Linda posted in the marketing section the other day about goto.com and kindly provided me with some information about search engines and marketing to read.

But I can't help but worry, after reading on this a bit this afternoon, that I don't even stand a chance.

After reading:

http://www.searchengines.com/keywords.html
(and all the subcategories in the ranking category on the navigation menu)

And this:

http://www.searchengineworld.com/tips/index.htm,

I can help but wonder! Tips and tricks especially seems to be indicating that one write down keywords, check the competition, add more keywords, revise that as many times as necessary to assure one has the correct correlation of keywords in tite, tags, alt tags, and body. And then build the web page last! (or so it sounds).

I know I certainly did mine backwards from this advice. Many of my pages don't have 100 words. And, really, how many times can I mention the word birdhouse on one page!! Some of these articles describe the tactics and strategies as if I am entering a war zone, and I had better pull out all the stops if I am going to be successful.

So, am I even in the ball park as far as titles, descriptions, tags, etc.?? I suppose my design is far too simple, according to some articles, but I designed it as print media, not so very different from one might see in a newspaper. (We start out as infants, and grow as our expertise grows, I suppose). But being the worrywort that I am, I wonder if it is too "lame" to really compete, as far as search engine optimization goes.

My head is still spinning when I read through some of these articles and realize that designing and building a few web pages is only step 1, and the work is now only just beginning!

If anyone has the time to look at some of these aspects, I thank you in advance for your time.

Maria
www.themeanderingpath.com

DON'T WORRY!

You're doing a great job with your site! Don't concentrate on how much you want to learn... remind yourself how much you HAVE learned. No site is perfect... they are all works in progress.

Search engine optimization is to help you get better rankings, but always remember that content and ease of use is what will get you bookmarked and have people coming back. Plus, those tips are just that... not hard and fast rules.

On your home page, the text descriptions next to each image should be linked. Garden Accessories linked to a file named garden_accessories.htm would be really good, although I don't know how much "garden accessories" might be searched on. (remember, it's easy to rename files - FP will update your links in the site)

The page you have the photo here going to is Yrd.Tools.1.htm ...why not yard_tools.htm ..or garden_tools.htm

Instead of Cmp.Gr.1.htm use camping_gear.htm . Keep to lower case and use full words that the search engines will be able to pick up on.

Doing your own site is "learn as you go". The first thing I think you really need is to link those home page descriptions. As it is, the viewer needs to scroll down to get a link that says "browse and shop" and that page mentions "be sure to visit our main site", while I'm still at the main site... aren't I?

Have friends and family look around the site and see if they can easily look around and order. If they get confused, try not to help, but to take notes on what might make things easier for them. I have a hard time with this myself at times. I want to tell them what to do [it's so OBVIOUS! right?] when I really need to see where they might need something easier to use.

No matter what, do not get discouraged. We all have days like that... take a break if you need it, but keep working at it and you'll be glad you did!

Linda

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Ruby Marketing

I am making the changes you suggested. I believe I kept page names so short because I read somewhere to keep them below xx characters long. But after reading the article, I can see where your suggestion makes so much more sense.

If I publish, new names will not match current page listings. How would be the best way to make changes? Could I change the page names in FP, then open site live and rename the pages, -before- I publish the changes from my local drive so there won't be confusion on server's directory?

I added alt text to product image promos on my home page. Would that suffice, rather than making the text description a link also? The only reason I hesitate is because if I am required later to provide a link or web ring listing on my home page, I will slow the load time even more. I don't want to, but I may be required to. My home page is pretty long and full of graphics already. And it takes longer to load for me at home on laptop as it is.

I will change the "main site" reference and perhaps put the browse and shop closer to the top of the page. My husband wasn't too keen on the browse site and shop in store idea and the possibility of losing one's cart contents, but I told him that's how shopping cart programs work. The store is actually 'separate' from the site. That's why I stated 'main site' versus the shopping cart.

I will heed your advice and make the site with content and ease in mind. Thank you much for your kind words. Yes, it seems so obvious to me. Good point! But not to someone new. Good advice.

Thanks so much.
Maria

quote:

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I added alt text to product image promos on my home page. Would that suffice, rather than making the text description a link also? The only reason I hesitate is because if I am required later to provide a link or web ring listing on my home page, I will slow the load time even more. I don't want to, but I may be required to.

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It would be best to set up a separate page for links and web rings.

You might ask specifically about the shopping cart in Business & Marketing. The easier it is to browse and buy, the better. If re-doing it a different way is out right now due to time and/or cost, it's still good to know what is possible (or not) for sometime in the future.

I'm glad this has helped some. You're welcome.

Linda

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Ruby Marketing