Rank and rent isn't dead. On the contrary, the business model has evolved. Consider that there are over 8.5 billion daily searches on Google. So there are still plenty of untapped markets in 2024. Rank and rent is a digital marketing strategy that aims to build and develop a website and make it visible on Google. Then, once your site is at the top of the SERPs, it's a valuable digital asset you own. And because you control the phone number, the content, and the leads, you can generate a steady cash flow.
In this article, we take a closer look at how long rank and rent takes and how much it costs. We'll also cover topics like creating a passive income with the rank and rent business model. Plus, we'll share three insider tips on how to make money fast. And why the local lead generation model is the best way to create a passive income in 2024.
What Is Rank & Rent?
Rank and rent is a business model that creates real estate online to drive organic traffic. (In 2024, the top-ranking organic search result on Google garners 39.6% of all clicks). Rank and rent-also, called lead generation-is simple, scalable, and lucrative. The key is to get your rank and rent website to the top of Google for specific keyword searches.
So you need to use basic rank and rent SEO tactics. But once you're at the top of Google searches, you own prime real estate. So you not only generate a ton of high-quality leads for local business owners. But can sell your leads to secure a steady cash flow. To start a lead gen business, follow the simple five-step process that includes the following:
Pick A Niche
You need to analyze the competition and research keywords. (You can check out this list of lead generation niches that are some of the top money-makers). The goal is to find keywords that you can rank for quickly. So target long tail keywords. Ones that competitor sites aren't ranking for using third-party tools like SEMRush or ahrefs.
Then find a niche lucrative enough to rent out for a great price. (But not super competitive). So look for business listings without a website listed in the top three of the Map Pack or a ton of reviews. (Dan calls this low-hanging fruit). And aim for a population between 75K-250K.
Pro Tip: Narrow down an industry and city by building micro (one service-one city) websites. Or you can check my rank and rent guide for complete step-by-step instructions.
Build Out Your Assets
Select a domain name (use the city and your main keyword as your URL) and set up a CMS (content management system) like WordPress or Wix (our local lead generation coaching program provides an in-house option). Next, write your content. But you should aim for 1000-1500 words on the home page and 500-600 for each service page. (Use sites like AnswerThePublic or Google Trends to assess top search queries. Or even get ideas for your content).
But make sure you include similar topics covered by the leading competitors. And add things like lists, FAQs (frequently asked questions), etc., to make your information easy to digest. Then set up your GBP (Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business). It's 100% free and provides a secondary source for generating leads. Plus, your GBP helps create trust in your business. (And builds local relevancy for online searches).
Optimize Your Lead Gen Site
The goal is to get to the top of Google search engines. So your rank and rent site needs to have authority. And that includes things like:
On-Page Optimization- including competitive keywords and targeted search queries. (You can use a keyword research tool like Mangools Keyword Checker).
Quality Backlinks-these are like votes that tell Google your site has authority. (So use software like Majestic and SEMRush).
Citations-these are business listings that include your business NAP (name, address, phone number). So you need to leverage tools like Brightlocal.
Pro Tip: Don't buy cheap links from sites like Fiverr. And ensure that your NAP is correct and the same for every listing.
Prospecting & Closing The Deal
Results in advance are the key to local lead gen. But because you own the sites, the leads, and the tracking number, you can forward calls and contact forms to your phone and email while your site is ranking. Plus, you can track the volume of leads.
So you'll know when it's time to start looking for a local business owner. But your site doesn't need to be number one on Google to set up a deal. You just need to offer an opportunity to a local contractor they can't refuse as we teach in our lead gen coaching program.
Scale Your Rank & Rent Business
The focus of rank and rent is on local, so you can get to the top of the SERPs fast. Plus, you can build and rank multiple sites at the same time so that you can scale quickly. Once your systems are in place, you can start a digital real estate business. Then you can rank your digital assets and get to the top of Google in as little as six weeks to six months.
How Long Does Rank & Rent Take?
Rank and rent is a skillset; it only takes 6 weeks to 6 months to get your site to the top of the SERPs. (And you don't need to be an SEO expert). But once you learn the process and know how to do it, you can rinse and repeat. (It gets even quicker the more sites you build). So you can get your sites operational in a few hours.
Even if you dial every aspect of your lead gen site, it should only take about a week to build your website. The secret is to lead with a content approach, so you'll rank faster. For example, build out your socials and get your GBP profile (Google My Business) set up, and your rank and rent websites could rank in 2 to 3 months. Or be at the bottom of page one of the search results in 120 days, depending on your SEO skills.
But you don't need to wait for your sites to rank at the top or produce a specific amount of leads before your sell your lead gen sites. If you're bringing in sporadic leads, call a local business owner and give them a few free leads (value in advance). Then close them on a flat fee deal. (You only need to give them 1-3 free leads before you close the sale).
PRO TIP:
Organic search is still the most effective digital channel and the leading source of web traffic. In fact, 53.3% of all trackable website traffic comes from organic searches. But to get quick wins for your business owner, you can leverage paid ads to get a stream of leads in their pipeline. Then as your organic rankings get higher in Google's search engine, lower your ad spend. (Here's where you employ local SEO tactics as the website owner to drive free traffic to your site).
