To:        Appraiser XSite users
From:    Chris Low, EVP, Products
Re:       Getting your XSite ranked in search engines

Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a topic that comes up on a daily basis around our office, and it’s one that we take very seriously.  With hundreds of millions of sites all trying to get top rankings in Internet searches, we understand how difficult the battle for rankings can be.  That's why it's important that you’re familiar with the tools your XSite provides to help you fight that battle.

The tough thing about SEO is that search engines work hard to recognize automation schemes, such as instantly adding thousands of links to your site or submitting your site to search engines on a daily basis.  When search engines find a site that tries to automate their ranking, that site is penalized, not rewarded.  That’s why it’s dangerous to try to instantly gain rank, and why we haven’t used automation tricks in your XSites.  The best approach is for us to include tools in your XSite that help you gain site rankings naturally.

In the coming weeks and months, you'll receive a series of e-mails outlining exactly how to use the features in your XSite to best optimize your site and increase your chances of gaining search engine ranking.  As you start applying the information you acquire, however, please be mindful of a few things:

• Search engines value unique content above all else.  Writing good, relevant, unique content about your level of expertise in the appraisal field, the types of appraisals you specialize in, or even your coverage area is one of the best things anyone can do for ranking.  Quality content that is updated frequently provides value to visitors and search engines take notice!
• There's only so much we can do technically from the hosting side to help your site be more visible on the web — and we do it all.
• You have to do your own part by making your site unique and interesting to potential clients that do find you.
• Search engines are not easy to trick, and attempts to do so to show up on the first page of search results will likely result in a website being removed from a search engine entirely.  You get ranked by having other sites link to yours and by having unique content.  We'll follow up with more information about links in the future.
• You probably know the XSites Network as a way to find other real estate pros in your area, but the XSites Network is also used by many non a la mode customers to find appraisers as well.  Because you can include your XSite in our directory, we help direct more traffic and business to your site so you can make more money.  Click here for step-by-step instructions on getting your site in the XSites Network directory and setting up your coverage area.

• Your XSite's content editor allows you to completely customize your website and add links. These are important factors when search engines rank your site, and you have the tools to maximize your ranking potential at your fingertips.

• Google™ Sitemaps provides a roadmap of your site to its spiders, ensuring that they crawl and index your site in its entirety, and you have the tools in your XSite to guide you through the process of submitting a Google Sitemap in just minutes.

We understand that you survive as a business by generating income.  Marketing yourself and your services now will be key to your success in this changing market.  By making use of the SEO tips provided here, you'll be empowered to improve your website's placement in internet searches, increase your company's internet presence, and generate more qualified traffic to your site.  That's what SEO's about.  And it's exactly what your XSite allows you to do.  Of course, the best way to increase the visibility of your site it to use it as a daily business tool and your public facing connection to your clients.  Your XSite provides your clients with an efficient and secure online appraisal ordering and retrieval solution that's available 24 hours a day!

For those of you familiar with our online webinar training courses, we have a class called "Driving Traffic to your XSite".  In 90 minutes we'll outline strategies to improve your search engine rankings, and dispel several SEO myths you may have heard or even read about.  Click here to learn more about our webinars.  (If you have our Elite package or a Platinum Partnership support membership, you can attend as many webinars as you want — for free.)

Be sure to lookout for additions to our Feature Focus series over the next six weeks.  They’ll give you more information about how to use the SEO features included with your XSite.  And as always, thanks for your business.


Chris Low
EVP, Products
a la mode, inc.