Top 10 SEO Tips

1.Understand the keywords customers use to find your hotel

• Research keywords and select the most appropriate keyword for the topic.
• Use keyword rich unique Meta data: Page titles, Meta descriptions and Meta keywords.
• Page file name: keywords should also be added to the page URL. When amending URLs remember to 301 redirect the old URL to the new URL.
  
  
• Utilise supporting keywords and synonyms.
  
• Ensure synergy with PPC terms.
• Remember that keywords work best in groups of two, three and four, as users tend to search with multiple words.
• Consider the importance of being first to publish: freshness of content and being first to offer product information is important to search engines.
• https://adwords.google.co.uk/select/KeywordToolExternal

2. Copy is King

• Write 250 – 300 words of keyword rich copy per page.
• Ensure the chosen keyword/ appears within the first 25 word of the copy.
• Implement a 3-tiered structure, using keyword-rich h1 and h2 header tags.
• Provide between 250 - 300 words of copy per page.
• Maintain a 5 - 8% keyword density – any more, and your copy runs the risk being punished for spamming! Use keyword synonyms when density exceeds 8%.
• Keyword confidence is key!
• Write copy that's 'easy' on the eyes; ensure there are enough paragraph breaks on the page so your readers won't be over-loaded with text.

Common copywriting pitfalls!

• Duplicate copy: decreases the value of site content.
• Off-topic wanders: lowers the authority of a page.
• Calculating Keyword Density: instances of key phrase ÷ word count) X 100

3. Use on-page optimisation techniques

• Keyword targets should be included in the page title and meta data of every page.
• Use keyword rich H1 and H2 headers. Secondary headings should be synergistic with the main heading.
• Use keyword rich anchor text.
• Use keyword rich navigation and cross-linking.
• Ensure image alt attributes contain keyword rich labels .

4. Use Google Insight to analyse search trends & spot opportunities

• Use Google Insights - www.google.com/insights/search/

• Compare up to 5 keywords against each other to view competing search volumes and popular related terms.
  
• Analyse how search behaviour is changing and what keywords are popular.
• Tip: switch preference to UK results for the most accurate results.
• Sign in to your Google account to obtain percentage increase in search queries vs. average for the travel industry.

 5. Optimise for link building – Directory Submissions

• Generate inbound links by submitting your site to directories.
• Write a 25 word or less description of your entire web site. That description should make use of the two or three key terms that you want your site to be found for.
• There are many free and paid for directories, why not start with these:

http://uk.dir.yahoo.com/ - Yahoo Directory

www.google.com/dirhp - Google Directory

www.travellinksdirectory.com

www.traveldirectory.org.uk

 6. Create and proliferate press releases online

• Generate buzz around your hotel and generate inbound links.
• Optimise your press release to include your key strategic keywords.
• Seek as many quality inbound links as possible – use as many wires as possible.
• There are many free and paid for wires, here’s a list of a few you can use:

www.prweb.com

www.brinkwire.com

www.sourcewire.com

www.responsesource.com

 7. Create a YouTube Channel and upload videos

• Create a free user channel on YouTube here http://www.youtube.com/create_account
• You can upload a logo and make sure the channel has your branding.
• Use the keywords you want to be found for in the channel name and video titles.

 8. Submit and proliferate photos of your hotel online

• Create an account with Flickr and upload photos www.flickr.com (owned by Yahoo)
• Create an account with Panoramio and upload photos www.panoramio.com (owned by Google)

 9. Bookmark your pages in social bookmarking sites

• Social search are sites where internet users bookmark, tag and share their favourite sites with other users.
• Bookmark your homepage, hotel pages and any relevant offer pages.
• Use your appropriate keywords when tagging your site and pages.
• There are many social bookmarking sites, here’s a list of a few you can use:

http://delicious.com/

www.google.com/bookmarks

www.blinklist.com

www.digg.com – for your news stories

 10. Analyse what is being said about you in social media channels and look for opportunities that you have the resources to maintain

• Check out what’s being said about your hotel in Tripadvisor – you can register as an owner.
• Use www.technorati.com - Real-time search for user-generated media (including blogs) by tag or keyword. Also provides popularity indexes.
• Use Google Blog search http://blogsearch.google.co.uk
• Engage in Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels if you have a clear strategy and the resources to maintain a presence!

