A Few of The Dumbest Comments on SEO Ever

Sorry. I don't write here much, but I had to respond to this post.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/1656401/get-ready-to-care-about-edgerank-more-than-seo

Alex Chang wrote the following. Below is my response:

#1. Alex: Let's face it, only 5-7 players consistently win on any local keyword string. Are you one of those? Long tail you tell me? How much traffic is that really sending you? And how much business is that traffic really turning into?

Me: SEOing on to the front page of google on long tail keywords is easy because most agents don't do it or do it correctly.

There is probably enough traffic in most small markets to make this worthwhile IF the agent's website is set up correctly for lead generation. Most aren't and that's why they don't see a return for their efforts.

#2. Alex: For the vast majority of agents, business is done the old fashioned way through networking. Not through SEO optimization and lead generation.

Me: Which is why most agents only do an average of 1 transaction per month. Almost any agent who has a good lead generation strategy should be able to do 3-6 transactions per month in just about any market.

If they don't it's not because the strategies are ineffective...it's because they themselves suck...or don't give consumers any compelling reason to hire them.

It would be more correct to say that the "vast majority of very successful agents do most of their business through seo and online lead generation." (I would add though that this is done most easily through Pay-Per-Click advertising leading to a properly designed home search site.)

#3. Alex: Have you done a search for CITY, Plumbers on Google lately? Look at the results that get returned. Google Local is taking over (those are the small results with phone numbers). Can you get in Google local? Sure. How? Who knows.

Me: Who Knows!?!?!?!?! Anyone who does a search on "How to get on Google Local!" This is one of THE EASIEST possible things ANY agent can do. Click on the Map. Add your Business. Fill up your profile completely with photos and videos, etc..., and BEG, if necessary, your clients to review you/post their testimonial.

#4. Alex: Checked out Google Maps lately? It is already a robust place for consumers to search for listings. Why do they need to go to your site?

Me: Because Google Maps has a very low percentage of the listings on the market - and people discover that pretty quickly. sheeshh.

SEO is just like Facebook. Both can be very good ways of generating business....or you can waste a hell of a lot of time on both.