Do you think my site needs to be updated to rank better on search engines?

[Kerrib4]

Hi

I have spoken to another member on here that has told me my coding on my website is very old and not so good for SEO. Could anyone else give me any opinions on this?

I have changed 3 URLs on my website but I am not sure how to go about putting a 301 redirect on the old URLs. If anyone has any advice on this that would be great. Is a 404 error still really bad even if I am getting practically no traffic to my site? I don't think anyone has clicked on the old URLs - or would analytics not show me if someone had clicked on it? Is there a way I can get Google to index my new URLs quicker?

My site is ***removed***.

Thanks in advance,
Kerri

[Eagle]

Hi Kerri

Kev's (http://multilayerdesign.com/) just re-coded mine (built originally some time in 2002! :eek:) and I think it's well worth it. I have the feeling some search engines penalise sites for poor coding. :)

Mark

[Kerrib4]

Thanks, I will have a look at the site you have put a link up for.

I ended up just changing my URLs back to the old ones in case it caused any trouble with Google.

Would you recommend using Google Sitemaps? I have been thinking about creating one but not sure if it's worth the time?

Thanks

[Eagle]

I've heard a site map is almost essential. It can't hurt I guess. :)

[dymodeals]

I've heard a site map is almost essential. It can't hurt I guess. :)

Make sure you know the difference between an xml sitemap which tells robots where to go and a sitemap that visitors to your site can see.

[dymodeals]

i would go for a php and css site. install wordpress on your server really ewasy to use when you get the hang of it and there are many many plugins to get to make it look good.

[Kerrib4]

So you think I should create a site map on my actual website as well?

I actually meant the site map in Google webmaster tools, just where you enter your URLs. Do you only have to enter URLs on this and that's it done?

Thanks

[outsourcing007]

send me your url on pm and i will take a look at it for you...

[shopintegrator]

I actually meant the site map in Google webmaster tools, just where you enter your URLs. Do you only have to enter URLs on this and that's it done?

Entering your URLs in your Google webmaster tools will not create you a site map.
The URL's you enter though Google tools is about setting up your Google tools to analyse your site and how it should breakdown the statistics groups it reports to you. Having multiple URL's for the same domain is to break it up into subdomains or sections within a site that you want to be analysed and reported on as separate entities, e.g. a French version of your site compared to the English version of your site under different folders in the same domain name. So, entering each page in your Google tools will only mean that your site will be reported on a page by page basis rather as a site as a whole.

As for creating a sitemap, you will need to create a sitemap.xml file by hand or using a 3rd party tool, and then place it in the root directory of your website so it is accessible like this eg: http://www.yoursite.com/sitemap.xml


I found this to be a good article on creating a sitemap: http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/113-Introduction-to-XML-Creating-a-Google-Sitemap (http://www.practicalecommerce.com/articles/113-Introduction-to-XML-Creating-a-Google-Sitemap)

[miki30]

Very old veb site, maybe with old design - thats how i understand.

1. check your keywords, and description on your website. should be very clear and maybe tricky... for googl search engine.
2. make sure you can use as many external links to your websie as possible. you can write some posts with link to your website.
register on some free websites.
make sure you existing on some other websites.
2. old urls thats not a problem. thats another way to find your website.
3. creating a sitemap - very good idea
:)

[websitedesign]

There is lots of different elements that go into building a profitable website:

-Market research, competition analysis, customer profiling
-Keyword analysis for SEO
-Custom graphic design that leads customers through the sales process
-Professional coding features and widgets
-Internet marketing: ppc, affiliate, email, press release, link building, etc.

If you are after a professional solution please have a look in my signature....

[Kerrib4]

There is lots of different elements that go into building a profitable website:

-Market research, competition analysis, customer profiling
-Keyword analysis for SEO
-Custom graphic design that leads customers through the sales process
-Professional coding features and widgets
-Internet marketing: ppc, affiliate, email, press release, link building, etc.

If you are after a professional solution please have a look in my signature....

Thanks for your reply :) I have been posting up on article sites with keyword anchor text back to my site and also been doing a lot of link building. I am putting more pictures onto my site to make it look better.

I will take a look at your signature :)

Thanks