Following on from the various threads about web sites...

[matt]

I mentioned this in another thread but thought to post it independently to give it a proper airing.

It seems as though there are a number of people struggling to develop a web presence. Google (being the one search engine that everyone goes after) delivers results based on two key criteria:

1. Importance.
2. Relevance.

The latter is largely a product of QUALITY links to your site. Quality, in terms of "relevance" means other sites of a similar topic or purpose. (Quality is, as I understand it, also buffered by the site's kudos too - e.g. get a link from Amazon and that's worth more than a link from a.n.other.com).

However, forgetting the kudos aspect for the time being... It strikes me that there's a lot of business members who are not in direct competition by area or possibly slight variations in their customer proposition, therefore could benefit from reciprocal linking between sites.

If you're running a joinery business and think there is some mileage in this say "aye".

 

[BradNaylor]

I would be more than happy to exchange links with other cabinetmakers outside my area if it meant that our respective rankings improved.

What's not to like?

Brad

 

[wizer]

Put simply: Matt is suggesting that the professional woodworkers get together and put links to each others sites on their web page. This will help you all out in getting higher rankings on search engines.

I think it's a good idea and just one thing you can do to optimise your site for search engines.

Well done Matt.

 

[mailee]

Hmm yes this may help with mine too. It has been up for around a month now but without any enquiries?? I am ranked third in the local
google maps search engine under cabinet maker, although I do not come up under joiner until the fourth page. I seem to be getting plenty of work but none of it from my website. The only calls I have had are people like BT, Touch local, and Thompson local trying to interest me in more advertising. Maybe a lot of people in this area aren't too keen to trust someone on the 'Net' who they know nothing about. Strange??

 

[Dave S]

Mailee,

I've searched your site and the word 'cabinet' does not appear, and the word 'joiner' doesn't appear much. Google won't rank you highly on these terms if they don't appear on your site.

Also, you too have no descriptions or keywords in the meta section of your pages.

Another thought on which those with established, working websites who have analysed their statistics may be able to offer some wisdom....

Do the potential customers in need of your joinery services, know that it is a joiner that they need? Are they more likely to search for something like 'handmade wardrobe' or 'bespoke kitchen'? In other words, aren't they going to search for the item they want, rather than the trade who can provide it?

I may be wrong, but it's worth thinking about.

cheers
Dave

 

[houtslager]

anything to help people click their way to my site and thereafter into my workshop, and allowing me into their wallets :wink: wouold be appreciatted.

HS still in a'dam

 

[Mr T]

Hi

Seems like a reasonable idea to me.

Chris

 

[Russell]

My web site is the online shop for my business, I have been considering links for sometime and if anyone wants to exchange links let me know. I already have some wood turners but if some cabinet makers or trades related want to exchange links let me know.

 

[matt]

A slow burn but interest seems to be increasing. If members are happy to simply exchange links despite potential competition then it's simply a case of listing all the sites and placing the links on your page. By contrast, if members prefer not to send custom to a competitor nearby (which is understandable), then I think we'd need to draw up a list of members, their sites, and the area they operate in. Then you simply avoid placing links to sites too close for comfort.

I'm happy to edit my first post to list member, web address, a one liner (from you) describing your specialist field, and area/s if that helps? I'll even make the URL's links so you're already benefiting from one inbound relevant link.

If you're interested then please post in the following format (to make it easy to maintain the list):
matt / http://www.mywebaddress.co.uk / bespoke hand-made fitted kitchens / London

(ps. don't worry about making your web address in to a link - just type it as above and I'll take care of the rest)