How much would you pay per month for a real estate website that ranks at the top of Google for the top (largest/receive the most traffic) 3 keywords in your area?

As in purchasing that real estate website or placing an ad there?

JL, perhaps you can clarify the question a bit. Do you mean how much would we pay for a website (already established domain) that ranks highly for local keywords? Or how much would we pay for SEO services (or PPC campaigns) to rank highly for those keywords/key phrases?

By the way, those top keywords tend to have much lower conversion rates, as those who are browsing for general terms (i.e. 'los angeles real estate) are not as deep in their research as those who are searching for more specific information (i.e. 'glendale home for sale under $750K').

Be careful for what you wish for you might get it.

How would this promise be fulfilled? Would it be with "Black Hat" tactics? Ask if the SEO is ethical & organic. How would this feat be accomplished? If it sounds too good to be true.... etc.

Why not take this same amount of money and learn SEO. Learn to position your page with good 'ol fashioned hard work & networking. This will get you to the top & you'll stay there.

To Maui's point. It does you nothing to be at the top of google unless your website is able to convert that position into leads. So I would pay nothing for that service the OP described but I would pay a lot for a website that ranked well on search terms to lead to solid buyer or seller leads. However I doubt anybody out there is selling that service.

Hello,

I pay $200/month for 5 keyword phrases and I am top 10 for all of them... It takes time though for top 10 in organic results... If you want them right away you should consider Pay-Per-Click... It took me 3 months at $200/month to get there.

Jeff

Conversion is what it's all about. How do I get the visitor to pick up the phone & make an appointment?

I know most are browsing, but there are serious buyers & seller looking on the web.

Bob (Maine Exclusive), I think adding UNIQUE content and becoming an area expert would help in gaining authority (and well, consumers flock to people they perceive as experts). So let's talk about 'unique' content. I see that you have 'monthly housing reports', whereby you post the stats as given by your board exactly as they post it (no editorial, no commentary). Perhaps you could post YOUR opinion of where the market is, based on current statistics, areas of interest, etc. Or under a few other categories (i,e. 'FAQ', 'Septic'), you have posted branded PDF's from your board (or at least what seems like material from your board). That's a starting point. I have a few concerns/issues with your IDX, but that's going well outside the point of this thread. Best of luck.

I sincerely believe that you've got to have lots of content to get found and retain a visitor..

However, I want a reader to feel compelled to call to set up a showing.

Visit, browse, read, leave - so what?

I want: visit, read, get what you came for, call to set up showings - that's succesful.

I'm at a loss as to how to fulfill the last part of the "call to action" - having the phone ring!

Bob, are visitors signing up on your site to view listings? After they sign up do you get some that book appointments to view?

Unless an actual relationship has developed I imagine a visitor would not feel compelled to book an appointment just because they signed up to view listings.

In some ways, it was easier to get leads that would convert before there were IDX listings as people would fill in a home search form and get a personal response which allowed a relationship to begin. Many agents requiring visitors to sign up to see listings just put signups in a database and on an automatic emailer - which is not really developing a relationship.

It's a hard question to answer, because it depends on the market. If I had the opportunity to rank top 3 in Calgary, (major competition), I would pay $300/ month. I live just outside of Calgary, and to immediately rank top 3 here, I would pay $200 / month.

Hey Jefftd77,
What are the 5 key word phrases? I like your website a lot

Aloha Chris, I see that the Calgary RE market is incredibly competitive. One of my friends is on the first page of Google for 'Calgary real estate'. I would think that reputable SEO services to get you in the top 3 would be considerably more expensive than what you might find adequate. Have you inquired a SEO company for their services?

Hi Beckyw,

Glad you like our site The 'Free Home Evaluation' badge at the top has helped us a lot for getting leads...

The keywords we rank for are for Google.ca and They are:

White Rock Real Estate
White Rock Homes
White Rock Houses
Houses For Sale Surrey
Surrey Homes For Sale

We just transitioned from .ca to .net recently so we are still recovering... but we are back in the top 10 again for all of them

Hope all is well in New Orleans

Jeff

Just advertise on Google Adword and your listing will be on top of the page!!!