Lead Generation for Real Estate Agents in the UAE: Best Platforms in 2024

Are you a real estate agent based in UAE looking to boost your real estate lead generation game? Let us help you. 

The UAE real estate market presents exciting opportunities for agents, but it’s also fiercely competitive. If you have been generating leads the same way for a while, it might be the right time to refine your approach with new tactics. A new generation of realtors is entering the market and technology is changing the way agents and customers interact. 

This post will discuss the best online platforms for property lead generation for real estate agents in the UAE plus how to make the most out of them. We’ll also discuss one simple method to convert more leads into customers without breaking the bank. 

Here are the best platforms for lead generation for real estate agents in the UAE:

1. Property portals

Property portals are online platforms that aggregate property listings and connect potential buyers, renters, and investors with real estate agents. Many property buyers and sellers from UAE and around the world visit these property portals to find their property match. Leading property portals or real estate companies based in UAE include Bayut, PropertyFinder, Dubizzle, Dubai Properties, EMAAR, etc.

If you’re yet to leverage these platforms, here’s why UAE property portals are essential for you to generate leads:

• High visibility and reach: Property portals are the go-to place for property seekers and investors to explore property options in UAE. By building your profile and listing your properties on these platforms, you ensure your properties are visible to a large audience, including both local and international prospects.
• Quality leads: The primary visitors of property portals are people actively looking for real estate options. This means the audience is highly targeted and more likely to make real estate transactions. The traffic of property portals is not just high in volume but also high in quality.
• Trust and credibility: Established property portals are secure and offer reliable information, verified listings, and a great user experience. If you’re yet to build your brand, it’s much easier to build trust with potential clients through property portals than through a new website or a social media page.
• Advanced navigation: Users can filter properties based on their specific needs (for example, location, budget, property type). This is incredibly useful for agents to connect with targeted clients with precise requirements.
• Analytics and insights: Most property portals offer listing insights. This helps you understand how your listings are performing. You can use this data to optimise your listings and improve marketing strategies.

How to generate leads on property portals

To get started, you’ll first need to create your agent or agency profile. With an agent profile, you can post your property listings and interact with potential customers. You can also pay to promote your listings for views and internal search appearances. 

Keep in mind that the UAE is a thriving real estate market and tens of thousands of your fellow agents from around the world will be using these platforms to post their listings. Therefore, you’ll need a good listing optimisation strategy to gain more visibility and connect with the right leads through these portals. Here are some important tips to keep in mind. 

(1) Listing optimisation

The purpose of your listing is to attract interest from potential clients. For this you’ll not only need to present your property in a compelling and informative way, but also make it easier for target customers to find it.

Detailed, accurate, and appealing listings stand out from the crowd and are more likely to be viewed by leads. Therefore, include high-quality photos, engaging descriptions, and all necessary details such as price, size, location, and key features in your listings. A well-presented listing attracts more inquiries.

(2) Keywords

Another important part of your listing is keywords. People usually search for specific properties on search engines or property portals. To be able to appear in these searches, you should identify these search terms (also called keywords) and include them in the title and description of your listings. 

Including correct keywords in your listings isn’t really complicated in real estate as people usually search for location and type of property (such as number of bedrooms and features). But this also makes them highly competitive as people usually include these keywords in their listings with or without the knowledge of SEO. For instance, there will be thousands of listings with keywords “3 bedroom apartments for sale in Dubai.” Higher competition means lower chances of appearing in google search results. 

But don’t worry! You can address this by narrowing your focus and including precise locations and features. For instance, instead of using “3 bedroom apartments for sale in Dubai,” you can write “3 bedroom apartments for sale in Al Fahidi, Dubai.” You can take it a step further by adding extra features to your descriptions and titles. 

(3) Updates 

Regular update is another method to improve the ranking of your listings on the property portal’s search results. The algorithms of property portals are designed to prioritise fresh listings because fresh content is seen as more relevant and appealing to users who are actively searching for properties. Not updating your listing may give the impression that it is inactive, making it harder to appear in searches. Therefore, keep your listings up-to-date with availability, prices, and any changes to the property details.

(4) Paid promotions 

You may not always need to promote your listings. But promotions help if you’re looking to generate leads fast. Or you require more attention on your listings from a larger crowd when you’re launching a new project people might not be aware of yet.

Most property portals offer premium or featured listing options that place your listings at the top of search results or on the homepage. This provides increased visibility, boosting views and inquiries.

