Virtual Views - The View From Here : September 2008

Leading by linking is a great strategy for giving your website visitors a quality experience and making the search engines happy as well.

There is so much said about how linking can help you with search engines. Some of the information is confusing and some linking tips appear to conflict with others. And yet, there is not doubt that linking, when it comes to website management and search engine optimization, is a must. 

Leading by linking is simply linking your internal pages one to another in a logical manner. Using this strategy allows you to lead your visitors from one step to the next.  

Internal linking can cause website visitors to stay on your site longer, increasing the chances of you becoming a "Favorite" (adding you to their favorite links; aka bookmarking). 

While website visitors may have been drawn to your website because they are considering a sale or purchase in your area, they want more than just access to the MLS or to determine their home's value. Whether they know it or not, they are looking for information and ultimately, they are looking for a Realtor®. 

Providing information and useful community links, increases a visitor's interest and trust-level. The focus here, thought, is to keep them within your website for as long as possible. So, be sure the links are internal and keep the visitor on your site.

Almost every website has a navigation system using buttons in which the visitor is able to access the information that is available.  Buttons are a part of internal linking. These little tools are great and you need to use them, but a long list of buttons gets a little overwhelming. So, lead by linking. 

Website visitors do not like to hunt and peck. They appreciate it when a site is helpful and user-friendly. Website visitors also like sites that offer an inter-active experience. You can fulfill their desires by simply linking text on a content page to other helpful information contained on your site. You can add reports, charts, stats or more detailed information that you might not necessarily want to put on a button.

Use your blog to boost your rankings on both your website and your blog-site. You can also link text to a related post you have placed on your blog site. Your visitors will be happy and so will the search engines.

When a text link has taken your visitor to another page, always include a link to take them back to the original page. Include a link back to your homepage as well.

Remember to build your website with the consumer in mind and everyone will be happy -  you, your website visitors and the all important search engines. After all, if they can't find you, prospects won't know how great you or your website are. 

 

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

If you are going to be an agent in the future, you will need to be an agent of the future. It is more important today than ever for  real estate professionals to keep themselves "in the know".   

Virtual Assistants are in every field of business and are growing by leaps and bounds. More and more people are able to work from home and visit their office on an "as-needed" basis, becoming Virtual Assistants themselves.

If you think a utilizing a Virtual Assistant is weird, how about a virtual keyboard? That's right!  One of the newest technological items on the market is a virtual keyboard. A laser light projects a keyboard onto any flat service and you can just type away.

The world, including the real estate industry, is rapidly changing. How business is done, not only in the way of gadgets and tools, but the business side of business, is changing as well.

Ten years ago every local Board of Realtors protected their multiple listing service like Fort Knox. Today, many multiple listing services are multi-regional. Years ago, real estate agents had a one page contract and all their marketing materials in their head. Today, an agent's file looks like a legal brief and their car is a working office.

To deal with the technological buyer of tomorrow, you need to be technology-oriented today. In our tech-minded world, you will need to be e-commerce oriented. Buyers and sellers are becoming savvier and, therefore, will demand more from their real estate agent.

Technology may make life easier, but it is certainly not going to make it less complicated. I do believe technology is going to demand that real estate agents rise to a higher level than ever before. The upside of this is that the real estate professional may finally be recognized as a professional.

This is a pivotal time for agents. What you don't need is another thing on your to do list. However, if you are going to be a real estate agent in the future, now is the time to become technological about your business. It is not just about gadgets anymore.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas