Advanced Summary:
This article pertains to real estate search engine optimization (SEO). In this article's usage, real estate SEO is the act of improving a real estate agent's website for better search engine visibility. When you read an article about real estate SEO, you usually get the technical side of things. Research your keywords, integrate your key phrases, seek inbound links, etc. While these tactics certainly make up the core of a good real estate SEO program, there are three less-mentioned (but equally important) characteristics of such a program. In fact, with all other things being equal, these three elements differentiate the "Page 1" websites from those buried on page 25 of search engine results. I affectionately call them the Three P's. The Three P's of Real Search Engine Optimization Patience
If you're serious about improving your website's search engine visibility you need to "pack your patience." It's a common misconception that a website should appear in search engine results immediately after its creation. This couldn't be further from reality. It can take weeks to be ranked well in MSN, and months for Yahoo and Google. And that's assuming you're doing everything right from an SEO standpoint. Earning "Page 1" position for your key phrases takes time and patience. Anybody who tells you otherwise is lying to you, and I'd be happy to debate the point with them! Persistence
Search engine optimization is a campaign, not a battle. It's a process, not an act. It requires an ongoing effort. But that doesn't mean you should abandon hope. On the contrary, earning first-page position in the search engines can change your entire business model for the better! It's a worthy venture, so you must persist. If you're serious about real estate SEO (and you should be), make it a part of your regular routine. If you want to learn how, see the guide mentioned at the end of this article. Progress
Keep learning, keep advancing and keep at it. That's the advice I give to clients after I've helped them elevate their search engine ranking. What it means is this: You should constantly seek progress in your search engine optimization. You should take ownership of it. You should learn everything you can about the search engines, how they work, and what you can do to increase your ranking. Commit yourself to perpetual progress, and you'll commit yourself to success. Conclusion
Most buyers and sellers use the Internet for research, and their numbers will only rise. So as a real estate agent, you need to make search engine optimization a regular part of your marketing strategy. To truly "climb the charts," you should also practice the Three P's of real estate SEO -- patience, persistence and progress. * Copyright 2006, Brandon Cornett. You may republish this article online provided you keep the byline, the author's note, and the active hyperlinks. |
