Real Estate SEO

Real Estate SEO

Real Estate SEO is a lot more complicated than it probably should be due to all of the technical source code aspects.

Here at RETS PRO we strive to take the time to assist all of our SEO minded clients in their pursuit to achieve their desired results. Why? well mainly because this is what we did ourselves prior to developing this plugin for our own SEO customers and because this is what RETS PRO does better than any other WordPress Real Estate Plugin out there!

We are building all New 2020 SEO video series this year for all of our current and future customers that will cover everything from getting started, to deep dive into advanced technical troubleshooting. This will also include a New SEO Forums section that will be a public Q&A with direct links and examples.

Working topics for February will cover the Google site/registration/analytics setup basics and xml sitemaps etc. We will lay out all of the basic steps to make sure that you are getting your site setup properly and getting all of your listing pages indexed.

This year we will also cover how to use free site tools like gtmetrix.com and cloudflare and several other free tools that will not only help you site to load faster but will also help you understand proper content writing, link descriptions, image alt tags and much much more!

If you have any SEO questions go ahead and jump into the forums https://retspro.com/forums/index.php?/forum/75-seo/ and post your questions for us – you can even create a poll on what you want to see covered first this year.

Don’t forget, we also offer Real Estate SEO services for those that want to hire us and this also includes our Auto-SEO and CRM setups – Call 888-540-9666 for more information regarding our SEO services and prices.

Cheers!

 

RETS PRO REVIEWS GPLVAULT – Looking for a great deal and free advice?

RETS PRO REVIEWS – GPLVAULT

*Disclaimer:
*First of all we are HUGE fans of GNU/GPL and we do not recommend this as a way to circumvent other developers that need your financial support!

Most developers like to put their hands on as many plugins and themes as we can in order to try them out before we commit to spending money on them so this was a no brainer purchase decision for us and we are so glad we joined them as a paying member.

We decided to buy a annual license with GPLVAULT so that we would be able to test hundreds of GNU/GPL plugins and themes as well as other GPL software that may be needed for an upcoming projects where we needed something special like a gravity forms addon or some themeforest or codecanyon theme or plugin that might fit the bill.

Wow! is this even legal?
YES! – For several years now we have also included several GPL plugins and themes in our own download area,  so heck yeah it’s LEGAL and LEGIT!

Remember though that if you DO find something that you plan on using over and over again in your own sites/projects then please consider buying the version from the developers so that you can help support them as well.

Go Check Them Out for yourself and see if you agree that is the BEST no-brainer purchase for the year!

Cheers –

WordPress Real Estate Plugin – Coming in April – New 4.0.5

Now that the new version is going through its final testing we are excited to mention some of the newest features coming in this new version.

  1. RETS Module – Added a NEW Multi-RETS Option to handle Duplicate Removal.

    Select preferred RETS-ID  – Next –  Select RETS-Field(typically address)  –  SET[]checkbox   [Run Now Button]
    [text box here shows your cron path to execute]

    So that way anyone with neighboring RETS providers i.e. Miami/Ft.Lauderdale where the same listings are in both mls they can now have an easy option to match anything i.e “address” and select their preferred RETS-id to keep and delete all others. Our RETS Module has a couple of other NEW items we are keeping under wraps until we get them done but they are regarding how to deal with Sold Data in a way that I know every developer out there will want to take advantage of. (another RETS PRO exclusive).

  2. We have some great changes coming with our Search Form builder that will take a video to cover all of it.
    1. Fixed search form to now “instant-load” so that only the html is loaded and none of the values are called until on-click of that box.
    2. Also added custom message box that you can also include html etc for your own custom 404-not-found message/template.
    3.  Added in new option to join multiple fields into single pipe|value|values|  will = single Caption name (needed when doing multi-rets).
    4. Added a new option to Set Custom Submit Button settings – Great for setting default sortby options as well as now being able to Select RETS-id as well so that if you wanted to select the jquery tabs for displaying Active/Sold or Residential/Land or RETS#1/RETS#2 then you will ALSO be able to SET the SUBMIT BUTTON settings to select which RETS-ID as well as other button options.  BOOM! #1 Search form builder out there!
  3. Maps Module has some new features – Set a default Property Type and min-price – Cleaned up interface as well.
  4. GeoCoder modules with new google Api links and Api key checker as well as Cleaned up the interface.
  5. Fixed broken Print Friendly template path.
  6. Fixed broken RSS in shortcode templates
  7. Added and fixed New Pagination {tag} – add pagination any place you want now within shortcode templates.
  8. Fixed php 7.1x compatibility issues.
  9. Fixed subdirectory installation path issues that were due toMikes lazy code written by .
  10. New – Added  {logged_in}{/logged_in} check tags so that you can now wrap them around anything in our templates to hide unless logged in and we also have them as conditionals so that you can SHOW something else unless logged in – CTA – Unlimited!
  11. New – listing fields editor option that allows you to select ANY field(s) to be hidden unless user logged in – CTA/VOW – Unlimited!
  12. New – Added new Show Current Count for Search Page
  13. New – Added  UI panel for Registration options that also include Social registration options via your api-keys.
  14. New – Forced Registration UI panel with a limited set of options but is now part of our core plugin.

