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To create dedicated pages in your Point2 Agent website displaying certain "towns or neighborhoods" (which is great for your search engine optimization (SEO), follow the instructions below...
First, Create a new page in your website and give the page "name" the town or neighborhood you're displaying - we're using "Invermere" for this example. When you're on the page in edit mode, do the following...
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1) Choose "Add Content" in the center column (this is best for displaying listings as it's the widest column of your page)
2) Here you'll choose "Listings" and click "NEXT"...
3) You'll be taken to the "header" section where you'll want to enter "City Homes for Sale, Real Estate Listings" (or whatever you'd like) in the Title section, you can choose if you want the wording to be centered, left or right justified and with or without a horizontal header line. And below it will be a spot for writing any text you wish to write. Or you can leave it blank. When done, click NEXT...
4) You'll be taken to the next page which gives you all your display options for your listings...you can choose to just show your listings, or you can choose "All Listings" - that's what we've chosen here and we've also chosen to not require registration...this is best for your SEO as search engines won't be able to index a signup form vs actual listings showing...
5) Here you have 2 choices as to how the listings appear...the "Short" display allows you to choose increments of 5,10,15, or 20 listings and they are a "fixed" width - vs the "Detailed" option which doesn't allow you to choose increments and can be lengthy, but it expands/contracts and is not fixed...play with each and see which one you like better. You'll also be able to choose whether the sorting is by "Price, Size, Neighborhood, Type, Style, Size, Bedrooms, or Bathrooms" and in Descending or Ascending order.
6) Next you can filter the results by Status and Handshake Types and we've clicked on "Specify Locations" for Neighbourhoods...THERE'S A TRICK TO THIS! If you want all neighbourhoods to show up for that town (we're using Invermere here), then simply click in the box next to Invermere, HOWEVER, if you just want one or a few neighbourhoods showing up, then click on the "wording" Invermere, and it will bring up all the neighbourhoods "unhighlighted" and you can then just check the boxes for those neighbourhoods you want to display in Invermere (or whatever town).
This is just an example after clicking on the wording "Invermere" and we've just checked a few boxes to show the difference.
Click "OK" and that's it - you're done! Have fun and dig in!!! And don't forget to tweak your metatags for that page!!
To create dedicated pages in your Point2 Agent website displaying certain "types" of properties (which is great for your search engine optimization (SEO), follow the instructions below...
First, Create a new page in your website and give the page "name" the type of property you're displaying - we're using "Lots and Land" for this example. When you're on the page in edit mode, do the following...
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1) Choose "Add Content" in the center column (this is best for displaying listings as it's the widest column of your page)
2) Here you'll choose "Listings" and click "NEXT"...
3) You'll be taken to the "header" section where you'll want to enter the Type of Listing in the Title section, you can choose if you want the wording to be centered, left or right justified and with or without a horizontal header line. And below it will be a spot for writing any text you wish to write. Or you can leave it blank. When done, click NEXT...
4) You'll be taken to the next page which gives you all your display options for your listings...you can choose to just show your listings, or you can choose "All Listings" - that's what we've chosen here and we've also chosen to not require registration...this is best for your SEO as search engines won't be able to index a signup form vs actual listings showing...
5) Here you have 2 choices as to how the listings appear...the "Short" display allows you to choose increments of 5,10,15, or 20 listings and they are a "fixed" width - vs the "Detailed" option which doesn't allow you to choose increments and can be lengthy, but it expands/contracts and is not fixed...play with each and see which one you like better. You'll also be able to choose whether the sorting is by "Price, Size, Neighborhood, Type, Style, Size, Bedrooms, or Bathrooms" and in Descending or Ascending order.
6) Next you can filter the results by Status and Handshake Types - we've clicked "Specify Types" for the Types of properties and checked just the Lots and Land (you can do this for each type as a separate page if you want!) and left the rest alone (there will be a separate instruction sheet for filtering neighborhoods and towns!)...
Click "OK" and that's it - you're done! Have fun and dig in!!! And don't forget to tweak your metatags for that page!!
Any other women out there have a man like mine????? Via Wayne Golliday (SEO Redefined):
Because I'm a man, when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in.
