Because if you know how to Google, I mean really learn to use Google well, your life will improve in two ways:
1. You will always find the information you are looking for.
2. You will get better at learning what makes Google "tick," as you study the results of your own searches.
I have been using Google since 1999, just shortly after it was launched. (The picture on the left shows what it looked like when I started using the search engine.) I've conducted thousands of searches and staring at those search results have helped me to rank well today, ten years later.
There is no better way to teach yourself SEO. Just Google and Google and Google some more and stare at the results. It'll start to click after a while.
First of all, Google is about information. I can always find exactly what I'm looking for, on page one of the organic search results, if I search correctly.
Ever hear the phrase "garbage in, garbage out"?
If you are not having luck with Google's output, you just may not be searching properly. Try to be as accurate as possible. Sometimes I type whole sentences into Google. Like, "What was the name of that guy that played BJ on BJ and the Bear?"
It turns out his name is Greg Evigan and he was in the very first result displayed.
That's the best way to find exactly what you are looking for...if it exists. Give Google lots of info and you'll get it back.
Did you know about Google's functions?
Define-a-Word function: Just type the word "define," followed by the word. (You don't need any quotes.) For example, I keep hearing people use the word czar incorrectly. I was sure that the word czar was being misused. So, just out of curiousity, I typed "define czar." I was right; it is regularly misused.
How can you use this? I would create a page on your website just for real estate definitions. And write them out exactly as they will be searched for. With the word "define." So you could title a page, "Real Estate Definitions", and define short sale, foreclosure, etc. With time, and a little luck, you may very well show up in Google's definitions, which will give you more "juice" as I've heard others refer to it.
Don't believe me? Type in "define short sale" and you will find a mortgage company's page with a definitions page that Google added to it's "web definitions." That could be you! Just be sure to write your own definitions, or you don't stand a chance.
If Google's whole deal is providing great information, then you need to provide great information to Google. Definitely have a definitions page. Definitely fill your pages with useful information. Sure, customer testomonials are great, but they aren't going to turn up in a Google search.
Start thinking of your site as a form of valuable real estate information, rather than just a fancy, online advertisement for your services.
Google's math functions: This list is so exhaustive, that I could write an entire post about Google's math functionality. But I'll just stick to a couple of interesting ones.
Everyone knows (or should know) that you can type "2 + 2" into Google (no quotes needed) and Google will return the result: 4.
But did you know you could type in almost any mathematical equation and get the results? Google has a built-in mortgage function for example. Now this is pretty complex stuff, but in case your financial calculator ever breaks, here is a list of Google math functions.
Population function: Type the state or county name, followed by the word population. For example, here is the search result for "population AZ". They also have an unemployment rate function. So I am going to type unemployment rate Michigan (or MI) and see what I get... 14.8%. Not good.
Sports function: To see scores and team schedules, just type in the name of the team. For example, I'll try Phoenix Suns. It gives you the schedule, the roster...heck, even a link to the Phoenix Suns Dancers.
Take the time to get to know Google well. Once you really truly understand Google, it will help you to understand your own placement in the search engine.
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