Thread: Question about yahoo, google, and MSN search ranking

Jim,

This forum hasn't been around too long but if you spend some time reading the Google threads you'll see how difficult ranking in Google can be. I'm gathering that the age of the site makes a big impact with Google plus content and a good linking plan along with proper site SEO.

judyo...you hit that right on the money! I wish we had a better answer!

Originally Posted by judyo

I'm gathering that the age of the site makes a big impact with Google plus content and a good linking plan along with proper site SEO.

If you look at the regsitration records, the jimbfoster.com web site was registered in 2000. If Google has an extended maturation period beyond full indexing of a site, this is most likely not the cause of his ranking woes (unless the domain name was purchased in 2000 and sitting unused until the past year or so).

Jim,

There are hundreds of factors that may impact your rankings on any of the Big 3 search engines. When you post on a forum, even an SEO forum, you will get hundreds of opinions. You need to remember that some info is good, but most is misleading. Why?

What works for one web site or one set of keywords most likely will not produce the same results for another. That's why it cracks me up when people say "I have solved Google" or "I have solved MSN". The elements that make up your site (page content, overall content, theme, HTML structure, navigation structure, coding, paget layout, et al) all play a key role in how your site is ranked. And we haven't even discussed off page factors that influence your rankings.

On this forum I'm always happy to discuss general information, and occasionally may point someone in a direction to help them put them on the right track with a small portion of their web site. My input will always be honest and sincere. However, note my signature line - my tactics work for the way that I design and SEO sites for my clients. You may not recieve the same results.

If you would like to SEO your own sites, then I suggest staying away from the SEO forums for a while and reading instructional web sites on SEO. Take everything with a grain of salt. Pay attention to common threads or themes across 5 or 6 different sites. Remember, no SEO (including myself) is going to show you all of their cards - that would take food off of the table!

Once you have gathered common information and themes, test out new ideas on your web site. Analyze your web logs, not only for visitor and traffic patterns, but also to make sure that the searh engines have actually picked up your changed pages. I have seen a lot of people make change after change to pages without realizing the SE's never even picked up the first change!

Don't forget the big picture - your web site is a sales tool - not a hodge podge compilation of keywords and phrases. If your text doesn't sound natural and cause the site visitor to "take action" it doesn't matter if you rank #1 across the board for all of your keywords - you won't receive many leads.

SEO and copy writing is a long, tough, time consuming, and arduous job. There are no "magic bullets" that will provide long term, SEO results. If you are in a small market, then you can afford the time to study and implement SEO. If you are in a competitive market, chances are your competition is already comprised of 3-10 other sites that have dedicated SEO efforts by a 3rd party. This gives them plenty of time to work their leads, shake hands, and kiss babies.

One word of advice to all new real estate agents that are looking to implement a web site: Unless you invest heavily in PPC, it will take 9-12 months before your site develops consistent, quality leads. Plan and budget accordingly.

You seem to have a decent number of BLs compared to your competition.

I think you need to re-review your page titles.

Also, I couldn't spot any <h1> <h2> tags on your pages.

You may also consider moving the scripting code out into a seperate file to simplify your HTML code.

I don't think you have an impossible job. As "HHI Golf Guy" says, you just need to try different SEO techniques.

Good luck...

"No magic bullets" - Yes and No, I've done this bit before, there are way's of getting high listings on all SE's. The Company name and Initial's (XYZ Co) tatics really do pay off, because they are 'unique' or reasonably so. If you constantly submit those Initials to Directories, and put them in your Mega Description and as page titles, they will get listed and if you change your marketting approach to that of being a 'brand or trade name' you can then use it to your advantage.
Lets just look at an idea. I decide to sell up in the UK and move to the USA and I don't know the first thing about Real Estate in the States, other than what I read here. Let's say I move to Kentucky, and I form a Real Estate Company and I call it 'Kentucky Homes Real Estate' Now you search KHRE on Google and I'll tell you - it would take me about two weeks to get a top listing under those initials. A/ they are not 'catchy' B/ they are terrible, but they are unique. So once I was top I would run a series of low cost ads -
'Looking for Real Estate in Kentucky? Search KHRE on any Search Engine.

The advice that Golf Guy gives, is as always spot on, technically, but what people have to remember is that you have set up a website, for a purpose 'To Make Money' - therefore create your own 'niche'.

Originally Posted by CTABUK

Let's say I move to Kentucky

Why would you want to move to Kentucky? Are you a masochist? That's not where the chicken really come from.

I'M ONLY KIDDING! Kentucky has beautiful country. I just found it odd that someone out of the US would mention KY and not New York or California.

Im with you HHI Golf Guy Kentucky! Maybe he likes horse racing?

No, my Great Great Granddady, fought at the Alamo with the 3 rd Kentuckians led by Davy Crockett, he was there when the first shot was fired, he was in Chigaco when the bullet landed.

Age of website really matters a lot for the success of a website.