Has Your Estate Agency Website’s Google Ranking Dropped?

Earlier this year saw a major Google Broad Core update that has led to some estate agents’ websites dropping down the search engine rankings. Has this happened to you?

The Broad Core update involved tweaking the algorithm overall, rather than targeting one specific area. As a result, search engine ranking factors have been impacted right across the board, with no single component being addressed in detail.

While regular algorithm updates are specific, the Broad Core updates bring far more wide-ranging changes in how Google’s algorithm values webpages.

It’s no wonder, then, that so many estate agents like you have discovered that their websites have fallen down the rankings, and their competitors’ sites taking their coveted high-ranked places. And now you're asking, "how can I get my website onto page 1 of Google"?

Here we take a look at the changes the update has brought, and how you can restore your agency website to its former top spot.

The Algorithm Update

Google’s core update finished its rollout during the summer. This update, according to Google, was designed to boost search result relevancy so that it could be more useful and helpful for users.

Although Google was keen to point out that sites and pages that have seen a decline in their ranking after the update haven’t done anything wrong, that’s not a lot of comfort for those whose businesses are taking the hit.

Since Google’s systems have now changed how they evaluate the relevancy and quality of content, it’s essential that estate agents everywhere focus their efforts on improving their content and ensuring that they’re offering their readers only the very best.

In practical terms, that means providing more information, analysis, research, and reporting as well as more comprehensive, complete and substantial descriptions of the topic in question. Essentially, upping the content game is crucial to get your website’s ranking back to where it was.

Why Has My Website Ranking Dropped?

If the information and content that you’re providing on your website is of poor quality, it’s likely that Google has downgraded your site’s ranking. As the algorithm is now prioritising high-quality content, you need to take a closer look at your estate agency website to see where improvements can be made. Specialist content that provides educational value for the reader is what is needed today to reach the top of the first page of search results.

So, let’s take a look at how you can achieve this.

Expertise, Authority, And Trust

Expertise, Authority, and Trust (or EAT) is an acronym used by Google to describe the best way to optimise your estate agency content so that it ranks highly.

To determine whether your content meets these guidelines, you need to ask:

• Does the content you’re providing demonstrate your expertise in your field?
• Are you an authority in the estate agency sector?
• Do readers find your brand trustworthy?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes, that’s great news, and your content is likely to rank highly, even after the algorithm change. But if the answer to one or all of them is no, you must make some adjustments.

The most important thing you can do is to ensure that the content you’re providing is the very best within its niche.

It must address the questions that your target audience is asking and give them the information that they’re searching for through highly-focused blog posts and e-guides.

Essentially, your content must set your estate agency apart so that your readers develop a sense of trust that you’re a leading authority within your sector.

How Can I Bring My Estate Agency Content Up To Scratch?

Creating high-quality blog posts that meet the criteria for Google’s new algorithm may not be easy, but that’s where Content For Estate Agents can help. With our extensive library of quality content written specifically for estate agents to use on blogs and social media, it’s never been easier to publish content that will boost your site to the top of the rankings. Register now or get in touch to find out more about how Content For Estate Agents can help.