Dealsoncars

Sell Your Car Online: Step 5, Making Search Engines Love Your Classified Ad

Car classifieds websites can help you sell your car or truck very quickly. In step 4 of this series, titled Sell Your Car Online: Step 4, Writing a Compelling Description of Your Automobile, you learned how to write a powerful description of your car that transforms the viewer of your classified ad from a browser to a buyer.

The fifth step in placing an ad is making your listing search engine friendly. A crash course in search engine optimization is in order. Being search engine friendly means the web page in question has all the correct hidden and visible parts that search engines are looking for. A web page must have the following to be considered search engine friendly:

– TITLE tag, which is shown in the title bar of the window (mine shows Google Microsoft Internet Explorer when visiting Google.com).
– META DESCRIPTION tag, which is only visible if you view the source code.
– HEADER tag, which displays text in a larger font than the rest of the page (just like the headline in a printed newspaper).
– Hyperlinks, which are simple text links that allow navigation on the internet.
– Emphasized text, which is text that is bolded, italicized, or underlined.
– Copywriting of at least 200 -250 words on the page (with a minimum number of images).
– An ALT tag for the first 3 images on your page, which displays when the image is not available.
– The ability for the search engine spiders to index the page.
– A URL that is static, not dynamic.

The key to search engine rankings is which keywords you use and where on the page you use them. For proper search engine optimization, your keyword should show up in the TITLE, the META DESCRIPTION, a HEADER, an ALT tag, a hyperlink, and an emphasized portion of text. Also your keyword should show up 2-3 times per 100 words on your page (once per paragraph should do).

Your page must be indexed by a search engine. Search engines have a piece of code called a spider or robot that actively seeks out web pages to crawl or index. They follow links from one web page to another trying to find as many web sites and pages as they can. Once they crawl the site, they add the page to the search engines database so it will show up in the search results. But there is a problem. Some of the auto classified web sites do not allow their classified listings to be indexed by the search engines.

The URL needs to be static and not dynamic. Pages that are driven by a database usually have dynamic URLs which include ?, =, or & as part of the full address of the page (example: www.someclassifiedsite.comindex.php?a=5&b=222). Search engine spiders have problems indexing pages that have dynamic URLs, though they are ever improving. To ensure your page does not have a problem being indexed, it must be a static URL (example: www.someclassifiedsite.comcategory5-222.htm).

So, what does all this mean for you? First you should know that when you place an ad in an auto classified site, you only have control over 2-4 of the 9 criteria listed above. That makes it hard for you to give your listing an advantage over other similar listings in regards to search engine rankings. So lets take a look at the things you do have control over.

The description you write should have the correct keywords in it. For example, if you have a 1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula for sale, you should ad the term 1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula once every paragraph. Place the term near the beginning of each paragraph. Also, the term should be emphasized (bolded, italicized, or underlined) in the first paragraph, if the web site allows you to add HTML tags to your description. To bold a word, put <b> before it and <b> after it. To italicize a word, put <i> before it and <i> after it. To underline a word, put <u> before it and <u> after it.

Lets take another look at the sample description from step 4 in this series. Notice the HTML tags used around the keyword 1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula in the first and last paragraphs. It is important not to emphasize every keyword. Only emphasize the first and last instance of the keyword in your description.

This <b>1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula<b> is in great condition. It has alloy wheels, AC, power everything, and a 6-disc changer. The T-tops are a nice addition, especially in hot weather. Even though this Firebird is 10 years old, it looks like it belongs on the showroom floor. It has flawless red paint on the exterior and a super clean black interior. A brand new automatic transmission was installed only 12 months ago, which is still under warranty.

The best feature about this 1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula is the engine. It has a 5.7 Liter HO V8 that has been well maintained. It does 0-60 in a respectable 5.2 seconds and has a top speed just under 160 MPH. Accelerate and you can hear every one of the 305 horses coming through the exhaust. Any sports car enthusiast would enjoy getting behind the wheel of this one.

Dont miss this <i>1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula<i>. Its a good deal on a great car. Call today.

It is important to choose the right title for your listing, if the classifieds site you are advertising on allows you to write the listing title. The title should be rather short and include only the most important information about your vehicle. A great title should have the keywords in it that people would use to search for your car or truck. A great title should have the year, make, and model in it, for example, 1996 Pontiac Firebird Formula. If your car is convertible, you should ad the word Convertible to your title.

For a list of keywords that people actually search for on the internet, go to inventory.overture.com. Simply enter the make of the vehicle and it returns the most popular keyword combinations that include that keyword as well as how many times they were searched for in the Yahoo! Network. This will give you a good indication of what people are searching for.

So how do you find an auto classified site that allows the search engines to index their classified listings, displays static URLs, allows you to control your TITLE tag, and allows you to emphasize the text in the Description field? Simple, just go to your favorite search engine and search for a popular make and model car for sale. There should be several classified listings near the top of the search results. Those classified sites are the ones that are the most search engine friendly and would be a great place to post your ad.

By properly inserting these nine page elements that are essential for high search engine placement, your listings have the opportunity to be found by potential buyers when searching the internet. This concludes the series Sell Your Car Online. I hope you learned some new techniques in online advertising. Try them out today and see how quickly your automobile will sell.

