So pleased..(SEO)

[gemd89]

I was messing around with the titles on the site last week and looking at google. I noticed i wasnt even coming up for fancy dress in my local area so i changed my titles and im now 3rd option, page 1 for fancy dress wakefield.

I know its not fantastic but for someone who doesnt know SEO i think im learning well.

Im not sure how many searches there are for this? Im guessing not many?

How would i get to position 1?

Gemma

[OldWelshGuy]

Well done Gem,

The 2 main elements of the algorithm are page title and anchor text of links pointing to that page. You have put your title right, now you need to look at anchor text. A sitewide footer link on your own site with that anchor text might be enough to shove you up a place or two.

One thing though. before you start messing around with titles, you should check what traffic you are getting through current rankings. That is to say that your current title could be bringing you in a lot of traffic, but your changing it could harm thart traffic as it is no longer crafted to rank for it.

You should be looking at existing traffic, and know why you are getting it, before considering making title changes.

[gemd89]

Im getting no traffic at the minute so being in google for anything is good at the minute.

Im unsure what you mean about footer

Gemma

[jamiec8]

Agree go find some links! Start building your overall link profile I wouldn't get bogged down with dofollow/nofollow at the moment.

FYI - roughly 200 exact match search p/month, hope you get as many as poss!

[gemd89]

I have 370 links at the minute i believe, its finding where to put links!

Whats the best way to do this?

Gemma

[jamiec8]

you actually have a handful of inbound links with separate IP addresses:

netmums
uk business forum :-)
and about 3 or 4 web directories

Someone will probably disagree, but participating in blog comments is a good way to promote and gain links some may be nofollow, but can still pass relevance.

Search engines look at your overall link profile so getting links from places like twitter can help get pages indexed. Press releases (news worthy ones) are good for getting links.

There is a large list of social bookmarking sites that will pass value as well, I'll find the link later...

Try creating your own blog this can attract links if you have some valuable content to post :-)

[gemd89]

I wouldnt know what to talk about on a blog...i would want something individual to talk about really...all i would do is talk about my day and i doubt anyone would be interested.

That 101 ways to get your business known thread, ive looked at that.

Well im on facebook and have a page 'i love dressing up' with 270 fans at the moment - people are starting to interact with the page

Gemma

[WeblinkPlus]

I wouldnt know what to talk about on a blog...i would want something individual to talk about really...all i would do is talk about my day and i doubt anyone would be interested.


Budding writers are common and especially with housewives who maybe have time on their hands and are looking for part time work. Find one who can research and write on your niche and pay them a fiver per article or something like that.

Also possible to get guest bloggers for free or in exchange for a link.

[i3SearchWorx]

Hi mate, we currently optimise **removed** and have been working with them for about 4 months now. We've had quite a bit of success - first page womens fancy dress, mens costumes, womens costumes etc - i think they are now page 3 for 'fancy dress' on it's own. We did explore the geo route, it's good to have a maps listing if you have a shop for sure, but looking at traffic levels you probably won't get much. It's good to have a goal so look at secondary long tail such as 'womens fancy dress', mens costumes, cheap costumes womens costumes - we know these convert traffic and a lot of it - so maybe time to try and step it up a notch.

Good luck!!

[gemd89]

Will look at that, thanks

Gemma

[awebapart.com]

I was messing around with the titles on the site last week and looking at google. I noticed i wasnt even coming up for fancy dress in my local area so i changed my titles and im now 3rd option, page 1 for fancy dress wakefield.
Do you have a physical retail shop in Wakefield?

If not, do you hold your own stock and allow customer collection, or a cheaper local customer delivery, from your local address? (For those people in a hurry, wanting something for that Saturday party on that day).

My guess is that you probably do not do either of these if you are merely going the online dropshipping route.

In which case, targeting local searches, IMO, wont equate to much in the way of sales, since I would guess that those people looking for fancy dress wakefield are more likely looking for a fancy dress retail shop. And those people looking mainly looking for an online supplier probably are not putting in a local search.

[popunder]

Seemed to have slipped to 13th on Google already though - sorry!

[gemd89]

Aww poor me, people work too quickly!

I dont dropship - why make the assumtion when you have nothing to back them up?

People can collect if they ring ahead first as its my home address. I do hold alot of stock

Will take a look at the google again

Thanks
Gemma

[awebapart.com]

I dont dropship - why make the assumtion when you have nothing to back them up?
I made that assumption based on:

1. The sheer number of clothes you display (1200 products, many with multiple sizes, so possibly 2000-3000 SKUs - stock control units)

2. Your website does not mention any stock numbers against products

3. Your website doesn't mention you having a retail shop, but you have mentioned it is a home based business which hasn't been going for very long

4. When I mentioned dropshipping as a common option in that market when offering advice to you in a previous thread (http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1312692), you didn't correct me or provide further other information as to your approach (but thanks for letting me know now)

People can collect if they ring ahead first as its my home address. I do hold alot of stock
If that is the case then do make it clear upfront on your website, as this will encourage the local customers who visit your site from local searches in the search engines.

[gemd89]

I do not want people just turning up at my house though - its not convenient and certainly not professional when i have a 2 year old running round and a 6 month old rolling around! I might get that changed to show stock levels then, do you know a good example of a website that does this?

Gemma