Real Estate Forums

HomeSurfer.com · 11-18-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeChoice.com

In the Game of Right vs Wrong - I have two choices 1st link to directories to get to other broker and agent (also need to pay) or create a reciprocal link so that I have a partner in each market and they have one here in Indianapolis. Am I wrong to think like this regardless of "g" and other engines? I do like the area of content for each page. I will need to work on each MLS and state page.

Sorry, but before you can figure out where to get links, you need to decide on a target market.

Are you really trying to sell real estate in Indianapolis? Are you trying to be a lender? Are you selling franchises? Are you positioning yourself as a non-traditional FSBO assistance broker? Are you trying to get leads and refer them to people in all fifty states? Are you trying to be a directory? I glance at your site, and I'm not sure.

And never talk about what might easiest fool Google. More and more, Google is going to steer results away from BFG sites. They seem to prefer MFA sites.

(Built For Google). (Made for Adsense).

HomeChoice.com · 11-18-2007, 04:07 PM

I bought HomeChoice 2yrs ago to have a site for my local real estate operation. I was not planning to go franchise but maybe one day license technology (once completed). Thought getting contacts in the areas was a great two edge sword - 1st great for our clients leaving the area (hooking up with a preferred agent) and 2nd this directory would start acquiring REALTOR contacts for a roll out in the future. I am a full service REALTOR performing average transactions around 4.5% I do not offer any FSBO services at Homechocie.

As for Lender - I use to have a national company paying to be on the site and now I am trying to give more options for my clients by going thru this portal (not sure I like it yet). By having more then one bank per state I thought I could provide "choice" to the consumer.

As for fooling - I was not saying I am trying to fool anyone - In fact I put the list of states on the front page so that its not hidden on a 2nd or 3rd level link like some links.

HomeSurfer.com · 11-18-2007, 10:20 PM

All I was saying was that the home page should make clear what you are doing and who you are, whether a company or an individual Realtor. Right now it sends a pretty mixed message and you want your message to be loud and clear, focused on Indianapolis, I should think.

So, if you know your target market is people buying in the Indianapolis area, you start gathering links from generic directories and real estate directories that you think will send traffic. Start with generic directories first, in my opinion -- but get listed in the real estate section, under Indianapolis and local communities that you want to focus on.

Mert has a post that links to Debra Mastaler. Somewhere on her site she has a generous list of generic directories. I reviewed the list and thought it was pretty good. Mert's post .

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeChoice.com

As for fooling - I was not saying I am trying to fool anyone - In fact I put the list of states on the front page so that its not hidden on a 2nd or 3rd level link like some links.

As for this, all I meant was that any site should think of its visitors first. Search engines second. And never mention in a public forum that you are chasing pagerank or linkjuice.

In fact, SEO and link-building forums are probably one place where hidden identity and lack of signatures should probably be mandatory, at least in this modern age where Google is attempting to rewrite all the rules.

I'll have to think on that one.

Bigtoe · 11-19-2007, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeSurfer.com

Totally untrue.

Regardless of the history of links the idea of using links to rate websites doesn't work anymore. There are millions of great websites that are lost in the back of the serps because they don't have links.

A great website can't get natural one way links if no one can find it so they have to get links to be seen. Now, instead of working to make the site better for the user the site has to work on being seen by getting links.

The se need to figure out how to read a site like humans do and rate sites on their content. Content may be king but links are queen and really run the show.

SEOWolf · 11-19-2007, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeSurfer.com

As for this, all I meant was that any site should think of its visitors first. Search engines second. And never mention in a public forum that you are chasing pagerank or linkjuice.

Excellent advice IMHO Terry. I echoed similar thoughts in the Real Estate Websites and PageRank thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigtoe

Regardless of the history of links the idea of using links to rate websites doesn't work anymore. There are millions of great websites that are lost in the back of the serps because they don't have links.

I think we are beginning to see the end of this BTGOG.

Websites should not be ranked according to how big your budget is to hire linking personnel.

HHI Golf Guy has come up with many great suggestions on how to get links naturally through article exchanges and good content on focused subjects.

I am ecstatic that the reciprocal links scheme is coming to an end. I can spend more time on writing useful content for visitors and less time baby sitting “Link Partners”.

Just my 2¢ worth,

~VegasMack

HHI Golf Guy · 11-19-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VegasMack

HHI Golf Guy has come up with many great suggestions on how to get links naturally through article exchanges and good content on focused subjects.

Thanks buddy.

I want to reiterate a the key elements of this program:

1. Put the articles on a sub domain or separate domain. If you put them in your root domain you will dilute your own keyword themes. Place only one link from the home page of your site to the home page of this new real estate portal.

2. These need to be more than article exchanges. You need to supplement these pages with other content. Allow one outbound link for the exchange, then place 3-5 other outbound links to unique sites from that article and any supplemented ad copy.

3. Try to be more creative than grouping the articles by city or state. Try grouping them by other themes.

4. Using a CMS like Joomla or Mambo is a great way to format an article site and rotate some content snippets of articles on the home page.