SEO = Search Engine Optimization

SEM = Search Engine Marketing = Pay-per-click (PPC)

Everyone calls you all day long about "putting you at the top, guaranteeing leads, always being number 1...etc." The truth is, you can only do this by getting your website improved. yes, there is ALWAYS room for improvement. Websites move up in rank on search engines by having three things: Relevancy, Popularity, and a good amount of localized content. Don't get me wrong, PPC is a great thing, but for longer term results, you need both SEM/PPC and SEO. Remember - FREQUENCY, REACH, EXPOSURE!!!

 -- Localized Content -You need to have a large amount of localized content to show that you know what you are doing and that you are a master of your field. I grew up in a real estate brokerage and I know that some agents are in real estate "just because" and they just go through the motions of getting the transaction done. The consumers know this too. Thats why they treat the average Realtor like a used car salesman. To combat this S, you must show people what you specialize in, how long you have been in the business and have real testimonials. Include pictures, slide shows, maybe some animation, and definitely have your picture on there somewhere, just not in a larger-than-life spot on the front page. (Please don't use a cell phone beside your head or a sold sign in your hands. Honestly it's cheesy and the customer sees it as a gimmick.)

 -- Popularity -You can get popularity from many things. Linking, blogging, word of mouth, integrating your website into all your other marketing, and adding your site to your yard-signs, just to name a few. Please treat your website as your Internet office. Make it useful and people come back (it's called making sure it's sticky). The popularity of your website for the first year will usually stink unless you actively market it with PPC (pay-per-click), directories, and Internet ads. Be patient. It's like wine, it will get much better with age. Unlike wine however, you need to update it at least once a year to make sure the coding, pictures, and information are up to date. I do not want to see your picture from 1992 on your website, regardless of whether or not you "look different".

 -- Relevancy - If you are selling homes in your area, talk about your area on your website. Don't talk about the entire state, or the entire US market. It does no good for your clients and no good for your ranking. I tell my clients, for example, that if you are selling red crayons, your site better not talk about pink pencils. Again, here comes the local content and pictures. Also you need to have school info, neighborhood stats, market trends, and area attractions. Trust me, people will love it.

Listen, the whole reason the Internet works for real estate is because people always have an apprehension when it comes to such a large investment and trust in one Realtor. If you make them more comfortable about your site, they will read on and become more comfortable with you, producing a better LEAD. See my point?

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach me via my website. http://jamie.directhomes.com