Since March of 2002, we have included a 'Link Popularity Update' at the close of each weekly Marketing Tip. The 'Link Pop Update' was designed to feature websites we thought would be of interest to YOU, our valued clients. After the first few weeks we were having so much fun exploring these different links that we thought it should become a regular feature on our Marketing Tips. Some websites we have found charge fees for you to link, and many have been FREE. We just want you to be aware of ALL your options so you can be armed with the tools you need to achieve the greatest exposure on your website.

Exchanging links has several benefits: it can help you achieve additional traffic to your website from fellow REALTOR® websites, you can begin relationships with other REALTORS® across the country for referrals, and you will make your website known to the search engines in order to boost your rankings.

How do you begin the process?

First, we think it is important that you learn how to add links to your website.  When someone asks you to add a link you should be able to confidently assure them you will take care of it right away.  Advanced Access offers an easy-to-use program called 'Favorite Links' that will make this process extremely simple. Favorite Links is located in your 'Links Pages' section within your Virtual Office of your Classic Package 3.0.

Sometimes adding a link can be as simple as typing in a URL (what is an URL?). In other cases, your link partners may request that you add in a title and full description and might have specific HTML (what is HTML?) for you to add.

Why are people so particular?

The Title and Description you are asked to add for a link partner can be a very important part of how their site comes up in the search engines.  The search engines look for and find your link and the text associated with it. The search engines will count your link as a vote of popularity and the text associated with your link can be used as both a guide and an explanation of why your site is popular.

Link Examples

Title: Anaheim California Real Estate

Description: Specializing in Homes to Horse Farms, and Golf Communities to Retirement Living in Anaheim, Tustin, Orange Park Acres, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills, and Orange County.

Web site Address: www.AdvancedAccess.com

*********

When you combine the information listed above, the result will look like this:

Anaheim California Real Estate - Specializing in Homes to Horse Farms, and Golf Communities to Retirement Living in Anaheim, Tustin, Orange Park Acres, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Villa Park, Anaheim Hills, and Orange County. 

The title 'Anaheim California Real Estate' is linking to your Web site. This can be called anchor text. As this particular text is linking to your Web site, the search engines conclude that these keywords are particularly important to your Website and could start ranking your site accordingly.

Your title is VERY important. Use your keywords. Try to use about four to ten words. Don't use unnecessary text in your title. Leave that to your description.

Also, remember to keep your text VERY plain when you are entering it into your website. Don't put it in bold or colored font as you are simply making it hard on other people attempting to add your link. Keeping your text basic will make it easy for people to 'copy' and 'paste' your information.  You WANT to make it as easy as possible for your link exchange text to be duplicated by your link partners.

What are your keywords?

When we built your website we asked you for the eight cities in which you do business. We then populated your website with keywords using those eight cities. Make sure that your keywords, meta tags, homepage text, and anchor text now reflect the same keywords. Be consistent!

Adding That Link!

We talked about the most important item being that you know how to add a link.  Let's go over a few of the possibilities.

If you are using Favorite Links:

Login to your Classic Package 3.0 Virtual Office
Click on Links Pages
Click on Favorite Links
To add a new link, click on 'Add New Link'.

The page will then ask you the Category under which you would like to place the link, the Description, hyperlink options, and if you want the link to show or not.

In many cases, you will need to add your link partner’s title and description into the 'Description' box. Add their hyperlink information and be sure to select the 'New Window' box as this will open the link in a new window.  Also, be sure the 'Show Link' box is unchecked.  This will allow their title and full description to be their 'anchor text'. Then click on Add.

          Do they have specific HTML instructions?

If your link exchange partner has specific HTML instructions for you, this is very easy as well.  First, you will need to 'copy' the full HTML coding.  Usually your link partner has this coding in a white text box so you won't pick up 'odd' characters.  To copy, highlight the information with your mouse, and once it's highlighted select CTRL + C on your keyboard to copy.  Go back to your Favorite Links section and click on 'Add New Link'.  Then paste this information into either the 'Description' box OR the right side of the hyperlink box.  Either method will work for you. To paste, simply be sure your cursor is in one of the correct fields and select CTRL + V on your keyboard. Once you have pasted your information in, click on Add.

If you are using Individual State Pages:

If you have MANY link partners, you might want to create a Referral Directory using your Page Editor.  Advanced Access has made this easy for you by setting up a State Directory with a click of a button.  If you want to discuss this with us (and other details on reciprocal linking) please call 888-902-4653 or email us.

Once you have a page set up where you will place your added links, click to edit that page.  You will now need to create a hyperlink.

How do I create a Hyperlink?

To create a hyperlink, you must first type your text into the Page editor.  In this case, use the title that was given to you for your link exchange.  After you have typed in your text, highlight the text you would like to use to create the hyperlink with your mouse.  A line of text is highlighted when you pass your mouse over the text while holding down the left click button on the mouse. You can also highlight text from your keyboard by holding down your SHIFT key and using your arrow buttons to navigate.

When your text is 'highlighted' you can:

a) Right click with your mouse.  A popup window will appear.  Select the 'Create or Modify Link' option and a popup window will appear.

b) Click on the 'Earth' globe icon on the top right of the Toolbar.  If you hover your mouse over that icon, it reads 'Create or Modify Link'.  When you click on the icon a popup window will appear.

Once your popup window is showing you have the option to type in a custom link to an outside website, or to select a link from within your website.

          Do they have specific HTML instructions?

We have created an easy process for this complex task in the latest version of our Classic Package 3.0!  Simply select the 'Insert Custom' icon on your Page Editor Toolbar and select 'Insert Custom Source Code'.  Paste your HTML coding into the text box and select 'Insert'.  The program will then add the code into the Source for you.

And finally, if you have further questions come visit us in the Advanced Access Forums! These subjects are being discussed all the time and you may just find a new linking partner.