Appraiser marketing tips for Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Appraiser marketing tips for Thursday, October 11, 2007
Why do directories finish high in search queries?
Better Version teaches its clients that the secret to web traffic is content + links. So why do directories of appraisers finish so high in search rankings? Their content and their links do contribute, but so does a third factor.
Keywords. Well-designed directory sites will be dense with keywords searchers are looking for, like "appraiser," their city/county/area, descriptions of services provided, etc., even if they lack good contextual content. The keywords contribute.
Links. Directory site designers know to put links wherever they can. But it's the links on the directory pages that help most. Search engines know that if someone is looking for a "Gwinnett County appraiser," often they're interested in a choice of appraisers, and a way to compare them. Sites that link to a number of relevant sites do well in searches.
Traffic. This is the third factor, and it's an important lesson when thinking about link exchanges. People searching Google for appraisers often click through to professional appraiser directories. They want a specialized resource where they can see a lot of choices and contact information in one place. In other words, directories do well in Google searches because people click on them a lot when their search results come up.
Great search results build on themselves. If you're starting out with an appraisal website on the fourth page of results for a search for appraisers in your area, you need great copy and lots of inbound links before you can take advantage of this.
What does this mean to you? Links to your site are great -- but links to your site that people use to get to your site are much better. Directory placement is important for your own search ranking. So are legitimate, contextual links from local partners and providers.
When you exchange links with an appraiser 2,000 miles away, is anyone ever realistically going to use that link to get to your site? How about a link from a local Realtor's site, or a local title company's site, or another appraiser's site in the area -- "We specialize in Smith County. For an appraiser who specializes in Jones County, click here" -- or a mortgage broker who uses and recommends you?
Keywords. Well-designed directory sites will be dense with keywords searchers are looking for, like "appraiser," their city/county/area, descriptions of services provided, etc., even if they lack good contextual content. The keywords contribute.
Links. Directory site designers know to put links wherever they can. But it's the links on the directory pages that help most. Search engines know that if someone is looking for a "Gwinnett County appraiser," often they're interested in a choice of appraisers, and a way to compare them. Sites that link to a number of relevant sites do well in searches.
Traffic. This is the third factor, and it's an important lesson when thinking about link exchanges. People searching Google for appraisers often click through to professional appraiser directories. They want a specialized resource where they can see a lot of choices and contact information in one place. In other words, directories do well in Google searches because people click on them a lot when their search results come up.
Great search results build on themselves. If you're starting out with an appraisal website on the fourth page of results for a search for appraisers in your area, you need great copy and lots of inbound links before you can take advantage of this.
What does this mean to you? Links to your site are great -- but links to your site that people use to get to your site are much better. Directory placement is important for your own search ranking. So are legitimate, contextual links from local partners and providers.
When you exchange links with an appraiser 2,000 miles away, is anyone ever realistically going to use that link to get to your site? How about a link from a local Realtor's site, or a local title company's site, or another appraiser's site in the area -- "We specialize in Smith County. For an appraiser who specializes in Jones County, click here" -- or a mortgage broker who uses and recommends you?
Labels: Link Exchanges
Appraiser marketing tips for Thursday, October 11, 2007
Use Links To Boost Your Search Engine Rankings
Links from other sites are as important to how well your website does on search engines as the content on your site itself. But only the right kinds of links.
Get your links on relevant sites. Another appraiser's site is fine; another appraiser's site 2,500 miles away is pushing it.
Get links people will use. Search engines know whether people use a link to your site to get to your site. That's one of the reasons why links on other professionals' sites in your area are so great.
Get good "anchor text." The "anchor text" surrounding your link -- the word or words that are underlined in blue -- should describe your service rather than just be your company name, if possible.
Links from your site to others should follow the same principles as much as possible. Search engines regard a site with lots of relevant contextual links to other good sites as more of a resource for their users than one with just a page of nothing but links.
Get your links on relevant sites. Another appraiser's site is fine; another appraiser's site 2,500 miles away is pushing it.
Get links people will use. Search engines know whether people use a link to your site to get to your site. That's one of the reasons why links on other professionals' sites in your area are so great.
Get good "anchor text." The "anchor text" surrounding your link -- the word or words that are underlined in blue -- should describe your service rather than just be your company name, if possible.
Links from your site to others should follow the same principles as much as possible. Search engines regard a site with lots of relevant contextual links to other good sites as more of a resource for their users than one with just a page of nothing but links.
Labels: Link Exchanges
