Website Development Edmonton: How to Generate More Leads for Your Real Estate Business
by Aaron Janes, Founder
We all know that in real estate, leads are the name of the game. No leads, no closings, no commissions. It's that simple. Leads are pretty much oxygen for business success.
So, if you're confident in your closing game and have everything else set up for success, which leaves us with one room for improvement - how to get more leads.
Fortunately, you don't have to be at the mercy of a fickle market.
The truth is, the most successful agents I know are the ones who are constantly hustling, always networking, and always finding creative ways to connect with potential clients. They're not sitting around waiting for the phone to ring – they're out there making it ring!
In this guide, I'll share some of my personal lead-generation strategies that have helped me build a successful business, transformed to be real estate relevant.
Let's go. 🚀
An introduction to real estate lead generation
In real estate, a lead is basically anyone who shows even a tiny bit of interest in buying or selling a property. They might be actively searching for their dream home, thinking about downsizing, or just curious about the market.
Even someone browsing Zillow at 2 AM just curious because they can't sleep is a potential lead.
However, not all leads are created equal.
- Hot leads: These folks are practically sprinting towards a sale. They're attending open houses, filling out online forms, and maybe even sliding into your DMs.
- Cold leads: They might be a good fit, but they haven't shown their cards yet. Think of them as potential clients waiting to be wowed.
So, the aim of the game is to get more leads, ideally hot leads that are ready to go, but also by nurturing cold leads and building relationships with them, warming them up (yes, that's the actual term for it) to become hot leads.
Let's explore some of the best ways of doing this.
17 unique strategies to generate real estate leads
Right, let's get into the strategies, the 17 unique and proven strategies to generate a flood of real estate leads:
Host a "first-time homebuyers" workshop: Team up with a local mortgage lender or financial advisor to create a workshop packed with valuable information for first-time homebuyers. This positions you as a knowledgeable resource and lets you capture leads through sign-up sheets or online forms.
Create an interactive market trend report: Ditch boring PDFs and create an engaging online report showcasing market trends, neighbourhood insights, and recent sales data. Embed videos, 3D tours, and interactive elements to captivate your audience and generate intent data. This is incredibly shareable and raises your authority (and potential website backlinks), thus improving the ranking ability of your website.
Leverage client testimonials in digital brochures: Let your happy clients do the talking. Embed video testimonials from satisfied clients within your digital sales brochures to build trust and credibility. Authentic stories from real people can be incredibly persuasive. Social proof is real.
Offer a free "Home Seller's checklist": Create a valuable downloadable checklist that guides sellers through the process of preparing their homes for sale. Gate the content behind a lead capture form to gather contact information.
Target international buyers with translated content: Expand your reach by translating your marketing materials and digital brochures for international buyers. While you may want to focus on buyers in Edmonton, don't forget that people move from other states or from abroad.
Run hyperlocal Facebook ads: Target potential clients in specific neighbourhoods (like Strathcona, Highlands, or the Downtown area) or communities with Facebook ads showcasing your expertise in that area. Highlight recent sales, local market trends, and testimonials from satisfied clients in those areas.
Host a virtual home staging workshop: Partner with a professional home stager to host a webinar or online workshop offering tips and strategies for preparing homes for sale. This demonstrates your commitment to helping sellers maximize their property's appeal.
Develop a niche in eco-friendly homes (or a niche of your choice): Specialize in helping buyers find energy-efficient, sustainable homes. Stay updated on green building certifications and market trends to establish yourself as an expert in this growing niche. Or whatever niche you choose (such as custom builds, multi-family homes, etc.), become the go-to realtor for that niche.
Partner with local businesses for open house events: Collaborate with complementary businesses, like interior designers or landscapers, to enhance your open houses and attract a wider audience. Offer refreshments, giveaways, or co-branded marketing materials.
Create "Sold Home" postcards for neighbourhood farming: Design eye-catching postcards showcasing recently sold homes in specific neighbourhoods. Include your contact information and a message highlighting your local market expertise. Put them anywhere throughout Edmonton (cafe notice boards, community areas, and so on) to gain traction.
Develop a client referral program: Incentivize past clients to refer new business by offering rewards or discounts on future services. This leverages the power of word-of-mouth marketing and generates high-quality leads. These incentives could be anything, from gift cards to commissions (set amounts) or entries into an end-of-year competition. Make a big deal out of it; it's way more fun that way.
Use chatbots on your website for lead capture: Implement AI-powered chatbots on your website to engage visitors, answer common questions, and capture leads. This provides 24/7 availability and streamlines your lead generation efforts. Never miss a message, no matter what time of day leads are getting in touch.
Target "Empty Nesters" with personalized content: Focus on a specific demographic, such as empty nesters looking to downsize, and create targeted content addressing their needs and concerns. Tailor your messaging and showcase properties that suit their lifestyle.
Host a "Home Buying in a Competitive Market" webinar: Provide valuable insights and strategies for navigating a competitive real estate market. Offer tips for securing financing, making strong offers, and winning bidding wars.
Partner with a moving company for exclusive offers: Collaborate with a reputable moving company to offer discounts or special packages to your clients. This adds value to your services and creates a mutually beneficial partnership. Everybody wins this way and is far more likely to commit to using your services/
Develop a blog series on local market trends: Provide regular updates on local market conditions, including pricing trends, inventory levels, and neighbourhood insights. This establishes you as a thought leader and attracts potential clients seeking information.
Use analytics to optimize strategy performance: No matter what strategy above you're using, make sure you're reviewing your analytics to see what works and what doesn't. This way, you can work on things that need to be improved, double down on what's working, and cut the stuff that simply isn't serving you.
