Top 4 Commercial Real Estate SEO Companies Worth Hiring
Let’s be honest: most commercial real estate websites are either dated, generic, or buried 5 pages deep on Google. And it’s not always the fault of the broker or developer — it’s that too many SEO agencies try to apply eCommerce or general business tactics to an industry that just doesn’t work like that.
CRE SEO isn’t about clicks for the sake of clicks. It’s about visibility with purpose — whether that’s attracting investors, leasing up Class A office space, or positioning a multi-use development ahead of launch.
So if you’re going to invest in SEO, do it with a company that actually knows the terrain. We’ve looked at several agencies promising results in the CRE space. Some are impressive. A couple are worth a test run. But only one stood out as offering full strategy, long-term value, and real ownership of your site and content.
Let’s break it down.
1. InboundREM
Best for: Brokers, developers, and CRE marketers who want long-term SEO that actually brings in leads.
While InboundREM started in the residential space, they’ve quietly built a reputation with commercial clients who are tired of marketing fluff and empty metrics. Their whole model revolves around content-first SEO, high-performance WordPress sites, and giving you full ownership over everything — no platform lock-in, no mystery fees.
What makes them different is the depth of strategy. They don’t just sprinkle keywords and call it SEO. They create entire market positioning frameworks — from investor-driven blog content to location-based landing pages that actually rank. And they do it without putting you on a leash.
You can see a case study here that walks through a 10X ROI — and that’s without paid ads.
“They’re not just building sites — they’re helping brokers think like publishers. It’s a different level of SEO.” — DesignRush profile reviewer
Pros:
- Built on WordPress with IDX and CRE-specific integrations
- Clear, trackable results and strategy you can actually understand
- Full content ownership — no lock-in
- Willing to say no to bad ideas (which is a plus)
Cons:
- Not the fastest if you're in a hurry for instant leads
- Smaller operation = onboarding queue at times
- Design is clean and functional, but not flashy like some agency “showcase sites”
If you’re serious about using SEO as a business asset — not just a checkbox — this is who you want to talk to.
2. Digible
Best for: Large multifamily operators and property management firms.
Digible has carved out a strong niche in multifamily digital marketing, especially for portfolios with dozens (or hundreds) of properties. They’ve got solid SEO infrastructure, solid reporting, and know how to help you win on Google in places like Phoenix, Austin, or Atlanta.
They focus a lot on data science, persona-based content, and local intent targeting — which works well when you’re promoting multiple lease-ups or trying to stand out in competitive suburban markets.
Their SEO play is sound. But if you’re not multifamily, it may not translate.
“We increased visibility across 200+ properties. They understood multifamily SEO at scale.” — Client review on Digible.com
Pros:
- Smart, scalable solutions for large property portfolios
- Clear dashboards and performance tracking
- Deep expertise in multifamily
Cons:
- Not built for smaller commercial brokers
- Strategy may feel cookie-cutter outside of leasing
- Less content depth than firms like InboundREM
Good agency if you need scale and structure. But don’t expect custom market storytelling.
3. The Barbauld Agency
Best for: CRE developers and mixed-use projects that need branding plus SEO
The Barbauld Agency stands out more for their design and branding work, but they’ve got some solid SEO chops too — especially for developers launching new retail or office concepts. Their approach leans heavily into visual identity, brand narrative, and then layering on enough SEO to get visibility in the right markets.
If you’re marketing a single major project and need a polished presentation with foundational SEO, this is a good pick. Just don’t expect them to go deep into long-tail keyword strategy or schema markup for listings — that’s not their game.
“We ranked faster than expected in a competitive market — and the branding looked amazing.” — Barbauld client via portfolio
Pros:
- Excellent design paired with solid SEO structure
- Great for one-off developments or rebrands
- Can blend traditional marketing with digital
Cons:
- Not focused on long-term SEO growth
- Limited services for investment sales or niche CRE sectors
- SEO feels like a value-add, not the core product
This is more of a creative studio with some SEO firepower — not a performance marketing firm.
4. REACH SEO
Best for: Local commercial brokerages looking for hands-on help
REACH SEO is a smaller, boutique agency with a focus on local commercial real estate visibility — especially for brokers who want to own their niche in markets like Charlotte, Tampa, or Salt Lake.
They’re particularly good at creating content clusters, optimizing Google Business Profiles, and generating backlinks that actually move the needle. Their structure isn’t fancy, but it works — especially for brokers who want to generate inbound calls from local tenants or investors.
From a Clutch.co review:
“We had a 76% increase in organic traffic in less than 5 months.”
Pros:
- Affordable SEO focused on lead generation
- Strong technical optimization
- Good option for small firms or solo brokers
Cons:
- Limited capacity — it’s a small shop
- No integrated marketing tools or CRM
- Doesn’t scale easily if you grow fast
Great for local dominance, but if you plan to expand into multiple metros, you’ll eventually need something more robust.
