getting hits

[Esk247]

i dont get it...i set up the website (in my linky) a few weeks ago, we're doing well in google for the search terms we wanted 'handmade table runners' and such but...no hits :| I haven't paid for any SEO or any PPC campaign or anything, it's all organic wherever you find is in your searching.

as in..a hit or two a day..but nothing..i'm not bothered about the website not being brilliant etc thats secondary because i want hits first to see if we get a sale or decide on what i need to change on the website.

but how can i be getting nothing at all? i've twittered..facebooked it...nothing..nada..zilch..zippo..nobody is walking through the door let alone not buying anything.

i'm not bothered about spelling mistakes or prices or payment processing at this stage..but..why hardly any visits?

 

[redtreeland]

seo takes time and it's entirely up to search engines to decide how relevant you are.

if you really want instant results your best bet is ppc.

sign yourself up an account on adwords and have a go.

 

[QVA - Emma]

i dont get it...i set up the website (in my linky) a few weeks ago, we're doing well in google for the search terms we wanted 'handmade table runners' and such but...no hits :| I haven't paid for any SEO or any PPC campaign or anything, it's all organic wherever you find is in your searching.

as in..a hit or two a day..but nothing..i'm not bothered about the website not being brilliant etc thats secondary because i want hits first to see if we get a sale or decide on what i need to change on the website.

but how can i be getting nothing at all? i've twittered..facebooked it...nothing..nada..zilch..zippo..nobody is walking through the door let alone not buying anything.

i'm not bothered about spelling mistakes or prices or payment processing at this stage..but..why hardly any visits?

Hi - had a quick look you only have google analytics set up on the home page and not the internal pages of the site - although I'd expect to see at least some for the home page?

I'd strip the code out and start again or install get clicky which works more or less instantly

Kind Regards

Emma

 

[Esk247]

well if its a case of having to pay for results..i'd be better to pay for printed advertising as my products are quite highly priced.

i'm aiming for those who want handmade products, made in the UK by ourselves and who are not looking for the Homebase style of cushions at £5.99.

i've got a few more ideas for printed media/advertising and lots of options that are not that expensive, but i assumed the SEO would at least generate one enquiry in 3 weeks especially as we're featuring among the top 5 pages of google for everything we sell pretty much.

 

[Esk247]

Hi - had a quick look you only have google analytics set up on the home page and not the internal pages of the site - although I'd expect to see at least some for the home page?

I'd strip the code out and start again or install get clicky which works more or less instantly

Kind Regards

Emma

well thats what i mean, even if i were to install code on all other pages..nobody visits..ever. they dont even say hello to our homepage :|

i could understand this if we werent on google...but we are..we're featured on the first page for handmade table runners and a few other products that we offer.

 

[QVA - Emma]

well thats what i mean, even if i were to install code on all other pages..nobody visits..ever. they dont even say hello to our homepage :|

i could understand this if we werent on google...but we are..we're featured on the first page for handmade table runners and a few other products that we offer.

You don't know that for sure unless you install the code on each page - people do enter websites from internal pages not just the homepage

Kind Regards

Emma

 

[redtreeland]

btw your site isn't aligned right in FF.

header is left, content middle - might worth you looking into that

 

[Esk247]

btw your site isn't aligned right in FF.

header is left, content middle - might worth you looking into that

yeah i'm fiddling as we speak..my bad.

2 visitors today..wow..shocker that.

we've had 67 visits in the first 3 weeks..thats pee poor results

 

[Esk247]

You don't know that for sure unless you install the code on each page - people do enter websites from internal pages not just the homepage

Kind Regards

Emma

good point, i'll go and sneak some more google code in and see what results appear over the next 7 days.

 

[QVA - Emma]

yeah i'm fiddling as we speak..my bad.

2 visitors today..wow..shocker that.

we've had 67 visits in the first 3 weeks..thats pee poor results

Just quickly running an exact match on handmade table runners shows a local search volume of 0 per month... what other phrases are you indexed for?