 Because I'm a man, when the car isn't running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I'm looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, "I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn't know where to start." We will then drink beer.
Because I'm a man, when I catch a cold I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You never get as sick as I do, so for you this isn't an issue.
Because I'm a man, I can be relied upon to purchase basic groceries at the store, like milk or bread. I cannot be expected to find exotic items like "Cumin" or "Tofu". For all I know these are the same thing. And never, under any circumstances, expect me to pick up anything for which "feminine hygiene product" is a euphemism.
Because I'm a man, when one of our appliances stops working I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together.
Because I'm a man, I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it (though one time I was able to survive by holding a calculator).
Because I'm a man, I don't think we're all that lost, and no, I don't think we should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger -- I mean, how the hell could he know where we're going?
Because I'm a man, there is no need to ask me what I'm thinking about. The answer is always either sex or baseball, though I have to make up something else when you ask, so don't.
Because I'm a man, I am capable of announcing, "One more beer and I really have to go", and mean it every single time I say it, even when it gets to the point that the one bar closes and my buddies and I have to go hunt down another. I will find it increasingly hilarious to have my pals call you to tell you I'll be home soon, and no, I don't understand why you threw all my clothes into the front yard. Like, what's the connection?
Because I'm a man, you don't have to ask me if I liked the movie. Chances are, if you're crying at the end of it, I didn't.
Because I'm a man, yes, I have to turn up the radio when Bruce Springsteen or The Doors comes on, and then, yes, I have to tell you every single time about how Bruce had his picture on the cover of Time and Newsweek the same day, or how Jim Morrison is buried in Paris and everyone visits his grave. Please do not behave as if you do not find this fascinating.
Because I'm a man, I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now?
For those considering PPC campaigns...this might help! Via Wayne Golliday (SEO Redefined):  There are many advertising options available to businesses who wish to use the internet as their advertising medium. One of the most often used methods is PPC or Pay Per Click. PPC can be effective if used right it is not the right option for those businesses that are short on operating capital. Those companies that are short on capital will need to undertake a good SEO program. Please keep in mind here that a good organic SEO program is crucial for all online businesses.
PPC is done right can be a good solution for companies who have an advertising budget. A good PPC ROI plays a very important role in a PPC program and monitoring bids, keywords, conversion ratios and statistics are key in making this work. Proper selection of keywords can target users in a relevant and timely manner. These targeted users perform a keyword search on a search engine and if your PPC has been done properly you will drive these users to your website. The results often result in higher profits.
What is important to remember here is that you only pay when your ad is clicked on by the search engine user. You do not pay to have your ad show up but rather only when the user clicks on your ad. This amount you pay was previously agreed upon during the bidding process when you set up your ad and the amount you pay for each click through can change, That is why proper targeted keywords are so important here. It is important to remember that PPC is a bidding process that is determined by the strength of keyword demand.
Great post! Via Wayne Golliday (SEO Redefined): Sure why not and Craigslist overflows with Google Juice! I have been blogging a lot lately about long tail phrases and how to use them to your advantage. Well Craigslist offers a great way to do just that and I believe is still free to post an ad. Yes I did say FREE! Anyone who has read my blogs for very long knows how I feel about FREE STUFF!
One of the best long tail phrases you can use is a listings address. You can go on to Craigslist and title the ad with the listings address and then write your ad. There are a couple of ways to write an ad for Craigslist. You can do strictly a text ad where you can upload a few pictures of the listing that is rich with keywords and give your web address and contact information. But a better way is to do an HTML ad that includes pictures and clickable links to your website page that the listing resides on. I will go into greater detail on how to do each one in a later blog.
You do not have to use Craigslist. You could buy a domain name that is the address of the listing. But this will cost at least $8 to $10 to do and then you have to point that domain name to a webpage that has that listing. A better way is to have a dedicated page for your listing and then use Craigslist to advertise that listing. Let the Google Juice do the rest.
If someone is looking for a house in a specific neighborhood or even a specific street and if you have done your Craigslist ad correctly your Craigslist ad should show up on page one of Google. More than likely this ad will be in position one. And since you added the page link back to your site you will see that your visitor stats will also go up.
