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Strategy: A Website Is Only As Strong As Its Weakest Link

By
Education & Training with tech4REpros

I routinely look at real estate websites and blogs to monitor industry standards. Unfortunately one of those standards is broken links. When a link breaks on the internet, it doesn't make a sound. Most visitors won't let you know when they discover a broken link, they'll simply look for the information on someone else's website or blog.

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These days your website or blog is often your first impression. Do you want them to look like a new Jaguar or an old clunker? If you're going to tout your experience and professionalism on your website or blog, you need to make sure their performance reinforces that message. One way to do that is by auditing your outbound links.

If you've been blogging regularly, I don't expect you to go back and audit all of the links you've posted, but you should check all the links that are displayed on your standard post page. Using IE6, I simply right-click on each link, select Open in New Window from the contextual menu, verify that the correct page opens, and then close it.

Maintaining the links on your website may take longer, depending on how many pages of links you have. Repairing broken links may be beyond your knowledge or control, depending on how your site is set up. My advice in that case would be to print each page, circle any broken links with a red pen, and submit the pages to your webmaster.

These days your website and blog are an integral part of your market presence, but a website or blog is only as strong as its weakest link. Treat them with the same care you give to your other marketing materials. Check for broken links and fix them yourself or have your webmaster fix them. If you don't audit your links, who will?

Thanks!

Frank Jewett

Comments (5)

Jo Olson
HOMEFRONT Realty - Kettle Falls, WA
Retired - HOMEFRONT Realty @ LAKE Roosevelt
Frank, Always a great reminder!! I think I have "link nightmares" I am always checking and rechecking! It would be horrible if a potential client saw a broken link!!
Dec 29, 2007 05:00 PM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841
Good point, Frank - thanks for reminding me - I do need to go back!
Dec 29, 2007 05:37 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS
I checked all of my links when a client called and told me to check my link to Rio Virgin Power - it actually went to Rio Virgins.com, which is a gay porno website.  What a nightmare!  -Virginia
Dec 29, 2007 07:49 PM
Ryan Martin
Pacific Continental Realty, LLC - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham Commercial RE Broker
Frank - Good point. Broken links are lame and they send out the message that you don't update your website on a regular basis.
Dec 30, 2007 02:25 AM
Frank Jewett
tech4REpros - San Jose, CA

Virginia, that's too funny! 

Thanks to everyone who responded!

Dec 30, 2007 04:18 PM