Real Estate SEO 101
Taking a Brief Vacation to Go “Slightly” Off-Topic
This post will represent a slight divergent from my normal topics about the Crystal Coast. Since so many of my real estate agent friends like for me to delve into search engine optimization (SEO). I figured it was time to take a short vacation from my musings on all things Crystal Coast real estate.
Subject Matter Expert for SEO?
While I have a solid grasp of SEO, I’ll admit I tend to “hang my hat” on copywriting and real estate marketing. I admit I like to acquire as much knowledge as I can on the fine art of search engine optimization. To stay ahead of the curve, that means lengthy discussions with Brad and tons of reading. Besides, writing compelling website content and interesting blog posts is a very important aspect of building highly searchable websites. I take my task of copy writing and online real estate coaching seriously. It demands I integrate rock-solid organic SEO principals using the latest tools like LSI (latent semantic indexing with Quintura.com) and superior keyword integration. My goal is for our client’s websites to get noticed not only by consumers but the “Yahoo’s” and the “Google’s” of the world too.
Beware of Slick, Fast-talking SEO Magicians
Just remember this fact, SEO doesn’t happen overnight. Obtaining page one search results is a marathon not a sprint. Plus, remaining in the top tier search results demands constant attention to your website or blog. If you hear any of these statements coming from the mouth of an SEO consultant, run don’t walk!
- Avoid SEO providers who make promises of top search rankings — The only guaranteed search placement is “Sponsored Links” better know as pay-per-click campaigns
- Avoid linking schemes with other agents
- Avoid SEO providers who pitch fast “microwave oven” instant search results. Site optimization is a continual process. Remember – think marathon not sprint!
- Avoid buying links in “link farms”. Sooner or later you will get caught by Google and the penalty will be painful!
- Avoid spamming the web with “spammy content” to fool or “game” the search engines. Hedging your bets against a $110 billion company like Google by spamming your website with keywords for better search rankings is a dumb wager!
9 Steps to Better SEO – Crystal Coast Real Estate Agents – Pay Attention!
To optimize your website for better search engine placement, you must:
- Start with a superior domain name that fits your site’s “central theme”. Example: If your domain is www.CrystalCoastRealEstateBlog.com and you sale “Crystal Coast Real Estate”, have the site web copy talk about “all things” Crystal Coast Real Estate. Good Crystal Coast Real Estate Investments versus Bad Crystal Coast Real Estate Investments, Crystal Coast Rental FAQ’s, Tips to Buying Crystal Coast Real Estate, Market Reports on Crystal Coast Real Estate.
- This web copy must be organically sound, original, and keyword-rich so it embraces your websites’ central theme
- Establish the “trust factor” with search engines by showing your site will be around for a long time. Consider paying for your domain name registration for 5 years as proof your site’s “in it” for the long haul.
- Have partners and vendors whose sites are “trusted” by the search engines link from their sites to your site. Examples could be house painter, home inspector, lending consultant, real estate attorney…etc.
- Build unique, organically sound profiles on industry-related authority websites and link that originally written profile back to you website and blog. Examples could be Trulia, Zillow, Squidoo, Active Rain, RealTown Blog…etc.
- Liberally use clear, non-jargon descriptions of your business and industry on your site
- Refresh your site’s content frequently (one of the reasons why search engines have a “love affair” with Blogs!)
- Don’t use graphics for key website content — search engine “crawlers” or “spiders” can’t index (“read”) images/graphics
- Integrate in your website organically sound page title tags, meta descriptions, and heading tags
By putting these simple, yet powerful best practices to work (by you or a “trusted expert”), your site stands a better chance of being recognized by the search engines.
Your Feedback?
What SEO best practices have you put to good use? Did you find one SEO strategy worked better than another for your website or blog?
Helping you obtain better SEO results,
Bobby
May 6th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Bobby,
Here’s an article I wrote, which might further assist & was recently published in several trade magazines:
Expanding the Realtor Reach – Five (Free) Building Blocks to Fast Forward Future Sales
Realtors don’t need to be reminded how competitive it is to gain new clients, nor do they need to be reminded how the recent economic turmoil affects local transaction activity. Instead, well-healed Realtors are better served focusing on the future and how they can progressively promote their skill sets to attract and retain new clients. Below are five free building blocks to expand the Realtor’s reach and gain new clients:
Website – Okay, this may be a bit obvious, but let this be your core – your foundation for the building blocks that follow. Make sure it presents well, personifies your abilities, showcases your listings, and conveys confidence.
Blog – Consider the website your formal business card and your blog is the less formal conversation you have as you exchange business cards. Make sure you have something good to say. Chronicle a unique experience. Feature timely information about the local market that only you know best. Feel free to provide tasteful links to your listings, but don’t dilute your blog with that (admittedly important) content. Instead, let that content reside on your website. If your reader likes what you share in your blog, then they will find you and your listings on your website.
Facebook – A nifty profile with lots of friends just isn’t enough. Instead, create a fan page and encourage all your friends and past clients to “fan” you. Using this platform, broadcast recent listings (with links, of course), sales, recent blog posts, open houses, and all other meaningful activity.
Twitter – Twitter is now the medium where news breaks first. Think of it as your personal news room. Create an account, follow only those who interest you most (not the whole planet), and encourage your clients and prospective clients to follow you. After all, this is the platform you will use to broadcast the latest listings – in most cases before they surface anywhere else. This is your chance to get a leg-up on the competition. Do not underestimate the power of this free resource!
Village Voyage- The Internet is an abyss of information and you’ve worked hard to build your brand. Tie it all together with Village Voyage. Similar to Wikipedia, Village Voyage is a wiki and anyone can participate. Think of it as your on-line cocktail party with many different conversations all centered around your community, your target audience, your clients. Create a Village Voyage page to further expand your online presence, while at the same time, taking advantage of the opportunity to add valuable back-links to your website, blog, and other online pages. Beyond that, be bold. Use Village Voyage to meet new clients, build credibility, and differentiate yourself by demonstrating your local market knowledge and expertise. (See the State index to locate the market(s) that interest you most: http://www.villagevoyage.com/wiki/Category:States )