How Google Search Results Work for Real Estate

When a potential client wants to learn more about your real estate business, research the communities where you sell homes, or browse the latest listings, their favorite search engine will often be their first stop. And Google is far and away the most popular search engine, with little meaningful competition on the horizon. So, what does that mean for your real estate business? Put simply, showing up in prime position in Google's search results is critical to generating qualified leads online, and search engine optimization is a must-have tool for growing your business.

While you likely have experience using Google yourself, you may not be familiar with the details of why search results appear how they do. The team at Delta Media Group has you covered, with a guide to the terms and tactics you need to understand for successful SEO.

Searching for Answers: A Guide to Google Real Estate Search Results

The basics of Google's search results layout will likely be familiar to most readers. After you type your query and click "Google Search," you're led to a page of ordered search results. The most prominent results, featured in the left column, are known as "organic" results, a term we'll cover ahead. There are ten organic results on each page, along with paid search results, which can appear on the top and bottom.

Organic Search Results

An organic search result essentially depends on what Google's algorithms identify as the best match for your search query, without taking paid advertising into account. There are ten organic results on each page, and search users are much more likely to click links that make it onto the first page of search results. Even within the first page, users are more likely to click links at the top of the page than the bottom.

Paid Search Results

Paid results are still designed to appear when a user searches relevant terms, with the difference being that you can essentially pay Google for a prime position in search results. Appearing in organic results takes time as you grow your imprint online, so paid search advertising (PPC) can be an effective way to bridge the gap until your online marketing builds authority with Google's algorithms, or if your organic SEO could use a boost.

Local Search Results

If you search for local businesses, you'll often find a map at the top of the search results which shows the location of local businesses that meet your search criteria. From the map, users can click to view contact information, visit your website, or even get one-click driving directions to your real estate business. Local SEO is a vital tool for real estate businesses, and convenient, information-rich map results are just one reason why.

Making the List

Google wants to provide users with quality information, first and foremost, so an informative website, regular blog posts and an active social media presence will help you climb the search rankings. There is also a ton of less obvious ways that an SEO expert will tweak your website, including keyword research, building authority through content and optimizing URLs. The good news is that you don't have to worry about the technical details when you choose an experienced SEO team.

If there's one thing to know about Google search results, it's that the higher your position in the results, the better your chances of drawing new eyes to your real estate business online. Contact Delta Media Group to learn more about SEO, and make sure your real estate business is getting the online attention that it deserves.

To view the original article, visit the Delta Media Group blog.