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  • SEO
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I am trying to learn a about building websites and SEO .. mainly for myself... I am a realtor and bought an "off the shelf" website to start. I read some of the SEO material from both Google and SEOMoz and I do not believe there could have been anything done more inconsistent with good web building practices.

I have some questions and need some advice.. I am going to use this website mainly as a reference for myself and may do some adwords stuff later on.. Here are my questions:

1. WordPress. I want to build a new site from scratch. It appears as if many are using WordPress to build sites. Should I go that route also? What is the best route to go with Wordpress and how is the learning curve?


2. Key Word Search Tool. I have been trying to use some of the google keyword tools with no success. Are there better tools out there and if so which ones? I am using this to help with new website name since it will be a local website.. Can anyone give me any advice here?


All I am looking do at this point is to get simple website that is local that I could eventually possibly drive traffic towards and possible do a blog in the near future..

Any advice on web building tools, keyword search tools, and other advice would be appreciated.
#advice #needed
  • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
    1. The learning curve for Wordpress is less steep than the learning curve of coding a webpage from the ground up. Still it doesn't hurt to learn HTML and PHP too to really be able to use it well. Most people can learn to build a site with Wordpress though with little to no coding experience.

    2. There really is nothing better. Most keyword tools are just pulling the data from Google anyhow. The tool is not that hard to use though. What part are you getting stuck on?
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    • Profile picture of the author bdenzer
      Not sure what you are trying to get out of the keyword research tool, but you use it to see what people are actually searching for (instead of what you think they should be searching for). For example, I was adding some typing lessons to my site. With the tool I learned that there are more than 2X people searching for 'typing tutor' than 'typing lessons'. (It is not necessarily the best idea to go for the most popular searches, but that is a different discussion).
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      • Profile picture of the author WolfTrader
        Originally Posted by bdenzer View Post

        Not sure what you are trying to get out of the keyword research tool, but you use it to see what people are actually searching for (instead of what you think they should be searching for). For example, I was adding some typing lessons to my site. With the tool I learned that there are more than 2X people searching for 'typing tutor' than 'typing lessons'. (It is not necessarily the best idea to go for the most popular searches, but that is a different discussion).
        That is exactly what I am trying to do for real estate in Raleigh. What tool were you using?
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        • Profile picture of the author bdenzer
          Originally Posted by WolfTrader View Post

          That is exactly what I am trying to do for real estate in Raleigh. What tool were you using?


          The tool is part of AdWords - no $ needed, it is like the 1st step after you set up an account. What you want to do is type in any phrases that you think people would be searching for. Then there is a box that says 'suggestions'. Just keep getting a bunch of suggestions from each term that pops up... Remember that the top search terms also have the top competition (usually)
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    • Profile picture of the author WolfTrader
      Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

      1. The learning curve for Wordpress is less steep than the learning curve of coding a webpage from the ground up. Still it doesn't hurt to learn HTML and PHP too to really be able to use it well. Most people can learn to build a site with Wordpress though with little to no coding experience.

      2. There really is nothing better. Most keyword tools are just pulling the data from Google anyhow. The tool is not that hard to use though. What part are you getting stuck on?

      I am trying to find out the most popular home search terms used in Raleigh, NC and I cannot get anything that makes any sense to me using Google keyword tool. Maybe I do not know how to use it, but I was hoping to find out what are the most popular searches in my area with people looking for real estet to buy or sell.. Any help would be appreciated.
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeFriedman
        Originally Posted by WolfTrader View Post

        I am trying to find out the most popular home search terms used in Raleigh, NC and I cannot get anything that makes any sense to me using Google keyword tool. Maybe I do not know how to use it, but I was hoping to find out what are the most popular searches in my area with people looking for real estet to buy or sell.. Any help would be appreciated.
        What I have always done for local SEO projects is generate a big keyword list just brainstorming possible ideas people might be using.

        real estate agent raleigh
        real estate agent raleigh nc
        real estate agent in raleigh
        real estate agent in raleigh nc
        raleigh real estate agent
        raleigh nc real estate agent
        home for sale raleigh
        home for sale raleigh nc
        raleigh home for sale
        raleigh nc home for sale

        Then repeat everything with the plural form.

