New site - same business - SEO question

[rrr120]

Hello,

I have a site that ranks OK for a fairly specific search term in a small geographical area - the search volume is low. I run a service based business.

I am just building a new website and although the business is the same, the new site will be focused on covering a wider geographical area.

I understand the theory that when building a new site that if you keep the same structure/URLs that you won't harm your page ranking etc.

My question is, as I am not that happy with the rankings that it achieves and the areas that it is successful in, is it better to bring this baggage with me to the new site and then alter it over time or bite the bullet and start from scratch - structuring the website's SEO around the wider area that I want to cover?

I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[fisicx]

Start from scratch. Local ranking is easy with the right site structure/content.

Write the Weebly site off to experience and focus on properly planning the new site. Don't build anything until you have done all your research, planned the structure, defined the marketing campaign (including SEO) written the content, developed the calls to action and a zillion other things.

Do not start fiddling with themes and layouts before you have got the site planned and prepared.

 

[rrr120]

Ha Ha - Can you see my laptop screen?

OK - so in between time, would you just put a page holder up with basic business details on there and a 404 page?

Thanks for responding.

 

[fisicx]

That's a good way to get something up and running.

And remember, the theme doesn't matter. As long as it doesn't look like a dog's dinner pretty much any theme you choose will be ok. What matters is the content, navigation and calls to action. Get this right and it will convert.

 

[StartUpC]

Agree, I've had similar challenge before and I was advised do it from scratch - and it worked. I do not know what would happen other way - but I do not care...
Research, preparation and planning are very important.

 

[mick&sarah]

And remember, the theme doesn't matter. As long as it doesn't look like a dog's dinner pretty much any theme you choose will be ok. What matters is the content, navigation and calls to action. Get this right and it will convert.

A while ago we were told that our website was a bit confusing and information was there but not so straightforward to get hold of, we were offered to have a wireframe made but then for some reason it didn't happen. We've been left wondering what a wireframe is.

 

[fisicx]

A wireframe is a version of the site without all the styling. It's like a house with bare walls an no curtains. It allows you to add the content and focus on the functionality and not get distracted with colours and fonts and whatever.

It's how all websites should be built. The worst thing you can do is choose a theme and try to make the content fit. It rarely works.

 

[The Wholesale Forums]

Yes, start from scratch - it's best to build that from the foundations up.

Focusing on using SEO around the much wider geographical range will be easier, and help boost your rankings in search engines. If you're looking to gain a higher rate in organic traffic as well take a look at what's called The Skyscraper Technique.

 

[rrr120]

Thanks for all the replies. It's a great help. I've taken the weebly site down and I'm going to start from scratch.