Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

We`ve discussed this on the SEO and Web critique forums, but meta tags are probably down there at the bottom of importance for visibility.

I understand and agree that the meta tags for keywords do have some use and purpose, and perhaps for some of the less popular search engines they`re a wonderful thing. But visibility doesn`t rest on any single thing.

Leslie wonders how come with all these meta tag keywords the site isn`t roaring into the public vision. Consider that there may be 30 key words in that meta tag. Terrific! Excellent! Superb! But....!

If the content itself doesn`t reflect the use of the meta tag keywords, it won`t matter much. Content trumps an old tag.

Additionally, how many human-type people are actually typing into the search engine query bar exactly those keywords?

If I have a site called "Zylidich Qenchiana" and someone types those two words into the query bar, then by golly, I`ll end up #1 in the search engine results. How wonderful!

The question is what are people typing into that query bar in the *real* world?

Bert & Roland

Thank you so much for your feedback. You`ve both confirmed in different ways that the company that did my websites, which I like, still doesn`t seem to be SEO optimized. Their service was to include their Maketing abilities over and above web design. True I have professional copy writing, but not written for the web--and that`s what I`m dealing with. I`ve asked them for keywords, based on their work and I haven`t gotten an answer--more of trying to divert me..

I was very enthusiatic at the beginning, even wanted to associate my business with theirs because they said they had a knowledge of the small business owner`s need to have encompassing services---that I`m very disappointed with from this company.

I`ve talked to them about pay-per-click and I still haven`t gotten a reply.

I`m not a techno person by any means--so should I tell them what you`ve said or what`s my course now?

Thanks 

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Leslie,your business doctor

I agree with Craig and Roland.  They both approach this from different angles but they do a much better job of making the points I was struggling to make.  (Maybe it is because I create sentences like the last one?)  Once again I would like to say META tags are only a small part of the big picture...

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

Leslie,
You can first ask your developers to include Google Analytics on each page of your Web site, if it hasn`t already been done. Then, have them teach you how to log into the Google area where you can get reports on how your site is being visited.

In the new version, recently updtated, you`ll see lists of "keyword phrases" people are using to find your site. Obviously, it won`t show you the phrases people are using that do NOT find your site.

However, by examining the (sometime random) phrases people DO use to find your site, you can get ideas as to how to make it easier for more people.

For example, suppose you discover that people who typed "corporate health" found your site. You can increase the number of times you use those two words on your pages. Then you can think about "related" phrases.

Corporate health means people are looking for something involving health insurance and business. It might be corporate HR people doing the looking (remember, only an example). You might then build into the content such phrases as "health benefits plan," "employee health insurance," "worker`s comp" and things like that.

Knowing what people are typing that finds your site, you can analyze whether or not your site content is correctly "saying" what you intend, and if you`re attracting the people you want as customers.

It`s like using the right lure to catch certain fish. Catfish won`t go after an artificial minnow, they prefer real food that sits on the bottom. But a bass tends to go after something moving. At different times of the season, the color of the lure matters.

So too, people searching for a free health analysis are different from someone looking to find a good cosmetic surgeon.

Craig, Google Analytics will tell you some of the keywords you have not included in your META tag keyword list.  Since they crawl your site they will pick up on words used in your page content (also important) and it will show up on the keyword list in the analytics.  You can then add those words in your META tag keywords and for pay per click advertising.  You are right again, it is a great tool.

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

I agree that meta tags have diminished value for Google but they do carry weight specifically for Yahoo and MSN. Solid content and well code pages (proper meta and html tags) will do very well in Yahoo and MSN on that basis alone. I recommend that meta description and keyword tags are used in a targeted fashion on every page of your site.

Google as we are all aware is more difficult to rank especially for newer sites.  Granted my Google referrals are trending up but my site is less that a year old. I do very well with only 20% of my search engine referrals comming from Google. Google traffic will continue to increase as my site ages and I build additional inbound links.

Best of luck,
Howard


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ourmonmouth.com Full-Service Internet Solution Provider and Business/Community directory of Monmouth County New Jersey.

Your suggestions were very good as it got my "mental juices" going. I do have STATS which they provided for June to date--my sites are up since 5/11

Links from Internet search engine--google 25 hits-9 pages

Direct address/bookmarks--328 hits--312 pages

Robots/spiders--6 different robots

googlebot--78 hits

yahoo slurp--28 hits

I certainly see what you mean by too many keywords--I looked at the sentences.

My question is this--Am I being unreasonable to expect that when they did the copy writing that SEO friendly words would be in their focus---ESPECIALLY since they advertise SEO to make your website more search friendly--as their #1 item under How---can help me promote my site? ( I left out their name), It seems to me to me they did the opposite.Isn`t that false advertising?

I respect your opinions.

Thanks

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Leslie,your business doctor

Unreasonable? Maybe not... it is hard to answer without knowing what the agreement/arrangement/contract you had with the web developer.

If they were to incorporate targeted keywords in their copywriting then they should have asked for or determined with you what keywords/phrases you should target. Did you go through that process with them or at some point identify your targeted keywords?

Technically, your site is search engine friendly to some extent - in that is does not employ code/technique that block search bots. It is not search engine optimized - in that is could be more effective in presenting targeted keywords to bots AND your viewers.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

I totally agree with Roland.  I will say that keeping a web site in the view of the public is nearly a monthly, if not daily job any more.  It is a never ending process.  You will have to decide if you got what you paid for by the terms of your agreements.  I will also say, it should not take a lot of work to make some major improvements.

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Bert at Harvey Software, Inc.
Multi-Carrier Shipping Software and Supply Chain Solutions for Internet Retailers

Also a provider of free shipping information and resources at Harvey Software`s Parcel Shipping Blog along with free tracking solutions at TrackingPage.com...

Hi Leslie,

Great advice above, but here`s an extra tip. Try some article marketing or link exchanges with other webmasters, and include your primary keywords in the link`s html code.

The link should look like this: <a href="http://www.yoursite.com">Keyword</a>

Also allow your site to "age", as suggested by other forum posters, before you can expect amazing results. Do some research on Google Sandbox and you`ll see what I mean.

Good luck!