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Of all the criteria used to rank websites, search engines value unique, relevant, and well-written content above all else. Your XSite comes with a library of professionally written content, but it isn't personalized to your business. Our pre-written content may suffice for a new user just getting started setting up his or her site, but for those actively pursuing Search Engine Optimization (SEO), personalizing your XSite is an absolute must.
Here are some tips for personalizing your website to boost SEO:
- Start from scratch on your homepage. The single most effective thing you can do is to clear out the template text on your home page, and re-create it with your own with original content. The more you unique and relevant your homepage content is, the better.
- Personalize your content. Search engines index more than just your homepage. Use multiple pages to talk about several popular topics or several of your coverage areas. You should add information about local news, schools, and shopping for each of your neighborhoods or developments. You’ll reap the rewards by climbing the ranks in multiple keyword searches. And we provide features like RSS and Blogging to make this easier.
- Publish your specialties. Include information such as coverage area (cities and counties), the menu of services you provide, company history, credentials, relevant affiliations, and industry experience.
- Be specific. The more specific you are, the higher your chances of being ranked near the top of a consumer’s specific search. For example, there are millions of sites out there that talk about “real estate”. If your content is that generic, you’ll be competing with millions of other sites and you probably won’t ever get in the top rankings like you need to be. The more specific and relevant you make your content, the better your chances for getting a top ranking.
- Write from the consumer’s point of view. It never hurts to claim something generic like "Central Florida Real Estate" as your expertise, but you also need to list the particular neighborhoods you work in. A consumer wouldn’t search for “central Florida real estate” on a search engine. They would use terms like “Celebration golf course homes”. While including generic content won’t hurt your rankings, be sure to include the specific hooks that appeal to the specific searches you want to be identified with.
- Include relevant links to other web sites. Impress search engines and, at the same time provide services to your clients by including relevant links, links of interest, or area links. For instance, you may want to link to your County Assessor, your MLS, and a few sites of major interest in your community, such as recreational areas and parks, landmarks, monuments, portal sites, or other community web sites.
- Update your content often. Search engines record how often your site is updated so they know how "fresh" your content is. Try setting aside just 30 minutes each week to update your site. It's really easy to do and you'll be glad you did when you see your site climbing the search engine ladder. Our RSS and Blogging features make this a snap.
- Use keywords and phrases often. Use them throughout the site, but avoid overusing specific keywords. Search engines may think you are attempting to trick their spiders into giving your site undue rank. As long as you use those keywords naturally throughout the web page, search engine spiders will see those important terms and rank your site based upon them. Again, listing the towns and counties you cover, and each of the services you provide, helps ensure that you come up in more relevant searches.
- Webinar available. There is an online class on these and more techniques called "Driving Traffic to your XSite". You can attend a live webinar session to learn more, or watch a recorded video version. Just go to
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Log in to your XSite using your user name and password and Click on the XSite icon at the top of the My Office screen.
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Click the "My Content" link on the left side of the XSites Wizard. |
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When the content list opens, click any of the content links to edit our pre-written content. Or click the "Your Custom Pages" tab and then click "Add New Page" to create completely new content. You can type as much content as you want. Remember, unique, specific, and relevant is best.
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