I just stumbled across this while reading Matt Cutts blog (Matt Cutts is an engineer at Google, and his blog is an amazing resource on Google and search engine optimization/ranking).
Google has beefed up Sitemaps with it's new Webmaster Central. It's wicked cool. It has a site status checker, a Google Blog For Webmasters, a discussion grop and webmaster tools. Through the use of a Google SiteMap, you can view ALL KINDS of cool stats--search terms, rankings, and more.
Webmaster Central is a MUST READ if you are wanting more info on how to get your site to rank well in Google. WARNING: if you have even just a teeny bit of geek in you, don't go to Webmaster Central or Matt Cutts' blog if you plan on going to sleep anytime soon.
Here is what Google says Webmaster Central is:
- Welcome to your one-stop shop for comprehensive info about how Google crawls and indexes websites. You can learn here how to ensure that your site is easily crawled and indexed and access tools that will enable you to diagnose crawling issues, study statistics on how your site is doing in our index, and tell us how you'd like your site to be crawled and indexed.
Here's a video of Matt Cutts himself explaining the new Webmaster Central.
And here is another link to Google Support (which has also recently undergone an upgrade. This page explains some basics on site optimization.
Maybe I'm just slow and everyone else has already seen this. But if you haven't, check it out. I promise you that you will learn something. Even those that fear technology will get something out of this.
Comments are of course, welcome and encouraged! Tell us what you think!
Happy reading,
You warned me... I read it "WARNING: if you have even just a teeny bit of geek in you, don't go to Webmaster Central or Matt Cutts' blog if you plan on going to sleep anytime soon." I said I'm safe... I am not one iota geeky but it got me.
I read Matt Cutts blog often, most of it is over my head but I try to read it....
Thanks Jay... I am going to be so sleepy tomorrow... today...should I go to bed or just start Saturday now. Decisions, decisions.
I told you so Maureen! (Hey, why is there no time stamps on comments and blogs? I know I'm posting this comment at 1:43am, but I have no idea how late it was when Maureen commented...)
Of course, many would ask why in the world anyone would care what time a comment was left....
I think there is a reason for time stamps on comments.. on blogs but it evades me.
Here's one....That way Lloyd in MI can keep track of whether other independent contractor nationally are wasting their time leaving comments on AR for points when they should be doing something for their clients.
My comment was left just b4 5:00 EST. It is 5:08 accordingto my clock on my computer now but it is 10 minutes fast so I better get to bed.
Thanks, if you are slow, I must be stopped. Did not know anything about the information you posted.
Do not know who thought that 24 hours was enough each day. I always find the day ends before I do.
Timothy -
I was actually at a Starbucks several weeks ago and helped a Hello World representative log on to the wireless network there. She showed me the product and I must say it does have interesting applications for our industry.
For those unfamiliar with it, Hello World is a sort of video email service. Can also be used in real time. I never did look in to the costs.
I'm an affiliate with HelloWorld. Based in Las Vegas, they offer a suite of streaming video products including email, instant messaging and live broadcast.
The applications to real estate include customized virtual tours, neighborhood previews, documenting conversations, market updates, 'live' newsletters, etc.
The agents who use this effectively will gain a huge marketing advantage in their areas. Clients and prospects will be able to see and hear their messages in addition to reading them.
Plans start at $9.95, which includes 1 minute message lengths and 750 views per month. If anyone would like a FREE 30-day trial, contact me offline.