A Guide on Creating Agent Subdomains on Renaissance
Want to carve out your own space online without building a whole new website? Try creating subdomains! They let real estate agents build their own branded presence within a brokerage’s website. Think of it like having your own personalized office inside a well-known real estate firm. In this guide, we’ll walk you through setting up a subdomain in Renaissance, why they’re a good choice for agents, and how to make the most of them.
An in-depth instructional video on how to set up agent subdomains.
Subdomains vs. Autonomous Sites
When setting up your online presence, one crucial decision is whether to create an autonomous website or a subdomain. Subdomains act as extensions of a main website, allowing agents or teams to create their own space while still being tied to a larger brokerage or brand. On the other hand, an autonomous site is entirely independent, having full control over branding and lead generation strategies.
In real estate, subdomains are commonly used for individual agent pages within a brokerage site, while autonomous websites are ideal for those wanting complete control over their digital presence and efforts. The right choice depends on your business goals and how much you want to invest in your personal branding and lead generation.
Example of an agent subdomain (left) and a main website (right).
Setting Up a Subdomain
Creating a subdomain for each agent in Renaissance is a simple process. Follow this detailed guide to set up an agent subdomain:
1. Log in to your Renaissance website backend and go to the 'Company' section.
2. Select ‘Agent,’ then click the ‘+’ button at the top-right corner to create a new agent profile.
3. Enter the required agent details, including their name, username, password, email address, and profile URL.
4. Complete the agent’s bio, upload a photo, and add their social media profiles and any other relevant information.
5. In the ‘Lead Settings’ section, customize options related to lead routing, assignment, opting out, and saved search generation.
6. Under ‘Agent Settings,’ choose whether you want the agent profile to appear on the main site’s agent roster page (Show on Agents Page) and if it should be featured in the agents snippet (Display on Agents Feature).
7. Enable ‘Agent Website’ by selecting ‘Yes’ to create the subdomain.
8. Your available IDX's will be listed under the "Agent Website IDXs" section. Choose the IDX(s) you wish to add to the Agent's subdomain.
9. Enter the ‘Agent Link,’ which will be the URL for the agent’s website.
10. Click ‘Save.’
11. Once saved, click on the Agent Link to view the new subdomain.
For any additional features or customization, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Account Manager for assistance. With these steps, you’ll be able to create fully functional, personalized subdomains for your agents that enhance their online presence and help them connect with leads more effectively.
Subdomain Benefits
Subdomains offer several significant advantages, which includes enhancing agents’ personal branding and streamlining their operations. Don’t miss out on these key benefits:
- Personalization - Subdomains allow agents to maintain a distinct, personalized online presence while still benefiting from the credibility of their brokerage. This balance helps agents build their own brand while staying aligned with the main company’s reputation.
- Showcase Expertise - With a dedicated subdomain, agents can highlight their specific areas of expertise, whether it’s on luxury properties, first-time homebuyers, or other areas. This customization allows agents to stand out as experts in their niche, making it easier to attract clients looking for specialized knowledge.
- Targeted Niche Marketing - Agents can use their subdomains to focus on specific communities or client demographics. This targeted approach allows agents to create tailored content that resonates with their audience, making their marketing efforts more effective.
- Streamlined Lead Management - Leads captured through an agent’s subdomain can be automatically routed to the respective agent, ensuring quick follow-up and efficient management. This helps agents stay organized and responsive, improving their chances of converting leads.
- SEO Benefits - A well-optimized subdomain can generate organic traffic, boosting the agent’s visibility on search engines. Subdomains can also form a strong connection with the main site through well-researched keywords and internal linking, supporting the main website’s SEO efforts.
- Cost-Effective Solution - Subdomains leverage the existing infrastructure of the brokerage website, reducing the need for separate website costs. This makes it a more affordable option for agents to have their own personalized web presence without the added expenses of maintaining a separate site.
Overall, subdomains provide real estate agents with an efficient and customizable solution for managing their online presence, capturing leads, and driving targeted traffic—all while staying connected to the main brokerage.
An agent's IDX listings displayed on their subdomain.
Best Practices for Subdomains
Follow these best practices to maximize the benefits of your agent subdomains. Here are some important tips:
- Set the Default Subdomain - Before creating subdomains for agents, ensure you set the default subdomain first. This ensures that settings apply to all subdomains created afterward. Please take note that changes done will not affect previously created subdomains. To set or edit the default, go to the ‘Company’ section, head to the ‘Agent’ tab, and click the ‘Edit Default Subdomain’ button. You can add or modify pages like the homepage or listings page here.
- Use a Hyphen in Agent Links - When using an agent’s name for their subdomain, separate the first and last name with a hyphen instead of a period (e.g., daniel-snipes.example.com instead of daniel.snipes.example.com). Using a hyphen helps avoid issues with the URL structure.
- Optimize Content Regularly - Keep your site fresh by regularly updating listings, blog posts, and community pages. This helps improve SEO and keeps visitors engaged.
- Use High-Quality Images - Use clear, optimized images that load quickly to create a professional, trustworthy look, enhancing user engagement and credibility.
- Ensure Easy Navigation - Make sure your subdomain has intuitive navigation, with clear menus and calls to action, in order to provide a seamless user experience.
- Leverage IDX and Forms for Lead Conversion - Integrate IDX search and contact forms to make it easy for visitors to explore listings and get in touch, boosting lead conversion.
By following these best practices, your subdomain can become an effective tool for both user engagement and lead generation.
Setting up the default subdomain on the Renaissance's backend.
REW Academy and Resources Page
The new Resources page and redesigned REW Academy are a must-visit for agents looking to leverage Renaissance’s subdomain feature. By providing informative webinars and tutorials, REW Academy helps agents set up and optimize their subdomains. Meanwhile, the Resources page offers helpful guides and materials that can also teach agents how to drive traffic and convert leads through their subdomain. Together, these resources empower agents to use their subdomains to the fullest, boosting their chances for success.
Visit the new REW Academy and Resources page for educational content on subdomains.
Join the REW Forum
The REW Forum is the ultimate spot for real estate agents looking to level up their subdomains! It’s the perfect place to swap tips, ask questions, and get advice from fellow agents or our team. In here, you'll find plenty of helpful strategies to make your subdomain shine. Plus, it's a convenient way to stay in the know, share your wins (and challenges), and pick up a few new tricks!
Share your thoughts in the REW Forum.
Agent Subdomain FAQ
Why should I use a subdomain instead of a separate website?
Subdomains are cost-effective, easy to manage, and benefit from the brokerage’s credibility while still giving agents a unique online presence.
How do leads work with subdomains?
Leads captured on an agent’s subdomain can be routed directly to them, ensuring a smooth and efficient follow-up process.
Can I create multiple subdomains?
Brokerages can set up subdomains for multiple agents, giving each one their own branded space under the main website.