Build Your Real Estate Business (Almost) for Free

As a new agent, you feel like you are hemorrhaging money with very little return at first. When your first commission check barely covers your own rent or mortgage, you have to figure out lead generation that won't bust your already busted budget. If you are feeling the pinch, utilizing free (or almost free) business tools is the best way to build your business without going broke. 

Build Your Real Estate Business (Almost) for Free

1. Buy a domain name with hosting. This is the only item on the list that isn't free and while I recommend investing in a custom domain name and a hosting package so you really "own" your site, you don't have to and there are free options. However, it always looks better if your clients are going to yourname.com not yourname.wordpress.com. For around $15 you can score your custom domain name. Your hosting will vary, but you can usually find hosting for $200 or less per year (this can vary based on the provider and billing cycle so read all the fine print before you buy). If you really can't afford a domain name and hosting package, save up for one.
2. Set up your site. My favorite website platforms are Wordpress, Blogger/BlogSpot, and Wix. They make it super easy to have your new, professional looking site up and running in 15 minutes.
3. Add SEO. Whether using a plugin or manual site submission, add some keywords and submit your site to the search engines. I like plugins that submit your site as frequently as each day, but if you have to go the manual route, add it to your calendar and submit it monthly at the least.
4. Add in your IDX links. Most MLSs these days offer free idx links for agents. Save searches and add these to your site with a description of their criteria and if you can add in blank searches, add those as well for visitors to run their own searches. (The added benefit of these links is that most MLSs will add people to your client portal when they request information or save a property/search!)
5. Add to a blog and build community pages. The more often you add content, the more often Google crawls your site. So add content regularly. Not only is this free, but your visitors will come to expect new content on certain days. Returning visitors will eventually turn into clients when they are nurtured. Fresh content keeps them happy until they are ready to connect.
6. Set up free profiles on all major real estate sites. Whether you work with buyers, sellers, landlords or tenants, you need to have these profiles set up so people can find you where they are.
7. Ask friends and family to review you. Once you set up your profiles, have people review you! The more reviews you have, the better your exposure is and the more likely someone will contact you instead of your competitor.
8. Create a Facebook page and post daily. Again, people want to find experts they trust where they are. Facebook is where the masses are, so be there. If you are regularly adding website content, you have plenty to share with them in addition to area info.
9. Set up a free MailChimp account. MailChimp makes emailing leads and clients a breeze and free is a great price point. Add sign up forms to your site and when you have a new listing, new blog, new market report, let your subscribers know!
10. Brand your photos. Whether you use a third-party app/website or you do it yourself, brand all your listing, social media and blog photos to make it easy to locate your contact info, whether it's just your site, username or full details.
11. Take more than just photos. Create walk-through videos of your listings or a target neighborhood and share them.
12. Leverage real estate networking groups online. These networking groups on Facebook and LinkedIn are great for meeting other agents for referrals and learning new ideas.
13. Utilize free content. Sites like House Logic are great for sharing with leads.
14. Post classified ads. While not always the best source of lead generation, you can post ads on sites like Craigslist for home valuations or area market reports.

Building your real estate business doesn't have to break the bank, especially when you are starting out. With these tips, you can build a solid client base and keep a little more of that first big commission check in the bank.

Until next time my lovelies!

-M

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