 

[Esk247]

Just quickly running an exact match on handmade table runners shows a local search volume of 0 per month... what other phrases are you indexed for?

how did you find that important crumb of information?

dont tell me this is going the same way as when i had another website indexed for 'web design in whitby' only to find nobody in whitby ever searches for a web designer online.

handmade cushions, handmade textile prints, walker and lawrence, interior accessories in whitby ... i've found us under all of those so far, as well as others but i can't remember which ones.

 

[Normansmith]

It is true that SEO takes time, but it depends on what you are doing to get the traffic ? Your on page keywords look to be very broad,perhaps a more long tail phrase would provide the results you are looking for.There are a number that have good search volumes and you could easily compete for !

 

[QVA - Emma]

Also may I just say that your internal linking would be improved if you use the text rather than the images to get to the next page i.e. "red floral table runners" than the image.

The navigation at the bottom Quicklinks all point to bedthrows rather than the individual pages.

You also need to link back to other products and have a navigation on all the pages as when you get to the product page there is nowhere to go other than "buy now" hich then takes you to paypal (with no mention of sales being taken via paypal on the main pages)

Sorry if that's harsh but some internal linking and title owrk should do you some good!



Emma

 

[Esk247]

Also may I just say that your internal linking would be improved if you use the text rather than the images to get to the next page i.e. "red floral table runners" than the image.

The navigation at the bottom Quicklinks all point to bedthrows rather than the individual pages.

You also need to link back to other products and have a navigation on all the pages as when you get to the product page there is nowhere to go other than "buy now" hich then takes you to paypal (with no mention of sales being taken via paypal on the main pages)

Sorry if that's harsh but some internal linking and title owrk should do you some good!



Emma

yeah i'm putting in new links today, it's saturdays jobs, i've started redoing the menu an such.

i would have chosen text links down the left hand side under a Menu title, however, we only sell 4/5 products..so..it would be a very small menu and would leave a lot of white space.

 

[QVA - Emma]

how did you find that important crumb of information?

dont tell me this is going the same way as when i had another website indexed for 'web design in whitby' only to find nobody in whitby ever searches for a web designer online.

handmade cushions, handmade textile prints, walker and lawrence, interior accessories in whitby ... i've found us under all of those so far, as well as others but i can't remember which ones.

Using the Google Adwords Keywords tool - not always accurate but worth it to have a look around at phrases

Forget handmade for now and concentrate on colours and fabrics I would say anyway.

Kind Regards

Emma

 

[QVA - Emma]

yeah i'm putting in new links today, it's saturdays jobs, i've started redoing the menu an such.

i would have chosen text links down the left hand side under a Menu title, however, we only sell 4/5 products..so..it would be a very small menu and would leave a lot of white space.

So you could put in a few images of best sellers or "you may like this" images etc. always helpful, linking internally and filling up the white space!

 

[redtreeland]

when you click into the product e.g. http://www.walkerandlawrence.co.uk/tablerunnersfiles/redandfloralrunner.html the header and footer disappears... your site definitely needs work

always ensure it is fully working before promoting it. it is harder to reconvince an unbeliever.

 

[Matt1959]

do PPC using exact match hand made table runners and see how many impressions you get??? You're about 12 page one G for that term so not surprising theres no visitors???

 

[Esk247]

do PPC using exact match hand made table runners and see how many impressions you get??? You're about 12 page one G for that term so not surprising theres no visitors???

but then wouldn't that suggest people aren't really searching for it and then it will be best to do printed adverts in magazines that are targeting the people we want?

it appears that very few people are actually searching for what we sell, but there is a market for it, we've sold items at craft fairs and such with great feedback...thats why i don't get the translation to google searches..its totally different, people seem to be searching for totally random things rather than just a cushion.

