How to Write Engaging Blogs on Your Renaissance Website
Blogging on the Renaissance website is a great way to attract leads, boost search engine optimization (SEO), and showcase your real estate expertise. If you're looking to improve your blog or if you're just starting out, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll cover how to create engaging content that drives traffic and helps grow your business. Let’s get started!
An example of a blog post published on the Renaissance platform.
Set Up Process
Setting up a blog post on the Renaissance website is a straightforward process. With just a few steps, you can have a polished, professional-looking post live on your site. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how:
1. Log into your Renaissance website’s backend. From the main menu, click on “Content” to open the content management section.
2. On the left-side menu, click “Blog Posts.” This will take you to the blog management area, where you will see a list of all existing posts.
3. In the upper-right corner, click the “+” button to start a new post. This will open a blank blog post where you can begin adding content.
4. Start by entering the key details of your post:
- Title: This title will appear on your blog page's tab.
- Link: Customize the blog’s URL if needed.
- Headline: Add a short headline to serve as the title of your blog on the frontend
- Categories: Assign your blog to relevant categories to keep content organized. (This section will only appear if you have existing categories created)
- Related Links: Include any internal links related to the topic.
- Preview Image: Upload a high-quality image that represents your blog. The preview image can either be the headline image or an image from within the body content.
5. In the Body section, type or paste your blog content.
6. Use the formatting toolbar in the body section to enhance your blog:
- Upload and insert images to make your post visually appealing.
- If adding images, don’t forget to include alt text in the image’s pop-up field for SEO and accessibility.
- Hyperlink text to direct readers to relevant pages.
- Adjust font styles and layout to improve readability.
7. To improve your blog’s visibility, include relevant tags that describe the content.
8. Next, write a compelling meta description that summarizes the post and encourages clicks.
9. Upload a header image that appears at the top of the blog page. A strong visual helps draw attention to your blog.
10. Once everything looks good, scroll down to the “Published” section and select “Yes” to make the post live. You can also schedule the blog to be published at a future time by adjusting the date and time in the "Date Published" section.
10. Click the “Save” button in the bottom-right corner. Your blog is now published and ready to attract readers!
How to Add Categories
To add a new category for your blog, follow these steps:
1. In the backend, navigate to the "Content" section.
2. From the left menu bar, click "Categories."
3. In the upper-right corner of the page, click the "+" button to add a new category.
4. Fill out the necessary fields: Category Title (e.g., Communities, Property Listings, Real Estate News), Description, Category Level, Page Title, Meta Description, and Head Section.
5. Once completed, click "Save".
After adding the category, the front-end page for that category will display all related blog posts. Ensure the category page has a title, and meta description for optimal SEO. Overall, blogging is a powerful tool to connect with your audience, improve your search rankings, and generate more leads, so start writing and sharing today!
The blog posts displayed under the "Life in Los Angeles" category.
SEO Content Pillars
Publishing blog posts isn’t just about sharing insights, it’s a key part of improving your website’s search rankings. It’s important to understand the role of blog posts in boosting your SEO so you can create better content plus improve your visibility. That’s where SEO content pillars come in. These structured content strategies help search engines understand your website’s relevance, making it easier for you to rank for competitive keywords.
We recommend using a framework of core pages, supporting content, and dynamic linking to build a solid SEO foundation. How does it work? Instead of covering the same topic as your main pages, blogs should focus on closely related but distinct subjects that support your core content. For example, if your website has a community page for Downtown Miami, a blog post on “The Best Restaurants in Downtown Miami” can drive additional traffic while reinforcing the authority of your main page. By structuring your content strategically, your blog becomes more than just an article—it’s a key piece of your long-term SEO success.
Real Estate Webmasters' SEO content pillars.
Best Practices for Real Estate Blogging
Creating a successful blog goes beyond writing, it requires structure, optimization, and a focus on delivering value. Here are the best practices to improve your SEO, user experience, and overall content quality.