(5) Engagement

Engaging with prospects and other parties within the portal can play a significant role in improving real estate lead generation. To give your listings additional exposure, engage in portal promotions like seasonal highlights or market trend reports. You can reach a wider audience by aligning your brand with the portal’s marketing efforts.   

2. Social media 

Social media platforms provide a cost-effective way to reach a broad audience, build your brand, and engage directly with potential customers. You can also use social media to showcase properties through visually appealing content, such as virtual property tours. Dubai is a dynamic and competitive real estate market where many international buyers and investors get introduced to the property market of Dubai through social media. 

Social media platforms also offer real estate lead generation ads. These are generally cost effective advertising options that can help you reach a huge audience. You can reach specific demographics based on location, interests, and behaviour. 

To get started, you’ll first need to create your business page/profile on these social media platforms. Your aim is to build an audience base by publishing engaging posts consistently. 

Here’s a guide on using different social media platforms for different purpose 

• Instagram can be the ideal platform for showcasing luxury properties, high-rise apartments, and exclusive communities in the UAE. If your niche is luxury properties, you can benefit from features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV to share property tours, market updates, and similar types of content that can engage followers and attract potential buyers. It’s a great platform if you’re targeting overseas customers interested in investing in properties in the UAE. 
• Facebook remains the most popular social media platform in the UAE for its extensive reach. You can use this platform to post listings, share market insights, and run targeted ads to reach potential clients. Facebook Groups and Marketplace are also great places to connect directly with buyers and renters in specific areas.
• LinkedIn can be the ideal platform to tap into commercial real estate and high-end customers. On this platform, you can network with professionals, connect with businesses, and share content that positions you as industry experts.
• TikTok is increasingly popular among younger audiences, and offers a creative way to showcase properties through short, engaging videos. You can use this platform to highlight the lifestyle aspects of properties, such as design or neighbourhood attractions. 
• YouTube is a great platform to build a library of content that showcases your expertise and properties. You can publish videos on YouTube in different formats – short, engaging videos as YouTube Shorts for younger audiences who mostly use mobile to access YouTube, and longer, in-depth videos for investors and mature audiences. A great thing about YouTube is that its videos also appear in Google’s search engine results. 

How to generate leads on social media platforms

You can generate leads on social media in two different ways: (1) By organically growing your brand over time, and (2) By running lead generation ads. 

If you want to get leads faster, try running lead generation ads. Almost all major social media platforms allow you to run ads specifically to generate leads. Understand your potential customer segments and target them precisely through these ads. 

Want to know more about running Lead Ads on Facebook? Here’s Everything you need to get started with Facebook Lead Ads in 2024.

Generating leads for your property services organically on social media doesn’t require financial investment, but it requires a long-term effort and strategy to build an audience. That being said, this social media marketing approach is much more sustainable in the long run and is great for building your brand. Here are some useful tips to building your audience and generating leads on social media:  

• First, have a plan in place. Many agents fail to build their brand in social media even after being super active because they fail to define a clear path. They post random content with no clear intention and audience. In marketing, if you target everyone, you’ll end up appealing to no one. Define your niche and audience. Who are your customers? Are they expats looking for luxury properties or young Emiratis looking to buy their first property? Then, identify a set of topics that appeal to them. You’ll be creating posts on these specific topics for a long time.   
• Once you have a clear path, be consistent with your efforts. Consistency is an important element of social media success. If you’re posting Instagram Reels or videos on TikTok, post once a day. For LinkedIn and Facebook, twice or thrice a week will do. The idea is to be consistent without bombarding the audience with neverending content. 
• Publish social media posts in different formats, such as text posts, images, and videos. Different people prefer different types of content. Check analytics to understand what type of content your audience likes and then focus more on that particular type of content in the future.   
• Engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and inquiries promptly. Consistent interaction can increase trust and lead to more inquiries.
• Use relevant hashtags and geo-tags to increase the visibility of your posts. Tags like #DubaiRealEstate, #LuxuryLivingDubai, or specific neighbourhood tags can help attract users searching for properties in those areas.
• Consider partnering with local influencers or real estate bloggers. This partnership can help expand your audience base since influencers can provide access to their followers, who may be interested in your properties in the UAE.
• Research trending local real estate topics and create content based on them. Some trending real estate topics include sustainable and smart living, luxury living and exclusive communities, investment opportunities, neighbourhood Spotlights, market trends and updates, etc. 

