Your own website vs a brokerage or Zillow profile

A brokerage page and a portal profile are useful, and they are worth keeping. But they are not the same as having your own website, and it helps to know the difference.

What profiles do well

Portal profiles and brokerage pages are quick to set up, show reviews and past sales in a familiar format, and appear where many buyers already browse. They are worth keeping complete and current.

What profiles cannot do

A profile lives on someone else’s platform, so the platform sets the rules.

• You control little of the design, content or layout
• Other agents and ads may appear next to your profile
• You cannot add your own area guides, blog posts or tools
• If you change brokerages or the platform changes, the page may change or disappear

What your own website adds

Your own site is a place you control. You decide what it says, how it looks and how people contact you. It can rank for the neighborhoods and questions you choose, and every lead that comes through it comes to you.

It also stays with you. Your domain and content move with you if you change brokerages.

Use both

The simplest approach is to keep your profiles up to date and link them to your website, where people can read your area guides and contact you directly.

If you only have a profile today, book a call and we will show you what a site of your own would add. You can also see pricing for a site that is built and run for you.

Content note: Articles on this site may be drafted or assisted by AI and reviewed before publication. AI tools can make mistakes or miss context. This content is for general information only and is not legal, tax, lending, or financial advice. For guidance about your specific property, contract, financing, or move, contact Emilly Humphress directly or speak with the appropriate licensed professional.