SEO Help - Don't know anything about it!

[rb80]

Hi,

I've recently produced a basic website for my Dad's painting and decorating business as his work has completely dried up (recession and all that) however I am a complete novice and I'm having problems getting it to appear on Google.

I realise this is a difficult task which is why they are SEO professionals but I really can't afford to pay anyone to do it! Also I'm not too keen in using Google sponsored links for this reason.

I produced the site using Moonfruit (I know this doesn't rank highly with all you web developers but I couldn't do it from scratch) so this probably doesnt help it's page ranking. I have read the sticky at the top of this forum and taken advice such as directory submitting and I have submitted articles to Digg and Reddit. At present the site is appearing on page 4 of Google for the keywords "painters and decorators dorset."

If anyone can give me any tips to improve this I would be really grateful. Please take into account I really don't have a clue with the technical side of things and don't know much terminology! I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post the site link! Thanks

[JustOneUK]

Best bet... get some cheap hosting (£30/year) and pay someone to build you a site properly (£100-£200 probably)

You'd be wasting your time otherwise, it would be easier for someone to start from scratch than fix what you have.

Regards
James.

[IainW]

What's your web address?

What you could do is optimise it for Dorset and surrounding area such as Poole, Bournemouth and so on, to do this put the names in title, keywords, meta tags and so on.
Also sign up do Google and add yourself to the business address.

Get some leaflets made and get walking to peoples houses posting them.

Iain

[rb80]

JustOneUK - I really wish we could afford to pay someone but moneys very tight at the moment which is why I'm determined to give this website a go. I'm prepared to put a lot of effort into it.

IainW - Thanks, the website is www.brodec.co.uk (http://www.brodec.co.uk) - I've tried to put those suggested keyword in the meta tags etc but as the site is made by using a Monnfruit package I'm not sure whether it'll help. I've submitted the site to Google maps, if there's anyother places on Google I can submit it to let me know. The leafletting idea sounds good - its just getting them designed and printed but I suppose I could do that myself.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[JustOneUK]

I appreciate that and don't mean to sound as snappy as I come across ;)
I know what it's like to have no money but sometimes it's false economy to spend time doing something better done by others. A 5 or 6 page optimised site won't set you back much more than £100 or so (if you sort your own hosting and domain name) and then you can sit back and watch the work come rolling in OR save the £100 and don't get any work.

[IainW]

If you want I have an hour or so free on Tuesday so if you want I'll have a look for you and make the changes whilst i'm on the site plus anything else I can see. I'll do it for free as you're on a budget and you father needs the work.

let me know.

Iain

[G. Lasagne]

To be honest i quite like the look of the site, its better than ive seen by some professionals, i think you will be ok doing it the way your doing, especially how your competing for uncompetitive keywords.

[downsouth]

You have a flash based website?? I dont know how they work from an SEO perspective??

[JustOneUK]

If you want I have an hour or so free on Tuesday so if you want I'll have a look for you and make the changes whilst i'm on the site plus anything else I can see. I'll do it for free as you're on a budget and you father needs the work.

let me know.

Iain

Bite his arm off!

Nice offer Iain.

[thebookiesoffers]

If you want I have an hour or so free on Tuesday so if you want I'll have a look for you and make the changes whilst i'm on the site plus anything else I can see. I'll do it for free as you're on a budget and you father needs the work.

let me know.

Iain

nice gesture that:)

[rb80]

JustOneUk - Yea I can see what you're saying, it probably is false economy!! I'll give this site a go first, and if it doesn't get any hits or customers I'll have to call in the experts!

IainW - That would be great! I would really appreciate that! Just PM me if you need any details etc. Thanks :)

GasAngel - Thanks for your postive feedback :)

downsouth - I know, I'm not sure about flash either apart from it'll probably hinder my SEO efforts!!

[scudulike]

If you want I have an hour or so free on Tuesday so if you want I'll have a look for you and make the changes whilst i'm on the site plus anything else I can see. I'll do it for free as you're on a budget and you father needs the work.

let me know.

Iain

It's posts like this that make me glad I chose to join this forum over certain other ones - nice one Iain ;)

[rb80]

It's posts like this that make me glad I chose to join this forum over certain other ones - nice one Iain ;)

I know, I really appreciate all the help you can get from this forum.

And I'm really grateful for Iain's generous offer, Thanks Iain :)

[bigfish]

It's posts like this that make me glad I chose to join this forum over certain other ones - nice one Iain ;)
+1, Iain's a legend

[IainW]

Thanks Guys for all of your "praise and thanks"

I would hope that someone would do the same for me if i needed a helping hand.

Catch you later, behind time already.

Regards
Iain