FIRST PAGE of Google: Do You Really Care What Your Ranking Is?

Congrats, Nancy!  I have noticed that blogging on AR has helped my Google Ranking tremendously!  Seems it's helped you, too.  Have an awesome weekend. 

Sandy-  I wish I could say why some have high Google rankings and some don't but I really have no clue.  I know one agent in my office that pays to have higher rankings and there is another agent that has his brother-in-law do some SEO stuff but I really have no idea what the brother does to make that agent's site more efficient.  I CAN say that I have noticed that blogging on AR and putting in specific key words really seems to help.  And I mean, it REALLY helps.  For listings, I make sure to type in the address of the property in the keywords.  Then, when I Google the address, it almost always pops up if I check back the next day.  I am experimenting with different keywords all the time and, as it seems to be working with Google rankings (for whatever reason), I am going to continue to do so.  However, you can be sure I am not going to pay to improve my site's rankings.  (Especially when I can do it for FREE!) 

Happy Blogging! 

Jill-  You are so right!  I was better-than-pleased when I got a call from a lady 2 weeks ago that said she wanted to work with me to help find her a house.  When I asked how she had heard of me, she said, "The Internet."  I tried to ask "Where (Which site) specifically?" and she said she was reading something on the Internet, happened on my bio somewhere, and called me directly.  Woo Hoo!

Olga-  Yep, he typed in Orlando Homes for Sale, Maitland Homes for Sale and Winter Park Homes for Sale.  I started getting that sinking feeling in my stomach, b/c I had just told him I was in the top THREE--Eeek!--and I didn't see the site in the top THREE pages, nevermind a top three spot on the first page.  He he.  The funny thing is, I don't really care what the ranking is, as long as people contact me to help them Buy or Sell real estate! 

I wasn't aware about your tip about the "longer the string" the easier to get the higher position.  Thanks for the heads-up!  Now, I'm off to see what other keyword phrases will pick my site up or not.  So, according to what you've told me, the shorter the phrase, the lower I will probably be...  Hmm.  Think I need to do some more blogging with very short phrases on AR.  :)  Naw--I'll probably just go help some more people sell some more houses, which is what I really care about. 

Marchel  (what a COOL name!, BTW) -- What specifically are you doing in terms of optimizing your website on the search engines?  I'm NOT a techie.  I guess I'm really the OPPOSITE of a techie.  I just made up my mind one day to start blogging and have made some interesting progress, lots of mistakes, and had a lot of fun.  To get serious about SEO, what do you have to do?  Thanks for the comment.

Russ-  Thank you for stopping by!  I am ambivalent about high Google rankings; you get up there, then I guess you gotta deliver!  He he.  Well, I like Highlander (the movie--not the series) and "there can be only one!"  While I still don't know about all the intricacies of rankings/SEO/etc., I think it's interesting to experiment and see what happens.   :) 

Brady --  Really?!  TONS of cash?  Hmm.  What exactly do "they" say they will do for your site in exchange for your money?  And, if they guarantee results, HOW do they guarantee results?  BTW, I like your site.  I am a military brat (Navy) and Air Force EX-wife.  I really did like the military life but I love Florida even more and don't believe I'd move too easily from Central Florida.  :) 

Marchel-  Thanks for the re-read here and special thanks for the link re: the lady's blog.  I appreciate the time you took to post this information and I will be sure to read everything.  :)  Make it a great day and a productive one!