Need Help with New Site

[mephistel]

Hi All,

I've recently hosted a wiki website, which is designed to be a "How To" guide which can be edited by the public. My current problem is, getting traffic driven to the site. I have a couple of members who have been writing a couple of guides. Ideally in the end I'd like this to be a huge repository which everyone can use for finding how-to guides on pratically anything.

Does anyone have any kind of tips for this, or willing to help out by adding some of their expertise to an article?

I am willing to help out in a similar way with other peoples websites. Just really need a bit of help to kick start this,

Thanks!

 

[SamRidd]

Have you tried any type of SEO?

And by this I mean,

Social Bookmarking
Submitting Articles to other Sites for Backlinks
Press Release Distribution
Directory Submission

Any one of these should help increase your search engine position which should hopefully lead to greater exposure and traffic if you are targetting the right keywords.

Sam.

 

[mephistel]

To be honest, I don't know how to do any of these things, since this is all new to me, especially the marketing perspective. Have you got any pointers about how I could do each of these?

 

[thetime22]

whats the wiki about?

 

[redtigerdesign]

It's a combination of making sure your website is SEO-friendly, building links, getting involved with social media and establishing links with relevant websites.

Don't forget to keep relevant content up to date frequently, and be persistant - if you don't have a budget then it'll take a little time to build

Alex

 

[mephistel]

It can be about anything, as long as the article is a how-to guide explaining how to do something. for example, a how to guide on how to play a certain sport, or how to cook a certain meal would both be examples of the kind of articles that will be hosted on the site

 

[Hailey]

Sounds interesting, do you have a link? I had the same problems when I set up my website, marketing it! I have no experience of these things either or a budget for marketing. I have managed it and still am by reading articles online, joining forums (lots of great advice on forums), linking with other sites, contributing to relevant online communities. There are lots of free ways to promotoe your site but they will be slow and you will need lots of time and patience. Good luck with it

 

[fisicx]

The problem you have is that there are already wodges of 'how-to' websites. You are going to be competing against the likes experts-exchange, ehow and even youtube.

Not saying you won't be successful but there is an awful lot of competition. Just search for 'how to wire a plug' and you will see how popular your idea is.

 

[mephistel]

Thanks Hailey, the site is: wikiwoohoo.com

It has only been alive for a short period, so anyone please feel free to sign up and help out.

Fisicx: I know what you mean, the competition is thick but I felt by creating a traditional wiki site could seperate it from the rest. So a wikipedia for how to guides, instead of a site that explains how to do something.

Thanks for the feedback both of you!

 

[Hailey]

I have had a look at the site, seems it needs content primarily. Theres no point putting the word out about the site and getting visitors as they wont return without content. Nice idea but I would concentrate on good quality and interesting content before worrying about getting hits to the site.

 

[mephistel]

I agree, it's a difficult one - just like a forum. It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation, you can't get posts without users, and you can't get users without interesting posts

I guess it will involve me dedicating a lot of my personal time to write loads of articles

 

[royalmatt]

Press release
social bookmarking
Directory submission

 

[goliveuk]

Hi, take your time and provide lots of useful content as Hailey says. Once you get it, start making it more popular, by all means. SEO,Social Media Marketing, Social Bookmarking, Paid Advertising etc.
I am sure you will succeed if you are serious. You just need some more time. Just remember you need to be persevering.

 

[Dan_HiHosting]

Remove the start page for a start, and why are you hosted in the netherlands? If you're in the UK that'll hamper your SEO performance and site performance. It loaded rather slow for me... I'd advise you switch host (happy to help with that) and as others said, get content on there. Content is king... especially for a site like that.
Create a facebook page and promote the site to your contacts. If you need any help we're happy to help out (we also give £50 google adwords vouchers to our clients which will help).