RealTown's RealTalk

The number one source of Web traffic for an agent website (except in very small markets) remains search traffic. Those of you who have managed to capture some of it have used it to help you weather the storm. We know that from direct feedback from our clients. That has not been the case in every situation, but many.

We may have entered a new phase of this business. One where a robust Web presence is THE primary means of marketing, networking and making new contacts.

Buyers are changing quickly from online tire-kickers and into real home-buying prospects. With transactions and closing revenue looking positive, is it time to take a fresh look at your SEO effort? Maybe it's finally time to get serious about it, and have the cash flow to support it?

That's a decision that only you can make for yourself. Nobody will "fix" your SEO for you, at least not for free. Do you need to spend $10K to get there? Or $3K? Or, with some sweat equity, nothing at all? If you refuse to look into this seriously, you can't know.

Waiting will accomplish one thing...you will only get further behind. Some of your competitors are not waiting. This is not a static game. We have seen, first-hand, that achieving top rankings for most agents now takes longer and requires more effort than in the past. The market will not wait for you to decide when the time is right to get serious. It will pass you by.

The single best weapon that any agent can have in their quest for good search rankings is self-education. SEO is not rocket science! It's not even really technical. Most SEO work is extraordinarily clerical. Do not buy into the voodoo-speak of the SEO industry that tries to scare you into buying their services. You do not need a wizard behind some curtain, preying on your fears.

If you do outsource SEO work to someone, then know what you are buying. Find out exactly what they are going to do for you in the way of site re-configuration, content development, and link building, Get details. If the answers are not forthcoming, then go elsewhere.

Bottom line....know what to ask.

Here's a FREE eBook that was specifically written for real estate professionals, using real estate examples:

Search Engine Optimization Basics For Real Estate-Related Websites
http://www.domaindrivers.com/seobasics-realestate-main.htm

I hope it helps.

Also, you can create your own optimized pages easily with our new landing page tool, here:


http://www.domaindrivers.com/pagegumbo/pagegumbo-test.asp
http://www.domaindrivers.com/pagegumbo/pagegumbo.asp

The first link is an "example" page, and the second is a live tool that you can use at anytime. The tool forces agents to put more of the secondary real-estate related keywords on their pages.

Best regards,

Dirk Johnson
Partner - Operations
DomainDrivers LLC
djohnson@domaindrivers.com
703-406-4698
www.domaindrivers.com

 

Dirk stated "The single best weapon that any agent can have in their quest for good search rankings is self-education."

Good info, Dirk. Self-education...now there's a novel idea most agents tend not to do when it comes to their website. Agents will take classes to get multiple designations, but won't spend the time to learn someone about what to do with their website so it can become a huge source of potential business/income. Too often, a realtor's self-education about websites is from posts, blogs and comments from other realtors who think they know something because they get a lead or two, or get found for some obscure search term. It's easy to have a website, do nothing to it and complain when it doesn't generate business and then change vendors thinking a new website will work better by doing nothing to it as well.

Learn what to do with your website, then follow through by doing it and you just might find a revenue stream that you never even dreamed about...even in this market! IMO, you'll make more money from your website than you can from having some designation most consumers know nothing about.

"But posting casual "drive-by" comments for "points" on some real estate network just seems to be an absurd marketing concept,"
LOL... actually, mostly wortless as they are no follow links to boot! It's like watching a flock of sheep in the pasture.. As far as I know, SE's do not reward for "points".

I agree with Dirk's comments here with regard to either learning your own SEO or getting professional help, but PLEASE do something.

I just got back from a large convention where I spoke to agents about SEO and other technologies. The sponsor had asked me to speak on my Top 10 Technologies you need to Know. The typical reaction was to be expected. "Wow, I had no idea of all the things that I don't know". Okay. So I go back to Dirk's original thesis. What are you going to do about it?

Most agents panic and freeze, allowing their competition to take advantage of this emerging market. I will throw out a challenge:

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT . . . ACT!

Sincerely,

Randy Eagar, CRS
President WebsTarget SEO
www.WebsTarget.com
(800) 277-1316

As those of you who are familiar with my previous posts you know that I am not an Internet guru and don't operate a business offering to assist anyone with the integration of technology into their marketing or operations. I am simply a guy who believes that if the tools exist to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our business we are fools not to adopt these tools.

John

 

John E Cleek, Ph.D., e-PRO,

Realtor� and Marketing Consultant

The CrownPlatinum Team

Crown Realty of Kansas

Miami County - Linn County - Johnson County

1005 W. Amity � Louisburg, KS 66053

Licensed in Kansas and Missouri

johncleek@crownplatinum.com

www.crownplatinum.com

Pho: 913-709-4423 � Fax: 913-837-2549

Finding the RIGHT REALTOR . . . Priceless!

On Apr 10, 2009, at 11:47 AM, Randy Eagar wrote:

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		RealTalk Powered by RealTown Communities
	SEO-Lead Generation Re: Market Thaw? - Are you ready? Randy Eagar Educator Salt Lake City, UT Apr 10, 2009 I agree with Dirk's comments here with regard to either learning your own SEO or getting professional help, but PLEASE do something. I just got back from a large convention where I spoke to agents about SEO and other technologies. The sponsor had asked me to speak on my Top 10 Technologies you need to Know. The typical reaction was to be expected. "Wow, I had no idea of all the things that I don't know". Okay. So I go back to Dirk's original thesis. What are you going to do about it? Most agents panic and freeze, allowing their competition to take advantage of this emerging market. I will throw out a challenge: DARE TO BE DIFFERENT . . . ACT! Sincerely, Randy Eagar, CRS President WebsTarget SEO www.WebsTarget.com (800) 277-1316

 

I agree with Dirk ~ "Twelve months from now, I can guarantee that there will be a pile of agents who have stopped building this "wall of words", after it becomes too time consuming and too ineffective. Right now it is popular because it's new and there is also plenty of time on hand, and not much cash."

With the slower market, many of my realtor friends are spending their days in front of the computer screen trying to flush out anything that resembles a "prospect." Most have not considered SEO; I think a cost concern.

It would seem that this would be the time to intelligently implement both ~ they should work together and complement an existing marketing plan.

Jean Stevens

The Stevens Group LLC

Cell: 303.919.9994 phone

Mailto:jean@stevensgrouphomes.com

Great information - and once I finish this course and have a better tech understanding - the website is next on my agenda - YOU are absolutely right - no talk just figure it out.

Thank you.

Mary Lou Wall, Broker

suburban homes and condos - wethersfield, ct 06109 / 860.670-6952