Indexable IDX for SEO Part 1 – The Basics

All iHomefinder accounts provide an indexable IDX solution, allowing search engines to discover and index IDX listings on your domain:

Optima Express – Indexable IDX plugin for WordPress

OmniPress Websites – Hosted WordPress websites with indexable IDX

Optima IDX – Indexable IDX for custom websites, Wix and Squarespace

We thought we’d share some tips on how your account with indexable IDX listings can best contribute to your larger SEO strategy, bringing you more organic search engine traffic and potential leads. This is the first of three posts on this subject. You’ll find a link to part 2 at the end of this article.

Google’s SEO Starter Guide

If you’re new to building and managing an SEO strategy for your website, you can learn more about SEO and best practices in the Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide from Google. Understanding these concepts is critical to building a successful SEO strategy.

To learn more about Google site crawling and indexing in particular, go to this article from Google.

Keywords – Targeting Your Traffic

It’s important to understand the role of keywords in SEO. A large part of search engine optimization is matching your site content with the search terms (keywords) your target traffic is using, and taking steps to improve your ranking for these (also known as “optimizing”).

Here are some examples of keyword phrases related to real estate that consumers would be likely to use:

• “Asheville property listings”
• “Torrence real estate”
• “homes for sale in Providence”
• “condos in Concord”

Keyword Selection & Ranking

When choosing keyword phrases to target, you need to consider how competitive a keyword is and where your site will realistically rank in search engine results pages (SERPs). Large companies spend LOTS of money on SEO in most markets to secure premium rankings, so the competition can be tight. Fortunately there is a strategic alternative!

Rather than targeting “catch-all” keywords that are difficult to rank for (such as “Atlanta real estate”), consider optimizing your site for keyword phrases that include more specific terms, known as “long tail” terms. These expose more information about what the searcher wants, such as a type of property or a neighborhood, which means you have a greater chance of converting them by providing exactly what they are looking for when they reach your site. Additionally, you’ll have an easier time gaining ranking position for these more specific terms.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference:

• “Concord real estate” – broad term (competitive)
• “Concord condo listings” – long tail term (less competitive – easier to rank)
• “Concord golf course real estate” – long tail term (less competitive – easier to rank)

Keyword Research

It’s a good idea to know how many searches are conducted using the keywords you are considering. Google’s AdWords Keyword Tool is a good beginner keyword research tool that can provide this information. It’s also useful for providing additional keyword ideas. Just set up an AdWords account (no payment is required), then access the Keyword Planner inside your AdWords account. By setting up an AdWords account, you are not committed to starting an AdWords campaign. You’ll just have access to some very handy keyword research tools.

Content Optimization for Keywords

After deciding on your keywords to bring the right traffic to your site, using them in the following locations will have the most impact on SEO:

Title tag
This is displayed as the page title in search results. Keep the number of words to 6 or so, and use the keyword at or near the beginning. Learn about iHomefinder IDX title tag features >

Meta Description tag
This is the description of your page content that’s displayed in search results. This should be written to entice people to click through to your site. Learn about iHomefinder IDX meta description tag features >

URL
If you’re using a keyword in your page content, use the same keyword within the page URL.

Anchor text
Where possible, links to your site from other sites should include your keywords in the anchor text.

Headings tags
If the page content includes a keyword, including it in a heading tag can provide added benefit.

Keyword density in page content
Use the keyword or variations of it at least a few times in your page content. Don’t overuse keywords in your content (known as “keyword stuffing”). The keyword density should flow naturally within your content without sounding too repetitive.

Part 2

Go to Part 2 of this series to learn how to fully take advantage of “Markets” (saved searches you create in your account control panel) and their SEO features.