Real estate is a highly competitive industry, and search engine optimization (SEO) can be a game-changer for businesses looking to generate leads and increase revenue. With the right keywords and SEO strategies, you can improve your website’s visibility, drive traffic, and ultimately convert leads into sales. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to the best real estate SEO keywords for 2024, helping you stay ahead of the competition.
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Why you shouldn’t focus on competitive keywords (at least initially)
Focusing on highly competitive keywords can be a costly and time-consuming process. Keyword difficulty is high, and with a low domain rating, it can be impossible to rank for these keywords. Backlinks are essential for ranking, but building them takes time and resources that most businesses don’t have. Therefore, it is best to focus on other types of keywords that are easier to rank for initially.
a) Keyword difficulty is high
Highly competitive keywords are often dominated by large companies with high domain ratings. Such companies have been in the business for years, have well-established websites with high authority, and have already invested significant amounts of money into their SEO campaigns. As a result, these companies already have a massive amount of backlinks pointing to their website, which makes it challenging for new or smaller real estate businesses to compete with them for the same keywords.
Moreover, these large companies have built a solid reputation over time and have a high level of trust and authority with their target audience. This makes it easier for them to attract leads and convert them into clients. Attempting to compete with these companies on their most competitive keywords can be a difficult and time-consuming task, especially for businesses with a relatively low domain rating.
For this reason, it is often recommended that businesses avoid focusing on highly competitive keywords, at least initially. Instead, businesses should focus on niche, local, and long-tail keywords that have lower competition but are still relevant to their business. This approach allows businesses to optimize their website for specific search terms that are more likely to generate targeted traffic, leads, and conversions.
b) Your domain rating is likely low
When it comes to SEO, domain rating (also known as domain authority) is an important factor that can impact your website’s ability to rank on search engine results pages (SERPs). Domain rating is a metric developed by Moz that predicts how well a website will rank on SERPs. It’s based on factors such as the number and quality of backlinks pointing to your site, as well as other factors such as the quality and relevance of your content.
This doesn’t mean that you should avoid competitive keywords altogether. However, it’s important to be realistic about your chances of ranking for those keywords. Instead, you should focus on building up your domain rating over time by creating high-quality content and building backlinks from reputable sources. As your domain rating improves, you can gradually start to target more competitive keywords.
c) Backlinks cost a lot, and take a lot of time
Indeed, building high-quality backlinks is crucial to the success of any SEO strategy, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming and resource-intensive tasks. In order to rank for competitive keywords, you need to have a significant number of backlinks from other high-quality websites pointing to your own. This can be a challenge for small businesses with limited resources and budgets.
Large companies often have entire teams dedicated to building and acquiring backlinks, which means they can afford to invest more time and resources into this aspect of their SEO strategy. They also have the advantage of a higher domain rating, which means that their website is viewed as more authoritative by search engines. As a result, it’s easier for them to acquire backlinks and rank for highly competitive keywords.
For smaller businesses, the key is to focus on building high-quality backlinks over time. This involves creating valuable content that other websites will want to link to, as well as reaching out to other websites in your industry to establish partnerships and collaborations. It’s also important to avoid spammy tactics like buying backlinks or using link farms, which can result in penalties from search engines and harm your SEO efforts in the long run.
What kind of keywords should you focus on:
Focusing on niche keywords, local keywords, and long-tail keywords specific to your business can improve your website’s search engine ranking and attract highly targeted traffic. Here’s a breakdown of each keyword type and how they can benefit your real estate business:
a) Niche keywords
Niche keywords are essential for real estate businesses, as they help to bring in more targeted traffic to your website. Unlike general keywords that are too broad and too competitive, niche keywords are more specific and targeted, making it easier for you to rank for them.
For instance, “real estate in Miami” is a broad keyword that is extremely competitive, making it challenging to rank for unless you have a high domain rating and plenty of backlinks. In contrast, “luxury waterfront homes in Miami” is a niche keyword that is more targeted and specific. It may have less search volume, but it will attract people who are specifically interested in that type of property, resulting in higher conversion rates.
b) Local keywords
Local keywords are vital for real estate agents or brokers who specialize in specific regions or cities. Focusing on these types of keywords can help your website appear higher in local search results, which increases your visibility to potential customers who are looking for properties in the specific location.
Local keywords are often less competitive than broader or more general keywords, meaning you will have a better chance of ranking higher in the SERPs. By optimizing your website with these targeted keywords, you increase the likelihood of potential customers finding your website and contacting you for further information.