Some Very Basic SEO Tips:

* Use your keyword prominently toward the beginning of the Title tag

* Use your keyword prominently in the Description Meta tag

* Use your toward prominently once in the Meta keyword tag. But don't
"stuff" the tag with loads of keywords. Only use the main keyword phrase plus a few synonyms. You can use misspellings if you like.

* Use your keyword in a Heading tag

* Don't forget, your keyword(s) needs to be used in the body text

* Use your keyword phrase in at least one instance of Link text

* Keep your content focused on one phrase so that it reads well and use plenty of secondary supporting terms.

* Remember to use your Keyword phrase as a whole phrase together

* Work on building link popularity

* Good descriptive text in your links build reputation

* Avoid building up link reputation that looks unnatural or contrived.

* For effective search engine marketing, you need more than just top rankings. Remember to include strong calls to action to compel a response from the visitor.

* What do you want the reader to do once they finish reading your content? You need to clearly build these options into each page and leave nothing to chance.

Systems-Built Homes are Energy Efficient and Cost Effective.

Times have changed. In the past, when you asked someone about a systems-built home, the best reaction you could elicit was a confused look. Today, an industry study estimates that more than 50 percent of all new homes are built using
 a form of systems-built housing—a type of home construction where certain components of the home are manufactured and assembled in a factory or plant before arriving at a home site.
Virtually indistinguishable from conventional site-built homes, systems-built homes can offer the consumer a number of unique advantages. Whether you are compelled by the efficiency and appeal of a modular or panelized home, the rustic charm of a log home or the dependability and beauty of a concrete home, consider a systems-built home for your next purchase.

Concrete Building Systems
Concrete and cement-based building systems long have been praised for durability and strength, but more recently these building types have been recognized as aesthetically appealing. In 2004, the official show home of the annual International Builders’ Show was built using as much as two million pounds of concrete. Traditionally used in foundations and basements, concrete and cement-based building systems now account for more than 14 percent of all wall systems in new homes. All types of concrete building systems, including Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), concrete masonry, removable forms and precast panels share similar qualities of fire and noise resistance and energy efficiency while remaining comparable in cost to wood-frame homes.

Log Homes
The log home has held a special place in America’s heart. Millions of Americans associate log homes with the serenity of mountain retreats, lakeside villas and ski chalets. Modern log homes have evolved into the ultimate combination of lifestyle, leisure and functionality.
Aside from their distinctive look, log homes retain the natural thermal mass qualities of wood, resulting in well-insulated homes suitable for any region. With designers adding amenities like media rooms and home offices, it’s no wonder that today more people use a log home as a primary residence than a vacation home.

Modular Homes
Gone are the days when modular homes conjured images of boxy, one-story homes. In 2002, a record number of consumers bought new modular homes, a testament to the construction method’s benefits and growing popularity. Modular homes are built conventionally but in an off-site location, usually a climate-controlled factory. Homes built in a controlled environment can be built with more precise machinery and reduced amounts of weather damage and worksite pilferage, resulting in substantial savings for the home buyer. Modular homes leave their production facilities complete with walls, floors, ceilings, stairs, closets, doors, wiring, plumbing and even carpet intact.
Modular home buyers also have benefited from the advent of computer aided design (CAD). CAD programs allow modular producers to build customized modules and incorporate more intricate designs into their plans. Additional customization can take place after delivery so whether you want your home to have nine-foot ceilings, elaborate dormers or a wrap-around porch, a modular home might be in your future.

Panelized Homes
Panelization—where certain segments of the home are prefabricated before arrival on site—is an increasingly popular method of home building. In fact, many stick-built homes incorporate methods of panelization, whether in floor or roof trusses or wall systems. Panelized homes, like modular homes, benefit from being produced in a climate controlled environment, and once the panels are delivered to the site, the home can be under roof in a few days. Building a panelized home gives home buyers both the strength and efficiency of a systems-built home and the flexibility and intricacy of a custom home. In fact, most panelized homes can be customized to any amount of amenity or luxury.

A few steps to keep system software clean and virus free

Pop-ups can be normal, mainly in the form of a balloon above the clock in bottom right hand corner, these pop-ups consist of Windows updates alerts, Adobe reader updates and Java updates, these are normal as well as HP printer updates, Quicktime and
Itunes updates.