 

[Esk247]

when you click into the product e.g. http://www.walkerandlawrence.co.uk/tablerunnersfiles/redandfloralrunner.html the header and footer disappears... your site definitely needs work

always ensure it is fully working before promoting it. it is harder to reconvince an unbeliever.

yeah we're working on that this weekend, it's changed a bit over the last few weeks but i dont want to spend weeks and weeks crafting it..to find it wont make a penny on the web and i'd better of spent my time peeling potatoes for the local fish and chip shop.

we're also introducing a couple of new products next week so i'm trying to leave things open ended so i can change them easily enough.

 

[QVA - Emma]

do PPC using exact match hand made table runners and see how many impressions you get??? You're about 12 page one G for that term so not surprising theres no visitors???

I have them on page one on uk pages and the web...

But I agree with Matt run a PPC campaign to see what it is best to target for but get the site finished first.

Emma

 

[MASSEY]

You need to reserch keywords before you seo.

Do what matt said to see how many people are searching,

The figure wont be exactly correct because often the same ads on page one appear again on page 2 etc.

For things like had made cushions traffic will be high.

Hand made table turners,.... not so high.

 

[Esk247]

plan of action under way:

new web layout with text menu not picture menu
link all pages to eachother via a menu/best seller products links
look at PPC campaign when thats done while looking at the keywords

lets see if that works

 

[Matt1959]

but then wouldn't that suggest people aren't really searching for it and then it will be best to do printed adverts in magazines that are targeting the people we want?
.

well I would think due to being number 12 instead of No 1 or 2 thats the reason you get no visits. You're almost saying I'm number 12 page one google but no ones visiting why the bloody hells that:|

what about doing PPC, you will then know for sure how many are searching?

anyways I know little - ask Earl

 

[Esk247]

well I would think due to being number 12 instead of No 1 or 2 thats the reason you get no visits. You're almost saying I'm number 12 page one google but no ones visiting why the bloody hells that:|

what about doing PPC, you will then know for sure how many are searching?

anyways I know little - ask Earl

well when we've researched the keywords a bit more we'll invest in some ppc, we were appearing on the first page for a few keywords/searches but it appears..after some looking at that adwords/keyword site..not many people are searching for the terms we're ranking higher for.

the website needs completing now anyway, so a total dust and polish through-out then on to PPC and such. give it 14 days once that is done and hopefully i should see a small increase in visitors.

i know it takes time, but its just annoying when you see the same number of visitors each day even if you're adding content and twittering about special offers....we shall see

 

[Matt1959]

I'm confused (not difficult) you said you wanted to ascertain what the potential visitors numbers were before spending any time on the site. PPC can be set up within the next half an hour and the impression figures within the next few days will tell you what visitor numbers you are missing out on (due to being not top page one google) or am I getting wrong end of stick ok so you'll need to spend a few bob on the PPC but shouldnt cost you more than £20 surely?

 

[redtreeland]

you will definiltey need ppc at some point, just not now - sort out your site first

 

[Esk247]

re-designing site first then i'll look at the PPC Matt, sounds like its very much worth the £20 to have a look and see whats in the pond.

i haven't done much with PPC myself, i usually leave all that to someone else, guess i've been missing out.

 

[MASSEY]

It sounds like you need to disable customisation on your search activity.

 

[360interactive]

I also suggest that when you've got the visits coming in, put the site up for a review on UKBF. I may be wrong, but if you're looking to attract customers who are after the more expensive, hand made cusion, you may not snag the sales with that website.

Do away with the mass 'sale' banners (did you ever advertise them at the full price, if so why introduce a sale after a few weeks and no visits?!), and get some decent photos on there, especially replacing the poorly cut out ones.

 

[360interactive]

yeah we're working on that this weekend, it's changed a bit over the last few weeks but i dont want to spend weeks and weeks crafting it..to find it wont make a penny on the web and i'd better of spent my time peeling potatoes for the local fish and chip shop.

I find this pretty hard to get my head around?

You don't want to spend time crafting the website until you know you can make money on it, but people won't buy from it unless it is looking and working right surely?

Edited to add: They are really nice cushions! Have you thought about putting a few of them on ebay?

 

[Esk247]

I find this pretty hard to get my head around?

