Website Optimisation

[wizer]

yes good point. It's not a very useful search term.

 

[CHJ]

I was intrigued by the speed with which Google and Bling picked up the reworked site, about 2 hours.

All links based on:
<Title> and <meta description

<meta name="keywords" content would appear to be ignored
these days.

 

[Steve Maskery]

I've sort of given up in despair on this SEO stuff, and I've not made changes to my site (either of them) for far too long, but I've had a little upsurge in trade lately (I have no idea why) and I find, to my astonishment, that whilst I am not No.1 in the Hit Parade, I do actually appear in results as generic as "woodworking DVDs". OK, so the hit is a reference to my films made in Sierra Leone, but hey, one can't have everything.

It really does seem like an impenetrable minefield. Perhaps I just need more attitude and perseverance.

God, it's hard being alive, isn't it?

S

 

[BradNaylor]

Doing a bit of research would suggest that 'cabinet maker' isn't that sensible a choice of keyword but it seems to be used by many sites! Or is it the fact that 'cabinet maker worcester' would be more effective? Which then leads on to Brad's suggestion of getting on to Google Maps.

Where's that 'going round in circles' emoticon? :?

I find that 'cabinet maker' is a very effective search term. It may have something to do with the fact that it is also a category in Yellow Pages; most of the data in free online directories is lifted in the first instance from Yellow Pages.

Register with Google Maps and as many free local directories as you can find and you will see your Google ranking soar. I would also recommend a web-link with Yell.com if you have the budget for it.

Meanwhile, this is a very good book on SEO. It's worth exploring the author's website, too. Plenty of good tips...

http://www.ben-norman.co.uk/getting-not ... steps.html

Cheers
Brad

 

[RogerS]

I second that recommendation. Superb book and to the point. I like the 'In Easy Steps' range. They don't patronise the reader like the Dummy range which I detest.

As a search term 'cabinet maker' is popular but I've come to the conclusion that you/we need a geographic localiser unless we're in Mark Wilkinson territory!

 

[RogerS]

I've sort of given up in despair on this SEO stuff, and I've not made changes to my site (either of them) for far too long, but I've had a little upsurge in trade lately (I have no idea why) and I find, to my astonishment, that whilst I am not No.1 in the Hit Parade, I do actually appear in results as generic as "woodworking DVDs". OK, so the hit is a reference to my films made in Sierra Leone, but hey, one can't have everything.

It really does seem like an impenetrable minefield. Perhaps I just need more attitude and perseverance.

God, it's hard being alive, isn't it?

S

Googling 'woodworking DVDs' yielded thousands of hits but adding 'jigs' got you near the top of the first page. But you really need to change your copy. There were some great suggestions elsewhere in the thread IIRC.

 

[BradNaylor]

As a search term 'cabinet maker' is popular but I've come to the conclusion that you/we need a geographic localiser unless we're in Mark Wilkinson territory!

That is why Google Maps is such a valuable tool. It is essential to localise your search results.

Mr & Mrs Jones looking for a new wardrobe to be custom-made for them generally want somebody local to do it for them. They are very unlikely to order such an item from a firm at the other end of the country.

Likewise, the cabinetmaker only really wants local business. What is the point in wasting time and money travelling until the potential of the local market has been fully exploited?

Books and articles on SEO tend to neglect this aspect; probably because the authors have only ever been involved with businesses looking for national exposure. Getting to the top of the Google rankings within a specific local area is actually very easy, and in my experience obviates the need for any other advertising at all.

There again, I'm lucky enough to have 2 million people living within half an hour's drive of my workshop...

Cheers
Brad

 

[Steve Maskery]

Yes, I know, I know. And I'm not ungrateful for the suggestions either, just rather weary. I've also broken my video camera this week so I'm even more jaded than usual!

I do have one or two ideas of things I can try, though, and I plan to make additions to the blip.tv clips (it works more like a TV channel than YouTube does, and I'm not limited to 10 mins either, but it's not as well-known, of course)

I don't know what, but something has found my stuff. I've had a sudden flurry of orders. The last time this happened it was because one of the US mags (I never did find out which one) put one of my YouTube clips on their own site. Of course, when the next featured one came along, it was back to business (such as it is) as normal.

I'll try to work up some enthusiasm. On hols next week so maybe I'll come back raring to go.

Cheers
Steve