3. Ad platforms

Ad platforms help you reach a wider, more targeted audience beyond the limitations of social media or property portals quickly and effectively. By tracking user behaviour, these ads help your listings and services appear in front of your target clients in places they visit online. This means you can design these ads to be shown only to people who are looking for properties in the UAE, or in a specific location within the UAE.  

Ad platforms also offer detailed analytics, allowing you to track performance, understand audience behaviour, and adjust strategies in real-time to maximise their impact. You can strategically target specific demographics, optimise your ad spend, and measure the effectiveness of your campaigns to ensure your marketing efforts reach the right audience and also yield a high return on investment.

Major ad platforms outside of the usual social media networks include Google Ads and native ad platforms like Taboola and Outbrain. These platforms allow you to run real estate lead generation ads for different purposes. 

How to choose the right ad network

Choosing the right ad network maximises the effectiveness of your real estate advertising at the best cost. Here are some tips to choose the right network for your real estate advertising:

• Understand your audience: Different ad networks specialise in different demographics. Therefore, choosing a network that addresses your target customers is important. Know your target customers and where they spend time online.   
• Evaluate ad formats: Different ad networks offer different ad formats, including search ads, display ads, video ads, or native ads. Consider which formats best showcase your properties and align with your audience.
• Analyse reach and traffic quality: Working with networks that offer highly targeted and engaged audiences can be more effective, even if they have higher costs.
• Check for real estate-specific features: Some ad platforms offer customised features for real estate advertising. This could include geo-targeting for local markets and property listing integrations. Such features can make your campaigns more effective.
• Consider cost and ROI: Compare the costs associated with different ad networks and consider their potential ROI. Choose platforms that provide the best balance between cost and performance.

How to forecast and plan ad cost for real estate ads 

To forecast and plan your ad costs, start by defining what you want to achieve with your ads. In this case, your goal is to generate leads for your real estate business. Then, establish a clear budget for your advertising efforts. You’ll want to start with a small budget and scale up based on the performance of your ads.

The next step is to research Cost Per Click (CPC) and Cost Per Impression (CPM). Understand the average CPC and CPM rates for your chosen platforms. You can then estimate how many clicks or impressions you can afford within your budget.

Many ad platforms offer forecasting tools to estimate the performance of your ads based on your budget, keywords, and targeting criteria. Use these tools for insights into potential reach and costs.

4. SEO and content marketing

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and content marketing are interconnected digital marketing strategies that optimise your website and online content to rank higher in search engine results pages.

SEO makes it easier for your potential clients to find your services when they search for relevant terms like “luxury apartments in Abu Dhabi” or “buy villas in Dubai.” Content marketing, on the other hand, is about creating and distributing relevant and consistent content to engage your target audience. This could include blog posts, guides, videos, infographics, and more.

SEO and content marketing help drive organic traffic to your website and ultimately convert visitors into leads. Unlike paid methods, these real estate marketing strategies focus on long-term growth by building trust and providing value. It may take time, so build your strategies targeting a longer time-frame. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to generate leads with SEO and Content Marketing: 

Step 1. Conduct keyword research 

The first step is to research the keywords and phrases your potential clients are using to search for properties or real estate services in your target area. You could take it a step further by understanding the issues related to property purchase and finding the keywords people use to look for their solutions. 

Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs can help you identify keywords and their competitiveness. Remember, the higher the competition, the more difficult it is to rank on search engine results pages. Target low to moderately competitive keywords. You’ll be incorporating these keywords into your website content, titles, meta descriptions, headers, and throughout your pages. You’ll also be adding these keywords to your property portal listings and social media posts. 

Step 2. Create high-quality, relevant content

Create valuable content that addresses the interests of your target audience. This could include articles on market trends, guides on buying or renting properties, neighbourhood spotlights, or investment tips. Valuable information attracts visitors looking for a solution to specific problems. These types of content also help you establish your authority in the real estate market.

Step 3. Optimise on-page and local SEO 

Optimise on-page SEO elements, such as title tags, meta descriptions, URL structure, and internal linking. Include your target keywords in the title, headings and subheadings, and other components throughout your article. Also, ensure each page is optimised for a specific topic or a set of keywords. Proper on-page SEO helps search engines understand the content of your pages and rank them appropriately.

Local SEO is super important specifically for real estate since people look for properties in specific locations. Therefore, always focus on including location-specific keywords, such as “apartments for rent in Jumeirah, Dubai.” You can include local keywords on your articles and listings. 

