Marketing Tips for Home Builders
In this blog, HomeRank Ads will suggest some marketing tips specifically for home builders. Home builders benefit from digital marketing by reaching targeted audiences more cost-effectively, showcasing projects visually, and enhancing credibility and customer experience, ultimately leading to more leads and insights into buyer preferences. Below you’ll see a list of 5 of the best techniques to boost your online presence. Here’s our expert advice:
1. Leverage High-Quality Images and Videos
2. Optimize Visual Content for SEO
3. Use Content Marketing to Build Authority
4. Target Developing Areas in Google Ads
5. Incorporate Local SEO Techniques
Click on the links above to read about these specific strategies or continue reading to scan through the entire blog post. Or, if you want to speak with an expert about marketing your business online, contact HomeRank Ads.
One of the best marketing tips for home builders is to always showcase your work! (Image Source: Max Vakhtbovycn)
5 Marketing Tips for Home Builders
Marketing a home-building company online is highly effective when using a combination of SEO, visual content, and targeted ads. Continue reading to learn in more detail how to effectively use digital marketing strategies to stand out.
1. Leverage High-Quality Images and Videos
This video from Mattamy Homes uses video footage to display their homes and the surrounding neighborhood.
Everyone loves pictures! It’s true. Here’s what Forbes said about why using images is so important in marketing:
“Images that are easy to understand and able to evoke emotions, stay in our heads. The benefit of pairing images to your online content is so powerful that, people's ability to remember information after three days goes up from 10% in the case of text alone to 65% when the content is paired with a powerful image.” (Industry Studies And Insights On Why You Need To Choose Better Photos For Your Marketing Efforts by Bernhard Schroeder of Forbes)
Here are 3 recommendations to help you master the addition of imagery to your marketing content:
Showcase Visual Appeal
The home building industry is inherently visual, so sharing high-quality images and videos of finished homes, construction processes, or 3D walkthroughs can engage and inspire potential clients.
Engage on Social Media
Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are perfect for sharing images and videos. Post time-lapse videos of building projects, “before and after” transformations, or virtual tours to give clients a feel for your work quality.
Website Galleries and Case Studies
Feature image galleries, client testimonials, and project case studies on your website to build trust with prospects.
Using a variation of images and videos in your marketing strategy will help your clients feel more emotionally connected to your company and leave a memorable impression.
2. Optimize Visual Content for SEO
Watch the video above to hear Jamal explain the dos and don'ts of adding alt text to benefit your SEO.
While often overlooked, optimizing your visual content for SEO can help Google index your pages and therefore improve your SEO. Here are 4 recommendations:
Use Alt Text for Images
Adding descriptive alt text to all images helps search engines understand the content, which can help your images rank in Google Image Search. Include relevant keywords, such as “luxury home builder in [location]” or “eco-friendly custom home construction.”
Incorporate Keywords in Video Titles and Descriptions
If you’re using video hosting platforms (like YouTube) or embedding videos on your website, include targeted keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags to improve visibility on search engines.
Optimize File Names
Name image files descriptively with keywords (e.g., “modern-custom-home.jpg” instead of “IMG_001”), as search engines also use filenames to understand image content.
Create Video Transcripts
Adding transcripts for videos not only improves accessibility but also allows search engines to index more content, improving your SEO.
If you watched the video above, you’ll hear Jamal say that there are millions of people who may benefit from descriptive alt text. With that in mind, let’s all remember to make the image and video of our content more accessible!
3. Use Content Marketing to Build Authority
Two ways to build authority and present your company as an expert with something of value to offer is to create blogs, guides and other valuable resources. Here is some further detail on that.
Write Blog Posts and Guides
Publish blog posts on topics like “Choosing the Best Home Builder,” “How to Plan for a Custom Home,” or “Energy-Efficient Building Techniques.” These help position your company as an expert and naturally attract backlinks, improving your SEO.
Offer Valuable Resources
One way to attract and nurture leads from your website is through the provision of resources. E-books, checklists, or infographics about the home-building process can draw in clients who may need guidance before they’re ready to start building. Here are some other ideas:
Home-Building Guides like “A Guide to Eco-Friendly Home Design”, or “10 Steps to Choosing the Perfect Floor Plan.”
