SEO is extremely important. I've been working on it for the past year and have seen great results. When I started.... I was on page 20 and 21 of google for some of my area keywords and now I'm on pages 1-3 with most of the keyword searches I was working on. A few of the things I did are on a blog I just did a few days ago called, "More leads than I can handle!!***without spending a penny." Check it out. I had to pay for a few things, but not too much.

Your MLS doesn't provide a search map for you to use on your website?? I use 1parkplace, which makes people register........ at first I was totally against this, but now that I have it....... I see huge value in it. 1 year without it----> I probably got 5 internet leads and now in the past 6 months I get around 50-100/ month. ** A must have in my opinion.

I enjoy playing with web sites. Someties I make more mistakes. But it is a learning experience-

Just like Active Rain networking.

All the best.

Bill

Its all about your Internet presence and will be for many years to come.  If people cannot find your website, you don't exist.  I have been doing SEM (search engine marketing) since I launched my first website in 2001.  I currently hold numerous top 10 positions for many competitive search phrases.  The main piece of advice that I can give is to gain as many authority theme related back links as you can by blogging, submitting press releases, article submissions and the numerous free sites that allow you to set up accounts (make sure they are do follow sites).  It will take time and patience but it will happen.  One more :)  When you are writing your blog posts on your personal blog, try to come up with some link bait :)

Tyson, I read your post and you have some good tips.  I have to look up 1parkplace.  Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.  Sounds like you are doing well!

Christine if you're not careful you can spend whole days on your website! :) After you plant enough seeds and you keep watering them, you WILL see results. Just remember you're working for tomorrow today!

Christine, I try to fit the blogging in on days that are less hectic with my business.  You are right, some days you do need to be face to face with your clients. 

It's a Good Life!

Fran

I spend way to much time doing this too. I am slowly but surely learning but I'm sure I am not keeping up with all the new ideas.

Me too. Working on web sites is my fun and my creative outlet right now.

SEO can be a lot of work!  Keeping up with the blogging helps.

I did a search on my name and found out that for some reason my music CD keeps popping up a lot!  I found out it's because that once I put my music into TheOrchard.com, from there it is distributed to all those Napster, CD Baby, and itunes network-type companies that you download music from. 

That's great for my music business... Now if I can only do the same thing with my real estate business.

Cheers!

I need some serious SEO help with my website my Point2agent website. And I need to work on improving my Active Rain page also. I am a tech expert like Brad Andersohn. Good luck on improving the SEO on your website Christine.

My kids say to me "Mom are you STILL working on your website!"  I think that I could be learning something new everyday for the rest of my life about SEO and website development.  It is fun and a way to express your creativity.  I do it at night instead of watching TV.  Best of luch on your web site, I am not sure but I think google might have a free map for your site with a google account.

Christine, glad to hear about your new found passion and I encourage you to check out my Real Estate SEO Blog for lots of free information.

Once you are generating some traffic through your website you will have the most success with a paid mls map search - I'm not aware of any free services.  Here are a few I recommend to clients, keep an eye on the different features and if they are available in your area!

• http://www.wolfnet.com/
• http://www.homequestgroup.com/
• http://www.realbird.com/
• http://www.ihomefinder.com/
• http://www.realpagemaker.com/
• http://www.idxcentral.com/

I so understand where you are.  Working on my website is my crack that keeps me up at night.

Between blogging and websites, there is not enough hours in the day!

Frances, I know the busier I am, the less I blog.

Jackie, I don't know how people keep up with multiple blogs.  I have trouble with my few.