Hi everyone:

My name is Jim Marshall, and I am an active realtor up here in the land of ice ‘n snow (Canada). I’ve been practicing real estate for 19 years now, selling mostly waterfront cottages and lots in an area 2 hours north of Toronto and have shifted most of advertising and promotion from print to web.

One of the biggest problems I’ve had recently has been with Google. When Google brought in it new search algorithms (last autumn), my site plummeted from the Top 20 to the bottom of the Top 200 (using the most common search strings, ie, “Parry Sound real estate). I’ve done a ton of research and reading since the beginning of the year, redesigning my site, adding content and reciprocal links, and have improved my ranking into the Top 30.

What I can’t figure out is why I’m not higher. Sites with few or no backlinks are consistently ranking higher than me, and even sites that I’ve traded links with are appearing 10-15 positions higher than me. I’m starting to wonder if the gods have it in for me, or I’ve been penalized for some reason. Nonetheless, I’ll continue to read, research and tweak the site, in hopes of a Top Ten rating, and look forward to any and all suggestions.

Cheers,


Jim Marshall, Associate Broker
Homelife-Al Boucher Real Estate Ltd.
Parry Sound, Ontario
Canada
jim@jimmarshall.ca
www.jimmarshall.ca