What Is Rank & Rent SEO?
Rank and rent SEO are the tactics you need to use to get your digital asset to the top of the SERPs. So you need to research and leverage keyword tools like Keywords Everywhere or Ubersuggest. Then find competitive keywords you can rank for quickly. Next, you need to look for things like backlinks and the number of pages.
Tools like Surfer SEO also help to identify your biggest competitors by their website traffic and domain scores. Then pick a rank and rent niche in a medium-sized city with a healthy number of businesses. But don't target a community that's too small, or you'll only have a tiny pool of potential 'tenants.' (But if you pick a city that's too big, there will be a lot more competition). So it might take longer to rank.
PRO TIP:
Once you have ranking skills specifically for local SEO, you don't have to worry about 95% of your competitors. But you should consider a rank and rent course as an SEO investment. Or a way to help you fast-track your learning curve and learn industry hacks on how to leverage the Google algorithm. Then you can start making money with your sites even faster.
How Much Do Rank & Rent Websites Cost?
Rank and rank websites cost $50 to $500, depending on your chosen city, town, and niche. But, of course, there are a few essentials to start your online business like:
But the beauty of investing in digital real estate is that you don't need to take out a loan from a bank. You don't need to find investors or cough up $50K for a down payment like you do with physical real estate. Instead, you rent your sites to tenants (small business owners) who pay for leads.
Then you can create a steady cash flow, so you have more money to reinvest in building additional lead gen properties. Plus, once you have a few sites 'rented,' you're making money every month. Build an empire, and you create a passive income. Then your expenses are a drop in the bucket. (At least when you consider your profit margins are between 80%-95%).
Is Rank & Rent Worth It?
Rank and rent is worth it. Not only is there still so much opportunity. But there are thousands of niches and cities for every niche with untapped potential. Plus, natural barriers minimize competition and market saturation. Not to mention that nearly 10 million small business owners don't even have a website. But the key is to pick the right niche in the right city.
So you need to do your due diligence and pay attention to the competition, size of the population, and demand. But you're not selling a service or cheap products from China. Instead, you're providing a service and generating leads from real customers looking for services/products online. So get your systems in place, and you can scale super fast. Plus, because the focus is on organic traffic, there are minimal overhead costs.
But consider that "organic search delivers an average of 53.3% of all website traffic." (Brightedge). So if you find obscure niches, dial down and concentrate on a sub-niche. Then there's no limit to the amount of money you can make. ("65% of people click on organic results." Backlinko). So the rank and rent business model isn't just worth it. On the contrary, it's one of the best ways to make a passive income online in 2024.
3 Tips To Make Fast Money With Rank & Rent
The goal of building rank and rent sites is to capture the personal information of a potential customer. Then you can generate high-quality leads for local businesses. Plus, because you own the site, the tracking number, and the leads, you control every aspect of your business. But local SEO takes time. So if you want to make fast money with the rank and rent business model, here are 3 tips to make it happen. Let's check it out:
A quick way to start bringing in a steady cash flow is to presell your lead gen sites and use a business owner's money to build your empire. The idea is to sell your website before you build it. Instead, get the business owner to agree to a start-up fee using ninja sales techniques. (Like the ones we teach in our local lead generation program).
But this way, the business owner has skin in the game. And you have the funds to leverage paid ads for quick wins while you focus on local SEO strategies to get your lead gen to the top of the SERPs. The key is to convince them to give you a one-time payment. (But they will only be responsible for additional costs once your site produces leads).
But you need to offer the business owner an offer they cannot refuse. So be ready to make offers and ask people for money. Target companies already using paid ads (then they get the idea behind paid ads and ROIs). And make a list outlining how you'll overcome objections like:
3 Main Objections
Then you're in a position to negotiate the best price for your rank and rent sites. But practice your pitch, network, and make it make sense logically to them. (You can show social proof, use a profit calculator or send a screencast). But if you can explain your process step by step. And outline the strategy for getting them more leads. Then, you can close the deal.
You need to get specific. Then you can leverage targeted lead generation. That means you need to break down your niche and focus on a particular sub-niche for a specific service. One that people are actively searching for, so you get in front of more people. (Then you'll attract and convert more qualified leads).
But you have to identify your target audience. Then provide them with relevant and valuable information. But the more detailed your content, the better you'll rank. (Google loves content and will reward your site in the rankings). The goal is to stand out from the competition and deliver the best user experience possible. So make your lead gen websites easy to navigate and include things like:
Your Website Needs To Include:
Pro Tip: Hyper-niche down with your lead gen site. Then you'll attract and convert more qualified leads and make more money.
Rank and rent websites are a way to own prime real estate. But for your site to be considered valuable, it needs to get in front of eyeballs. So you need to understand how to apply best SEO practices and get your website to the top of Google. Then you own prime real estate, and that's where you'll find the money.