If your pop-up is in the form of a regular window, and stating that you have some form of threat, and wanting you to download software, this is most likely spyware, and trying to trick you into downloading a virus. Also they come in the form of something like i.e.- “Windows media player can not play this video, download this codec to view the file or video”……..That is also most likely a virus, especially if you know media player had worked in the past, and you can view youtube videos via Flash player.

**Keep in mind that clicking “cancel” may be the same as clicking “okay”, this is the spyware trick. Is better to click on the red “x” at the top right of the window, sometimes the spyware is written to grey out the ‘x’, so as a rule of thumb, is always best to click Ctrl+Alt+Delete,
Upon Ctrl+Alt+Delete, you should have the “task Manager” appear, click on the “programs” tab, and close out the program that is trying to get you to download something, if you cannot get to the “task manager”, or if able to close down the program, follow these steps as always:

Firstly, go to control panel, “add and remove programs”, see if there are any out of the ordinary programs such as anything that seems to be antivirus, or cleaners, or some security center jargon, that you know was not there before, If you have AVG or Norton, or McAfee, one of those would be all you need, remove the others, some viruses name themselves “Windows Antivirus Pro”, or “System Doctor”, if unsure of its Integrity, you can go to www.excite.com, and in the search engine, type in name of questionable program, and some of those links may help you figure out if it is legitimate or not. After removing any unwanted programs, restart system.

Then, Go to “Start” menu, “run” – type in prefetch, (for windows XP – *Windows 7/Vista - does not include prefetch folder) “enter”, then select all, then hold down Shift button, and hit Delete button, all should be deleted, if some do not delete, they are tied to other processes, not to worry, this is normal. – close window.
Go back to “Start” – “Run” type in “temp” in run window, in the “Temp” folder, select all, Shift+Delete, and try to delete all of them. Close window.
Back to Start, then Run, type in %temp%, enter. Select all, shift+Delete, delete all, close window.
Next go to control panel, “internet options”, in internet options click on “settings” then click on “view files”, these are your cookies, and you want to select all of them, and click Shift+Delete to permanently delete them. Close window, back at the internet options click on the “Delete files” button, in that window check all the boxes, and Delete, close window.

Next go to “My Computer”, right click the C: Drive, and click “properties”, click on “Disk Cleanup”, check all boxes except the “compress files” box. And click okay.

Lastly, go back to Start menu, run, type in “msconfig” (without quotes), be very careful in this window, the only tab you can fool around in is the “startup” tab on far right, In startup, look for anything out of the ordinary and uncheck the box, a lot of the process jargon in there are necessary for your system to function, so if unsure what it is, leave it be, if it says something like “antivirus pro” or even if is blank, then go ahead and uncheck the box, if uncertain what it is, again, go to excite.com and type the process name in the search engine to learn of it’s legitimacy. Once unwanted processes are unchecked, click apply, then okay, and restart the system. *If all of a sudden your sound doesn’t work, or video looks funny, or you get some error message it is most likely due to turning off a legitimate process in Msconfig, you will then need to go back, and recheck the box to turn that process in particular back on.

Upon restart, a window appears, just click the little checkbox in lower left hand corner “do not display this again”. Then open your antivirus software if any, and run a full system scan.
If in the beginning, you had trouble deleting some files either in prefetch, temp, or %temp%, go back and see if you can now delete them, If many files were deleted, or you removed some programs, go ahead and “defrag” the Hard drive, by right clicking C: drive, - properties – Tools – and the Defrag option is there. This consolidates any gaps in hard drive made by removal of files and/or programs.

After all that, and you still get some popup, or notification of virus threats, and whatever antivirus protection you have installed does not seem to remove the threats, this must imply that the spyware or virus has been executed, and has embedded itself within the configuration files of windows, at this point, there is still not much more the user can do, but to call someone like myself for further assistance.

Good Luck!! And remember to never Download much of anything aside from updates, or software for your new printer, or something legitimate and needed. Who cares if your best friend told you such and such, or so and so is the best of the best, ignore them, you have everything you need, Do not download something that someone told you to because they said it was cool, or worked for them, depending on what kind of system you have, software, or manufacturer, it may not work for you, and may not be so cool anyway.

