OK, after 6 months Work, tell me what you think

[OnLyZ]

Hi Guys,

www.trinitymarine.co.uk

OK, here it is for you all to see, my pride & joy (and also my total nightmare) I was going to leave this for a while, but as I have gained and then lost 20 places in 3 Days, I thought I would throw it open to you. I will atempt to tell you all that has been done, and some of the things that I know about, but can't change for the foreseeable future.

1) I Cant change the Menu System. This Site uses Ezimerchant as its core. This keeps me within certain parameters, which include not being able to change page names, or the position or layout of the menu. It also stops me from using CSS (I know, wack software, but my Boss doesn't want to change right now - he says he has spent enough, and in a way I know what he means!)

2) I have tried looking at other peoples TAGs and nicking them, but this doesn't really help.

3) I have been using <H> TAGs

4) Have been using site submission software, and recently bought Web Position Gold.

5) Regularly change the META TAGS, but leave the really important ones. They are - Nautical Antiques, Marine Collectables, Diving Helmets, Siebe Gorman, Ships Windows, Porthole, Historical Diving, Ships Lights

6) I actively chase new links, but not many people seem to take me up on it.

7) We have 2 Sign Written Vans patrolling the local area.

I know I sometimes panic when I slip down the rankings, like yesterday when i ripped half my old tags out, How do I gauge whats working and whats not?

I average out at about 150 hits a day...

[jocelyn]

1- Now this is not fun at all. Your menu is important and this is how you could focus PR toward important pages... I'd be looking for a solution to this ASAP.

2- Tags have a low weight in ranking... except title... no major improvements to expect playing with these except the title.

3- Good but don't spam them and use only one H1

4- I don't use site submission... I already get enough junkmail. They really don't do nothing noticeable.

5- See #2

6- This is usually how it goes... till you get a nice PR link page. When you ask for a link, put the dudes link on your page before you email him. It's speeds up the process, allow him to see if you are pulling tricks, and some will not be able to refuse if it's already there.

7- I don't understand what you are trying to say here.

Don't panic yet... wait till this update is over... the YO-YO phase is not over.

[OnLyZ]

Well, it seems like i will have to push hard to get a rebuild paid for... Other than that, it doesn't seem to bad...

I seem to be well down in Google again today though... 60th, I can't understand it - do you think the Yo-Yo phase is over yet?

and thanks for your help, i really appreciate it

[wyrickj]

Well for your 4th question on using Web Position Gold here is what Google says about that kind of software:

Automated "ranking checking" programs violate Google's terms of service. They use server resources that should be spent on answering user requests. We strongly request that you not use rank checking programs to check your position on Google.

Google will tag you if you use that kind of software. Always I mean Always do a manual route instead of an automated route.

[OnLyZ]

but if you change your IP after every atempt, surely they can't track you?

[jocelyn]

[QUOTE=OnLyZ]but if you change your IP after every atempt, surely they can't track you?[/QUOTE]
Play tricks or use tools if you want. We see keywords same color as background everyday.
Once they throw you out, tuff luck buddy. It's always up to you to try to cut corners.

[bobafind]

I didn't see any mention of keywords being used in URLs or anchor text in the site description. I checked and all of the pages URLs seem to be similar to "http://www.trinitymarine.co.uk/webcontent7.htm" so that is one avenue to look at improving - you could try something like "http://www.trinitymarine.co.uk/nautical-antiques-showroom.htm"

On that same page, which is full of content and has a bunch of images, all of the images are without alt text (not sure how much this really helps but a lot of SEO guides say to make sure to at least describe the images).

If fixing the URLs is not doable because of the system being used, theres another possible reason to look at other options as far as shopping cart / ecommerce software packages.

Good luck! hope to hear good news soon.
Joel

[zagro]

Hi OnLyZ, just a comment about design: the red links over blue background is not the best color combination and can even produce a bit of a vibrating sensation. It is a little detail but might have some impact on your site performance.

[OnLyZ]

i am colour blind, so that would explain that! what would you say is a better choice?

[zagro]

Check this page (http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/design/14.php3) on color combinations. I found very useful when I was designing my site.
btw, some days ago I came across statistics and there is a surprisingly (to me) high number color blind people. This is an issue that shouldn't be ignored by webmasters for usability reasons.

[jocelyn]

[QUOTE=jocelyn]Play tricks or use tools if you want. We see keywords same color as background everyday.
Once they throw you out, tuff luck buddy. It's always up to you to try to cut corners.[/QUOTE]
I would like to clarify that this post is not to suggest that OnLyZ is using clear text on his pages.
It's just to say that some still take risks with their site doing this and I would not use an non-accepted Google tool and risk to get the same concequences.

[zagro]

I forgot to suggest a color for OnLyZ's links: I think FFFFCC is nice on a blue background.

[Gas Scooter Guy]

[QUOTE=wyrickj]Automated "ranking checking" programs violate Google's terms of service. They use server resources that should be spent on answering user requests. We strongly request that you not use rank checking programs to check your position on Google.

Google will tag you if you use that kind of software. Always I mean Always do a manual route instead of an automated route.[/QUOTE]

What about using the keyword tracker in Digital Point? If you do a daily check, is that apt to get you tagged?

[jocelyn]

[QUOTE=Gas Scooter Guy]What about using the keyword tracker in Digital Point?[/QUOTE]
It uses the google API and is fully compliant because of that.