How Doug Miller harnessed a Zillow partnership to achieve financial freedom with a
self-sufficient business
Background Color Override.
Section: 4
Doug Miller
Founder, South Kitsap Properties
Doug Miller launched his real estate career with no prior experience and built a thriving brokerage in Port Orchard, Washington. By leveraging Zillow and focusing on lead generation, establishing a brand and team development, he quickly established credibility and successfully transitioned from solo agent to a business leader.
Get More Information
Challenge
Twelve years ago, Doug Miller entered real estate with no experience, no clients, and no database. He needed to find a way to build his business while competing with existing agents. As his business grew, Doug focused on strategic market expansion, optimizing his time, and transitioning out of direct sales to lead and support a team, all with Zillow as a key partner by his side.
I was coming in with zero experience, while at the same time competing against agents with 5, 10, or 20 years of experience. They already had that reputation, client base, and book of business.”
-Doug Miller
Solution
Doug partnered with Zillow as a Premier Agent partner shortly after starting his real estate career, making a significant investment in Zillow's advertising platform. As his business grew, so did his partnership and investment in Zillow.
Doug leveraged Zillow to achieve several key objectives:
Lead Generation
Zillow became a critical tool for bringing in new leads, giving Doug a steady stream of clients and grow his business.
Branding and Differentiation
Doug’s Premier Agent partnership builds trust and sets him apart. Now with Showcase, he’s known for tech-savvy listings that stand out, sell faster, and for more.
Data-Driven Decisions
Doug tracks metrics like leads, closings, and ROI across all channels—including Zillow—to make smarter, high-return investments.
Strategic Market Focus
Using Zillow to target ZIP codes around Port Orchard, gave Doug the flexibility to grow where he wanted and establish himself as a local expert.
Showcase Strategy
Doug uses Zillow Showcase to deliver a premium seller experience and elevate his brand. Similar to photography, he considers it an indirect ROI with powerful results.
Team Growth & Support
With Zillow, Doug built a steady lead pipeline, scaled his team, and clearly demonstrated the value behind his commission split.
.png "Showcase iPad floorplan tablet (1)")
Zillow had a huge impact on growing my personal business when I started in real estate, and ultimately played a large role in not only growing my own team, but opening my own office in 2020.”
-Doug Miller
Results
Zillow helped Doug on his fast track to success, helping him quickly achieve his goal of building a self-sustaining business. Leveraging the Zillow brand gave him the necessary credibility when he was "brand new," enabling him to attract clients and build a solid reputation.
Zillow is very much a resource. It's the #1 site for buyers in the US. It's a tool that buyers count on, that they depend on, that they trust. So why wouldn't I want to be part of that?”
-Doug Miller
Zillow played a pivotal role in driving Doug’s rapid business growth. A consistent flow of high-quality leads with Zillow advertising enabled him to quickly build a team, launch his own brokerage, and create a thriving, self-sustaining business. Just three months into his real estate career, Doug partnered with Zillow and never looked back. More than a lead provider, Zillow became a true growth partner, evolving alongside his business every step of the way.
To further differentiate his brand, Doug adopted Showcase to elevate the seller experience and stand out in a competitive market. The premium listing feature impressed clients and reinforced his reputation as a tech-savvy, service-driven professional. Showcase proved its value not only in presentation, but in helping Doug consistently win new business.