Embarking on a DIY project often brings mixed feelings. The excitement of taking control, the fear of potential mistakes, and the satisfaction of success. Just as you might decide to renovate your own property, you could also choose to handle your real estate business’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) yourself. But is it the right choice?
In this article, we’ll delve into the pros and cons of managing your real estate SEO in-house, laying it out like a floor plan to help you make an informed decision.
Pros of Doing Your Own Real Estate SEO
1. Full Control:
Managing your SEO in-house is like having the keys to your property. You have control over your content, keywords, and SEO strategies. This can give you a sense of ownership and allow for flexibility in adapting your SEO efforts to the dynamics of your business.
2. Cost Savings:
Just as doing your own property renovations can save you money, so can handling your own SEO. By not outsourcing, you may be able to direct the funds you’d have used on professional SEO services to other aspects of your business.
3. Learning Opportunity:
Embracing DIY SEO is like trying mastering the intricacies of home renovation, offering a valuable opportunity to deepen your digital marketing skills. For example, real estate professionals who dedicated time to learning SEO saw an average 33% increase in organic traffic to their listings within six months, underscoring the tangible benefits of this expertise. Resources such as Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO and Google’s SEO Starter Guide are excellent starting points for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of SEO with confidence.
Cons of Doing Your Own Real Estate SEO
1. Time-Consuming:
Managing your SEO is a commitment comparable to the ongoing care of a luxury estate, demanding regular updates and optimizations. Industry data reveals that real estate professionals spend an average of 10-15 hours per week on SEO tasks. However, leveraging tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs can streamline keyword research, site audits, and performance tracking, significantly reducing the time investment while enhancing your site’s visibility and traffic.
2. Learning Curve:
Like any DIY project, SEO has a learning curve. There are many aspects to it – keyword research, backlink building, local SEO, and more. The complexity can be compared to trying to renovate an old property without much construction experience.
3. Potential Mistakes:
Venturing into SEO without a roadmap can lead to costly errors, similar to a botched DIY home repair. An analysis from Search Engine Journal highlights the top five SEO missteps made by businesses, including improper keyword use and neglecting mobile optimization, which collectively have been shown to decrease site traffic by up to 50%. Awareness and utilization of Google’s Webmaster Guidelines can serve as a preventive measure, safeguarding your site from common pitfalls and ensuring adherence to best practices.
So do your own SEO or not?
DIY real estate SEO can be both exciting and challenging. It offers opportunities for learning, control, and cost savings, but it also presents potential pitfalls like time consumption, complexity, and potential for mistakes.
Before embarking on the DIY SEO journey, consider the scope of the task and whether you have the necessary time, knowledge, and skills to effectively manage it. If you’re unsure, consider seeking help from experts like us at ThriveByWeb. We specialize in real estate website development, content writing, and SEO, and we’re here to help you navigate the digital marketing landscape.
