Duplicate Content

If you are not familiar with the duplicate content or content theft issues that are happening on the internet you should tune in. Content theft is becoming a huge issue, not only because it is the complete lack of creativity, but it is also becoming a major reason why websites are falling in the search rankings as well as not getting their in the first place. I want to touch on a couple of different concepts. The first being template websites.

We all know about mass market template websites. Cheap and easy to use they may be, but are they a road to nowhere for a real estate agent. The answer is yes. Template websites are no longer going to hold nor achieve rankings that they once did in the late 90's and early 00' and the reason is simple. Templates are cookie cutter designs which are created only one time and then mass produced in order to eliminate design and coding costs. Not only are they not being recognized by search engines for their design, but the code as well is also mass produced.

With this being said why would a search engine put two websites with the same exact information on the first page of search engines, doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of the internet. Wasn't the internet created as an information source so when you type in a phrase or "search term" you then obtain as much unique quality information available? How long will it take for the 500,000 realtors that are receiving no business from their website to understand that templates are a mean to an end?

On a more technical level here are some examples of source code from 2 different realtors websites:

(Go to your browser after you pull up the example and click (VIEW) then

select (SOURCE) Do this on both examples and then compare:

Example#1

Example#2

Please take time to look at both pages of code and compare them and see if you see a difference between them. You do not have to be an coding expert to see that both of the source pages are exactly the same. If we can see this, why would we think that search engines can’t? It’s time to get smart and set yourself apart from the rest of the world and build your business on something unique and quality!

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Re-vamping the Directory

We have decided to revamp our directory in order to create a more content rich environment and a more powerful directory to help our clients and members. If you are not familiar with our Real Estate Directory the National Real Estate Directory it has been a work in progress in the past we listed realtors with a simple title and small description like any other directory on the web. Now we are implementing a new system. In order to be listed in the Directory realtors will have to provide a 100 word Bio about them self which we will list with their link. Here is an Example of how the directory will be formatted. You can see how it provides much more content then any directory. And it gives the consumer the ability to see a brief Bio about your self helping them make their decision in whose profile best matches their needs. Please feel free to browse through our directory and join.

Audio Blog Example

Here is a example of an audio blog if you get a chance click on the button below and you can see how it works.

More Localized Results

As search engines progress and people start using the internet more everyday isn't it true to say that search engines will become more localized. With the launching of thousands of new websites everyday we are finding an overwhelming number of websites that seeing no exposure in any market let alone their local market. In a past article we talked about GPS technology using rover. This was the concept of having local businesses pop up on your GPS screen when you walk in there vicinity. Understanding how this works wouldn't it be safe to say that web results may start becoming much more localized. You see how MSN is trying to create an effective search for local results, but do you know how to get their? Are you not submitting your site in the right places in order to become a part of the local results? Some say it is based on the address information on your website. Some say it will be based on directories like, Yellow Pages, SmartPages, info USA, yahoo directory or possibly even your registrar information. If search engines take a vast turn towards these types of results those who once were may be no more. So remember to structure yourself for the future. If you have questions regarding this ask them at the Real Estate Forum

Audio Blogging

This concept may be new to most of you, but the real question is how does it work and how can it be valuable to your real estate business. We all know about blogging and the concept of posting endless comments for those to read and comment on, but what about adding vocals to these thoughts. Blogger.com came out with www.audioblogger.com to do just that. You can register your phone number and attach voice over to your blog. Some may use this to help them remember what the photos were regarding or remember specific events for that time in which they wrote the blog. I feel that realtors should start using this as a tool. How you ask? Its simple; first you create a blog for a featured property then create separate entries for separate parts of the house. Like the dining room which would have text explaining some of the details and photos of the dining room. Then instead of leaving it like that why not add some audio. What could be better than having you explain to them the important attributes of the listing right from there computer. Some people would feel more comfortable, because they wouldn't have pressure of the hard sell and you might have to spend a lot less time dragging around buyers all day if they had already talked to you without talking to you....Yah know. So why not setup a blog and really showcase a listing and explain to your consumers what they are seeing. If you don't do it someone else will.

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