Home : Blogs : JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate : JL Boney's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog

The Great Longtail Keyword Debate

I've read a lot of articles about Longtail Keywords and there use in targeting an audience and placing high in Google rankings. The fact of the matter is that it's easier to after a very specific keyword rather than something more general. For example if you target Columbia, SC homes for sale in Longcreek Plantation, it's easier to rank high on search engines than if you were to target a more generic keyword like Columbia, SC homes for sale. The fact is that the generic keyword has a lot more competition than the Longtail, specific keyword.

I've read some great debates on both sides of the fence when it come to longtail keywords and their value. The largest debate against longtail keyword use is that they are so specific, that the keyword may only be searched about 5 to 10 times a month and the less specific search terms will be used far more often by many more people. In the end you do want to be in front of as many people as possible.

Keywords

However, I will say that I have found that the more specific people are, then the more serious they are and the more prepared they are to buy a home. If a potential buyer or client says that they want to buy a house, that's not a lot of information. But, if they say that they want to buy a 3 bedroom, 2 and a half bath, 2,000 square foot, vinyl sided house in a community with amenities and near a lake, then we are getting somewhere and narrowing down the search.

The fact is that things are always more easy when people know exactly what they want. Then we can easily take them where they need to be.

Gone Fishing To me, I see the value in chasing both types of keywords in an effort to gain optimum exposure. It takes a lot of work and effort to make your way to the top of the rankings for your town real estate on Google, but if you target a specific area of town or a specific community within the town, there is far less competition and it's not as difficult to achieve great results. It doesn't mean that you should abandon your efforts to rank higher for more used keywords.

But if the people who are very specific are more prepared to buy because they know what they want, then you should certainly not blow it off as a waste of effort. Even if those terms are only search about 5 times a month, then that's 5 very serious and specific people that just saw you. And if you have 5 posts out there for this, then that's 25 people who are very serious and ready that just saw you and on and on.

So in the end, while I understand people who claim that it's a waste of time to use longtail keywords to target potential clients, for me I will continue to use them. Frankly, to me there is no such thing as bad exposure when you are offering good information to the consumers. Whether it's info on your area or communities within the city, it's all a good thing. So don't be too quick to toss them aside as a waste, anything is worth a try when it only takes a little of your time and effort. And if it doesn't work, then oh well, I don't it's the first thing you ever did that wasn't a home run.

www.jlboney.com

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors

I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.

Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com

My Columbia SC Real Estate Website

My Columbia, SC Real Estate Blog

www.jlboney.com/columbiascrealestateblog.html

www.activerain.com/blogs/jlboney/rss

Subscribe to JL Boney's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog by Email

Lake Murray SC Homes for Sale

Forest Acres SC Homes for Sale

Posted by JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate on 08/19/2009 09:46 AM

Comments (92)

Longtail Keywords in the ActiveRain Channel

longtail keywords, prepared buyers, exposure, getting the word out, why not

Originally posted at: JL's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog: The Great Longtail Keyword Debate

Generate short URL

Post is included in group: Club Chaos
Post is included in group: Dedicated Bloggers
Post is included in group: M.A.N.C.R.O.W
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: "Whacked"!!!

92 Comments on The Great Longtail Keyword Debate

AUG

2009

JL: I have found that my most specific keyword searcher is also more serious. I haven't commented on your use of pictures in your blog posts since you started incorporating them, but I really like it.

JL, I love the longtail keywords, it has made my website jump up in viewers, a few weeks ago we did the Challenge here in AR about a community or neighborhood. It was a very valuable source of information.

JL - I'm still behind the proverbial eight-ball when it comes to being astute about such matters. I have learned a ton though right here on AR about Longtail Keywords. I say if it works, use it. Keeping it simple... :)

I agree about being specific! Good conversation JL, I'll be back to see some of the commetns.

Chris Ann- I find them to be far more serious as well. Glad you like the new look.

Gail- I found the challenge to be very informative and beneficial as well. In fact I got a couple of calls from the posts that I wrote during it already.

Sardi- The best thing you can ever do is continue to do what works for you. If it doesn't, drop it, but if it does then let the good times roll.

Nino- I will look forward to you triumphant return my friend.

JL...

I agree ... I don't want home buyers looking for bargains on the other side of town. I want them to "narrow the search" for me!

Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"

Richard- The more it can be narrowed down the better my friend. Thanks for the feature.

I'm still learning about this, but I do get very specific in my searches, so I expect most consumers will...so I vote for long tails!

JL - interesting! I'll keep this in mind and do some experimenting! Thanks!

AUG

2009

Jl...great information you have here. When I get back to town, I will have to check this out closer. Never heard of longtail words before

JL,

Great post.. "If you build it they will come!". Content, content, content... long tail search terms happen automatically if you focus on relevant content and lot's of it!

I was wondering how you were using longtails. Can you post a link to an example of how you are specifically using longtail keywords?

JL - I cannot agree with you more about your statement, "I will say that I have found that the more specific people are, then the more serious they are and the more prepared they are to buy a home".

As a realtor, I want to work with people who has given thought as to where and those that researched keyword already have in-depth knowledge towards one area.

That being said, I also enjoy working with clients who are at the beginning stages of house hunting.

When they view my site and find the in-depth information about the communities, they know I really work the area, know it inside out. So, I definitely think that there is benefits in longtail keywords.

Good post!

JL, onesies and twosies add up! Good subject. Thanks, Kate Ford

JL - Frankly, to me there is no such thing as bad exposure when you are offering good information to the consumers.

Solid Logic ! This is a competetive business that requires relentless effort. Long tail and short are both important to me. Great post!

This ongoing conversation is giving plenty of food for thought. For now, I'm going to work on my 'mix'. I don't care what page I'm on, or how many times people search for what, only how many closings I have.

Jl great post. "GENERIC" keywords are the key and yes some "GENERIC LONGTAILS" as well but what most agents forget is that their "OWN" domain name that they use everyday has says nothing of what their business is. Some agents use their name .com and still others use Jackand****realestate.com to describe their business of selling Virginia real estate.......Most great domain are already taken but if you can add to a great domain name (long tail it) you can rise above status quo.....

Thanks for your post. I've already seen the value in longtail keywords.....I just worked with my first buyer who came to me off of a local blog I wrote on Active Rain!

Good read but I'm a newbie when it comes to blogging and social networking. Just what is a longtail key word. Could you site some specific examples and feel free to email me at onthelevel@cox.net. In the meantime I am going to list you as a mentor, associate if you don't mind.

If you are not focusing on getting long tail results, you are probably missing 70%-80% of the potential traffic to your site. People came to one of our secondary sites by searching over 3,800 different search terms in the last 30 days. Of those, about 2,500 were only searched one time... yet they landed on our site. Long tails can generate a huge amount of leads. Those who debate that it is not worth the time are from those who don't get any results. And, you generate leads without resorting to PPC or being held hostage by paying to get leads.

Hi, great graphics, nice informative blog. thanks for sharing!

www.charlottelakewyliehomes.com

I think we ought to be working a combination of post types. If each long tail key word draws 6-10 view per month, and we are posting 5 times a week with them this is a pretty good draw. I am not getting these results, but my clicks have improved since the series.

JL, The following two sentences jumped out at me - "The largest debate against longtail keyword use is that they are so specific, that the keyword may only be searched about 5 to 10 times a month and the less specific search terms will be used far more often by many more people. In the end you do want to be in front of as many people as possible." Reminds me of the direct response marketing classes I've attended - ALWAYS target a specific market (like first time home buyers, or FSBO's, etc.) for best success.

My question is whether it is ok to use the same blog - mine is www.spokanehomesblog.com - for 2 or 3 different longtail targets or whether you have to create seperate URL's for each longtail target. For example, if I wanted to target FSBO's and first time home buyers could I post post articles a couple of times a week on both subjects to the same blog? Or do I need to create a specic FSBO blog and then another blog just for first time home buyers?

Thanks!

JL - I agree that longtail keywords typically produce more serious buyers. Nice take on this topic!

I agree that longtail keywords are more specific; and thus, anyone performing such a search may well be a very serious buyer.

Mara- The serious people usually do.

Lisa- It's worth it in my opinion.

Bill- If you need any help, just let me know my friend. For now, just enjoy your vacation.

Full Service- Good content will carry you a long way, that's for sure.

Sharon S.- Try here. Hopefully it will come out right, but it is a Google search on Patio homes for sale in Ivy Square. It's pretty specific, but I have already gotten phone calls and I am already working with someone from this post. They knew what they wanted and they knew what community they were interested in and when they searched for it they found me. For that one search, I have the top three spots on page one of Google and 7 of the top 10.