Tips For Avoiding Foreclosure

Few homeowners actually plan to go into foreclosure, but if you’ve managed to fall behind on your payments for more than 90 days, this process will likely begin to unfold. However, real estate professionals say there are several steps you can take to avoid foreclosure.

“As soon as you realize you have a financial problem, you should seek assistance immediately,” said Todd Kessler, broker/owner/salesperson of Century 21 Charles Smith Agency in Sayreville and Edison. “The earlier you start the process, the greater the chance you’ll be able to take one of the steps to avoid foreclosure.”

If you can’t make your monthly payments, but want to avoid foreclosure, keep the lines of communication open with your mortgage lender. “Rule number one is don’t avoid the phone calls. The biggest challenge I see for homeowners is that if they get behind on payments, they go into denial, and they hide,” said Tom Crivello, broker/owner of ERA Statewide Realty, which has offices in Hillsborough, Delran, Flemington and Cranford. “Many mortgage companies will recast or restructure your current mortgage situation if you have a chance to communicate that you need help. The bank really doesn’t want to own a property; they don't want to foreclose. As long as the homeowner has a job, and is solid enough to recast it, the mortgage lender would rather work it out.”

If you have equity in your home, but can no longer afford the monthly payments, there are several options you can pursue. “If you have equity in your home, you can sell it, and you’re in a better position than if you didn’t have any equity,” said Kessler. However, if you owe more on your mortgage than the market value of the property, there are other options to explore. “If you took 100% financing or no money down, and the market went down, now you likely owe more than what the property is worth; that’s called being upside down,” said Crivello. “Many times the lender will accept less than what is owed, and the ‘forgiveness’ isn’t counted as income to the seller. In this case, the bank may restructure the loan at a better rate and for a better amount so the people can stay in the house.”

For many homeowners facing foreclosure, a short sale is an option that can help retain a good credit rating. “A short sale is when the bank takes less than what is owed on the mortgage to avoid foreclosure,” said Crivello. “This way the seller doesn't have the scarlet letter F for foreclosure on their chest, and it will show ‘paid in full’ on their credit record.” However, homeowners would need to prove to their mortgage lender that they qualify for a short sale. "To get a short sale, a homeowner would have to demonstrate an inability to pay their monthly expenses to show why they can’t make the mortgage payment. They also usually have to submit a hardship letter explaining why they can't make that payment,” said Kessler.

Helpful Tips to reduce your Debt, Get out of Debt and Manage your Finances and Family Better.

Work out how much debt you have?
How much owes on the mortgage, credit cards, personal loans, car loans.
Set some goals to pay them off.
What are the minimum payments per month on the loans?
Can you pay extra?
How much can you
save per week?



Work out how much to pay each week.
Example is, if the monthly mortgage is $2,578 or $30,940 per year, work it out weekly. That means that the payment weekly is $595 per week, but if you can pay back $600 per week, which is an extra $5/week, you can possibly reduce your mortgage by 3 – 5 years.

Did you know making weekly payments is better than monthly payments as it can reduce the interest each month?

Try and Save 10% of your wage each week, even if it is $20 or $50. Put into a savings plan eg: ING, Bank West, etc, savings account where you have it deducted each week from your normal account and cannot deduct anything unless you ring up or transfer via the internet. This helps you build your wealth. Also it has compounding interest, usually paying daily.

Track your spending, and find extra money to pay down the loans and debts. Write a list for a week of where you are spending money.
Example - $150 on food at Coles, $60 on petrol, $13 on Magazines, $80 on Cigarettes, $80 on Restaurant, $20 McDonalds, $100 on Sport. Then at the end of the week, work out what was necessary. Are you spending your food money on Junk foods or take away meals?

Did you know buying items on special or it bulk can save $100’s of dollars a year?
Example: Go to the butchers and buy 2 kilos of mince or chicken when on special, and throw into the freezer to use when needed. Go to your local fruit and veg shop where you know the fruit is fresher and lasts longer than at the supermarkets. Watch for specials, 2 for one, buy 6 for $2. But make sure they are items you will use and will save you money. There is no use buying 10 cans of Spaghetti for $4.00 if the family wont it spaghetti.