More importantly, claim and optimise your Google Business Profile and ensure your business information is consistent across all online platforms. This helps your listings appear in local search results and Google Maps.

Step 4. Build backlinks

Backlinks from high-authority websites signal to search engines that your content is valuable and trustworthy. The next step is to build quality backlinks on reputable websites through partnerships. Achieving backlinks from these websites can be tricky in the beginning as your website is in the early phase. Consider partnering with backlinking agencies and exchanging links with websites similar to yours. 

Step 5. Monitor and analyse performance 

Use analytics tools like Google Analytics and monitor the performance of your SEO and content marketing efforts. Track organic traffic, bounce rates, and conversion rates to understand what’s working and what needs to be improved. Refine your strategy and continue to generate quality leads.

5. Events and offline networking

In the UAE, personal connections and trust play a significant role in business transactions. Offline events are a great way for real estate agents to build personal relationships. 

The UAE hosts one of the most exciting real estate events and exhibitions in the world. These events provide real estate agents with a great opportunity to network, connect with international investors, and generate maximum leads. Always be ready to leverage these events. If you’re targeting international clients, look out specifically for events in the Dubai real estate market. It’s where international clients mostly search for properties.

Keep in mind, attending the right event boils down to what type of target customers you want to connect with. There are different events targeting different types of clients. Study them and list the one that best fits your goals. 

You’ll want to strategically position yourself and your brand to attract and engage potential leads during these events. Therefore, be prepared and set clear goals beforehand. During the event, engage actively with attendees and participate in panel discussions or workshops to position yourself as an industry expert and build trust.

If you want to excel in your networking at offline real estate events and exhibitions, here’s an article on how to maximise your opportunities at real estate events in Dubai. 

How Privyr helps maximise real estate lead conversion

Now that we have some idea about real estate lead generation strategies and the best platforms to generate real estate leads in the UAE, here’s an unpopular truth: although it’s essential, real estate lead generation doesn’t guarantee success. Generating leads gives you initial contact with potential clients, but true success lies in converting these leads into actual customers.

The next step involves nurturing leads through an effective sales process that guides them towards a successful deal. You need a well-structured sales process where you can quickly reach out to new leads, communicate with them in a personalised manner, and follow up promptly. Otherwise, leads can easily fall through the cracks, lose interest, or move on to your competitors who offer a more engaging and responsive experience.

You may miss your crucial moment to connect with a lead by handling the sales process manually. 

But don’t worry! Privyr can help you streamline your sales process in the most efficient way, so you can contact new leads and close deals in a much faster way. Privyr is a mobile-first CRM that allows real estate professionals to run your entire sales process from your smartphone. 

With Privyr, you’ll have: 

• A central location to access, manage, and contact all your leads on your phone (or desktop). 
• Real-time mobile alerts for new leads generated from any of your lead sources.
• Instant access to your leads details in one tap.
• Auto-personalised messages to connect with your leads on all communication channels including WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, and iMessage without needing to type, copy-and-paste, or save contact details to the phonebook yourself.
• Automatic follow-up reminders for each lead.
• An easy way to set up automatic lead distribution for your team members based on different criteria, and much more. 

Here’s how to easily connect Privyr with your lead sources improve chances of converting them by a mile

Step 1. Create your Privyr account and download the app

Go to www.privyr.com and create your account by clicking Sign Up. Next, install Privyr app on your mobile phone. Privyr is available on both the App Store and Google Play Store. 

Step 2. Connect your lead sources  

In your Privyr app, tap on Account and select Integrations. 

Under the Lead Sources tab, select your lead source and tap on Configure/connect. This will redirect you to the lead source’s app or website. You’ll integrate Privyr with your lead source once you click Continue. Repeat the same process for other lead sources.    

The process of integrating with lead sources may be different based on the platform. Just select the source you want to connect with and follow the instructions. 

Already have existing leads and clients you want to nurture more effectively? Privyr also allows you to upload leads generated from offline sources. Just click on the Import/Export Clients tab next to the Lead Sources tab under Integrations. There, you can upload your CSV file in one tap.     

Once you’ve integrated Privyr with your lead sources, you’ll automatically start receiving instant mobile alerts when you receive any new leads from all your connected lead sources. Privyr makes it extremely easy to run your entire sales process from your phone (or desktop). 

Try Privyr for free today!