Improves Customer Service

Your website is available even when you aren’t.  

Unlike a physical office with fixed working hours, or social media which only works for you when you are physically putting in the time, your website is available and works for you 24/7.

It’s accessible all day, every day to answer frequently asked questions and to promote your brand on autopilot. 

A strategic website allows prospective clients to quickly learn who you are, how you can help them, what steps they need to take to work with you, and how to contact you if they want more information.

You can incorporate FAQs, calls-to-action, and contact forms to address inquiries and capture leads, even when you’re not actively online.

6. Your competitors have one.

People are actively searching for a real estate professional on search engines like Google.  While only 40% of the population is on Instagram, 98% use search engines to find information online, so you want to make sure you have a website that is showing up there!  

If and when a potential client is interested in learning more about you, they will likely read reviews and testimonials on your site. Then become a lead through a call-to-action on your site.

In the digital age that we live in, people expect real estate agents to have a website and will often consider one without one as less professional and reputable.

If your competitor has their own website and you don’t, it’s much more likely that they’ll choose them over you.

7. Excellent ROI

And the last reason why a website for real estate agents is essential is that it offers an excellent return on investment (ROI).

A website is one of the best investments you can make for your business. It’s very likely you will earn back that investment quite quickly. 

The cost of website design varies, but it is now easier than ever to get an affordable, professionally designed website that you can DIY or have customized for you.

Let’s get your beautifully designed and strategic real estate website launched in the next few weeks, so you can stand out from your competition and generate quality leads automatically without relying on outdated marketing techniques or spending countless hours on social media. Click to join my FREE Real Estate Website Training in April

Other blog posts and resources on my site that may be helpful to you:

A Showit Website: Is it right for you and your business?

WordPress vs. Showit: An Honest Comparison

How To Batch Content For Your Blog: Batching Tips For Beginners