I know there are other listing venues on the web but many of these charge and do not have the Google Juice that Craigslist has. But the one thing I hear over and over again is that after the house is sold the ad is still out there a year later. With Craigslist the ad will expire and disappear after 90 days. No more worries about getting calls on an old ad.
If you are not currently using Craigslist to list all of your homes I encourage you to try it for 90 days and see what happens. My top clients use it and swear by it.
For those of you looking for an alternative to some of the real estate website platforms out there, I've found something that I really feel you'll find both enjoyable to use, as well as search engine friendly!
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AgentPress Blog Site - I'm sure some of you have seen their sponsor ad in Active Rain...I've contacted them and am also using one of their sister products, StudioPress for a new blog site we're doing called "SuccessfulBlogSites.Com" which is in its very early stages.
AgentPress uses the WordPress platform and really impressed me with their blog site geared specifically for real estate agents/brokers. And IDX can be implemented through an iFrame - there is the Basic and Premium Package available. The Premium Package is only $299. This is not just a blog, pages can be created and treated just like a website, and it's on a blogging platform...you get the best of both worlds on one platform!
Then, if you need us, we'd be helping with content and more widgets for your blog site. Even their themes can have custom headers, but I honestly like the clean sophisticated look of their themes, unlike some of the other platforms out there that have very "dated" themes and have no intention of upgrading them.
Not to mention anything on WordPress is VERY SEARCH ENGINE FRIENDLY!!!
Costs:
Approx. $50/year for hosting the theme
IDX fees will vary and are monthly, however there are free alternatives out there, such as RealtySoft and SoftRealty (they really are 2 different companies and availability varies by state), as well as the IDX feed agents can receive from their MLS board for basic MLS searches.
Visit AgentPress for More Information!
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What is the new price for Point2 Agent Standard?
$19.99 US per month.
As an extra consideration for Point2's existing members at the Standard level, those members' price will be $14.99 US per month for the first year.
Are the Professional and Premium rates going up as well?
No price increase is planned for the Professional or Premium packages.
Why the Rate Change?
As a business tool, they adamantly believe that Point2 Agent is priced competitively. With no setup fees, a full three month free trial, unlimited listings and unlimited syndication, Point2 Agent Standard competes very well with products at double or triple the $19.99 price point, and they hope you'll agree that, in terms of software that can genuinely create more business for the real estate professional, Point2 Agent continues to be an excellent investment in your business.
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But where are all the new features?
"The past year has seen impressive enhancements to the Point2 Agent software suite. With dramatic improvements to the speed, stability and reliability of the system, a completely new, world-class email solution, cross-browser compatibility, and integration with nearly 100 MLS's (so that members no longer have to manually re-enter their listing data), we are very proud of the accomplishments of our technology team over the past two years, and proud of the way that our technology is moving forward. 2010 will see even more visible improvements, in particular to the Point2 Agent website builder itself, bringing with it many of the features that our members have asked us for."
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I have bolded the statements above that I am questioning and would love any feedback on these new features.
1) The integration with nearly 100 MLS's - I would really like to have that list so I can relay that to potential clients because I've only been shown 2 regions based on a previous blog.
2) Email - I have clients complain because the email does not allow any attachments
3) A system that is reverting primary domains over to sub-domains, and I have cable high-speed internet and find myself getting frustrated when trying to edit a website with the load time of screens.
Please don't get me wrong...I think Point2 Agent is a great platform and you get a lot of bang for your buck, however, to make these kind of claims and see first-hand that they are falling short makes me wonder.
Thoughts????????
 If you are one of those people still skeptical about the business uses of social media, you may be interested to know that Google's Social Search is no longer just an experiment. Though it does have the beta tag on it, it is now mainstream. This is something we've all known would come sooner or later, but now it's here.
If people were already seeing different search results from one another before, that is really going to be true now, now that Google is plugging results based on the individual's social circle into any given SERP. This is one of the many ways SEO is changing, and it would appear that any business looking to get some play in Google search, would do well to have as many connections established as possible, via various social networking sites and tools.