Sell Your Car Online: Step 3, Using the Right Information to Help Sell Your Automobile

Posting your automobile for sale online is a great way to attract potential buyers. In step 2 of this series, titled Sell Your Car Online: Step 2, Using Pictures of Your Automobile Correctly , you learned how to select the right pictures of your vehicle for display in the classified ad.

The third step in placing an ad is selecting what information you want to use in your listing. Most auto classified web sites have information fields that are either checkboxes or blank textboxes for short answers. Heres the danger. If you dont give enough information, you may lose potential buyers. They may think that the missing information is an attempt to hide whats wrong with your car or truck. The solution is to answer ALL information fields that are applicable to your vehicle.

So, what type of information do you display with your listing? The most important information that must be included in your listing is: make, model, year, mileage, engine type, and transmission type. When searching for a car or truck to buy, especially a used car or truck, this is the information that the potential buyer must know before taking the next step, contacting the seller. This information will determine whether the buyer is even interested in the vehicle to begin with.

Secondary information which should be included in your listing is: body style, drive train, and VIN number. You should always include the body style (2dr, 4dr, SUV, truck, etc.) and drive train (FWD, RWD, 4WD, etc.) in your listings. It is a great idea to also include the VIN number. A growing percentage of buyers and dealers are using CarFax.com to gain information about vehicles. If the buyer is serious about purchasing your car, heshe can research the VIN number through CarFax.com without the added inconvenience of calling you first.

Next in the line of important information are the accessories or options your vehicle has. This is the information that can separate your vehicle from the rest of the pack. List all the options your vehicle has. Whether it has power windows, CD player, ABS brakes, DVD player, or a power sun roof, the buyer needs to know the accessories or options on your vehicle. List them all. Even if the classified ad system you use doesnt list the accessories in a selectable list, include them in the description field.

You must not forget to include your contact information. List your address as well as your phone number. If the buyer is interested in your vehicle, heshe could call or drop by for a test drive if close enough.

As a summary, you should include the following in your classified ad (listed in order of importance):
– Contact address and phone number
– Make
– Model
– Year
– Mileage
– Engine type
– Transmission type
– Body style
– Drive train
– VIN number
– Accessories or options

Theres no such thing as listing too much information about your vehicle, so type away and tell as much about your car or truck as possible. The worst thing that can happen is that the potential buyer will spend more time viewing your listing and less time viewing someone elses listing. Isnt that what you want?

Choosing the right information for your classified ad can set your automobile apart from the rest of the pack, at least in the buyers mind. Look for the next installment titled Sell Your Car Online: Step 4, Writing a Compelling Description of Your Automobile. Happy selling.

If you restore antique cars, ride dirt bikes or own a boat, it’s important to know how to tow a vehicle properly. Driving while towing can be hazardous if you don’t follow simple safety tips.

Suzuki, manufacturer of a variety of vehicles for outdoor enthusiasts, suggests the following guidelines for towing:

* Always use safety chains and follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching them. Safety chains are required and should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Do not attach them to the bumper. Leave enough slack so you can turn, and make sure the safety chains do not drag on the ground.

* Be sure the brake lights, taillights and turn signals of the towed vehicle operate in sync with the vehicle being driven. This is a requirement in all 50 states. You can use brakesignal light accessory kits, which are strapped or magnetically connected to the rear of the vehicle being towed.

* Use the right tow vehicle. Before purchasing a tow vehicle, it’s best to determine the maximum weight you might tow and then match that weight to a vehicle of your choice. For example, the 2006 Grand Vitara can tow up to 3,000 pounds.

* Practice steering before hitting the highway. Remember that when backing up, the trailer turns the opposite way you turn your wheel. Experts suggest placing your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel and moving it the way you want the trailer to go when in reverse. Make slow, easy steering adjustments.

* Anticipate stops and brake early.

* Make certain the load in the trailer is secured so that the load can’t move or shift.

The Range Rover has been known as the worlds most complete luxury sport utility vehicle for years already. And now, as part of the series of updates and upgrades that it received, the Range Rover is yet set to still remain in its position at the top. The lists of changes were done for the 2007 model year Range Rover. Included in the changes that the vehicle received included the cabin, its chassis, as well as off road capacities.

For the 2007 model year version of the Range Rover, this vehicle would be holding as a standard feature the intuitive Terrain Response system which is more known as the TM system. This new system actually gives the driver the chance to select one of the give distinct vehicle settings so as to be able to suit the terrain that the Range Rover is traveling on. So as to be able to take care of the various road conditions, there were also upgrades and optimizations done to the vehicles key software and hardware settings that control the powertrain, transmission, braking, stability control system and suspension system. Aside from these, the new Range Rover also holds an optional rear e differential. The e actually stands for electronic and it now available as a standard feature on the Supercharged versions of the Range Rover.

Richard Beattie, the Executive Vice President of Land Rover North Americas Sales and Marketing department, states, To maintain the Range Rovers outstanding reputation, we continuously look at how we can update and upgrade the vehicle. We have further refined Range Rover substantial equipment levels to meet the requirements of both new and existing Range Rover customers.

As per the interior of the vehicle, a simple look at the cabin would give you the impression that, indeed, upgrades and changes were made. The whole cabin has been given more space. And to add to storage space, the vehicle now holds an electronically-released twin glove box. The airbag system has also been updated.