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Project Search Engine Optimization

Aloha All,

Okay, I bit the bullet and am about to take the plunge into Search Engine Optimization (SEO). I am working with a well-known company that is currently hosting my website, http://www.YourWaikikiRealtor.com, and the price is not insignificant, but the rewards promised (and guaranteed, I might add) seem really great! If you have an interest in empowering your own website and an interest in SEO, I suggest you follow along and see how my site fares in this, one of the newest and (I'm told) one of the more worthwhile tracks toward expanding one's real estate business. Oh, and by the way, I am also adding blogging to my website so you can also go there to follow my progress.

Aloha and good fortunes to you all!
Bob

Posted by Bob Farrell, RA, MS, RSPS, TRC, RECS on 07/18/2007 09:18 PM

Comments (8)

blogging, search engine optimization, seo, website, web site, web site optimization, real estate, expanding your business

8 Comments on Project Search Engine Optimization

JUL

2007

Keep us informed as to how your experiment goes. It is always interesting to track online business.

Hi Bob-What search term is this company optimizing for? Kudos to you for putting it out there...Joe

Good luck. Let us know how it goes. Many people make all kinds of promises when it comes to SEO.

I think everyone gets at least few e-mails everyday promising to put your site at #1 on major search engines. I have been tempted to try one of them out, but have hesitated so far.

May be your case will provide the proof needed to take the next step. Will follow your progress here and on your web site. Good Luck.

Not to rain on your parade... but...

1) Any company that guarantees search engine results is lying to you. Run for the hills. It can NOT be done. That word 'guarantee' should be your first clue to bolt - and fast.

2) I wouldn't waste a dime optimizing a site that will be killed by the National Association of Realtors. You cannot use that domain name as it is in violation of their trademark. You can ONLY use the word Realtor® in your domain name IF it is in conjunction with your personal name, not a location or descriptor. If you spend money optimizing this domain, you will be disappointed when you are forced to change it.

JUL

2007

Hi Fred,

I value your comment and will be changing my website name as a result (I did the research and you are absolutely right!). One questions you might help me with here, I believe www.BobFarrellRealtor.com is acceptable to NAR, but would you suggest I just steer clear of REALTOR altogether? Thanks. Bob

Nope, that's totally acceptable! They state that in their rules and regs.

You could also change your last name from Farrell to YourWaikiki - then it would work. And if you think I'm kidding, that's what this woman did.....

THAT'S dedication to your business....

JUL

2007

Okay, I've listened to the words of wisdom from my friends and colleagues out there, and I have a few comments of my own to make.

Okay Fred, after a bit of research I've decided you are right, Realtor should not be used as I used it in my URL (yes, it's in the NAR rules). So I will change my website name, possibly to www.YourHawaiiRealty.com, perhaps a more inclusive term! But I will continue with my search engine trial and blog. The guarantee was not for my ranking, but rather in the number of germane leads they will generate. And, sure, this is risky on their part, but all they are risking is my fee. And, if they cannot produce it with their first attempt at obtimization, they can always try again!

Anyway, we are on the way. Stay with me if you want to learn more!

Aloha,

Bob

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