Budget Calculators and Cost Estimation Tools
Floor Plan Templates and Customization Tools
Virtual Home Tours or 3D Renderings
Educational Webinars and Workshops on topics like “Current Trends in Home Design,” or “Navigating Permits”
Land Selection and Site Prep Guide
Eco-Friendly Home Design Tips
Home Maintenance and Care Guide
Financing and Mortgage Tips
You could even offer a home style quiz, a fun and interactive quiz on your website to help clients determine which home style best fits their preferences and needs. This could also guide them toward models or customizations your company offers. There are so many ways to create excitement about your products and services!
Offering these resources not only builds trust and establishes credibility but also helps clients feel more informed and supported, making them more likely to choose your company.
4. Target Developing Areas in Google Ads
This next video shows how to use location targeting in Google Ads.
Using Google Ads is one of the most popular marketing tips for home builders, but remember to target developing areas if you are going to use these ads. Here are some pointers:
Target Growing Neighborhoods and New Developments
Set up Google Ads campaigns targeting keywords specific to developing areas (e.g., “home builder in [developing city or area]” or “new homes in [neighborhood name]”). Use geotargeting to reach users specifically within these regions.
Use Location-Specific Landing Pages
Create landing pages for each developing area you’re targeting in ads. Include neighborhood highlights, unique selling points, and examples of recent projects to help ads convert more effectively. And remember to make sure the landings pages your ads direct users to are worth visiting!
Run Display Ads with Visuals
Google Display Ads can show attractive images of completed homes to users in your target location who may be exploring home-building options, keeping your brand top of mind.
Want to learn more about how Google Ads can benefit your home building company? Click on the previous link or talk to us to learn more!
5. Incorporate Local SEO Techniques
Remember to regularly manage and update your Google My Business Profile.
One of our final marketing tips for home builders is to incorporate local SEO techniques. Here are our top 3 suggestions:
Google My Business Profile
Optimize and regularly update your Google My Business profile with high-quality images, client reviews, and project descriptions. Remember to ask customers to provide reviews so you can increase your google reviews. Many people rely on Google Reviews, so make sure to manage your profile by responding to reviews and updating information regularly.
Build Local Backlinks
Partner with local businesses, suppliers, or real estate companies to get backlinks to your website, boosting your SEO for local searches.
Location-Based Keywords
Use keywords that include specific locations (like cities, neighbourhoods, or counties) in your website content and metadata, which helps rank for relevant, local search terms.
In today’s online marketplace, SEO is well worth your time and investment. With more people than ever visiting websites and conducting online research before hiring a home builder, you’ll want to be sure your website is visually appealing and well-ranking.
Conclusion
Today’s consumers expect to find extensive information online, including reviews, portfolio galleries, and client testimonials. A builder’s website is often the first impression, making it essential to have a professional and informative online presence.
Before making a significant investment like building a home, people want to compare different builders, designs, and service offerings. Visiting a website allows them to assess portfolios, explore service offerings, and even get preliminary budget information or access to free resources like guides or cost calculators.
As home builders invest more in digital marketing (SEO, social media, and Google Ads), they’re driving more traffic to their websites. By engaging visitors with educational resources, virtual tours, and interactive tools, companies can attract and nurture potential clients who might not yet be ready to make a decision.
Websites allow users to gather the information they need privately, ensuring they’re more informed and confident when they do reach out. Websites, as well as platforms like Houzz, Google Reviews, and social media, allow prospective clients to see ratings and feedback from past clients. Positive testimonials and case studies add credibility and increase the likelihood of a client reaching out.
As a result, a strong online presence is essential for home builders. It’s often a deciding factor for clients who are narrowing down their options or just beginning their search. Using the above marketing tips for home builders, you can have a well-rounded online marketing approach that highlights your expertise and draws in prospective clients searching for home-building services.
For further marketing tips for home builders or help with your digital marketing, contact HomeRank Ads. We specialize in helping local HVAC companies and custom home builders with their online marketing and have over 15 years of marketing experience.