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4 basic ways to enhance your URL links

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Scene Lab

May 06, 2007 01:47 AM

So you're blogging along and you decide you want to add a link to your site. I've noticed some people are still just typing their URL's in their post and expecting readers to copy and paste, (http://www.onlinewalkthru.com). People are busy. As quick and easy as a copy and paste may be, many will not do it unless they are really intrigued by what might be at your website. They will simply move on to the next post and you will have lost their interest. Here are a few things you can do to add web links to your post in an appealing way.

1. Simply make the web link clickable:

http://www.onlinewalkthru.com
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com">http://www.onlinewalkthru.com</a>

2. Have your company name or website name appear as a link:

Online WalkThru
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com">Online WalkThru</a>

3. Use the same idea as #2, but have the link open a whole new window. This is very useful when you don't want visitors wandering away from your post. That way when they close the link window, they are right back to your blog:

Online WalkThru
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com" target="_blank">Online WalkThru</a>

4. Include a graphic that links to your website. For starters you need to know the URL for your graphic. In this example the graphic is on my blog server (the voxurypopuli.com entry), and I am linking to my website (the onlinewalkthru.com entry), which will open in a brand new window. The image is 100x100 and it is aligned on the left side of the page:

The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://voxurypopuli.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/owt-logogray.jpg" alt="OWT logo" width="100" height="100" align="left" /></a>

Important Reminder: Don't put all sorts of weblinks in your comments on someone elses blog. A link to an article or feature that applies is one thing, but even so, use this sparingly on others blogs. People are there to read what the blogger and commenters have to say, not to be re-directed to a site that has no bearing on the conversation.

Used wisely, links can be a great tool that will benefit your audience and bring you added exposure.

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Jeff Fulgham

T.U.P. Realty - Tupelo, MS

Broker E-Pro ABR

Pretty good points. You can never have to many quality links as long as they are not in link farms.

May 06, 2007 01:50 AM

Maria "Antoinette" Scognamiglio, GRI, ASP

Coldwell Banker Realty - Mountain Lakes, NJ

There's no substitute for EXPERIENCE!

Thanks for the exceptionally helpful post, Eric. You're right, it all has to be easy for the consumer. One tripup and forgetabboutdit. I'm bookmarking...

Have an awesome day!

May 06, 2007 01:51 AM

Nick M.

Certified Residential Appraiser- West Palm Beach Real Estate - West Palm Beach, FL

Realtor-Appraiser in West Palm-South Florida Real Estate Appraiser

Eric.. well done. The link explanation was needed. Nick is too lazy to copy and paste any link. :) and thanks for thr clarify on likning from the comments in other's blog. It's and 'unwritten' thing and some of the newbies don't kow about it. Here i am delteing comments and then people get upset :)) yikes!! see you around brother.

May 06, 2007 02:02 AM

Eric Carlsen

The Scene Lab - New York, NY

Jeff & Antoinette,

Thanks for the feedback...always appreciated.

Nick,

I'm going to have to delete your comment. Kidding, thanks.

May 06, 2007 02:09 AM

Roberta Murphy

San Diego Previews Real Estate - Carlsbad, CA

Carlsbad Real Estate and Homes

Eric: Thanks for a terrific post. I have flagged it for a featured post because so many people need tips like these. This isn't the kind of thing taught in most real estate classes!

May 06, 2007 02:13 AM

Luke Constantino

Brooklyn/Manhattan Real Estate - Brooklyn, NY

Residential/Commercial Real Estate Brooklyn NY

thank you for the excellent post! i think i'll take your advice. Way to go, thanks for sharing.

May 06, 2007 02:37 AM

Roberta,

Thanks for the honor. AR gives everyone so much useful information, it is nice to be able to make a small contribution back.

Luke,

Glad to hear it. Happy to share anytime.

May 06, 2007 02:44 AM

Leon Austin

Mobile Notary Services - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Mobile Notary

Eric, thanks for the great tips. I especially wanted to know how to create a hot spot on a graphic, and how to open up a new window when you click on a link. Again, thanks for sharing that.

May 06, 2007 02:53 AM

No problem Leon...useful little tidbit I hope.

May 06, 2007 03:35 AM

Melanie Ross

Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA

Benicia CA & Vallejo CA Real Estate, 707-319-2828

Great point about not linking in comments. Very respectful. Thanks for the helpful info.

May 06, 2007 06:03 AM

Thanks Melanie,

The blogosphere is a whole new world, but I think most of us still want to be just as polite and professional as we would in person.

May 06, 2007 06:46 AM

David Phillips

Solid Source Realty - Marietta, GA

Thanks for the tip. I have been using my HTML editor to convert my work into HTML. It is a chore to figure out the formulas required to get the end result when the editor cannot be used. As a result of your post, I have just learned something very useful!

May 06, 2007 09:20 AM

David,

Totally with you. Those HTML editors are a huge help. Unfortunately most of them kick out quite a bit of "junk code" (Unecessary, HTML fluff that a professional web developer would not add). Knowing little bits and pieces comes in handy.

May 06, 2007 09:50 AM

Joan Mirantz

Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH

Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Thank you Eric,

I also bookmarked you. I tried before to do a graphic link but to no avail...you gave me the impetus to try again!

May 06, 2007 03:13 PM

Eric: What a great post! Also, I have added you to the blogroll.

May 06, 2007 04:43 PM

Joan,

Way to go! We all need to stick together on these things.

Thanks so much. You are a pillar in this community.

Best,

Eric

May 07, 2007 12:03 AM

Joyce Heffner-Williams

Keller Williams Clients' Choice Realty - Monument, CO

Owner/Broker/EcoBroker - Monument Real Estate

So a post like this which has a reason to include links in a blog must be particularly helpful in your rankings on google, yahoo, and such... Right?

I am just brainstorming creative and effective ways to accomplish SEO, being informative, real estate networking, and more. Especially in my area (Los Angeles, Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach, etc.)

Gets so addictive!

May 07, 2007 02:31 AM

Troy,

Yes, what you are saying is correct. It can positively impact your ranking on Google and others. In my case, the name Online Walkthru is fighting against some other search terms that are unrelated. But for the right business, it certainly would help.

Ben,

I'd be happy to join. We do work nationally, though located in NY.

May 07, 2007 02:47 AM

4 basic ways to enhance your URL links

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