Therefore, when optimizing your real estate website for search engines, incorporating local keywords such as “homes for sale in San Francisco” or “real estate agents in New York” can help attract more relevant traffic to your website and increase your chances of converting leads into clients.
c) Long-tail keywords specific for your business
Long-tail keywords are highly specific and have a lower search volume than general keywords. However, they are easier to rank for and can attract highly targeted traffic to your website. For example, “pet-friendly homes for sale in Los Angeles” is a long-tail keyword that can help you attract potential buyers looking for pet-friendly properties in Los Angeles.
One of the benefits of using long-tail keywords is that they are generally easier to rank for than more general keywords. This is because they are less competitive and have a more specific focus. By ranking for multiple long-tail keywords, you can gradually build up your website’s domain rating and improve your overall search engine rankings.
Long-tail keywords can also help you establish yourself as an expert in a particular area of real estate. By targeting specific niches, you can provide valuable information and resources to potential buyers, which can help to build trust and credibility.
List of the Best 2024 Keywords for Real Estate
To clarify, for each keyword we are providing three important parameters.
- Keyword Difficulty (KD) – a measure of how hard it is to rank for that query, how many backlinks on average are needed. In this article, we will focus on keywords with difficulty <20 (with a few exceptions).
- Volume – the total monthly volume this particular keyword gets. It’s important to consider that there are variations of the same keyword (like Miami Beach condos for sale, and condos for sale Miami Beach), so the actual search traffic that you can get is much higher.
- Traffic Potential – this is a more accurate estimate of how many search impressions you can get, it shows how much traffic the top page receives for all keywords it ranks for.
With that covered, here are some of the best real estate SEO keywords for 2024 that you can consider using to improve your website’s visibility:
Miami Beach condos for sale
With only 12 KD and 1K monthly search volume and 3K traffic potential, this keyword is definitely a winner.
Condos for sale in Chicago
While 23 KD is not the lowest, 1K search volume is pretty good, and 7.4K traffic potential makes this keyword a very strong contender.
Condos for sale in Seattle
Standing at easy 10 Keyword Difficulty, this keyword has moderate volume and an amazing traffic potential.
New homes for sale in Charlotte NC
This one is a bit more competitive at 25 KD, and while 300 search volume is on the lower side, the 2.2K traffic potential can make it worthwhile to target this.
Top real estate agents in Denver
Difficulty is not the lowest at 22. While volume is 200 and traffic potential is 800, targeting this one can still bring good results, as it’s clear the search intent is very commercial, and it’s possible to get high-quality real estate leads. It’s very feasible to rank in the top 5 for a keyword of 22 difficulty without spending much on links.
Boston luxury real estate
Difficulty is medium and volume is good. Usually you would want more than 200 monthly search volume for 19 KD, but this is once again high commercial intent with a chance to get some amazing leads.
Condos for sale in Boston
Great overall keyword, only 9 KD makes it easy for anyone to rank for this purely based on content quality, and 200 monthly search volume can bring many qualified leads to your doorstep.
Luxury homes in San Francisco
Amazing keyword. Only 8 difficulty, very high commercial intent in a rich residential area, with 1.7k traffic potential. If you’re a realtor in San Francisco, you should definitely be targeting this keyword ASAP.
Luxury homes for sale in Beverly Hills
More competitive than usual, but the extremely high lead value than can be obtained makes pursuing this keyword worthwhile, even though 18 KD and 150 volume might not seem very impressive at first glance. To top it off, the 600 traffic potential means a brief SEO campaign for this keyword might just yield great results.
Top real estate agents in Miami
In our opinion, this one is a real gem. 150 monthly search volume, 400 monthly traffic potential for a query like this, with only 12 Keyword Difficulty? Sounds like a spectacular deal, knowing the cost of paid ads for real estate agents in Miami.
Denver real estate market forecast
A bit of an odd one, since this might not bring the most relevant users all the time. At the same time, the very low difficulty makes this easy to rank for, and it’s also a good way to increase your topical authority and brand recognition for the future.
Seattle luxury real estate
At an initial glance, 100 monthly search volume might not sound appealing, given the 14 Keyword Difficulty. However, consider the fact that there are a lot of variations for this keyword, and traffic potential can be over 1.4K monthly, and you will understand why it’s a great target for a Seattle private realtor or real estate agency.
Nashville luxury real estate
Another one of those low-difficulty, low-volume, yet highly profitable keywords. 9 KD means it’s very easy to rank for this, meanwhile it has huge traffic potential and it goes without saying that people who search for this have money and commercial intent.
Mansions in San Francisco
Absolutely amazing keyword. Standing at 8 difficulty, it has 700 monthly search volume just for this variation alone, and consider that if you rank for this, you will also rank for “San Francisco mansions” and other variations. Possibilities are huge.