Loreena- I enjoy working with people from in all stages of the process, but I certainly want the people who are specific to see that I know my area and I can help them as well.

Kate- They can add up fast too.

Claude- I believe in trying everything I can.

Joetta- In the end, the closing mean the most to the bottom line.

Savannah- A good domain name can make a strong difference.

Coleen- Congrats on your buyer, I'm sure you'll see many more.

John & Janis- Welcome to the crowd and thanks for adding me as an associate, I have added you as well. I will send you an email explaining some things, feel free to contact me if I can help with anything else. I don't have all the answers, but I may know someone who can help out if I can't.

Hartanov- Anytime you can draw traffic and get leads without paying for them directly, I consider it a good thing.

Ginger- Thanks!

Gene- Spreading yourself around as much as possible is the way to go. You can focus on longtail and less specific search terms at the same time.

Stumbled onto this blog and it caught my eye because I have never heard of longtail keywords. However, after reading, it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the heads up - I don't think it hurts to try new things once in a while - you never know what might grab a serious prospect.

Michael- In the end you can really go about it however you would like to. I target various groups from the same blog, because certain posts can show up for certain searches. So for me, I do it all from the same blogs, but I have several blogs. I write about related topics on each one. In the end if you want to break up into separate blogs for each target audience, I'm sure that will work well also. For me, I just put all the info on the same blogs.

Crouch- I thought you'd see the benefit in this, thanks for stopping by.

Steve- It's only natural in the end.

Gearing towards each individuals niche market is certainly something to ponder deeply before putting them out there. I have narrowed mine down to my county and the neighborhoods in them. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of competititon with everyone else trying to get the whole state lol

JL...

Wow, featured in both the newsletter and on AR! You are HOT my friend!

Hi JL,

Like some, we still don't have a handle on these tails. We would like to see a "Blog" highlighting the different tails and how they are being used. Something that would show us how to apply them.

Give that a go for us...

Al and Peggy Cunningham

Stephanie- You really don't. Give it a try, it's really worth a shot.

Sally- I try to narrow much of mine down to Northeast Columbia and the communities here. That's my specialty, but I know a great deal about all the surrounding areas as well.

Richard- I'm on a roll big guy, thanks for stopping back in my friend.

Al and Peggy- I will see what I can work up and how well I can explain it. If you search AR, I'm sure you will find many posts explaining it better than my simple mind.

I think I'm still straddling the fence on both. I like the longtail but I do worry I'm too focused. Good food for thought.

JL...

When I first joined AR I used to put the phrase Kum La Ka Lakka in every post or comment I wrote. Why? Because I found it entertaining to type that phrase into Google and see myself pop up :)

TLW...ROAR!

Oh Sorry...

That was kind of useless info. Or was it? :)

TLW...ROAR!

JL, plus the longtail keyword search zeroes in on EXACTLY the specialty you are offering and that in the end is a terrific match.

JL- I am a big proponant of the longtail! When working with buyers many agents want to rank for general terms if they are good at follow up and funneling that lead into a system. I don't care to do that and I don't work with buyers. I am a listing agent and longtail has proven to be extremely profitable for me. We hired a buyer agent and just in 2 months with longtail blogging that just I do for her, she closed on 1 sale and 2 are in escrow and one is showing today. I have one long tail keyword that gets 800 searches a month for a particular niche for buyers. It is where we got these buyers from. Exciting to say the least. Katerina

JL... Congrats on the Features!... Good info and you're right on. Now that we have a lot of Google searchers with 10 years of experience... searching is getting more and more articulate... so then, should the keywords. Long tail get you closer to the bulls eye... The searcher wants to be there, and so do we.

Never really thought about it until now. It makes plenty of sense and I can clearly see the benefit. Yet another great strategy learned from reading Active Rain.

I read on the Searching Solutions blog that long tail searches showed the greatest increase in the last year. While 3 and 4 word searches showed no increased 8 and up showed a 22% increase. I agree that serious buyers go this direction.

JL, the above comment was mine. i forgot i wasn't signed in. Loved the post.

Have bookmarked this post. Will need to get back to it later tonight. A more pressing matter (dinner) is calling me. Will have to read each and every comment too.

