Over the last few weeks, I have spoken with a number of architecture firms. After further exploration, I have found a great need for the use of social media in this industry. Architecture firms can use social media to improve in search, establish thought leadership, and enable potential clients to look into what the experience would be like to work with them.
While researching architecture firms, I found that the majority of their websites fail to optimize for search engines because they are Flash-based. I personally have no problem with Flash websites, and some of the ones that I have seen in architecture are truly amazing visually, but search engines do not recognize the text in Flash images as they would the text in HTML. Linking a website like this to a blog with custom content and focused keywords would help that firm greatly in search over a period of time.
Blogs are also a great way for a firm to express industry leadership. Architecture is afield driven by fresh ideas, so showing that you are a firm that is aware of both new design tools and regulations, demonstrates your expertise to potential clients. Additionally, discussing best practices learned at events and trade shows is another way to establish that your firm is up on industry news.
Architecture firms also can use social media to profile a specific project from beginning to end. In addition to being an amazing marketing piece, potential clients could get an inside look into what a working relationship looks like with that firm, where they could highlight their personnel and abilities.
Social media is still very new to the architecture industry, but I know if it is used effectively, firms will see tremendous long-term benefits.
