Re: adding site to search engines

Looks like I have my work cut out for me this morning!

Thanks to all for the great tips.

Jim

----- Original Message -----
From: "jim barchuk" <jb(at)jbarchuk.com>
To: <hwg-basics(at)hwg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 12:37 AM
Subject: Re: adding site to search engines


> Hi Jim!
>
> > about a month ago I submitted my site to dozens of different Search
engine
> > sites but still can't find it when I search for it. I have added the
meta
> > tags:
> >
> >     <META name="Keywords" CONTENT="site keywords here, etc, etc">
> >
> > with lots of pertinent info but I am not having much luck in finding it.
> >
> > Site (still under construction!) is http://www.exoticautoinc.com
>
> Not much luck? Try google.com and search for 'Exotic Auto Brokers'. #1
> hit. However at altavista it's not in the top 100 for those words.
>
> But that's a search for -exactly- that string of words. As the first words
> in the keywords it's the #1 topic of the site. Not 'cars' or 'vehicles,'
> and 'dealer' is waaay down in your list.
>
> Be aware that you have a *HUGE* competition. At google Exotic Auto Brokers
> returned 6.1k hits and northernlight was 6.4k. It's -very- difficult to
> get near the top of any list that big with even such an uncommon phrase.
>
> If those are the exact words you prefer to be know by then you're fine.
> Personally I don't put 'phrases' in keywords until much further down the
> list.
>
> Other clues.
>
> Put a few more words in your Title.
>
> Be -much- more descriptive in your meta description. There really isn't
> much 'pertinent info' there. The words 'site' and 'internet' are kind of
> dippy and redundant because *everything* on the www is an 'internet site.'
> :)
>
> Put more -descriptive- phrases in your IMG ALT.
>
> Put up -lots- more pictures so you can add lots more ALTs. :)
>
> Put more specific auto makes in your keywords and description.
>
> Use the full allowance of 1024 chars in both keywords and description.
>
> But...
>
> I think search engines aren't going to be a major source of hits for your
> site anyway because the competition is just too big. (Be glad you're not
> selling hard drives where google returns 3.3M hits. LOL!)
>
> You need lots more content. You have almost none. If you want the site to
> be a real marketing tool you need more than just a 'for sale' shingle.
>
> There are lots of fun things to do...
>
> Provide a links list to other sites with -related- information, such as
> car clubs, associations and conventions, and ask for return links. Don't
> worry if they don't reciprocate. Simply having those links will add words
> to the search engines that may bring hits.
>
> You can take that a step further and start a 'compendium of exotic car
> clubs/sites' or something similar. Take a look around the net for existing
> lists and do it -better-. Or if there are a lot of good ones provide a
> 'compendium of compendiums.' Put up a notice that asks for -their- other
> favorite sites.
>
> Get interactive such as a forum area where users can talk about their club
> or particular car, or a 'user contributed pic of the month' contest.
>
> Write a monthly newsletter and offer mailing list subscriptions. Not a
> 'this month's special sale' kind of thing, but a different exotic car
> -related- topic each month. But you can of course list a couple of cars
> available at the end of the newsletter.
>
> Pick a few exotic car books, write up reviews, and also post links to
> Amazon. Might pick up a few nickles that way in addition to building
> content.
>
> *Participate* -yourself-. Find two or three fairly generic exotic car
> mailing lists or newsgroups. Spend a couple of hours a week contributing
> comments and information there. Not 'we have this for sale' type ads, but
> general conversation. (Unless of course someone asks 'who has...,' but
> don't reply to the list/group unless they specifically allow such
> commercial participation.) All you really need is active participation, an
> URL in your sig, and as folks learn to respect your opinions and
> information they will visit.
>
> Net marketing is just like RL marketing except it's on a screen: get your
> face out there and people will see it.
>
> The point of all this is that for a site to be a marketing tool it needs
> to be something that draws people, makes them want to stay for a while,
> makes them want to tell others about it. (Word of mouth is a big deal on
> the net as well as in RL.) Example. You're a flower fan. You're driving
> along a country road.  You see a roadside sign that says 'Flowers,' and a
> small building with a couple of potted plants hanging in the window. You
> pass by. You see another Flowers sign, but this small building has lots of
> different color pots in the window, magazines, fun macrame plant hangers.
> -This- one makes you stop because it's more than just a couple of potted
> plants. Make your site more than just a couple of potted plants and you
> will draw viewers.
>
> Have a :) day!
>
> jb
>
> --
> jim barchuk
> jb(at)jbarchuk.com
>

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