Real estate consultant Miami
It will probably be hard to rank for the first place directly, as a directory like Compass might take that place. At the same time, the ratio of 900 volume to 15 difficulty makes targeting this keyword an appealing task for a Miami-based realtor.
Mansions in Boston
Like the other mansion keywords, this one has low difficulty (10) and an average amount of volume. Solid keyword, not hard to rank for by any means.
Denver housing market
Insane ratio of volume to keyword difficulty. Standing at 3.7K monthly searches, this keyword, while not being very commercial, will be a great way to increase your brand exposure and visibility among Denver clients, so you should definitely keep an eye out for this.
Seattle mansions
Finally, the “Seattle mansions” keyword can also bring your real estate business some good success and consistent leads. With 1.2K traffic potential for 11 Keyword Difficulty, there’s no reason for real estate agencies in Seattle to skip this keyword. It’s clear that the rate on return on this can be absolutely huge.
What else to consider in 2024:
In addition to focusing on the right keywords, there are other essential SEO factors to consider in 2024.
a) The importance of having a good percentage of quality content
Search engines such as Google prioritize websites that have fresh, relevant, and informative content that provides value to their users. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure your website has engaging and informative content that is both interesting and relevant to your audience.
One effective way to create quality content is to conduct thorough research on your target audience, including their interests, preferences, and pain points. This research can help you create content that resonates with your audience and provides them with the information they are looking for. Additionally, using visual aids such as images, infographics, and videos can also help to make your content more engaging and easy to understand.
It is also important to ensure that your content is optimized for search engines. This includes using relevant keywords throughout your content in a natural and organic way, without overstuffing or “keyword stuffing.” By using relevant keywords in your content, you can help search engines understand what your content is about and rank it accordingly.
b) Avoiding fully AI-written articles
As artificial intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance, more businesses are turning to AI-generated content as a way to save time and resources. However, while AI-generated content can be useful in some cases, it’s important to be cautious when using it for your real estate website.
One of the biggest risks of using fully AI-written articles is that they can often lack quality and substance. While AI algorithms are becoming more advanced, they still struggle to produce content that is as engaging and informative as content written by a human. This can result in articles that are difficult to read, lack personality, and fail to provide value to your audience.
Another issue with fully AI-generated content is that it may not be optimized for SEO. While AI algorithms can identify relevant keywords, they may not be able to create content that is optimized for those keywords in the same way that a human writer can. This can result in content that doesn’t rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs), despite containing relevant keywords.
c) Maximizing the value of internal linking
Internal linking is the practice of linking to other pages within your website, allowing users to navigate and explore your content more easily. It is an essential aspect of SEO, as it helps search engines understand the structure of your website and the importance of each page.
When done correctly, internal linking can significantly improve your website’s ranking on search engine result pages. By linking relevant pages to each other, you can signal to search engines that your website provides valuable content and a positive user experience.
In addition to SEO benefits, internal linking can also improve the user experience on your website. By providing users with links to related content, you can keep them engaged and on your website for longer. This can increase the likelihood of them converting into leads, as they spend more time exploring your content and learning about your business.
To maximize the value of internal linking, you should focus on linking to high-quality, relevant content that provides value to your audience. Avoid overusing internal links, as this can be seen as spammy and harm your website’s ranking. Instead, use internal links strategically, and focus on linking to content that is genuinely helpful and relevant to your users.
Conclusion
As we move into 2024, the landscape of real estate SEO continues to evolve, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success in this competitive field. This article has highlighted 18 of the best real estate SEO keywords for 2024, offering a comprehensive roadmap to optimize your website’s visibility, drive traffic, and convert leads into sales.
Remember, the key to effective SEO is not just about targeting the right keywords; it’s also about focusing on niche, local, and long-tail keywords that are specific to your business and less competitive. By strategically incorporating these keywords into high-quality, engaging content, you can attract more targeted traffic to your site. Furthermore, it’s essential to keep in mind the importance of maintaining a high percentage of quality content and avoiding reliance on fully AI-written articles. Additionally, the power of internal linking cannot be overstated; it enhances user experience and strengthens your website’s SEO.
In the dynamic world of real estate, where trends and search patterns are continually shifting, adapting your strategy to the latest SEO best practices is paramount. By leveraging these carefully selected keywords and following the outlined strategies, you’re setting your business up for increased online visibility and success. As you embark on this SEO journey, remember to continuously monitor your performance and adjust your tactics to stay ahead in the ever-changing digital landscape of real estate marketing.
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