Write a shopping list for when going shopping. Do not impulse buy?
If you take a list, you will be more conscience of keeping to the list. If you cannot afford it – YOU CANNOT HAVE IT!

Learn how to play the credit card game. Always pay the minimum payments so that you do not get caught up with the debtor. Making sure you pay on or before the due date to stop late fees, and try not to over draw your credit cards.

Credit Cards – before you buy something, ask your self, do I need this. Can I afford to pay the $20 interest per month for the next 12 months for an item worth $50 now? Why not put it on lay-by and save up all that extra non essential spending each week and pay it off.

Christmas and Birthdays – go to the sales, put items on lay-by and pay off. July and January have the sales. Put items on lay-by, even if it is for the birthday 5 months later. Once you have paid it off, then you can put it away till you need to give it.

Did you know that if you pay $10/day off your loans or credit cards, then you can pay off your debt quicker? By saving the $10 a day on lunch or coffees and if you put this money aside, then you can make extra payments to your debts.

Spend time with family and friends: Go for a picnic or go to the local park with the kids. Spending time with family and friends can be worth more than money can buy and it can be cheaper than going to the movies. Take the kids to the Skate Park and take a drink and food with you, the kids will love it as you are doing something with them, honestly they don’t need everything bought for them, just you.

Kids Weekend Sport – take drinks and snacks, most parents are spending between $5 and $50 per weekend at the kids sporting games. As a treat support the local sausage sizzle, but don’t buy every week. (you can always buy a box of soft drink from the supermarket when on special and then take it with you – the kids wont mind)

Pocket Money - Teach your children to respect money and YOU. Times are hard, families are struggling, but if you teach your children to earn their pocket money rather than hand it out anytime, they will respect it more and you. Children these days understand more with what is going on with family debt and finances, and probably more than you realise. So sit down and explain to them, they cannot have the new play station game or Barbie doll this week. But maybe they can help around the house and earn some pocket money. Even if it is $1 a week, give them a list of chores they can do, like making their beds, and tidying their room, setting the table. This will help and teach children to respect their belongings, themselves and others. They will have an appreciation of things better if they save up and buy it themselves than giving it to them. We all want to give everything, but we have to realise we cannot.

Petrol – try to buy on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. It is not only cheaper on these days; you get more petrol into your tanks due to it being colder in the mornings.

Tactics for Defending Mortgage Arrears and Possessions Actions 10 top tips

1. Be clear who can approve payments from Repossession Prevention Fund (RPF). Have a policy on what it can be used for. Money is not ring-fenced, so although loans are recommended by CLG, there is wide
discretion.
2. Try to participate in Mortgage Court Duty Schemes. Even if you are not able to undertake representation, you can indicate when a payment under RPF can be made, decide if a household could be put forward for Mortgage Rescue, and improve referral to your advice service to work with the client to resolve problems or offer housing options after the hearing.
3. Work with local Credit Union to administer loans under RPF. Can also use Local Land charges to register loans.
4. The Pre Action Protocol strongly suggests a lender should not seek possession when a property is
being appropriately marketed. Check which local estate agents allow a property to be marketed without paying for a Home Information Pack until near exchange of contracts. (And what happens if the sale does not proceed).

Mortgage Rescue (make good use of the guidance manual and appendices!)
1. Ensure you have access to quality money advice provision with agreed outputs and time scales. For MRS, you could get your staff trained in Money Advice so you can provide holistic Housing and Money Advice. There are a number of free training packages. (This also leaves local Money Advice agencies free to offer independent advice when an offer under MRS has been made).
2. Lender must be proceeding to possession action, but a formal homelessness assessment is not needed for MRS to be considered. (So no priority need or intentionality decision is made).
3. At present, capital cap may not apply in appropriate cases. Develop good working relationships with RSL zone agent to decide when cap could be exceeded (on a case by case basis).

Home-owner Mortgage Support
1. Check which lenders are in the scheme (and other requirements) via www.direct.gov.uk
2. Refer to recognised Money Advice provision – see list on www.direct.gov.uk (under development). See if you can get your preferred Money Advice agency approved, if not currently on the list.
3. Ensure household understands the pros and cons of the scheme (Particularly cost of deferred payments)