        This is a small list. I would generate something much bigger, including using all small towns around.

        Then I just feed it into the Keyword Planner. The only thing I select for locations is United States. Do not limit it to people in Raleigh, NC.

        From there, just sort by search volume. There is going to be a LOT of zeroes. Download everything in Excel. The ones with search volume are your target list.

        I usually run AdWords campaigns on some of the other keywords that I think might be good but Google says there is no search volume. They do not always give accurate data, so running an AdWords campaign will tell me if there is search volume or not.
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        • Profile picture of the author Cheryl Majeski
          Hi WolfTrader!

          Re: WordPress -- you can find many free themes on the internet. Many give free demos so you can see firsthand how they look. Keep your future needs in mind, as they do have wordpress themes that also contain blogging features.

          I'm using one for a nonprofit org and and am constantly learning about it. It's hard to identify what your long term needs are when you're first starting out. One of the features I have on mine is a calendar which as a realtor, you'll definitely
          want. They have many different calendar plugins available.

          I'd start by checking out your competition to see what they're using for tools. If you're in business with a large firm, they've probably got a number of tools already in existence to use. If you're not affiliated with one of the big guys, then start looking around on the web. There may be a "canned" site you can purchase that's already got a lot of what you're looking for already set up.

          Re: KeyWord Search Tool - I've been using SEO Book for keyword research for a long time and I really like it.

          You can create a free account and then under the "Tools" category you can type in your search term.

          It will give you a summary of different keywords and how many times those phrases are searched during a month.

          You'd be surprised what people search for -- may be not what you'd expect to find
          and other phrases that you hadn't thought of.

          When you're starting out in business, many people never research potential business names and consequentially miss out on a lot of web traffic as a result.

          Do your due diligence - it will work for you in the long run.

          Hope this helps!
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          • Profile picture of the author jeffreysloe
            As you can see by the other posts, Word Press is a great choice not only for a website, but also for someone just starting out. All of the code has already been created, and a basic Word Press site, once installed, is ready to go. You basically just have to add content and media. For most first time sites, using a default template will suffice. You could go into adding a different theme, or create a child theme at a later time. All of this is fairly easy to do, if you are willing to learn.

            A place where I spend a lot of time is on lynda.com. Morten Rand-Hendriksen, a web designer, writer, developer, and Word Press contributor has a lot of great Word Press training videos. He will get you up and running in no time, and give you the best tips when it comes to securing your WP site.

            As far as keyword research goes, I tend to use Google's keyword planner. I have used several other programs (paid and free) in the past, but Google's seems to be adequate for the task at hand.
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    • Profile picture of the author Slade556
      Wordpress is pretty great, it's so easy to use, you only need to set it up and "slap" a theme on it Themes are either free or paid, your choice, or you can get one customized just for yourself. It'll cost you, but it's doable.
      And, I totally agree with Mike here:

      Originally Posted by MikeFriedman View Post

      2. There really is nothing better. Most keyword tools are just pulling the data from Google anyhow.
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  • Profile picture of the author sojibrahman
    For keyword research tools you can use Google Keyword Tools, Spyfu, SEMRush or Keywordtool.io

    For paid research tools you can use Market Samurai, Long Tail Pro, Ultimate Niche Finder.

    If you want to know about WordPress from begin to deep, Then you can visit WPBeginner - Beginner's Guide for WordPress, https://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/ and others you can find out from google.
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  • Profile picture of the author davis1990
    Originally Posted by WolfTrader View Post

    I am trying to learn a about building websites and SEO .. mainly for myself... I am a realtor and bought an "off the shelf" website to start. I read some of the SEO material from both Google and SEOMoz and I do not believe there could have been anything done more inconsistent with good web building practices.

    I have some questions and need some advice.. I am going to use this website mainly as a reference for myself and may do some adwords stuff later on.. Here are my questions:

    1. WordPress. I want to build a new site from scratch. It appears as if many are using WordPress to build sites. Should I go that route also? What is the best route to go with Wordpress and how is the learning curve?


    2. Key Word Search Tool. I have been trying to use some of the google keyword tools with no success. Are there better tools out there and if so which ones? I am using this to help with new website name since it will be a local website.. Can anyone give me any advice here?


    All I am looking do at this point is to get simple website that is local that I could eventually possibly drive traffic towards and possible do a blog in the near future..

    Any advice on web building tools, keyword search tools, and other advice would be appreciated.
    You basically don't need any programing skills for using wordpress because of many plugins that help you a lot.For begginers it is the best thing to use.Google keyword research tool is the best.
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  • Profile picture of the author nasstar
    Originally Posted by WolfTrader View Post

    I am trying to learn a about building websites and SEO .. mainly for myself... I am a realtor and bought an "off the shelf" website to start. I read some of the SEO material from both Google and SEOMoz and I do not believe there could have been anything done more inconsistent with good web building practices.

    I have some questions and need some advice.. I am going to use this website mainly as a reference for myself and may do some adwords stuff later on.. Here are my questions:

    1. WordPress. I want to build a new site from scratch. It appears as if many are using WordPress to build sites. Should I go that route also? What is the best route to go with Wordpress and how is the learning curve?


    2. Key Word Search Tool. I have been trying to use some of the google keyword tools with no success. Are there better tools out there and if so which ones? I am using this to help with new website name since it will be a local website.. Can anyone give me any advice here?


    All I am looking do at this point is to get simple website that is local that I could eventually possibly drive traffic towards and possible do a blog in the near future..

    Any advice on web building tools, keyword search tools, and other advice would be appreciated.
    In my opinion WordPress is the easiest to learn and you can get up and running with videos from YouTube.
    There are many good keyword tools out there, but i would recommend:
    WebCEO

    Keyword Spy
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  • Profile picture of the author patco
    You should use Wordpress if mainly you would work with new articles often. For example if it's a news site, a site where you are going to promote something and update it often...
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  • Profile picture of the author WolfTrader
    Thanks to all that have posted. I have tested some of the ideas and moving along.... I have another question.. Some of the keyword searches I am doing is to help choose a website domain name.....

    Some of the better names have been taken in the .com arena.. Are there any issues with choosing a domain with a .us or other suffixes other than .com if my intent is to drive traffic ?

    Thanks again.
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  • Profile picture of the author anymore
    go to youtube and watch a few videos on how to do keyword research with the google keyword tool. Type in How To Use Google Keyword Tools. Do the same for your wordpress questions. This will save you a great deal of time
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  • Profile picture of the author rahulpandit
    Originally Posted by WolfTrader View Post

    I am trying to learn a about building websites and SEO .. mainly for myself... I am a realtor and bought an "off the shelf" website to start. I read some of the SEO material from both Google and SEOMoz and I do not believe there could have been anything done more inconsistent with good web building practices.

    I have some questions and need some advice.. I am going to use this website mainly as a reference for myself and may do some adwords stuff later on.. Here are my questions:

    1. WordPress. I want to build a new site from scratch. It appears as if many are using WordPress to build sites. Should I go that route also? What is the best route to go with Wordpress and how is the learning curve?


    2. Key Word Search Tool. I have been trying to use some of the google keyword tools with no success. Are there better tools out there and if so which ones? I am using this to help with new website name since it will be a local website.. Can anyone give me any advice here?


    All I am looking do at this point is to get simple website that is local that I could eventually possibly drive traffic towards and possible do a blog in the near future..

    Any advice on web building tools, keyword search tools, and other advice would be appreciated.
    I think for a beginner, wordpress is the best platform to build a website, I found the backend functionality pretty easy

    For keyword research, use google keyword planner and suggestion in the bottom of google SERP
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