Keep in mind that the social circle is based upon information that Google has about you from your Google account. It pulls connections from your Google Contacts, and any services you have listed on your Google profile (assuming you have services listed on your profile). If you have Twitter listed for example (Facebook connections are not public), anyone you are connected to through one of those services is fair game for potential search results.
Google's thinking is that if the user is connected to certain people, results from those people will have relevance because you know and trust them. Google says, "You can improve social search results for your friends and contacts by linking to content you have created such as blogs, photos and videos on your Google profile."
"We've been having a lot of fun with Social Search. It's baby season here on our team -- two of us just had little ones, and a third is on the way," the company says in the announcement. "We're all getting ready to be parents for the first time and we have lots of questions. So, what do we do? We search Google, of course! With Social Search, when we search for [baby sleep patterns], [swaddling] or [best cribs], not only do we get the usual websites with expert opinions, we also find relevant pages from our friends and contacts. For example, if one of my friends has written a blog where he talks about a great baby shop he found in Mountain View, this might appear in my social results. I could probably find other reviews, but my friend's blog is more relevant because I know and trust the author."
Appearing in social search results means:
1. Make sure you have all of your important links on your Google Profile.
2. Make as many connections as possible.
3. Encourage customers to follow you via social networks.
4. Participate in social media so people will engage with you.
5. Encourage sharing of content (there are plenty available social media buttons)
6. Include social network info on business cards/signage, etc.
7. Include social network info in your online advertising
Google's social search doesn't end with regular web search. They're adding it to image search, and who knows what else. Look for a lot more features to become part of social search, as Google leaves that Beta tag on. Let's not forget that Gmail only left beta last year, and I don't have to tell you they've added a lot to that over the years.
Just remember that social results will always be clearly marked as such on Google's SERPs. They will be accompanied by a heading that says "Results from your social circle". Still, for traditional SEO it is just one more thing to compete with as far as page real estate. That's why social is a much more of an important part of search than ever.
Google has been making many moves over the last couple years that seem to slowly turn it more and more into its own social network. Now that its profiles have a direct impact on search results, how people view Google in this light is likely to change significantly. Once more and more average users start to realize the social features are being integrated more into their everyday searches, they may find themselves getting sucked into using Google as more of a social tool, as opposed to just search.
Source: Cris Krum / Staff Writer for WebProNews
 Not only can you instantly access over 4 million homes for sale with the touch of a button, whether you are
driving or walking through a neighborhood, you can also see:
- Homes for sale nearby your current location with your GPS enabled iPhone
- Open house times, dates and locations
- Homes for sale on a map, even the neighborhood you're standing in, instantly
- Multiple photos, property details and pricing on nearly any home for sale
- More homes for sale than any other real estate site in America
- Information you can trust - because it's the official listing site of the National Association of REALTORS®
Plus, REALTOR.com® is the only site that regularly updates home sales data throughout the day. So if a home comes on the market today or if a price is reduced, you'll see it before anyone else.
GET YOURS FREE NOW!
Via Wayne Golliday (SEO Redefined): Yes, yes and yes again. You should Blog about your listings. Every listing should have it's own Blog post. Here is what you should include:
1. Address of listing and the neighborhood it is located in.
2. Information about this listing but not all of it. Give them a link to the listing so they have to go to your site to read more . This drives traffic to your site
3. At the very least a few pictures. Use just enough pictures to wet their appetite to see more. You want them to go to your site to see more.
4. Video of the property is fantastic and should be included if possible. If you have the ability to edit the video down to a small snippet then do it. Again you want them to go to your site to view more.
5. A map link if possible.
Remember the idea is to get them interested enough to view this listing and others at your site.
Do not forget to SEO your Blog post so it can be found
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Nancy Golliday
Saint Marys,
GA
More about me…
First Coast Designs
Address: Saint Marys, GA, 31558
Office Phone: (912) 673-8238
Cell Phone: (912) 322-2858
Email Me
Custom Website Design, Point2 Agent Web Design, SEO, Top Producer Website Customization, WordPress custom & semi-custom blogs, custom Fan Pages for Facebook
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