Hopefully, by now you’ve seen the value in making yourself visible online.
This can take many forms, like online business directories, social media, and, of course, your website.
But just having a virtual business card isn’t enough.
A homepage with your headshot and phone number simply won’t cut it anymore, especially as content becomes a bigger and bigger part of SEO.
So, what exactly should you include on your website that will make it valuable in the eyes of potential customers and, as a result, search engines?
Let’s look at six must-haves for your lending website.
1. A list of loan programs
Obviously one of the biggest questions people have when shopping for a mortgage is what type of loan programs there are to choose from.
Your website needs to answer that question simply and clearly.
At the end of the day, it’s all about making things as convenient as possible for people interested in working with you, so dedicate content pages on your site identifying and explaining the different loan types you offer.
As a bonus lead gathering tool, you can even include forms on those pages allowing visitors to ask you any questions they may have or even request a loan quote.
2. An explanation of the loan process
Something else customers (especially first-time homebuyers) want to know is exactly how the loan process works.
This goes along with the idea behind including and explaining the different loan types – the more you can help people and provide answers to their questions before they even get the chance to ask them, the more likely they are to see you as an expert they should trust.
Be sure and include a page (or multiple pages) on your website that review the different aspects of the loan process in detail, but in a way anyone can understand it.
Remember (and this goes for everything listed here), if you don’t have the answers and your competitor does, they’re probably the ones doing more business.
3. A fast loan quote form
Again, this is another thing you can do to make their shopping process easy and showcase yourself as an expert.
It’s really as simple as including a form on your website that allows someone to input enough information for you to provide them with a quote.
Ask them questions about the property and their desired mortgage loan that will allow you to get back to them quickly and accurately.
A way you can make this even better is by placing a button on your homepage linking directly to the form. That way, visitors know right away that if they’ve got questions, you’ve got answers.
4. An online loan application
We all know that online mortgage applications (like Rocket Mortgage) are becoming more common and more expected.
But there are multiple things you can do to compete with the big guys.
One of which is to provide a loan application that can be filled out online.
Because, when it comes down to it, that’s the only thing they have going for them. If you can do the same thing they can (and more), there’s no reason not to choose to work with you.
Like the loan quote form, be sure to put an easy-to-see button on your homepage that takes people right to the application.
5. A helpful, hyperlocal blog
I know, I know. You’re not a writer.
The great thing is, you don’t have to be. You just have to answer people’s questions.
Go through your e-mail inbox and find some of the most commonly asked questions people have. Then, take your responses, format them a little bit, maybe throw in a few images, and put them onto your blog.
It really is that easy.
Next, sprinkle in a few posts about events, restaurants, or random goings-on in your community and type up a quick summary along with your thoughts.
Having this type of helpful and local blog shows that you’re a member of your community and know your area and the needs and interests of the people living in it.
6. Your contact information
Last, but certainly not least, you need to make sure that your contact information is visible on your website.
If it’s not easy to get ahold of you, people aren’t going to jump through hoops to do so – they’re just going to find someone else.
There’s not a whole lot to say about this one. Just make sure people can get in touch.
Here at Pipeline ROI, we pride ourselves on supplying mortgage pros with the tools they need to market their business online. With pre-written content pages, a built-in blog, a beautiful, hand-coded homepage design, and much more, you can craft a website that does what it’s supposed to do – bring you leads. Click below to get a free demo and learn more about what our platform can do for you.