So all of that is where we are and what we are testing – anything missing?  um ..yeah!  – Favorite listings and Saved Search alerts!
That’s all coming and I’ll be following up with a new promo video of what all we’ve reworked and new features as well.

Realtyna Alternatives | WordPress Real Estate Plugin

Realtyna Alternatives

*SEE NEW UPDATE BELOW

Several times a month we get calls asking us what are the key differences between our RETS PRO WordPress Real Estate Plugin and the Realtyna solution.

So let me point out the obvious key Realtyna Alternative differences that set us apart:

  1. Most import key difference (License Branding Limitations) –
    (We) offer 3 options – Basic License bound to single domain @ 999 that includes ALL add-on modules. Basic+Plus License bound to single domain but unlimited MU and subdomains @ 1999 or our Developers License bound only to the IP address @ 2999
    (They) “Per-Site/domain-License” with a license key that must be validated.
    **UPDATE – They have “changed” their license policy on 04-26-2017 …so you’ll need to call them to verify what they have in place now – but either way we have confirmed that they still do not offer any “non-license-keyed” versions as of this update made here on 4-28-2017.
  2. (We) also offer Additional site license keys that can be purchased at $499 each.  All our add-on modules can be used on unlimited sites. (We) Also allow a Basic License owner the ability to upgrade to an Unlimited Use Developers License at any time and we will deduct the originally purchased base price from the upgrade cost so no penalty for starting with our basic and then upgrading later if you decide to upgrade.
    (They) call them to ask them how much they charge for more than one site license.
    **UPDATE – They have “changed” their license policy on 04-26-2017 …so you’ll need to call them to verify what they have in place now.
  3. (We) are a SEO first company aimed at providing Professional Developers/Programmers looking for a “Limitless Expandable Software Solution” with more SEO goodies than any other software out there.
    (They) well….If You’re a SEO guru then call them and then call us and decide for yourself who’s solution has the most SEO options.
  4. (We) have the ability to do Commercial applications such as running hundreds of websites off a single db, joining multiple db’s into a large master db, and also hot-linking listing images from a media server as opposed to being forced to only downloading them which requires a dedicated server or VPS.
    (They) if you want anything mentioned above then you’d better call them first to confirm with them that they can deliver your requirements.
  5. (We) have been actively developing RETS data since 2003 – Our RETS script works with 100% of all RETS providers right out of the box – period!
    (They) ? Call them.

I hope this outlines the basic “key differences” of our Realtyna alternative. If you would still like more information about our WordPress Real Estate Plugin, just give us a call and we’ll be happy to give you all the information you need to get you on the right path with your project.

– Cheers –

=========================
**UPDATE – February – 2018
=========================

We have just reviewed the latest version of Realtyna PRO version that has a fully functioning MLS addon as well as their own WordPress theme called WPL28 and here’s the general opinion on what makes us different in one word – “Options“.

If you are looking for something that gives you TONS of customization options then all we have to say about that is to Contact Them and let them give you a Full 100% Complete Sales Pitch with Live Screen Share etc….. then be sure to ask to have these main items answered and let them show you how you would go about implementing any of this yourself – (yourself) – being the key-word here.

Customization –

  1. How do you do any CUSTOM changes to any of the plugin templates – say I wanted to change or add something, where and how is that done?
  2. If I make any custom template changes/edits to the plugins (listings templates) will they be overwritten on updates?
  3. How difficult would it be to create my own custom designed layouts for my Advanced Search Forms for my site?
  4. Does your Search Forms have options to allow them to auto-populate data from database AND or autosuggest as I type?
  5. How do I add-in any (statistical-data) by combining RETS fields into my pages or post? ……and without using a 3rd party to do it.
  6. How easy is it to create polygon drawn area maps to include with my featured listings?
  7. How easy is it to fully integrate the plugins RETS data into other themes while using that themes own html/css? in other words “seamless integration”
  8. Just how much can you do with their ShortCode builder to insert Custom Templates/Features/Statistics into Page/Post/Widget?

SEO –

  1. How easy is it to modify plugin Listings-Templates to include schema.org structured data wrappers around each individual RETS field(s) for Best SEO Practices? – In other words, if you can’t easily open up a template that contains listing data and custom modify this then you’re SEO handicapped.
  2. How would I go about custom editing templates to include Additional Dynamically Generated SEO Content Within Listing Details – yeah this is also HUGE for those of us who actually DO SEO for a living and is one of the main things WE built into our system years ago.
  3. How much control do I have over the downloaded listing images? can I set min/max size and SEO compression quality? Can I opt to also hotlink them from a separate media server location?
  4. Are the included plugin listing templates AMP ready/compatible?
  5. How does the plugin handle Yoast SEO canonical urls on the Listing Details pages?

