Luxury apartment building at twilight

Search & AI Optimization

Built for businesses that create communities.

We help apartment communities, local practices, and service providers become the first name people find, and the last one they need.

Trusted by

DesignRush Top SEO Company BrightLocal Yardi RentCafe

The scoreboard

Google Business Profile

Orthodontist multi-location

1,343

Calls from Business Profile (6 months)

Direction Requests

Apartment community

1,659%

Increase in direction requests

Before: 17

After: 299

Keyword Rankings

Real estate client

1 homes for sale in...
390
1 village greenes...
▲+2 90
1 holiday village...
10
2 legacy oaks homes
▲+2 10
2 homestead at...
55

Organic Growth

Content & SEO strategy

74%

Increase in organic search visibility

Reduced ILS dependency through owned media

AI Search Results

Google AI Mode

apartments in carteret nj

1.

The Arthur

21 Washington Ave, $2,100-$3,200

2.

The Botanic

36 Washington Ave, 1-2 bed

3.

29 Washington Ave

1-2 bed, starting $2,175

2 of 3 top AI results are our clients

ChatGPT Referral

Real client outcome

$$$

Deal closed from a ChatGPT recommendation

"1st ChatGPT Call today! It is for a Professional Business Valuation... Great job!"

- Client email to Mike

Results

Real results

Here's what happens when local businesses get the visibility they deserve.

Case Study

Neglected Google profile: 1,659% more direction requests

An established apartment property with a neglected Google Business Profile. 17 direction requests per month. After local SEO optimization:

17 → 299

Direction requests

600%

Phone call increase

Top 3

Maps rankings

Direction Requests

Before vs. after optimization

Before

17

After

299

+1,659%

Case Study

2 of 3 top Google AI results are our clients

When someone asks Google AI "apartments in Carteret NJ," two of the top three recommendations are properties we manage. That's not luck. That's AI visibility optimization: structured data, reviews, and content working together.

2 of 3

Top AI results are ours

ChatGPT too

Recommended across AI platforms

Client appearing in Google AI Mode search results

Case Study

$3.99 per click, 742 monthly conversions

A 4-month Google Ads campaign for a multifamily property. Zero online presence to a consistent flow of qualified leads.

2,290

Total clicks

742

Conversions

$3.99

Cost per click

91.4K

Impressions

Monthly Conversions

Google Ads campaign

Month 1 Month 4

0 → 742 conversions/mo

Process

How we work

No mystery. No jargon. Four steps from "we need help" to "we're booked."

01

Marketing Audit

We analyze your online presence, competitors, and market opportunity. You get a report showing exactly where you stand.

02

Custom Strategy

A plan built around your goals, budget, and timeline. No cookie-cutter approaches.

03

Execution

We implement across all channels. Website, ads, Google Business Profile, content, citations. You run your business.

04

Optimize & Report

Clear monthly reports. Ongoing optimization. Quarterly strategy reviews. You always know what's working.

See where you stand.

No sales team. No runaround. Just a straight conversation with the person who runs the agency.

Mike Forgie, founder of Next Step Connect

Have a question?

Text us and get a real answer, not a bot.

Text Us Now (732) 784-8847

Usually responds within the hour

Free Visibility Report

See where you rank vs. competitors

No commitment required