- Remember E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) - Google prioritizes content that demonstrates real expertise and credibility. In real estate, this means sharing local market knowledge, real-life experiences, and well-researched insights. Use practical examples, cite sources when necessary, and ensure your information is always accurate and up to date.
- Use Subheadings Correctly - Subheadings help break up text, making your blog easier to read while also improving search engine visibility. Use H1 for the main title, H2s for sub topics, and H3s only when you go in-depth about your topic.
- Include Internal and External Links - Use internal links to connect your blog to other relevant pages on your site, such as community pages, property listings, or related blog posts. This helps distribute link equity and keeps users engaged with your content. Additionally, include external links to credible sources to supports your E-E-A-T efforts.
- Use the Featured Blog Post Snippet - Boost blog visibility by using the Featured Blog Posts snippet on your homepage or other relevant pages. Go to "Snippets" in the "Content" section, copy the snippet name, and paste it into the content section of any page. This helps highlight your blog posts and keeps visitors engaged across your site.
- Optimize Images - Images make your blog more engaging, but they also impact page speed and SEO rankings. Keep filenames lowercase and use hyphens instead of spaces for better indexing. Make sure image names describe the content, such as "downtown-miami-skyline.webp" rather than "IMG1234.webp." For faster load times, WebP format is recommended.
- Use a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA) - Don’t leave readers wondering what to do next. Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your blog. Whether it’s encouraging them to contact you for more information, sign up for your newsletter, or browse your property listings, a well-placed CTA helps convert your blog traffic into leads.
- End with an FAQ Section - An FAQ section improves user engagement and SEO while providing direct answers to common reader questions. This helps your audience and increases your chances of appearing in Google’s featured snippets.
A sample FAQs section of a blog post on Renaissance.
Benefits of Blogging
Blogging is a powerful tool that can bring tangible benefits to your real estate business. Here’s a closer look at why blogging should be a key part of your marketing strategy:
- Improve SEO - Regular blogging with targeted keywords boosts search engine rankings, driving more organic traffic to your site.
- Build Authority - Sharing valuable insights establishes your expertise and builds trust with your audience.
- Engage Your Audience - Providing helpful content keeps potential buyers and sellers engaged, building lasting relationships.
- Drive Traffic - Linking blog posts to key pages like listings and community pages encourages visitors to explore more of your site.
- Keep Content Fresh - Blogging helps you stay current with trends and keep your website updated with relevant content.
By consistently implementing a well-thought-out blogging strategy, you’ll not only see an increase in traffic but also create meaningful connections with your audience. Keep these benefits in mind as you plan and grow your blog content. It’s an investment that pays off!
A line graph showcasing a blog's total clicks and total impressions.
Explore the Resources Page
If you’re looking to level up your marketing efforts, our Resources page has got you covered. You’ll find everything from tips on SEO to ways to make the most of your Renaissance website. Plus, we’ve got guides on all the other tools we offer to help you streamline your processes and make your online presence shine. Take a look and see how these resources, videos, and tutorials can help you take your business to the next level!
Real Estate Webmasters' new Resources page.
Join the REW Forum
Do you want to keep the conversation going after reading this blog? The REW Forum is the perfect place to dive deeper. It's a community where you can connect with other real estate professionals, ask questions, and share insights on topics like SEO, marketing strategies, and more. If something in this blog sparked an idea or you’ve got a question, the forum is the ideal space to discuss it. Join us today!
Blogging on Renaissance FAQ
Can I add images to my blog?
Yes! You can upload a header image to appear at the top of your post and insert additional images in the body. Be sure to add alt text to improve accessibility and SEO.
Can I edit an existing blog post?
Yes. Navigate to "Blog Posts," select the post you want to update, make your changes, and click "Save." Your updates will be applied immediately.
What happens if I don’t publish my blog right away?
If you leave the "Published" section set to "No," your blog post will be saved as a draft. You can come back later to finalize and publish it.