Forum Moderators: open
It sounds like you have an informational site.
Add in a lot of content, something new every other day.
Get links [webmasterworld.com] from as many places as you can, including blogs, directories, related sites, news, articles - keep it all ontopic.
RJ
[edited by: caveman at 5:53 pm (utc) on Mar. 13, 2006]
[edit reason] Edited per TOS #4 & #19 [/edit]
[edited by: caveman at 5:59 pm (utc) on Mar. 13, 2006]
[edit reason] Edited per TOS #4 & #19 [/edit]
Welcome to WebmasterWorld Bob_Newman - best of luck with your site.
arran.
To all in this thread: Let's keep the commentary constructive. Critical is good, personal not so good. ;-)
Bob_Newman, I'm a little fuzzy here. Is this a new site? Or is it just new to you since you bought it? And if you bought it, how long was it around before you took over. Did it have traffic? (Presumably no.)
Chances are that it will take a lot more than just time and patience. Start with BT's 26 Steps post as recommended by rj87uk. And if you can provide a bit more info (while avoiding specifics, per TOS), we might be able to be more helpful.
best,
caveman
How well does your content relate to the phrases? Is it supported by your titles and by your site navigation?
Do you have inbound links from any sites that are already listed in Google? How well established are these sites? How long have the links been in place?
Do you know if the site is in fact indexed by the search engines?
Has info, but not much traffic. Not even one click so far.
Can you quantify "not much traffic" any? Are we talking 1-2 visitors/day, 1-2/hour, or what? What about your stats on AdSense- how many impressions are you showing?
...both on Google and via algorithmic search?
Should read...
...both on Adwords and via algorithmic search?
Like Bob, I am a SE newbie and was extremely grateful to see the "26 steps" post.
I followed the links from the article and see that it was written a few years ago.
I have read many times on this forum that the SE's change regularly so my question is:
Are the steps still relevant? Do they all still apply or are some of them outdated and irrelevant to SEO?
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Many thanks
PS. I hope that this isn't hi-jacking Bobs thread.
Business doesn't grow on trees - you have to actively go out and get traffic for your site.
Once you have traffic, then you can monetise.
TJ
Your comments are valued but with respect it is quite a vague statement and that is why newbies like Bob and I get confused.
Comments like 'work hard and you will get results' are dangled to us like carrots which we thoroughly embrace.
But what do you mean?
Work hard doing what?
I am desperate for success and will do all that I can to build up my business but it is hard if it is not clear exactly what I need to be doing.
No offence meant :)
Simply put - it takes a lot of work to build up your website form adding content, updating news to building links and even building up your forum if you have one.
Check out all the librarys in each forum - It will point you to the best posts.
1) Build website.
2) Get traffic.
3) Keep building your website, update and keep improving.
4) More traffic will follow.
RJ
No offence meant
None taken ;)
But what do you mean?
You have to develop traffic flows to your website. That takes work. You need to get links into your pages to introduce traffic to them, and assist with their ranking status in search engines. Think of a link as a recommendation - it's like saying "Want to know about widgets? Look over here -->". I will bring you traffic and make you an authority on the topic.
As mentioned, read Brett's 26 steps guide. Once you've digested that, you'll know what to do. Then you need to do it. Doing it is the "hard work" part.
You cannot "build it, submit it to the search engines and then forget it". That tactic hasn't worked since 1997 :)
You're about to become a web marketing guru and you've come to the right place, but you do need to start reading and discussing. That 26 steps guide is about the best place to start. It will give you an excellent overall picture of the basics of marketing a website.
26 steps...Are the steps still relevant? Do they all still apply or are some of them outdated and irrelevant to SEO?
Yes, still relevant. Yes, still apply. And always will. That article is about marketing and the rules of marketing haven't changed. It's as much geared to humans as it is geared to search engines.
The search engines are desperate to become more and more intelligent - to pseudo-think like humans. That's Utopia for a search engine - the ability to make a human-like decision.
Don't chase their tail, let them chase yours.
The above assumes you're in it for the long term with a good quality site. If you're looking for short term results with a short lifespan, different tactics need to be employed.
TJ
I appreciate that very much!
You have given me loads to work with now and aim for, especially now that you have confirmed that Bretts principles still apply more than ever.
Just one point that I wasn't quite sure of. You said:
You need to get links into your pages to introduce traffic to them, and assist with their ranking status in search engines. Think of a link as a recommendation - it's like saying "Want to know about widgets? Look over here -->". I will bring you traffic and make you an authority on the topic.
Do you mean cross linking within my own pages and web site?
One again, thanks so much for taking the time to answer my question in such a detailed way.
You didn't waste your time. I will be taking it on board and applying it thoroughly.
Thanks again
Do you mean cross linking within my own pages and web site?
No, although a good navigation structure is important.
I was referring to inbound links from other websites. Have a look through the "Link Development" forum here - that will give you some pointers. You need to get links to your site on other peoples sites. That will bring you traffic on the direct route (users clicking those links) and will tell the SE's that you're a valued resource (spiders crawling through those links). Links are the foundation of the web. They are extremely important from both a user and SE perspective. You need as many of them, from other sites, as you can get. And then go get some more ;-)
You didn't waste your time.
I could tell from your earlier posts that I was going to ;-)
It's great to see new faces here who are enthusiastic and keen to get their websites pulling in traffic and then monetising it.
If you stick around, read until your eyes hurt, and get involved in some of the discussions (you'll probably be concentrating on page titles and inbound links for a little while) I can with 99% certainty guarantee you healthy SE rankings and a good dose of traffic within 3-6 months.
What you'll learn from that experience will tell you exactly how to go and build site #2, then site #3..... and probably a trip to a PubCon or two.
But it is hard work and requires a fair amount of dedication.
TJ
Take a 5 minute break every hour!
Also Put up a picture of that dream car you want above your computer for inspiration!
Thanks so much for clarifying that point about the links. I had a feeling that is what you meant but I wanted to make sure and I am glad that I did.
Thanks too for the other suggested references and topics that I need to get familiar with.
I have printed off this thread along with Bretts 26 steps and will make sure that I stick to it.
Really appreciate the assistance TJ.
Thanks too to rj87uk for your suggestions.
It seems that I have a lot of work ahead of me and it makes sense to try and keep mentally and physically alert and healthy.
I note that in the recent court case with Dan Brown (Da Vinci code) he said that he makes it his practise to do some form of exercise every hour too.
I liked your suggestion of having a real vision to work towards.
My aim is to emigrate to Barcelona and I have pictures of the city in front of my computer. I am hoping that my websites and Adsense will be pay for that move or at least allow me to earn a modest living while I am out there.
Best wishes and thanks again
