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When it comes to selling your house, there seem to be hundreds of things to take are of. And if it feels that way to you, that’s a good thing, because it means you’ll likely prepare your home for its best showing possible. But what about the real estate listing itself?

Real estate agents and brokers may claim that they are limited to the constraints of their multiple listing service, and perhaps within that system they are, but don’t fall for the notion that all agency websites are the same. Some sites present their real estate listings much better than others. With that in mind, here are five things you’ll want to look for online, when you’re consider which agency to utilize in selling your home!

1. Mapping

When Mapquest and Google Maps made their work publicly accessible, it took a few years for websites and businesses to adopt the new technology. But now mapping is expected in nearly every type of location-based search online. If your real estate listing doesn’t have a map, it’s an extra step your potential buyer needs to take. And in this game, extra steps are bad.

2. Overview

Every listing needs a solid and positively written overview. Check the agency’s other listings. Are they concise, but enthusiastic? Are other houses described as you’d like yours described?

3. Communities

Even buyers without children want to know about the community that they might be moving into. They might want crime information or something as simple as a Walkscore rating, depending on their particular needs and fears.

4. Photos

This goes without saying. Any agency without photos should not be used.

5. Phone numbers

In the era of smartphones, it’s odd that people often resort to email and texting before making a phone call. But when it comes to booking a real estate appointment, phone numbers are vital. If your agency doesn’t have someone handling the phones (ideally your specific agent), then it’s going to miss out on buyers. Especially first-time buyers, who are particularly nervous and need help.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find an experienced agency with a website that serves up all five of these elements and gives you your best chance at selling your property. If your prospective agent doesn’t do these things, ask if he or she can. If the answer is no, move on.

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Search engine optimization, or SEO, is a phrase that may cause people who are not in IT to shudder and others to cock their head to the side in confusion. It’s not necessarily easy to understand for those who don’t have to work with it day in and day out.

But if you have a business and a website, SEO should become your new best friend. Without it, your company is unlikely to grow. SEO is essential because it’s how the Internet ranks your website in search engine results.

If you want to grow your brand, you have educate yourself on the ins and outs of SEO. The first thing you may need to know is how SEO technology benefits your business.

SEO creates visibility

In a nutshell, SEO means your website is relevant. The higher your page ranks, the closer to the top of Internet searches it appears. Think of it like this: When you perform an Internet search for a specific company, don’t you usually choose the first one you see?

And why is that? Because if it’s the first result the Internet provides you, it must be a good one. Chances are you don’t scroll down to the bottom of the search page and choose the 89th search page — or even the third — to click on.

With SEO, your website has the capability to make it closer to the front of these search engines, which means your business gains visibility.

Consumer confidence

If your SEO techniques are solid, your business will appear in numerous searches. This gives your business consumer confidence.

Most Internet users rely on more than one search for target keywords. When they see your business name appear on more than one of these searches, this builds their confidence in you.

For example, it’s been demonstrated that more than half of searchers use the first three results of any given Internet search. That’s how important search optimization is for your company’s brand.

SEO education

Now that you know what makes SEO so useful to your business, you need to educate yourself about how it works. This might mean investing in a company that specializes in SEO techniques that can help you build your brand.

SEO is one of the most important facets of conducting business today. Without it, your firm will become obsolete in terms of Internet searches and brand-building ability.

Since most company owners haven’t the time to take on another project, hiring SEO professionals is a growing trend. You’ll receive not only a first-hand education on the inner workings of SEO, but the best possible optimization for your brand and business — driven by those who know the process intimately.

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• 5 SEO Tactics You Need for Your Store
• What Is SEO? [FAQs]
• 10 Lies You Should Never Believe From SEO “Gurus”

Podcast: Play in new window

If you have ever had to hire a service business to get you out of trouble, this podcast is for you. If you own a service business, this podcast for you. If you own a business but do not consider it to be a service business, think again. Rick recently left town for a week. Although this episode is done rant-style, the advice we share will help anyone looking to improve their business reputation and performance.

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