You don't want to spend time crafting the website until you know you can make money on it, but people won't buy from it unless it is looking and working right surely?

Edited to add: They are really nice cushions! Have you thought about putting a few of them on ebay?

ah, you're falling in the trap of what i mentioned in my original post..the website is not to my liking, however, we're not getting any hits..at all..nothing, nada, zilch, so i didn't want to spend 3 weeks building a nice new glossy website and having all new photos done if our products received absolutely no interest what so ever..alas..time is money. so, as i'm redesigning the site i want it to feature as high as possible in google, thus giving me hits, these i can convert in to customers BUT at the moment..i have no hits..so..i have nobody to convert to customers :|

if i can get hits, then they don't buy anything..i'm not too concerned..i limit the problems to being within the confines of my website...but...if i'm not getting ANY hits at all..then clearly, even if i just had a picture of a goat wearing a hat..it wouldn't matter as nobody would see it.

thank you, the cushions are all made by ourselves using the highest quality fabrics and ebay is an idea..i'm not sure though..i always see ebay as a place to buy cheap items and accessories, i've found it difficult enough to set up the flipping ebay shop let alone try and sell anything on it.

 

The last time anyone looked for hand made table runners was 1827.

Target "table runners"

Earl

 

[Matt1959]

if you are unsure about the demand for the product then it surely makes sense to ascertain the demand before working on the site (as you have said) therefore, I don't understand why doing PPC immediately is a bad idea , maybe I'm missing something here....

 

[Esk247]

if you are unsure about the demand for the product then it surely makes sense to ascertain the demand before working on the site (as you have said) therefore, I don't understand why doing PPC immediately is a bad idea , maybe I'm missing something here....

well i can update text and such at a later date after starting a look at PPC, i'm having a gander at it now actually, i just think the website isn't getting anywhere at all in its present state so a bit of redesign is best, then start advertising the newer design of site and compare the hits..hopefully..week on week they should slowly creep up.

 

[Esk247]

The last time anyone looked for hand made table runners was 1827.

Target "table runners"

Earl

thats what i'm starting to think..perhaps targeting just the more ordinary of search entries...although..people we've talked to at craft fairs have said they liked the handmade items to the shop bought items, ours are lined and backed so they're double the weight that you'd buy in a standard shop.

but then..those people probably dont have the internet either

 

[Matt1959]

i just think the website isn't getting anywhere at all in its present state so a bit of redesign is best, .

even though you dont know what the demand is?

pedantic matt

 

[Esk247]

even though you dont know what the demand is?

pedantic matt

oh hush...i'll see about ppc first then...stop you throwing all of your toys out of the pram

 

[Big Pete]

i dont get it...i set up the website (in my linky) a few weeks ago, we're doing well in google for the search terms we wanted 'handmade table runners' and such but...no hits :| I haven't paid for any SEO or any PPC campaign or anything, it's all organic wherever you find is in your searching.

as in..a hit or two a day..but nothing..i'm not bothered about the website not being brilliant etc thats secondary because i want hits first to see if we get a sale or decide on what i need to change on the website.

but how can i be getting nothing at all? i've twittered..facebooked it...nothing..nada..zilch..zippo..nobody is walking through the door let alone not buying anything.

i'm not bothered about spelling mistakes or prices or payment processing at this stage..but..why hardly any visits?

Have you considered its AUGUST ? Holiday time , kids going back to school Mum has more things to worry about than a new scattered cushion or 2

Give it a month or so maybe .. Holidays over back to Mum bored on the PC etc..

 

[Esk247]

Have you considered its AUGUST ? Holiday time , kids going back to school Mum has more things to worry about than a new scattered cushion or 2

Give it a month or so maybe .. Holidays over back to Mum bored on the PC etc..

yes, this had crossed our minds, we're aiming for the christmas market at the moment and only have half of the stock online with more being made up..we dont want to have too much stock though.

didn't know if it would affect results that much although we usually see a dip to zero hits on a saturday..people out shopping and such, not surfing the net.