HTML is an acronym for Hypertext Markup Language and it is truly the new way to write for the web today. HTML gives you the code that displays in browsers. For instance, we have displayed the most common and basic html below. This short list packs a powerful punch for anyone in CRE or any business for that matter.
Today our text and images and do many things to drive traffic where you want it to go. Also, the format of the text can help to enhance our written word, like strong to make our text bold and emphasized to make text italic.
In addition our use of html, it can also create powerful automation, like mailto: links. For instance, if you use a mailto: link on a HAVE or WANT post it can help you to see where that person clicked from to send you an email! If you take the mailto: link code and add a subject line specific to a property and even some text in the body, it may help your viewer or sender save much time as well.
Say the property headline is 1,500 SF Houston ABC Tower. That headline can be made into the subject line of the mailto: link. Now when the viewer clicks on Send More Information, the email will contain 1,500 SF Houston ABC Tower and you will know exactly what it pertains to. The same holds true for sources of email. If you know the email is from a certain website or a blog post, you can add whatever will help you to know the source of that click, just by using a simple mailto: link!!
The same holds true for the body of the email. If you use body= inside your mailto: link, that same email can contain this message in the body:
Please send me more information on the 1,500 SF Houston ABC Tower.
Here are some examples of basic html that everyone in commercial real estate should be aware of. There will be a test later so study up and use these simple html tools on your own profile and posts!
Text Link
<a href=”url“>Link text</a>
<a href=”http://thebrokerlist.com”>theBrokerList</a> will result in theBrokerList.
Image Link
<a href=”mailto:[email protected]?Subject=Join%20Us”>Send Mail</a> will result in Send Mail. (click it!!) Note that you need to insert %20 between words for the subject line word spacing!!
Body Content and Subject Line
<a href=”mailto:[email protected]?&subject=Update%20Your%20Profile&body=Your%20Profile%20Is%20Important-%20Keep%20It%20Current! “>Send mail!</a> Send Mail
Basic Text Formats
This text is big <big> text </big>
This text is emphasized <em> text </em>
This is subscript and superscript <sub> text </sub> <sup> text </sup>
This text is bold <strong> text </strong>
Basically, by adding the beginning tag <tag > and ending tag </tag> with the description around your text or sentence, you can enhance the presentation of your written word. Do not fret when things do not work out exactly as you believe they should on all sites. There are browsers, programs and websites that permit certain types of html, while other sites do not permit any html. Get to know what sites permit what types of html so you can make your written word or property listings look as professional as possible.
Start to notice this terminology on blog comment systems. Some blog comments permit the use of html as well. Comments are a tremendous way to build credibility in CRE or any industry you are in. For instance, if you follow an industry blog and have some insight or feedback for the author, adding html provides more information about you and leads the readers to your content as well.
The other advantage to understanding the basics of html is SEO. For instance, if you want to build credibility for the topic about Arizona CRE, it would be a good idea to use a keyphrase of Arizona Commercial Real Estate Brokers, but make it a text hyperlink to that web content or your profile or listing or blog! So it would be a text hyperlink like this: Arizona Commercial Real Estate Brokers! Take it slow and use reference sites like w3schools to hone your skills! Whenever you need to learn how to use html, just visit w3schools and it walks you through step by step from the most basics to some complex concepts. By following the examples, you learn by doing. It is educational and a fun way to learn.
Each day we see so many members post static text and we are so frustrated to see our industry not take this baby-step to learning more about how the internet, browsers and search really functions. Knowing just a small amount of html can really help your SEO. Our goal is not to make you a geek or change your business, we just want to share these points to help your SEO and improve your search results. If you need ideas or help, just ask and we can share some pointers for your profiles and posts. Remember, each one of us offer unique experiences, expertise, clients, geographies and property types that we specialize in. Focus on what makes you special and highlight it. Take keywords and keyphrases that are meaningful to you and use them throughout your promotions for yourself, your firm and your clients! Do not waste all of this valuable real estate we now call “the internet!” Do not over do the use of hyperlinks, however, but use them thoughtfully and carefully!
