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Old 03-29-2007, 05:31 PM
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Dudley Dudley is offline
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Default My i-house website

Okay,

I just joined and can already see my website is going to get ripped apart after seeing some of the other sites people have posted on here. I'm a big boy and can take it.

Let me know what you think and what I need to do. If you have the extra time check out my blog also.

Thanks!
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Old 03-29-2007, 09:00 PM
KSA KSA is offline
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Default Re: My i-house website

James,

Your site isn't bad for starting out. Of course, a lot of people on this forum will tell you a template site is useless, and I must admit that I-House isn't one of my favorite templates, but I have gotten at least one I-House site to rank pretty well.

Hang around here long enough, and you'll figure out a lot about Search Engine Optimization. I may get ripped apart for this quick tutorial, but here's a very simple way to look at things.

There are two main parts to SEO - on page and off page. So, that means that you need to set your web pages up to be attractive to search engines (on page optimization), then you need to get the engines to notice you, and a big part of that is getting incoming links.

The first thing I'd suggest you do is do some research on how to optimize your web pages. You need to pick effective keyword phrases, then make sure that your page title, meta tags and content all focus on those keyword phrases. (yes, I'm one of those that still update the meta tags even though some folks say they're not worth anything. I just figure as long as they're there, might as well make sure they're helping, not hurting)

And, search engines like lots of original content. So, as you have time, you could take all the pages you have for your target cities and write descriptions that would replace the framed-in city sites. You can always provide a link to those sites, but start with a well-written description.

Once you've updated all your key pages, then worry about getting incoming links. And, that's a whole different discussion.

To me, a website is like a house - it's never really finished, you just keep tweaking things.

Best of luck!

Kathleen
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Old 03-29-2007, 11:11 PM
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Dallas Broker Dallas Broker is offline
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Default Re: My i-house website

site not bad dudley, I would add something to right of page, maybe navigation to different cities you serve. I would also include more content related keywords within your text targeted at whatever niche you specialize in. Good start!
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Dallas Fort Worth Real Estate brokerage offering assistance buying, selling, renting Residential and Commercial Real Estate throughout the DFW Metroplex.Specializing in Homes, New Homes, Townhomes, Condos, Lofts, Highrises, & Apartments.
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(800) 525-4124 - Email Us
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Old 03-30-2007, 04:25 AM
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Default Re: My i-house website

I don't think it is bad at all for your first stab at building a website, 100% better than my first go at it.

I don't really see anything with the site that would make me want to stay on the site, I personally don't like Verdana and the large font size - it doesn't look very professional.

The search doesn't work, there is a mysql error - not good for visiting clients looking for a property for sale !

Also there is a frame on the search page, maybe look to get rid of your frames as they can't be read, spiders will search the separate files not as you and me see it.

You will learn over time, with trial and error.
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Old 03-30-2007, 08:36 AM
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Default Re: My i-house website

I agree with Spanishproperty, the large Veranda font is ugly.
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Old 03-31-2007, 04:51 PM
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Default Re: My i-house website

I made some updates based on the comments I recieved. Let me know what you think of the changes.
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Old 03-31-2007, 05:37 PM
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Default Re: My i-house website

looking better, At first glance, it's hard to determine what areas you specialize in and services you offer. I would move cities you serve and specific type of housing you assist with to top of page. Also be more specific on content, such as "If youa re considering purchasing a new home, relocating to _____________ (add cities)"

List areas you serve in bold at beggining of page with H1 heading before content

also, would start reading up on info here:

http://www.seochat.com/seo-tools/

http://www.seochat.com/c/b/Website-Marketing-Help/
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Dallas Fort Worth Real Estate brokerage offering assistance buying, selling, renting Residential and Commercial Real Estate throughout the DFW Metroplex.Specializing in Homes, New Homes, Townhomes, Condos, Lofts, Highrises, & Apartments.
DFW Urban Realty
(800) 525-4124 - Email Us

Last edited by Dallas Broker; 04-01-2007 at 01:40 AM.
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Old 03-31-2007, 06:04 PM
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Default Re: My i-house website

I like the changes. As far as design, is the black line bordering the text to the right necessary?
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Old 04-02-2007, 08:35 AM
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Default Re: My i-house website

It's definitely good for your first website. ihouse layouts are usually fairly decent. I feel like the top of the site is a bit cluttered. Maybe space things out around there? Other than that I don't see anything wrong with it
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Old 04-05-2007, 02:57 AM
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Default Re: My i-house website

The design of your website got 10/10 points. Except there is too much space on the right side of the home page.

The Home button is carring a wrong url of you site its "http://www.dudleysells.com" instead of "http://www.dudleysellshomes.com" on the following search result page


http://www.dudleysellshomes.com/bin/...3DFramesSearch
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