WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR COMPETITION?
Ugly sites are in - there is no question about it. They're every where. The interesting thing about the web and search engines like Google is that they are looking for content that it can grab and index. This includes keywords that are placed on your pages and meta tags, and in other areas.
It doesn't matter how slick your site looks or how much java script drop downs you have in your nav bar. Although these things look pretty its not enough to get the attention of the search engine bots. In fact, the bots cannot even see your content if it is burried in graphics.
This is the problem with Flash sites.... although getting indexed in Flash is getting easier from what I read. Still, if you are throwing everything into your site, (including the future of your family and your kids education) I would steer clear on this one for a while.... until you get really tech savvy.
WHAT IS AN AUTHORITY SITE?
Becoming an authority site on the web makes you look like a rock star. Its the kind of site that has a lot of pages indexed. The more pages you have the better off you will look on the web. We call this site saturation. Getting many pages indexed is the way to go.
And you want people or other sites to link back to you because you have something relevant to offer. These can be articles or even blog posts of stuff you have done right here on Active Rain. By placing them on your site you are re-using content but you are also adding to the depth of your site.
Sadly, too many websites do not do this. They stick to the true 5 pages that they have always used. Maybe they throw a MSDS plug in on the site to make it look somewhat functional. Beyond that, the site doesn't have much to offer the home buyer. For instance, it says zilch about the community. And thats where many of us are missing the boat.
You see, I like to report on the community. I like to feature it on my sites because it is important. You want to cultivate an atmosphere with the people who visit your site. You want to make them identify with the place you are projecting. People want to live vicariously through your site and experience what life is going to be like there.
Taking this approach takes a bit of imagination. But it also gives other sites a reason to link to you or even feature your real estate site, (or blog) on a city site.
Questions you can have on your site:
* Who has the best daycare?
* Who has the best companies?
* What neighborhoods is best for singles?
* What areas of town has the best restaurants?
* Is there golf facilities nearby?
Do not be afraid to put people on your websites. Having a site with just homes on it doesn't always project the best buying environment. Remember that people like to buy from other people. So seeing happy people on your site is a definate surefire way to grab someones attention.
GOOGLE PR (page rank)
Keep in mind that if you are picked up by a city site that - site carries a PR7 or a PR8... depending if it is a .GOV site or a .EDU site. This can work nicely if you mention your site is located near a school or university. This is going to help push your site up in the rankings.....
Comments(1)