Real Estate Forums

HHI Golf Guy · 03-03-2008, 11:50 AM

Over the years I have seen a lot of posts where people panic because their site dropped 3 or 4 places in the rankings. They begin searching for clues of devalued links, anchor text changes, keyword densities, or other on page SEO topics.

I have only one thing to say about that: STOP! Don't make a move!

There are all kinds of things that can cause a site to drop a fe wplaces in the rankings, and the most common don't have to do with SEO.

In this case, I'm specifically talking about Google. Before you panic, your first step is to see if your rankings have dropped across all datacenters. There are many times when DC's are in flux, especially when they have been out of the rotation for service. Google does push new data quickly, but it can still take some time for that refreshed data to be pushed.

Occasionally Google will experiment with a new filter on a data center or two, and that can cause some minor (or even major) fluctuations in the rankings. Again, check your rankings across multiple DC's.

There are times when you will see a slight ranking drop on all DC's. Again, don't panic. Wait it out for a week or two. Go ahead and re-evaluate your site, but hold off on making changes for 2-3 weeks.

Chances are if you start making wholesale changes to the on page optimization of your site your going to screw things up even more.

In SEO, patience is your best friend.

NealRM · 03-03-2008, 12:00 PM

I would agree. Wait, let Google settle down. Then after a week or longer, decide if SEO in needed. If it is, make small changes. Follow Toyota's policy "Continous Improvement". Keep making small changes the move toward your goal.

Jim B · 03-04-2008, 11:47 AM

I agree with this as well, I have had to get used to my site going up and down 6 and 7 places day in and day out. I don't understand it, but it happens and there does not seem to be much I can do but to continue to try to build authority.

SEOWolf · 03-04-2008, 02:09 PM

Excellent advice as usual HHI Golf Guy.

It is not just Google that SERPS have been fluctuating in. I have noted the same in Yahoo and MSN.

And is seems that Yahoo is only doing it with some keyword phrases but not all.

Let me add to your advice that it is always good to back up your site BEFORE making any changes. If in fact you jumped the gun or a search engine reverts to an earlier filter or algorithm you can restore your back up.

~Mack

HHI Golf Guy · 03-04-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEOWolf

Let me add to your advice that it is always good to back up your site BEFORE making any changes. If in fact you jumped the gun or a search engine reverts to an earlier filter or algorithm you can restore your back up.

~Mack

My hard drive is littered with previous versions of pages and sites

I'll be the first to admit that I have jumped the gun before. Now I sit and wait. I'm also grateful that I have clients that are patient and trusting.

Bigtoe · 03-05-2008, 06:18 AM

I have a new site that went from page 15 to page 3 to page 20. I will just proceed as normal. It did feel good to see that page 3 but I can wait.

SEOWolf · 03-05-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtoe

I have a new site that went from page 15 to page 3 to page 20. I will just proceed as normal. It did feel good to see that page 3 but I can wait.

On new sites sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do. Just continue to add good content and quality links and you should continue to climb in the SERPS.

Please keep us posted as to you progress Bigtoe.

Good Luck!

~Mack

Portland Real Estate Guy · 03-05-2008, 09:34 PM

True that. I've had it happen to me. But sometimes competing sites are just passing you by.

San Diego Real Estate · 03-06-2008, 06:01 AM

Wow... Ok guys I think I have this SEO magic figured out

Its just like the military hurry up and wait. Being that we all now live in such a patient world I can't see why we all can't be at the Top within 30 days. If you just have some basic understanding that the only permant thing on the universe is change then you are half way there.

Once you have devalued links, anchor text changes, keyword densities and a few other major SEO techinics down its only a matter of time right

SEOWolf · 03-06-2008, 12:19 PM

It sounds like you have it figured out Al.

There is NO constant in SEO. It is and always has been fluid.

The only thing that is a constant is good content. The value of links may change. The type and quality of links may change. The neighborhoods that you have linked to may change. But the value of good fresh content remains solid.

There are times when you have (or think) you have an algorithm figured out. If you do it gives you a competitive advantage. You then must have the resources available to quickly make the necessary changes. If these changes are not made swiftly you will be working on an old algorithm. If they are made quickly you can take the advantage until the algorithm changes again and then you start the process all over again.

It’s much like having a radar detector. Every time a new radar detector comes out a new radar system comes out to make your new radar detector obsolete then a new radar detector come out …. And the process continues to repeat itself.

Again, the only constant in SEO has nothing to do with SEO. It is content!

~Mack