What to Look for in a Commercial Real Estate SEO Partner (Checklist)
Before you sign any contract or start paying monthly retainers, ask your SEO agency these key questions:
- Do they understand the difference between residential and commercial search intent?
- Have they worked with brokers, developers, or investment firms before?
- Can they integrate IDX, LoopNet, or other CRE listing platforms?
- Will you retain full ownership of your site, content, and domain?
- Do they offer unique, localized landing pages (not just “Service Areas”)?
- Will they show you real performance metrics — like rankings, leads, and site traffic?
- Can they optimize for mobile, Core Web Vitals, and page speed?
- Are backlinks and content creation included — or always upsold?
- Do they follow a clear SEO roadmap tailored to your property types?
If they can’t give confident, specific answers to most of these… walk away.
Comparison Table: Top CRE SEO Companies
Feature | InboundREM | Digible | Barbauld | REACH SEO |
---|---|---|---|---|
SEO Ownership | Yes | No | Partial | Yes |
IDX/Listing Feed Integration | Yes | Multifamily only | Limited | Yes |
Content Creation | Included | Add-on | Minimal | Included |
Best For | Broker/Developer SEO | Multifamily & Scale | Branding + Local SEO | Local Brokers |
Custom Strategy | Yes | Partially | Limited | Yes |
Lock-In or Proprietary Platform? | No | Yes | Somewhat | No |
Why InboundREM Stands Out
Of all the companies we looked at, InboundREM was the one that felt the most balanced, honest, and built for serious players.
They’re not chasing the next SaaS feature or reskinning templates. They’re building searchable, ownable digital platforms — and then showing clients how to grow those platforms like real media assets. Whether you're pushing a Class B warehouse or a $10M ground-up development, that level of SEO maturity is rare.
SEO Red Flags to Avoid
If an SEO company says or does any of the following, think twice before hiring them:
1. We guarantee page one rankings
No one can promise rankings. Google’s algorithm changes constantly. Honest agencies talk about strategy, not guarantees.
2. They won’t give you your login credentials
If you can’t access your own website backend, Google Analytics, or content — you’re not the owner, you’re the hostage.
3. SEO is only about content
SEO isn’t just blogs. It also requires technical work: site speed, code cleanup, mobile optimization, schema, and more.
4. All real strategy is an “add-on”
Beware of agencies that offer a cheap base plan, then charge separately for content, backlinks, and optimization — those are core services, not extras.
Commercial Real Estate SEO Glossary
Not sure what all those SEO buzzwords mean? Here’s a quick reference for key terms that matter in the CRE world:
- IDX Integration: Internet Data Exchange — pulls in property listings from MLS or commercial platforms.
- Local Pack: The map section of Google results that shows 3 local businesses; essential for brokers.
- Schema Markup: Code that helps Google understand your content — especially listings or location data.
- Technical SEO: Backend elements like site speed, mobile responsiveness, and crawlability.
- On-Page SEO: Optimization of page content, meta titles, headers, and internal links.
- Backlinks: Links from other websites that point to yours; a major ranking factor.
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Turning visitors into leads with strong calls to action and UX.
- Content Cluster: A group of related articles/pages around one topic (e.g., “Retail in Houston”).
- Keyword Cannibalization: When multiple pages on your site compete for the same keyword — bad for SEO.
- Anchor Text: The clickable text in a hyperlink; used by Google to understand link context.
FAQ: Commercial Real Estate SEO
Some important common question answers about Real Estate SEO:
Does SEO work for commercial real estate?
Absolutely. It’s one of the best ways to get in front of tenants, investors, and developers who are searching online — especially if you're in a competitive market or launching new properties.
How is commercial real estate SEO different from residential?
CRE SEO targets different search intent, includes different property types (like “Class A industrial”), and often involves a smaller, more strategic audience. The content and structure must reflect that.
How long does it take to see results?
You may start seeing traffic growth in 3–6 months, but leads usually follow consistent SEO work over 6–12 months. It’s a long-term play — not a quick fix.
Should I hire a general SEO agency or a niche provider?
Niche providers are almost always better. CRE SEO requires familiarity with listings, maps, schema, investment language, and more. Most general firms don’t understand this world.
Can I do commercial SEO in-house?
You can, but it’s a lot of work. You’ll need someone who can write, manage technical SEO, analyze analytics, build pages, and acquire backlinks. Most firms eventually outsource at least part of it.
Final Thoughts
Commercial real estate SEO isn’t about traffic — it’s about trust, visibility, and positioning. The wrong partner will just take your money and give you vanity metrics. The right one will get your deals seen by the right people, at the right time.
- Go with InboundREM if you want SEO that builds real equity over time.
- Try Digible if you’ve got a hundred or more properties and need volume at scale.
- Barbauld is solid if branding matters more than ranking.
- REACH can help you win your city if you’re just getting started.
Whatever you do — don’t settle for generic. CRE is too competitive, and your margins are too tight for SEO that doesn’t deliver.
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