For many vacation property owners that have a website to advertise their properties, search engine optimization (SEO) is often something that isn’t given a great deal of thought, but engaging in a proactive SEO program can offer outstanding results. The team at RealTech Webmasters is familiar with the benefits of SEO engagement for our clients and know that this is one of the most important aspects of successful online marketing.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tip #1
Determine The Most Important Keywords
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the process of placing keywords within a website so that search engines can use those keywords to index the website. Because of the competition for rankings with popular keywords, SEO has become an essential requirement for a successful website.
The first step in SEO is to determine which keywords should be targeted on each page that will be optimized. When we have narrowed the keyword list to four or five phrases per page, then we’ll begin implementing those phrases within the code of each page.
Implementation starts with the meta tags. It is very important that the meta tags for keywords, page title, and page description are applicable to their specific page, so the search engines know how that page should be indexed. The meta tags should only list keywords that are related to the primary subject of the content on that page. You won’t see most of the meta tags in the usual course of web browsing, but you can see them if you click on the “view page source” option from your browsers view menu.
After the meta tags we’ll add the selected keywords into the image alternate text wherever there are images on the page. Because most search engines don’t read images very well, the alternate (or alt) text placed with an image tells the search engine about the content of the image. The alt text is visible while browsing only if you mouse over an image without clicking on it. We are seeing a big increase in traffic coming from image searches within Google and other search engines and alt tags are partially responsible for those numbers.
The next post will talk more about the text headings on each page, the content of the text itself, and the importance of anchor text links within the text linking your pages internally. Each of these plays a part in a well optimized website.
It takes time to do SEO the right way on each page, but it will make a big difference long term in your search engine rankings and resulting traffic.
Most of the SEO changes we make will not be noticeable to the average visitor; SEO is primarily seen by the search engines as they index the source code of a website. I am convinced and our tracking reports prove that SEO is one of the best long-term investments for a successful website.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tip #2
Good Is Only Good Enough For So Long
SEO works best if you are constantly uploading new content and expanding your website. Vacation and realty properties may think that a “set it and forget it” strategy for SEO will work, but the reality is that having consistently updated content and engagement with your website will go a long way to help with your SEO marketing. Some of the best ways to do this include:
- Indexing: When you are consistently updating your vacation website with content, including new pages, downloadable information and new content, the better chance your site will have in getting indexed by major search engines. Being indexed more frequently may not mean that your site will rank higher in search results, but it does mean that you have a better opportunity for higher rankings versus a site that isn’t more frequently updated.
- Not Just Content, Relevant Content: Google, the most popular search engine in the world, is constantly changing their search algorithms, with some sources saying that it is changed 500-600 times a year. While not every algorithm change has drastic effects on SEO, one of the most common factors in the algorithm change revolves around relevant content. Having relevant content on your vacation and realty website means adding information that is relevant to your properties and offerings and not just adding content for the sake of content. Making sure that your information is relevant to your business is more important than just adding new pages to your site.
- SEO is a part of your online strategy: Imagine having a chair with only one leg; while balancing on it may be fun for a little while, the reality is that you won’t be able to do much with this type of chair. Online marketing works in much the same way; having a strong SEO component to your vacation and realty website is important, but it needs to be combined with the email marketing, social media marketing and pay per click marketing efforts that RealTech has in place to help offer the most steady and secure base to help grow your online presence.
If you need assistance with any aspect of online marketing, contact RealTech Webmasters to help you create a new online marketing strategy to promote your vacation or realty business. Our years of expertise and knowledge of all aspects of building your vacation and realty presence will help drive positive results and more leads for your business today.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Tip #3
SEO Is A Slow Process
This is a marathon and not a sprint, so pick your strategy and stick with it! You won’t know the results of your changes for 3-6 months! SEO algorithms are becoming more complex, making it tougher to get your website to the top of search results. If your website isn’t on the first two pages of a search engine listing, there’s a good chance it won’t be seen at all. Even Search Engine Watch notes that, “like finding hidden treasure, search engine optimization (SEO) has never been as easy as some would have you believe.”
What do you need to know, to increase your SEO?
- New Look of Search Results: Google has recently made some changes to its search results page. The background behind the “paid-for” spots is now gone, and there’s more space for pay-per-click companies down the right-hand side.
- Profit, Profit, Profit: It’s clear that with the new search results design, search engines are optimizing for customers who pay for those top spots. This trend is apparent not only on search engines, but on social media.
- Everyone is an “SEO Expert”: More people are marketing themselves as experts, but you still need to do your research before hiring someone to help you boost SEO. It’s a complicated process, and if you’re not careful, you could end up being “spammy,” which could get your website knocked off the listing entirely.
- Content Marketing: By marketing your website content through linking – either to external or internal sources – it increases your visibility on search engines.
At RealTech Services, we have an SEO specialist who keeps up with the changing climate of search results. Along with our website design and content team, they’ll work together to optimize your site, increasing your chances of being seen.