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Since the page was first picked up by Google several months ago, we've consistently been in the top 5 search results when doing a keyword search on "bed and breakfast" and the name of the town, which is exactly what my client wanted.
We've suddently dropped below 100 on the search results page, and I can't provide an explanation for it. The new results above us are clearly less relevant, and many have an equal or lower page rank.
I've also noticed that when I use the links directive on Google, it returns no results, although other search engines (eg, Alexa) return 12-15 links, which is about right.
Any ideas about what might have happened, or how I might be able to figure out what happened?
My PageRank has never been very high -- 3 or 4 (it's at 3 right now) -- but we've always come up very high in the search results page.
We're also still ranking in the top 5 on most of the other search engines.
I'm working on adding some more quality links, which should help from everything I've read here, but I don't understand what would precipitate such a dramatic drop overnight.
A backlink or 2 dropped like the one you had could explain it. I know it is saddening, but it's life. If I were you, I'd do what DVD burning recommended too: get good quality links. Just make sure they are in the same industry, ie:
- Travel or
- Bed & Breakfast
- Hotel
- Tourist ...etc.
Try to get bet 15 and 20 if you can. It's a bit of work, but it's worth it. Did your local chamber of commerce give any reason why they dropped their link to your client? I would politely ask why, even though they are in no obligation to answer of course. But these things happen.
Do you have some good content on the site like:
- Tourist section
- Museum section
- Hiking and camping... etc. (that sort of stuff)
It would help I guess to put a bit more of that content if you can. But get good links and that should do it
:-) SEO
I agree with SEO_practioner about additional content to a point.
Most stand alone travel/tourist operator sites provide some "local" info. for site visitors, mostly from the local tourist information centre or other local publication, so other operators have the same or similar content on their pages ... ho hum ...
Your client should focus on providing content that is unique. (Well we knew that!)
So How? Find out what the owners/managers passion is.
B&Bs are a highly personal type of hospitality, and operators have plenty of room to "brand" themselves and/or their "USP" (unique selling proposition), so their web sites are a great opportunity to deviate from the "more of the same" type of site.
What turns your client/s on?
It could be birdwatching, bushwalking (whoops ... hiking), a rare or special plant or animal local to the area, or it could be that they're a train spotter, or butterfly collector or blueberry pie recipe expert or a photographer or painter or arts and crafts fanatic, or amateur astronomer or retired nuclear scientist ... you get the idea!
Get 'em to write 150 - 300, or better 300-500 words, plus a couple of pics/graphics and go get some reciprocal links.
I agree that 15-20 is good, but even if it's only 4 or 5 of the client's favourite sites, it's valuable.
Yeah ... it's work, but what's important is that it works.
You'd be surprised with how many links you'll get rolling in after a while as a result of this type of additional/complimentary content.
And guess what? Some of people will actually go and stay there too.
Good luck and Hooroo
JP