RETS data mapping –

  1. Is this something that can I can handle myself or do I always need to rely on someone else to make changes/updates?
  2. Is it Possible to Combine (2) or more Different RETS providers into the Same Database? and if so how are images handled when the first RETS requires media url format and the other requires Download Only? – For Example, California RETS (CARETS) doesn’t allow for Downloaded Images but CLAW does.
  3. How are fields that say Pool: Y/N but produce 0/1 data outputs handled? – no one wants to see Pool: “0 or 1” on the details page
  4. How are number formats and Price formats handled per field and how easy is it to override with changes?
  5. How are listings Lat/Long GEO-Coded if they are not already provided by the Data Provider? if only by Google then will I have to wait up to 10-days to complete 25k listings?

Summary –

After you get a full backend tour of their product and answers to questions above – Give US a Call (888) 540-9666 – so that we can then show you a side-by-side product comparison so that you can make your own “informed” decision as to what product suits your needs for your own Website Project.

 

Cheers –

New 4x version coming soon!

New 4x version coming soon!

If you already have a Developers License with us GREAT! – then your investment is now going to be worth 3k! (was only $199 in 2007)

As we get ready to release the New 4x Beta, I’d like to go ahead and let everyone know about some important New License changes coming with this release.

As many of you may already know that when we started with our first commercial 2x version in 2007 it was encrypted and contained a license key.  When we released the 3x version in 2011, we removed all encryption and all license key requirements completely from all of our products.

Now that we are getting ready to release the New 4x version we have decided to create (2) ways to buy it:

  1. Developers License $2999 (non-branded – non-encrypted & bundled with current and future modules/products included).
  2. Basic-Version $499 (Branded – Encrypted and includes (2) domain licenses – core plugin and RETS module only)

We will begin selling the 4x Developers Licensed bundled version now starting at $2,999  – and the developers license price will go higher by end of 2017.

In addition to changes to the 4x versions developers license, we’ll also start offering a new branded, (2) single-site-licensed, base-version (plugin and the RETS module for only for $499). That will allow small firms to get up and running with up to (2) licensed domains included w/purchase so that the developer can set up at least 1-dev-test site and up to 1 more site. But please note – this version will be domain locked, core obfuscated/encrypted and branded via html markup code.
Note*  You will be able to purchase additional site licenses keys, as needed, for only 299 each.
Note** No other modules are included with the 499 purchase.

Module Sales –

All add-on Module purchases are going to work with all of your installations without any type of license keys required for them to function – So pay once for any Module of your choice an use it on as many projects as you want to – period.

========================

Anyone who wishes to just stick with the current 3x version should know that we will continue to only provide fixes over the next 2 years as needed but there will not be any new features added once the 4x version is released.

Anyone wanting to upgrade from the 3x to the new 4x version will only need to deactivate current 3x FTP in and drop in 4x version – activate – enter key (if one is needed) – and done. That’s all that will be needed. So, no need to worry about backwards compatibility as all of that will be already built into the new 4x since we are using the same db tables and only adding in a few new ones.

This is our FINAL NOTICE – Once we make the 4x release all pricing will be changing – Anyone who is considering purchasing the Developers license should do so before the price more than doubles – We can easily claim that the 4x version will easily be the winner of the 2017 Best WordPress Real Estate Plugin! So if you’re into saving money then now is the last chance to get our Developers Licence at the current price of only $1299.

RETS PRO Hosting Servers For WordPress Real Estate Sites

Over the last few months we’ve been busy running promotionals and in the process we’ve added a lot of new host clients on our servers, but growing our hosting side of the business means that there was some additional work needing to get done.

Now that we are the primary hosting for our clients I thought I’d dive into some server security hardening over the weekend via mod_security tools and settings. The first thing I always do is slap in my http://www.projecthoneypot.org/home.php – api key and then turn on and configure (tweak) the process settings of some of the other tools/options – then when your done a simple restart of your httpd – DONE.

I mention all of this so that anyone else doing their own VPS should know some basics of running a non-managed server so I thought I’d add some MUST:

  1. First thing is to recompile apache with all of the proper server hosting requirements.
  2. Next to do is to install and configure a firewall – I use this one http://www.configserver.com/ (along with 3 of their other items as well).
  3. Next login and modify the server php.ini AND my.cnf file.
  4. Configure server backups for daily,weekly,monthly.
  5. Next thing I do is to log in to servers root CRON and I add in the ability to delete all domains+backups error+debug logs every night. (if you don’t do this then customers sites will grow MASSIVE log files that they don’t even know about that ultimately waste valuable server space. )
  6. Finally login and configure the mod_security tools and settings and be sure to add in your honeypot api.

That’s the “basics” of what’s needed to properly setup your own server or VPS – SO – unless you know what the freak you’re doing you really should let someone else handle it for you or pay for a “Managed” server or vps until you’re a DIY IT pro.

If you’d like to hire us to do your Server or VPS setup for you we charge 100 dollars to do the whole process and we only do Cpanel setups and installs.

Anyone needing the cheapest VPS Cpanel License here is the place to buy it and the code to enter so that you can get it for only 13 dollars per month.

Promo Codes:
whtbcp30” for dedicated cPanel license, only $30.95!
                        — or —
whtvps13” for VPS cPanel license, only $13.00!

And as per my usual here is my own SEO efforts WordPress Real Estate Plugin for building WordPress Real Estate Sites.