Google recently announced that it now gives a slight SEO boost to sites that utilize HTTPS encryption by default, with strongly implied plans to make this ranking signal even more important in the future.

A ranking signal is essentially a factor within an algorithm, and search engines use hundreds of different ranking signals to determine exactly where each site deserves to rank. Search engines generally keep the specifics of these ranking signals under lock and key, until they want webmasters to mend current practices and improve user experience. Considering Google's very public announcement, it logically follows that SEO-savvy REALTORS® are going to want to get a little more secure!

What You Should Do Next...

You can get a pretty good summary

So, you want to be #1 on Google. It's the most common reason people stumble upon SEO, and ultimately look to hire a real estate SEO expert. While there are plenty of high quality experts out there, it can be hard to identify them and there are still some shady folks out there looking to make a fast buck off trusting real estate agents who are none-the-wiser.

Hiring the wrong person can be a costly, if not devastating expense, which is why we want to help you choose the right expert from the get-go. Here are some important qualities you'll find in a real estate SEO expert worth hiring:

5. They Tell You The Hard Truth

If you tell an SEO that you want to be #1 and all they say is, "Great, you got it!" it's time to run for the hills. The real estate

Last month, I was putting together the final touches on the perfect page. Everything looked fantastic, and I sent it to one of the developers I had been working with, for a final technical review of the content.

"The image is blurry."

Pardon? I know my way around an image or two and was confident he made a mistake. I triple-checked for the second time, and confirmed it wasn't blurry in any of my desktop's browsers.

Satisfied, I shared my conclusion with the developer. His response?

"Use your iPad."

...And there it was. A perfectly optimized, strategically placed, undeniably blurry image.

What happened?

High resolution screens, that's what. We've been so caught up in speed optimizing our real estate websites that developers are only

We live and breathe SEO here in the writing department at REW, which means we see all the incredibly awesome things that are happening in the SEO world. It also means that we see the site-crippling mistakes people are making, and those aren't quite as awesome. Here's a list of the biggest repeat offenders I see in my day-to-day and an explanation of why they're bad:

1. Outdated Practices

One of the most common problems with modern SEO is an unwillingness to adapt. SEO is constantly evolving and developers who don't do the same will fall behind. I see a lot of people ignoring the advice of their SEO expert because they know a guy who had "Method X" work and by gosh, he got leads! Unfortunately, Method X is often some spammy link exchange strategy

Updated January 1, 2019

General SEO Questions

What is SEO?

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a set of actions and standards intended to increase the amount of relevant, organic search traffic to a site.

SEO is a complex and constantly evolving process, which requires time, dedication and technical know-how to master.

It includes everything from page set-up and content building to link-earning initiatives. It also requires thoughtful analysis, ongoing research, and a comprehensive understanding of how search engines and their users operate.

SEO should be seen as a complementary marketing strategy to paid traffic (PPC) and traditional offline marketing.

Why is user experience important for SEO?

A search engine's primary goal is to

It would be a lie to say I don't get excited when one of my client sites starts ranking on the first few pages for a major keyword. It feels like months of hard work is finally paying off, and that's awesome! But after a celebratory high-five with the next person I see in the hallway, it's time to settle down and get back to an unfriendly SEO reality: search engine rankings don't actually matter.

If you're looking at your website's success in terms of where you think your link is placing on the search engine results page, it's time to switch your perspective. Here's why:

1. Search Engine Results Are Personalized

Do you feel like Google has been stalking your internet activity? That's not paranoia. Not only is Google paying attention to what you