I have gotten a handle of the long-tail search terms. For specific areas in my town, I am in the top five, if not number 1 position, on Google for thsoe areas.

What I need to get a handle on are the type of keyword phrases that are being used by the people outside of my town, in the metropolitan area that I service. That's a more difficult monster to tackle, and none of the "tools" that I have - Agoogle Analytics, Sitemeter, etc. have given me any cluse as to what words people are specifically using to find my blog or website.

I have a website that wins 1st placement on page one of Google for two competitive, generic key phrases and STILL, 80% of the traffic comes in on the longtail. This site is hit thousands of times each month and the vast majority of the terms people use that brings them to the site are seemingly obscure. Having huge keyword nets on your site (MLS listings that can also be seen by the search engines, not just human visitors) is the key to building these nets effortlessly. Go longtail!

Thank you for the information. My broker and I were discussing keywords today and made many changes-this was very helpful.

Here's what I know... in late May my post rankings started changing... I went away from longtails in April. THen Bing got fired up - and my numbers realllllly dropped. I went back to my longtails earlier this month - AND THE PHONE started ringing again within 48 hours. I'm just sayin'.

I have started really considering those long tail key words and using them in my posts. THEY WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, I have tons of longtail keywords at the bottom of the homepage of my Point 2 Agent website. I get an incredible amount of Google juice from this. I monitor the keyword searches with Clicky analytics and see what words have brought the consumer to my Active Rain and Point 2 Agent website. I also add links and articles on my homepage and they also get picked up.

It's important to constantly update your websites with new information. I blog for fun and don't think about keywords when blogging. I just work the keywords into my website.

CONGRATS on the FEATURE. I need to learn so much where SEO is concerned. Great job my friend. <SMILE>

I would rather rank #1 for 1000 terms that are only searched a few times a month, than sit on page 19 for a broad term...

JL,

Good presentation about the effectiveness of longtail keywords. The benefits definitely are there. Mix of both likely is the best way to go after all.

JL ~ You've given me food for thought....I guess I take another look at longtail keywords - that hasn't been top of my list up to now! Great post.

Denise

JL -- I'm craving Lobster now . . . gee thanks! Love your photos! Subtle. Nice post, and thanks for the perspectives!

JL, I did over 75 subdivisions in my area with longtail keywords. It was 75 blogs but 75 page 1 google spots.

JL - Like most things in real estate, it really does take a combination of items to intice buyers. There's just something about those longtail keywords though - it brings it all together.

Michael

Thanks JL for the clear explanation. I'm finally getting the significance of long tail keywords.

Great post and great advice. SEO will continue to be one of our biggest challenges and one that you should take seriously if you are to have any real success.

Hi JL -- Great advice, well-rounded, it would be great if there were some kind of stats that could be independently verified to guide choices.

By the way....love the picture of the lobster tails!

I do use them as well - and they do work!!! Thanks for sharing - and congrats on the Feature!

JL: This is a great topic.. If we all knew exactly what the comsumer was looking for, we would hit a gold mine :)

I think that good online marketing requires a mix of both long tail and short tail keywords. I agree; people who are typing in the long tail are much farther along.

Very interesting comments about a subject I know nothing about. Guess I better do some more research. Congratulations on the feature.

AUG

2009

Congratulation's on another Feature JL. Good read and good information for those that don't use this tactic, as you are right its easier to rank with it.

I am in total agreement with you- most of my clients from the web are serious buyers that have found me from my long tail keyword. Congrats on the feature!

OK, I've book marked this post to read all of the comments too, thanks for helping me get a some sort of understanding about this...

Hey JL, I Know I'm late here but I just attended a seminar at our Local Chamber of Commerce about this subject. The national company putting this on series of seminars supported your first statement, "the more specific people are, then the more serious they are and the more prepared they are to buy."

But I know people may start the search w/ broader perimeters and you'll catch those fish with the longtailed keywords. Both short & longtailed key words have worked for me!

I agree and the success speaks for itself, specific keywords, and use video!

I agree. the more specific the keyword search, the more serious the person doing the search. Short keywords might have more searches but long ones are much less competition for a lot more serious client.

Your right. If someone knows exactly what they want I believe they are further along in the buying process as opposed to the buyer searching vaguely. Great insight

Long live the long tail...I continue to be amazed at how people find me when they are searching the internet.

