Rookie Web Site SEO Questions.

[DecorativeDishes]

Hi - I have some questions after reading some material on this forum.

#1 What is the difference between page rank and traffic from the search engines? When I type in keywords I do come up in the search engines, but my page rank is 0 (I think).

#2 How do I get a site map?? Where does it go? A page on the site??

#3 Should I put stuff on my site that I have been putting in my blog to get "content"??

#4 After a nice start I have had NO sales. eBay is dead for me too--(but never this slow). I hate to use the dreaded "it's summer" excuse, but my customers are probably vacationing in the Hamptons    LOL. I'm just using the time to fix up my site--hope it pays off later.

Kim 

[bargainbloodhound]

#1 Your PageRank is 0 because Google only updates PR a few time per year.  The Future Page Rank Tool (click on SEO Tools at the top of the site) is showing that when the next update hits you should receive a PR of 4...or 3

#  Domain name 

                                          Current PR
                                                  Predicted Accuracy Backlinks
1 www.decorativedishes.net... 0 4 (3.5) 81.5% 135

Traffic from search engines is the number of visitors you receive from them.  I think too much emphasis is place on PR ratings because a higher (or lower) PR doesn't necessarily translate into more traffic from search engines or even better placement for your keywords in searches.  I've seen some sites with PR's of 2 receive more visitors (or have better placement for keywords) than some sites with PR's of 5.

#2.  You can generate a sitemap by typing in your URL here: http://www.sitemapdoc.com/ .  There is also a video tutorial here (scroll down): http://www.sitemaps.your-tips.com/ . 

The sitemap is placed in the / directory of your server.  You can signup for a Google Sitemap account here . http://www.google.com/webmasters/sitemaps/siteoverview  You'll need to give Google the location of the sitemap on your server.


#3 I'd keep the stuff in your blog.  It goes well there. . 

[DecorativeDishes]

Thanks!  Wow. I didn't know I would be getting a rank. 

RE: Site Map. If I'm on Shoppal how would I put it on the server??

I got a double opt in mailing list program from Vertical Response and I am sending ONE mailing only to my existing eBay customers specifically stating they won't get anything else unless they sign-up (per your advice regarding no spam). Shoppal has a mailing list too, but I think the Vertical Response one will get more signups. I'm mailing by alphabet from my Auctiva eBud program and referencing what they bought from me. I'm going by alphabet and I got the A's done and got 2 signups so far  I appreciate the help. Kim

[regic]

RE: Site Map. If I'm on Shoppal how would I put it on the server??

You'd need FTP access to upload the file.  If you can't use a site map don't worry about it. We have one site without a site map that has over 100,000 pages indexed in Google.  Google's spider will find your pages with or without a site map.

[amy]

I got a double opt in mailing list program from Vertical Response

As long as it's double opt-in.    The features in Vertical Response look much better than ShopPal's.

We have ConstantContact but need to switch soon.  Overstock gave us a free 1-year subscription last year but once the year runs out the cost will be $75.00 monthly for the plan--a little too pricey.  :blinkie:

[Jen]

I've enjoyed vertical response - plus with them you can send real old-fashioned postcards along with emails.  There are a couple of lists that I maintain where they receive "reminder" postcard notifications before certain important dates.

[DecorativeDishes]

As long as it's double opt-in.  Smiley

Tulilp Tools    didn't raise no spammers

Jen - Thanks for the info about the postcards. I saw that, but it didn't really regiser.

Vertical Response - I bought 1000 e-mails for $15. I like the ease of use of the program a lot--very slick. Does just what I want. I imported a list from a file and it worked, but ended up using the Auctiva program instead (free and I could reference their previous purchase). If I hadn't used eBud all those years I wouldn't have had a record of my customer base.

RE: Content - What is content?? When I enter a new item of inventory is that content?? Regic when you say 100000 pages are indexed what would be on those pages?? Thanks! Kim

P.S. I read BBH post on Kirk's post on the Stores Board. I'm going to sign up for my 3 week wait for the search directory here now :-*

[regic]

Regic when you say 100000 pages are indexed what would be on those pages??

It's a directory.  Yahoo has 516,000 pages of it indexed.

[bargainbloodhound]

[quote author=amy link=topic=4371.msg17507#msg17507 date=1152677653]

We have ConstantContact but need to switch soon.  Overstock gave us a free 1-year subscription last year but once the year runs out the cost will be $75.00 monthly for the plan--a little too pricey.  :blinkie:
[/quote]

Canceled today.  The free year was due to run out tomorrow. 

On another note...DID OVERSTOCK STOP THE FREE GIFTS OR WHAT?  In the past we received free listing from 1/05-3/06, a free $900  Constant Contact account and now NOTHING!  No free gifts in months. 

I want more free gifts!
I want 'em now!
If I don't get more free gifts I'm dumping Overstock for Wagglepoop...OK, maybe not. 

[BellisimaJ.]

I want more free gifts!
I want 'em now!
If I don't get more free gifts I'm dumping Overstock for Wagglepoop...OK, maybe not

Speaking of free gifts, does PESA give away hats with attached hair (see Jay's pic)? :twistedevil: