Archive for SEO Search Optimization
Content for SEO Infographic
Brafton’s infographic, Why Content For SEO, explores how content is key to search engine visibility. You can click the image to see the full-sized infographic.
The solution for real estate agents that don’t have time to blog
The Agent Reboot real estate conference today was the perfect inspiration to get me focused on my goals for the new year. Not because I learned about some cool new tech toy, app or social network but because it reinforced what I already know. The event confirmed that the products, services and advice I offer is on track to help you meet your goals for increased business in 2011.
Big emphasis on niche marketing, lifestyle marketing and the importance of the WordPress blogging platform for agents. (more...)
Hyperlocal Real Estate Marketing
Google loves blogs because of their clean architecture and frequently updated, focused content. The archived content, the comments, permalinks (other sites linking back) etc. The blogging platform is also conducive to social media platforms (social sharing, bookmarking, tweeting etc) which is good for Google rank. Frequently updated, focused content = SEO. (more...)
Greater Fairfield County CMLS Says OK to IDX for Agents!
Fairfield County real estate agents can now take advantage of expanded IDX options for their personal websites. You are no longer limited to framing-in your brokers IDX solution or the awkward rDesk solution offered through the CMLS. (rDesk is also a framed-in IDX solution)
The problem with framed-in solutions is they are not user friendly (can't bookmark or link to specific pages) and they are not search engine friendly.
Beginning Monday, August 3rd GFC CMLS Subscribers will also have the option of utilizing any of the following GFC CMLS authorized “Third-Party” IDX vendors: (with your broker's written permission - paperwork is required)
• Advanced Access – www.advancedaccess.com
• Arran Technologies – www.arran.com
• Birdview Technologies – www.birdview.com
• Homes.com – www.homes.com
• IDX Broker – www.idxbroker.com
• iHomeFinder – www.ihomefinder.com
• MarketLeader – www.marketleader.com
• rDesk – http://www.ct-mls.com/idx
• SkyeMark Business Solutions – www.skyemark.com
• WolfNet Technologies, Inc. – www.mlsfinder.com
Real Estate Search Stats: Search behavior
For search-engine-optimization purposes, the first few phrases in a blog post are vital in the post's relevancy to searches, Tancer said. "If you want to talk about real estate in San Mateo Park, you want to put 'San Mateo Park' within those first 14 characters," he said.
Also, there is an increasing complexity in online searches. "People are getting very, very specific in their search queries.
How real estate agents can use Google Alerts for SEO
Google alerts are just like the "daily email updates" your IDX system sends out to people searching for homes. Except instead of emailing new real estate listings, Google will email you the latest relevant Google search results that match your search criteria. This includes web, news, blog posts etc.
Pretty cool right? You get the latest relevant Google results on any topic, keyword phrase, a persons name, whatever your interest, automatically emailed to you, once a day, as it happens or once a week. Your choice.
Some of the Google Alerts you may want to consider setting up:
- Your name
- Your website name
- Your latest industry news
- Your competitors
- Your market area
- The keyword phrases you would expect people use to find your web site
The last item on the list is the one I most want to discuss. Most realtors I speak with want to be found this way in a Google search: city state real estate
example: westport ct real estate
Google Alert for Westport CT Real Estate
Using Google Alerts will make the concept crystal clear about two things I explain to clients on an almost daily basis:
- The old fashioned marketing strategy of static content is no longer performing for real estate web sites.
- If you don't have relevant content including your keyword phrases you can not expect to be found for that particular search.
Another important thing to remember, and creating Google Alerts will remind you, is this: People don't necessarily come to your web site to read your content. Specific headlines and including your market area (city and state) and topic in your copy is essential for search engines and for understanding what your content is about outside the context of your web site.
Create a Google Alert and improve your web marketing strategy now! www.google.com/alerts
Google top ten? Re-think your website goals!
If your main website goal is to be found in the top 10 search results on Google then you will want to consider re-defining your goals.
I have many clients who enjoy an enviable top 10, #1, top 3 etc. search engine position. This was their goal and a key reason for hiring me. These same clients now want to increase their results to include additional search terms and generate even more traffic. They are convinced that even though they are prominent for the search terms of their market area it just isn't good enough and they need more. Well sure, who doesn't want more traffic?
There is a flaw in this strategy, ask yourself this; What is this great flow of traffic going to do when they get to your website? Call you? Hire you? Send you money, buy your stuff or just surf on to another search result? Check your web stats, if your visitor's are moving on then you need to consider why.
Admittedly, just a few years ago, having a web presence and being found in a search was novel enough to generate leads. This is no longer the case. The web isn't new, it has evolved and so have the people who use it.
People using a search engine or "googling" are researching, looking for an answer, looking to purchase something specific or maybe want to be entertained. The website that answers the question, fulfills the need, engages the visitor, earns trust, makes a connection, builds a relationship etc. will generate the lead. And this of course, should be the goal of your website.
You need to take responsibility for your web success by building relationships and trust with your visitors. Define your your audience and give them what they want. Re-focus the time, energy and money you spend on search engine positioning and direct it towards content for your audience.
Incidentally, acheiving this goal will also greatly improve your SEO.
I’m sick of hearing about real estate blogging!
The main concern I've been hearing from realtors lately is getting to the top of Google. They were there and they are losing position or they are positioned well but not getting any "hits". "Hits" being a term my clients use loosely. What it really means is that they are no longer enjoying a steady stream of inquiries generated from their web site. "Conversion" would be a better word.
Web site owners are looking to me for the magic SEO pill. The good news is that there is a solution, the bad news is that it takes some effort on the part of the website owner. I understand their frustration; I use the diet analogy. If i could pay someone to lose weight for me I would hand over my checkbook. Unfortunately diet and exercise is the simple solution to my problem.
Quote from Wall Street Journal article No Sale: A Bad Agent, or a Lousy Market?...criticizes agents who spend a lot of money to drive traffic to their Web sites, but fail to provide enough "content rich" material when they arrive.
The simple solution to a successful real estate web site is "content". The simple way to add fresh content to your web site is by blogging. I know, "you're sick of hearing the word blog"!
The blog platform not only helps your search engine ranking but equally important it can help your conversion rate. It is no longer enough to just have a website and expect people to be impressed enough by that fact alone to fill out a form and contact you. Being in the Google top 10 and driving traffic to your site isn't going to get visitors to pick up the phone and make an appointment.
Agents expend significant sums on driving traffic to their websites – search engine optimization, keyword purchase, pay-per-click, etc, - but when the consumer arrives at the site there isn’t any pertinent or targeted information waiting for them. You need to target a specific or niche market such as first time buyers. Your website needs to be very content-rich with material answering their specific questions. It is critical to fulfill the promise being made in your marketing efforts. National Realty News
Your real estate blog is the place where you can demonstrate your expertise in the real estate market. This is the way to begin to have a relationship with your site visitor. Trust can be established, questions answered, your personality is shared through honest expression.
Think of it this way. If you get an appointment for a listing presentation you usually get the listing. Why? Because you have a conversation with the seller, you show them that you are a professional, you show them how you are going to market their home and they like your personality, your professionalism, your track record, whatever. Give the same attention to your website content. It is the important first impression and it will be the deciding factor for converting a visitor into a lead.
Labor & Employment Law Web Re-design
Maya Murphy PC required a search engine friendly design and the ability to update their site with legal news and articles.
The original site's unfortunate home page consisted of two graphics and a flash animated menu. No text other than the copyright notice and link to "enter site".
Our new site uses search engine friendly WordPress for content management. The blog platform is perfect for this law site as Maya Murphy has many attorneys, articles and law practice areas to categorize and organize. Though it always takes some time for a new domain to earn page rank this brand new site already shows above the original site in a Google search for "Maya Murphy Law".
