Off-Page SEO: How to Build Backlinks and Boost Ranking

Off-page SEO includes everything you do outside your website to improve its ranking on Google. It helps build trust and credibility by showing search engines that other websites see your business as valuable.

For real estate agents, brokers, and property managers, strong off-page SEO means more visibility, more website visitors, and more leads.

How Does Google Know If Your Website is Trustworthy?

Google ranks websites higher when other trusted websites mention or link to them. This tells Google that your site provides useful and reliable information.

For example:

If a local mortgage broker’s website links to your home-buying guide, it signals that your content is valuable.

If your real estate business is listed on trusted directories like Homes.com or Yelp, it helps establish credibility.

1. What Are Backlinks and Why Do They Matter?

Backlinks are links from other websites to yours. They act as “votes of confidence” in the eyes of search engines.

What Makes a Good Backlink?

• Relevance – A link from a real estate blog, mortgage lender, or home improvement site is more valuable than a random link from an unrelated site.
• Authority – Links from well-known, trusted websites carry more weight than those from new or low-traffic sites.
• Anchor Text – The words used in the link should describe your business, like "Boston real estate listings" instead of just "click here."

Example of a Good Backlink for Real Estate:

A local home staging company links to your website in a blog post about "How Staging Helps Homes Sell Faster."

A real estate lawyer links to your site in an article about "Understanding Closing Costs."

These backlinks tell Google that your website is a trusted real estate resource.

2. How to Get Backlinks? 

Many small business owners think they need links from large real estate platforms, but those can be difficult to get. Instead, focus on realistic, easy-to-get backlinks that will still improve your SEO.

Easy Ways to Get Backlinks for Real Estate

List Your Business on Local Directories

Adding your business to Google Business Profile, Yelp, Homes.com, and Nextdoor is an easy way to get high-quality backlinks. These directories allow you to add your website link, which helps both SEO and visibility.

Collaborate With Local Businesses

Ask a mortgage broker, home inspector, or contractor to mention your website in their “Recommended Professionals” section.

Offer to do the same for them.

Write Blog Posts That Others Want to Share

A blog post like "5 Best Areas for First-Time Home Buyers" could be linked by local businesses, news websites, or home service providers.

If your content is useful and relevant, people will naturally link to it.

Guest Post on a Local Website

Reach out to a home renovation, moving company, or mortgage broker and offer to write an article for their website.

Example: Write an article called "How Home Renovations Affect Property Value" for a home improvement website.

In return, ask them to link back to your website in the article.

Get Featured in Local News

Offer real estate market insights to a local news website.

Example: A local newspaper might quote you in an article about "Rising Home Prices in [Your City]" and link to your website.