My wife has recently became a Realtor in Tennessee and I'm working on her website. From the posts I’ve read, it seems like an inexact science on how to get ranked well. I would appreciate any comments on the design of the website and SEO. I’m an amateur in web design so any tips you may have are welcomed. Thanks for your time.

Steven Sanders
www.shannonshouses.com

Shannon Sanders

Read this: http://www.seo-guy.com/tutorial.html

It should get you started!

Good relevent content that is useable by a human being should be the goal, the rest will come along...

-J

The important parts to SEO are:

Site architecture (css/xhtml)
optimized key words and key word phases
optimized title and meta description
proper placement of key elements
relevant content
good internal linking
relevant external links obtained through a natural process

a lot of hard work and perseverance

Content. I think Josh mentioned it.

Here's a good list.

1. Content
2. Unique content
3. Updated content
4. Unique, frequently updated content
5. Useful content
6. Content
7. Content
8. Content
9. Content
10. Oh ya, I almost forgot, content

I think that I'm starting to agree that design and content should be the focus. I believe most of Shannon's business will be done by referal and the website should informational and easy to navigate.

I have everything setup on 6 main pages: The frontpage, Buyers, Sellers, Tools and Reports, Community Info, and Contact Info. I'm still in the process of adding buyer and seller reports. Does anyone have any comment on the layout or specific criticisms on which I could improve?

I'd also like to say that agentsonline website has been a big help in us getting started; we've read so many great opinions on a wide array of topics - thanks.


Steven Sanders
www.shannonshouses.com

You are right to focus on design and content. When you talk about design most people look only at the external design and are not aware the underlying design architecture can improve both user and search friendliness. For example, let's say you have great unique content, but if search engines can not index it and your visitors can not find it will go to waste. If you would like some ideas on design architecture take a look at the tips I have at:

http://thebroadwaygroup.com/wordpress/