Classification & Link Text Question

First, thank you for including our submitted site to the ODP. However, I do have a few questions regarding the listing.

The listing was place in the ...South Carolina>Localities>B>Bluffton>Business & Economy>Real Estate directory with the link text as Darle Booher - Charter I. We had requested ...South Carolina>Localities>H>Hilton Head Island>Business and Economy>Real Estate with the link text as Hilton Head Area Luxury Homes.com - Hilton Head Real Estate (or at least Hilton Head Area Luxury Homes.com).

If at all possible, we would like to have the listing moved to our original request destination with the submitted title. Here are the reasons why:

1. Although this branch office is located in Bluffton (on the mainland from Hilton Head Island), the main office is located on Hilton Head. 80% of the real estate sold by this office is on Hilton Head Island, and the HHI town name is more familiar to the out of town folks (the primary customers and target audience) that move to the area. In fact, addresses located on the mainland (i.e. Moss Creek Plantation, Colleton River Plantation and other residential communities) actually have an Hilton Head postal address even though they are not actually on the island itself. For government purposes other than postal address these areas are still considered part of Bluffton. Strange, yes - but it is how the real estate community promotes itself.

2. Having the link text and title as Hilton Head Area Luxury Homes.com is our key marketing strategy. If you view the site, you will notice that it is not the typical ego-centric realtor web site. The name of the realtor is barely mentioned, and the site focuses on the Hilton Head community and resources as a whole rather than "all about the realtor" and her family and pets. In fact, we are soon adding over 50 pages of additional real estate reference materials (buying guides, welling guides, mortgage information, real estate terms, etc). We are also expanding the golf course listings with individual pages for each course. We will also be adding information on HHI cultural activities.

While the primary goal of our web site IS to sell real estate, the secondary goals are to provide quality content on real estate topics AS WELL AS become a community portal for those looking to visit or move to the area.

I sincerely hope you will consider moving our listing to the requested categories. The classification is consistent with the manner in which the area markets itself nationally and globally. The link text change is consistent with our marketing strategy as well as our desire to provide useful, quality content to our site visitors.

Thank you for your consideration.

Shawn Kosloff
The Kosloff Group

Unfortunately, due to the extreme and varied spam of real estate types of sites, we have had to develop extremely stringent criteria for placement and titling of such sites. They must be placed in the locality of the office and the title must be in the format of <agent name> - <agency>. I understand your concerns, but in this case the site is placed and described correctly per our guidelines.

-Lissa

The listing is placed correctly.

Because of our past experiences with the marketing programs of real estate agents, our guidelines are specific, inflexible, and non-negotiable. Violations of them would constitute editorial abuse.

Do not ask us to do this.

I see your points.

Real Estate has it's guidelines. These have developed over time and I believe because of the dynamics of online real estate, are very much needed.

The title and address of your listing follows the guidelines for ODP, so changing them to your suggestion probably won't happen. Not saying you can't try, just don't bet the house on the nose of that filly, 'cause she ain't coming in... If you know what I mean. (well... ok, I am saying you can't)

Take a read on the Real Estate guidelines and I'm sure you'll understand why we have put them in place. They actually work well and I honestly don't see them changing in the direction that would accomidate your site as you would like. I know it's not the answer you're looking for...

Thanks for a quick response!

Thank you for your very quick response!

I do understand your point on consistency and guidelines for DMOZ and defer to your judgement in this matter. We are still very happy to be listed in the ODP!

Our reason for opening this conversation is that we belive that our client responsibilities do not end when we load their web site. Our goal is to continually work to maximize their return on investment through both continued development and marketing.

As far as real estate spammers are concerned - we are out to change this in our own little corner of the world We are very selective with our clients and will not develop the spamming, ego-centric web sites. Our RE sites our designed to be both sales tools and community resource centers.

Thanks again for the feedback!

Shawn Kosloff
The Kosloff Group

Hey - it does not hurt to ask you know. Thanks for your understanding! Have a great day.

Now that you are aware of the guidelines and understand how we must list these sites, and since it looks like you plan to suggest other sites that you develop, it would help greatly if you'll format the title correctly and find the correct locality to place the sites. It will most likely speed the review process if you help out the editors.

Update - Reclass?

The realtor is now working out of two offices (Hilton Head and Bluffton) and will soon be consolidating to the Hilton Head office. The website has been updated to reflect this change.

Is it possible to now have the listing reclassified to the Hilton Head region?

Thanks for your reply!

After the consolidation is complete, and the website reflects the address, you may request an update by going to the current category, selecting "Update URL" and completing your request there.

Be advised that the request will receive intense scrutiny, as this type of request is sometimes/often a leading indicator of an attempt to "game" the directory by getting a listing in a larger community.