In fact, "92.70% of all searches globally happen on Google" (Statcounter). But you need to put in a considerable amount of hard work at the beginning. Of course, SEO is a long-term strategy that takes time to see results, and there are over 200 Google ranking factors. But there are a few ways to speed up the process:
Tips To Speed Up The Ranking Process
You can also employ tactics to maximize your crawl budget (the time Google spends on your website) with things like:
Regular sitemap updates
Limit redirects
Utilize the no index option where applicable
Delete underperforming content
Use a schema markup generator like Merkle
Also, consider developing an internal linking strategy. (This will make it easy for Google to crawl your site). Of course, you also need to adhere to Google's EAT to provide the best user experience possible.
And take advantage of tools like Google Analytics to see what search queries have the most volume. Moreover, ensure that your rank and rent assets are optimized for mobile. But if you can develop a digital strategy. Then you can become a digital landlord and rent high-ranking websites to earn a passive income.
Can You Create A Passive Income With Rank & Rent?
The rank and rent is one of the best ways to create a passive income in 2024. But first, consider that the business model doesn't depend on you or your time to keep producing profits. Plus, once your site is at the top of the SERPs, it takes little to no maintenance. Of course, you make the time investment at the beginning.
But once your sites are at the top and producing, your income is relatively stable. You should occasionally check rank-tracking software like Mangools or SEMRush. And check in with your tenants once in a while. But after your sites are rented, they're pretty hands-off. So you can build multiple lead gen assets and create a passive income.
Plus, you're helping people by solving a client's biggest problem: getting them more leads. And you can target local markets anywhere in the world (not just in the United States). But wherever you find local markets with low competition and secure renters for your virtual assets.
Again, the goal is to build individual websites (they're easier to rank). But you reduce your risk of lost rankings across many smaller sites instead of creating one authority site. And you can outsource and automate specific tasks to SEO professionals. Then you can scale your rank and rent business and secure wealth. Besides, rank and rent is legal and can be a shortcut to financial independence.
PRO TIP:
Think of your rank and rent sites like mini assets. They work hard while you sleep. But once you learn the skills you need to rank on Google, and understand how to get your sites to the top fast. Then you can harness a passive income.
Why Local Lead Generation Is Our Number One Recommendation
Local lead generation is our number one recommendation if you're serious about making money online. Like the rank and rent model, the lead generation business model focuses on building and ranking generic websites for phone-based services in a local market. But once you get your sites to the top of Google, you can harness a passive income.
Plus, you're in full control because you own the websites, the phone number, and the leads. So then, find a hungry business owner who wants to grow their business. And sell your leads for what we call 'a sliver to deliver.' Just like I did with this site below. It took me around 10 hours to build this digital asset and another 6 months to get it to the top of the SERPs.
But this one site has been making me $2000/month since 2015. (I spent about $500 to rank it in the top spot on Google). But there's no limit to the number of sites you build and rank. Plus, there's no ceiling on income potential. So if you're ready to invest in the best way to make money online in 2024, you need to consider local lead generation.
Conclusion
Rank and rent isn't dead. However, the business model is just getting started. Events in recent years, specifically after COVID, have resulted in more small business owners looking for a way to generate leads online. In addition, 89% of consumers use Google. Moreover, 49% of all product purchases start with a Google search.
But if you have the skills and can get your rank and rent site to the top of the page. Then you're in the best place to drive organic traffic to your offer. And there has never been a better time to start a lead generation business, making rank and rent one of the best ways to make a passive income online in 2024.
Ippei, in this model, how do you get around the Google Business Profile video verifications when setting up a new location?
Hi Doug! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment. Great question. Google is always changing, but so is our training. Our coaching program makes it a priority to stay on top of trends and share with our students how to circumvent issues just like this. If you have questions about our lead generation program or want more information, please don’t hesitate to book a call with one of our coaches. You can use this link to schedule a time that works for you: https://go.ippei.com/ Best of luck and look forward to connecting.
I purchased a online course about Rank and Rent. I went through it all but we I started do my research I didn't know Google has Sponsored links about the niche and city at the top of the page. How can we beat Google. It also says GOOGLE GUARANTEED get it done right or get your money back.
I tried a bunch of different niches and cities and each one had these Sponsored links.
How can we make money with them at the very top of the page?
Hi Stephen-thanks for your comment and question. The great thing about this business model is that you don’t have to be number one to get leads. Of course, the goal is to rank number one both in the map pack and organically. But if you’re in the top three in the map pack and at the top of page one organically, your site will produce a ton of leads. Don’t wait until you’re at the top to find a biz owner. When your site produces, leads find an owner to rent your asset. I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck in your rank and rent journey. Any other questions or if you want info about our coaching program you can schedule a call with this link: https://go.ippei.com/
Do you have an email list I can join? I click on your links and it goes to a page with no info.
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for your interest in lead generation. You can use this link: https://ippei.com/best/ Then scroll to the bottom of the page. There’s a spot to fill out your name and email, and one of our coaches will contact you directly to discuss the business model or answer any questions you might have. I hope this helps and look forward to connecting.