JL,

I was a bit aprehensive about using longtail keywords until you mentioned "there is no such thing as bad exposure when offereing good information to consumers". You sold me.

JL - This is why I like to do neighborhood reports. They are often repetitive, but they continue to be my leading source of calls and web traffic. And yes, these people are more motivated.

JL - Here's to the longtail keyword!! I use a combination of both the short and long but put much more attention on the longtail keywords as they do most definitely bring in the ready to act buyers and sellers. The posts I have done about the neighborhoods, events, businesses (long tail) in a specific town (short tail) are some of my most read posts and the ones that make the phone ring.

Great info! Who in this market has an edge for Real Estate web design? ~ JC

JL - Imagine posting content with updates for "city, state, first-time home buyer" in 2007. Most would have considered this a long tail term. Consumers search in various ways and any exposure is great exposure. Good post!

AUG

2009

This is like an extended post to Katerina's the other day that got some heated discussion. I'm with you here so far from my past experience with more specific areas.

AUG

2009

Real interesting post. I'm sold on the long tail. I just now need an effective strategy to get there

B and B- Is there such a thing as too focused?

TLW- I don't find it useless at all, I think it helps to prove the point.

Gary- Another great benefit of their use my friend.

Katerina- Those sound like solid numbers to me.

Rene- There are a lot of people out there with tons of experience now, and we have to compete to stay alive.

Joel- Give it a try, you may like what you see.

Joe- That's more good reason to use them, thanks for adding that.

Bob- There are few things that should get in the way of dinner.

William- That will always be a tough nut to crack if for no other reason than the competition for those areas.

Dynamic- That's a lot of traffic coming in from those longtails, great job.

Pam- Glad to help.

Eleanor- I would have to say that the phone ringing says it all.

Janna- Yes they do.

Jenny- The keywords will work themselves into a post with good content.

Sharon- Longtails are a good place to start.

Lane- I'm with you on that my friend.

Esko- The mixture is a strong strategy in my opinion.

Denise- Check into them.

Carla- Lobster is really good you know.

Russ- And that's where we want to be.

Micheal- There's nothing wrong with a little glue to hold things together.

Lora- I'm glad I could help.

Brad- We need to know more and more about it each year.

Chris- Yes it would be.

Keith- Thought that one would go well with this.

Emily- Keep using them and they will keep working.

Roland- Yes we would my friend.

Christine- I agree.

Carol- It is worth the research for sure.

Laura- Anytime you can reach the top of Google it's a good thing.

Dawn- That's good to hear, I hope many more find you.

Russell- You're very welcome.

Cynthia- Some people will start with much broader terms when they start looking, but I like to be there either way if I can.

Scott- Yes it does.

Nicholas- And that's why I like them.

Tim- That's the way I see it.

Fort- As long as they find me, I'm good.

Knightyme- I'm glad I did.

Erik- They are a great way to rank high and make the phone ring.

Donna- I use a combination of both as well, but the longtails always seem better for me.

Janice- Anyone who stays a step ahead.

Fred- Yes it is my friend.

Lyn- My experience with them says they are good for me.

Mike- Get to work my friend.

JL --- my goodness, look what I missed while I was out --- this is a great post and congrats on the feature. I'm still trying to figure out all of this long tails and short tails -- am gaining on it, though. Thanks.

Mama Liz's Signature

Liz- You will get the hang of it in no time. Thanks for stopping in and commenting.

AUG

2009

Great post JL. We should go after long, short and almost no tail key words. We should be writing for all audiences.

Mark- We should indeed be targeting every audience that we can.

Leave a response…

Name:

Email:
(optional)

Comment:

What does the graphic say?

JL Boney, III Columbia, SC Real Estate

Columbia, SC

More about me…

Russell and Jeffcoat

Address: 7601 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC, 29223

Office Phone: (803) 788-1450

Cell Phone: (803) 730-9601

Email Me

My blog is simply a place for people find out my thoughts and feelings on a variety of topics. Anything from real estate and bussiness to life in general. Please feel free to search any and all of my blogs and leave as many good or bad comments as you like.

Real Estate Blogs - BlogCatalog Blog Directory

Follow this blog

Subscribe to JL Boney's Columbia SC Real Estate Blog by Email

Listings

Links

Archives

Find SC real estate agents and Columbia real estate on ActiveRain.

Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.