SEO questions from a NEWBIE

[FenderGirl]

Hi.. I tried asking these questions on another board, but did not get
any feedback.

Please help, I am new to the "art" of promoting a website.

Here are my questions:

1) Do you have to go through the site optimization services to get your
site recognized by google / yahoo and other engines? Is there a way to
do it... where it doesn't cost an arm and a leg?

2) If you do have to use a service which one would you recommend - who
would do it for the most affordable price and still give your website
availability? This is for the huntsville, alabama real estate market.

3) The agents I am working with currently are using this website:
www.theniemeierteam.com, but we have also purchased the domain:
www.huntsvillealrealestate.com. Is it better to promote the website
with their name or the one with the area from a marketing perspective?

4) I am going to do some work on their website, any suggestions on
improvements that can be made content and format -wise?
Thanks for the help!

[scr...@gmail.com]

Hello FenderGirl,

1) No...you can perform these tasks yourself, if you have the time to
learn. Referencing an arm and a leg...you will have to sacrifice one of
each. J/K (lol)

2) As for recommendations: what is affordable? Can you afford not to
spend the time and money? Can your client?
Only you and your client know the answer to this. Have you experimented
with PPC advertising? Have you tried securing backlinks to your clients
website? Have you researched your clients keywords, niche market,
competitors, industry directories, local market (for a start)?

3 & 4) Look into a robots.txt file. You could use some Meta Tags,
keywords and description in your code as well. Develop your content and
develop it with your keywords in mind. Are your clients branding their
business name on marketing brochures, business cards, letterheads? Stop
by wordtracker.com and research keywords. Decide from a ROI perspective
which domain to use. Will organic listings be your main source of
revenue? Are you targeting a local or national/international
marketplace?

Don't take my word for it either...I'm learning just like you :) Anyone
out there who could lend a hand?

[scr...@gmail.com]

If you require further aasistance let me know. Always willing to lend a
helping hand.