Get better search engine rankings by networking on your XSite

You know that networking exposes your business to more potential clients. Why not take the concept of networking onto your XSite? Create a referral network page by swapping links with agents, appraisers, other mortgage brokers and even other businesses in your community. Not only will it expose your business to more new prospects, your site will also get better rankings on search engines and, likely, more traffic.

In fact, Google explains that, "The best way to ensure Google finds your site, is for your pages to be linked from lots of pages on other sites. Google's robots jump from page to page on the web via hyperlinks, so the more sites that link to you, the more likely it is that we'll find you quickly."

Hoffman Estates, Ill. mortgage broker Mike Pyrek showcases several local real estate agents on his Mortgage XSite website's "Trusted REALTORS®" page: www.foradreamhome.com/Realtors. Because Pyrek's web address is posted on his linking partners' sites, it'll likely see a boost in traffic, which will increase his site's popularity and give search engines more of a reason to get his site listed on their results pages.

Some XSite owners choose to link to businesses in the area that may help their clients with their impending move, such as moving companies, utilities websites, cable companies and area restaurants. Other XSite owners simply post their favorite links, offering a bit of personality to their site, such as sports teams and news sites.

Many XSite owners also create their own link exchange form using the customized lead generation form tool available on their Agent XSite websites, like on Louisville, Ky. REALTOR® Brad Long's REALTOR® Links page: www.bradleylong.com/RealtorLinks. Agents across the U.S. can then submit their site along with the title and short description so Long can review to make sure it fits his criteria before posting it on his agent referral page.

To create your own referral network page, go to Step 6 in your XSite's Wizard and create a custom page. To create a link exchange form on the referral page you've created, check "Include Lead Generation Form" under "Other Content Options" at the bottom of the page and choose "Customize." Once you've reached this area, click on "Create a Form." You can choose what fields you want to include in the form by choosing the link "Add a Field." Most link exchange forms ask for a name, e-mail address, web address, title of the website (e.g. "West Cleveland Rates and Home loans") and a short description of the site.

Do you have unique feature on your XSite you'd like to share in the Mortgage e-Newsletter? E-mail Amanda@alamode.com.