Tapping into Edmonton's Real Estate Hotspots
Okay, so we've covered a ton of lead-generation strategies, but let's get hyperlocal. Here in Edmonton, we've got our own unique real estate landscape, and knowing where to focus your efforts can make a huge difference.
Edmonton's online hubs for real estate leads
Forget casting a wide net and just hoping for the best – zero in on the online platforms where Edmonton buyers and sellers are actively searching for their next move:
- REALTOR.ca: This is the official website of the Canadian Real Estate Association, and it's a goldmine for finding active buyers and sellers in Edmonton. With thousands of listings and detailed search filters, you can connect with potential clients who are serious about making a move.
- Edmonton Real Estate: This website is specifically dedicated to the Edmonton real estate market, offering a user-friendly interface and comprehensive listings of houses, condos, and townhouses. It's a great place to showcase your listings and connect with local buyers.
- EdmontonHomesWeb.com: This platform provides a comprehensive search experience for Edmonton home buyers, including access to top properties and detailed neighbourhood information. It's a valuable resource for connecting with potential clients actively searching for their dream home in Edmonton.
- RE/MAX Canada: RE/MAX is a well-established brand in Canada, and its website offers a wealth of information on Edmonton real estate, including listings, market trends, and agent profiles. It's a great platform for building your online presence and connecting with potential clients.
- Best Edmonton Real Estate: This website boasts a leading platform for buying and selling Edmonton real estate, focusing on excellent customer service. It's a great place to showcase your listings and connect with buyers looking for a personalized experience.
- Zillow: While Zillow is a US-based company, it also has a strong presence in Canada, including Edmonton. Their website offers a vast database of listings, as well as tools and resources for buyers and sellers. It's a valuable platform for reaching a wider audience and generating leads.
- REW (Real Estate Weekly): REW is a popular online resource for Canadian real estate, including Edmonton. Their website offers a wide range of listings, as well as market insights and advice for buyers and sellers. It's a great place to connect with potential clients actively engaged in the Edmonton real estate market.
- Liv Real Estate: Liv Real Estate is a local Edmonton company with a strong online presence. Their website offers up-to-date listings, as well as information on Edmonton communities and real estate trends. It's a valuable resource for connecting with local buyers and sellers.
Don’t forget, you can use these real estate websites as inspiration for building your own website. We actually have a full guide on this, which you can find here.
Making the most of Edmonton's real estate landscape
Now that you know where to find those leads, here's how to make the most of Edmonton's unique real estate landscape:
- Highlight your local expertise: Edmonton has diverse neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character and charm. Showcase your knowledge of these communities to attract buyers and sellers looking for an agent with local insights.
- Stay up-to-date on market trends: The Edmonton real estate market is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest trends, including pricing, inventory levels, and new developments, to provide valuable insights to your clients.
- Embrace Edmonton's vibrant community: Edmonton is known for its strong sense of community. Get involved in local events, support local businesses, and build relationships with other professionals in the area to expand your network and generate referrals.
By tapping into these online hubs and leveraging your local expertise, you can position yourself as the go-to real estate expert in Edmonton and attract a steady stream of qualified leads.
How to make your website the best lead generation machine possible
Now, listen in; this is important.
It's all good being proactive and getting as many leads as possible, but if your website isn't set up for success, then it won't do its job, and those leads won't convert.
What's more, your website, through proper website development, is a lead-generation machine in its own right. One that if you set up and build properly, can continue to serve you day in, day out, even when you're focusing on other things.
Here's the deal: your website often gives potential clients the first impression of you. It's where they go to learn about your services, check out your listings, and get a feel for your personality and brand.
A well-designed website can make all the difference in turning those casual visitors into hot leads.
What are the elements of a lead-generating website?
So, what makes a real estate website truly shine? Here are a few key elements to think about:
- Professional design: First impressions matter! Your website design should be visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Think clean lines, high-quality images, and a user-friendly layout.
- Compelling content: Don't just list your services – tell your story. Share your expertise, highlight your unique selling points, and provide valuable information that resonates with your target audience. Think blog posts, market reports, and client testimonials.
- Clear call to action: What do you want visitors to do on your website? Make it crystal clear with strong calls to action. Encourage them to contact you, schedule a consultation, or download a free guide.
- Lead capture forms: Make it easy for potential clients to get in touch with you by including lead capture forms throughout your website. Offer valuable resources, like free home evaluations or buyer guides, in exchange for their contact information.
- Search engine optimization (SEO): Make sure your website is optimized for search engines so potential clients can easily find you when searching for real estate agents in Edmonton. This involves using relevant keywords, optimizing your content, and building high-quality backlinks.
Head over to your website now and take a look. How does it feel? Are your website development efforts setting you up for success, or are they lacking? If you were a lead, would you convert for a website like this?
If not, then there's work to do. Okay, that's a bit of a trick because there's always work to do. Your website should be treated as a living, breathing entity that grows and transforms as your business moves forward.
Therefore, if you take time to look after it and water it, it can bloom into something beautiful.
How to turn your website into a lead magnet
So, how do you improve the lead generation capabilities of your website? Here are few things to think about.
- Showcase your listings: Make sure your listings are prominently displayed on your website, with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions, and virtual tours.
- Highlight your expertise: Share your knowledge of the Edmonton real estate market through blog posts, market reports, and neighbourhood guides.
- Build trust with testimonials: Feature testimonials from satisfied clients to build credibility and show potential clients that you're the real deal.
- Offer valuable resources: Provide free resources, like home buying and selling guides, to attract potential clients and capture their contact information.
- Promote your website: Don't just build it and forget it! Promote your website through social media, email marketing, and other online channels.