- Image via CrunchBase
- Image via CrunchBase
An interesting battle royale whipped up on Twitter over the last week or so–the “SEO merits of Trulia versus Zillow.” Maybe the better question is why does it matter? Or, what is SEO and this SERPs character they keep talking about?
My guess is 95% of real estate and mortgage brokers make a living with out the foggiest clue. And, that may be the best way to win the SEO battle. Although, some would argue that a real estate TEA party is in order.
Here is my case (applies equally to real estate and mortgage):
- If you write about your local area,
- If you photograph your local area,
- If you talk to/interview local people,
- If you cover local events,
- If you highlight local businesses, you will…
Blow the doors off Trulia and Zillow in SEO (who cares if you don’t know what it is), leads, and conversion. Give people what they are looking for, like “Denver homes” or even better “modern homes in Denver” and you will not be competing with Trulia or Zillow.
Proof: Denver homes and modern homes in Denver SERPs–no Trulia or Zillow.
Point is: Trulia and Zillow are great at what they do. Let them help you with your business. But, if you want to corner the online market for your local area–you have 100% control.
BTW, if you want to read how the Modern Homes in Denver coupe was pulled on Trulia and Zillow learn from the architect:
Hey, at the very least you know what SEO and SERPs are–now forget them and get back to being helpful to your clients!
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Right on target! Do what you do best. In this case real estate. Stay focused on your website and what you offer consumers.
You’re right about the local expertise thing – Search engines love original content, and if you can talk to local people, and publish interviews, pictures, etc. which can’t be found on other sites, that gives you a distinct advantage. But it would make an even bigger impact if some of these people actually knew a little bit about how search engines work.
Wow…Great debate. I have found through my personal experience just having a website that is SEO is not enough. As you said in the article, I have made a living without have a clue about my web prescence or what the difference is between SEO and SERP. This year I have made a conscious effort to correct that and I am personally using Tuila. So hands down I think it is a great tool, because it is working.
Superb.
An official TruZilla Tea Party t-shirt is on its way to you (once I print one up).
Note to self: Start Real Estate blog for the city I live in TODAY!
This year I have made a conscious effort to correct that and I am personally using Tuila.
Great insight, I have been beating my head against the wall here trying to teach people how to do it. I just decided to beat them with it. Getting my license to do Real Estate and will show the entire state, I know what I am doing.
Dave
What an appeal argument. Of course, a great online tool is nothing without an excellent offline performance.
What an appeal argument. Of course, a great online tool is nothing without an excellent offline performance