As we saw in a previous article, digital technology is playing an increasingly important role in Senegal . With nearly half the population using the internet, the country is a leader in West Africa, where the government is investing heavily in digital technology . Having a website has therefore become essential for many sectors, particularly real estate. Indeed, having a web interface is, in many respects, a real added value for your business. A website increases your visibility to potential buyers and enhances the credibility of real estate professionals. In this article, we will explore why your agency should have a website and, if you already do, why it needs to be high-quality.
YOUR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE ON THE INTERNET
A large portion of Senegal's population (nearly 50%) uses the internet, not to mention foreign buyers. Whether your real estate agency has a web presence or not, your clients will go online regardless. If you're not present, they're highly likely to go to the competition. Therefore, it's crucial to be present on the communication channels used by buyers.
The key is to be present on search engines , especially Google, which accounts for over 90% of searches. If your website is high-quality, regularly updated, and appears in the top Google search results, your real estate agency will reap undeniable benefits in terms of visibility.
A LOW-COST MARKETING ASSET
Creating and maintaining a website isn't excessively expensive, unless you want your agency to be 100% digital. In that case, you'll need to invest more to make your website the cornerstone of your business.
But in most cases, the creation and maintenance of a high-quality real estate website are offered at reasonable prices . This makes the return on investment even more attractive. Indeed, a website acts as a true marketing agent, working 24/7, 365 days a year. Simply having a quality website will give visitors a positive impression, leading them to believe that your real estate agency is trustworthy.
Finally, it will allow you to collect a large amount of data (phone numbers, email address, search criteria, etc.) and thus expand your customer base .
THE CORNERSTONE OF YOUR BRAND IMAGE
While not the core of your business, a website should be the cornerstone of your brand image . It serves as a vital interface between your real estate agency and the individual client. It's through your website that visitors can understand your values, your working methods, your credentials, and more.
Unlike social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram, which offer ephemeral content, a website has the advantage of disseminating timeless information . If you decide to create a blog, the articles will remain available to visitors for a very long time. This is even more true if your platform is well-indexed by search engines.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RESPONSIVE DESIGN
As we mentioned in the introduction to this article, internet access is steadily increasing in Senegal. But another factor must be considered: 80% of people here use the internet via mobile phone.
It is therefore very important to take this information into account when creating your web interface. The site must be accessible and readable from a smartphone, as the majority of visits will come from this device. Furthermore, in terms of Google's SEO, it greatly appreciates a responsive (mobile-friendly) website. If it detects that your site is responsive, it will favor you in search engine results by ranking your URL higher.
SEO STRATEGY (ORGANIC SEARCH ENGINEERING)
We have therefore explained the reasons why a real estate professional in Senegal needs a website. But for it to be truly effective, it must have an SEO (Search Engine Optimization) . This is also called organic search . It encompasses all the actions taken to ensure your website ranks as high as possible in search engines, and ideally on the first page of Google. To achieve this goal, you need patience and consistent effort over time. These actions will have a long-term impact, and the return on investment will be enormous.
The idea is not to provide a comprehensive list of best practices, as we could spend hours and hours on that. However, we can outline the guiding principles:
- A high-quality website, readable and optimized for computers and phones.
- Content is updated regularly.
- A website that doesn't load slowly (Google hates that).
- Targeting based on specific keywords.
- Other websites that have a link to yours.
- Active social networks.
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