Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Roland`s right. We blew off the meta descriptions, based on reading the same articles. Then, again given some solid backing arguments by Roland, I ran a test. I entered our URL, then looked at exactly what was being used in the description. Without a metatag, Google was almost randomly selecting some strange things, Alt-Text in an image being part of that.

So I put in a meta description. Then ran the same test, and Wah-Lah! I got exactly the description I wanted. I don`t really care that much about the other engines, as they seem to eventually follow along with what Google`s doing. So for me, it was a convincing argument to use the meta description tag.

As to the page: I did eventually see the really really really tiny "red light" and speaker that let me know I could turn off the music. Could be bigger....I hate having music over-play the music I`m listening to from a radio station.

The blue on blue also is a problem for me, being very old and not seein` so gooder. :-) In particular, the "Professionals set the stage for quick home sales," being navy blue on dark blue was almost invisible.

I like the "Services offered." That`s right there, easy to see, good to know. But then there`s that MSNBC banner button stickin` its nose in and looking a bit out of place. How is that related to services offered? Can`t it go someplace else? If it`s a video, put it under its own page for "Press Clippings."

I also think the layout is a bit difficult. For example, after I read that you`ll be at this great show, then scrolled past the redundant card, I began to read about you guys. First I see, "Home Staging--a Powerful Selling tool." It looked like a sort of general catch-the-eye phrase.

As I read further, I began to suspect it was a heading for the following content. But with so much space and the heading being centered, versus the content left-justified, it got "skewed" in my head. :-) Sort of made me lose track of the point.

For a lead-in, you have this:
Kind of a run-on sentence. How about this?
I couldn`t read anything in the box below the "linked-in" button. Whatever the heading was, I don`t know...and couldn`t see the text without highlighting it.

Overall, it`s a "busy" site. Too much stuff on the landing page, which could probably be divided up on other pages. I know `cause it`s EXACTLY the problem we`ve been having! LOL!! You want to say everything before someone clicks away. Then you end up saying....well...Everything! And it`s too much.

What helped me was to go back to grade school outlining...I hated that! I used my old 7th grade English to find the main clause in a paragraph, then to parse the remaining sentences. Do they support the clause? If not...away they go...heave-ho, over the side. :-)

It`s taken a slow process: put up the page. Let it sit. Go fishing. A week later, read it again. Change everything. Put it up again. Go fishing again. And so on, repeat as needed.

But gradually, each page is getting more to the point, and we`re finding fun ways to offer people options to click here or there, to get to the next thing that MIGHT interest them. We say the minimum on the main page, explain the product, say how much it costs, and then let them choose where to go.

Just a follow up on the alt image tags.

Alt image tags do get searched by bots, so use your keywords or words that are relevant to the web page or image AND you want to have an alt image tag for every image in your site.

The alt image for your logo (top left) is now "EntrancesLogo". I`m sure "EntrancesLogo" is not one of your targeted keywords.   Maybe use "Entrances Home Staging" or even just "home staging"... change it for each web page to match your targeted keywords for that web page.

Oh my... just checked out your privacy page. The red text on blue... very hard on the eyes!

FAQ: Is a little confusing (to me). The first FAQ says the cost is nothing. The second FAQ says the cost is $350.

~Roland

 

-------------------------

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

Speaking for key phrases: "Entrances Home Staging" isn`t likely going to be searched by anyone who doesn`t already know you exist. Instead, focus on far more generic terms: home staging, sell your home faster, make your home beautiful, interior design, home decor, and even "better homes & gardens."

You want people who are searching for something related to "make house pretty" to find your site.

Excellent points.  Craig, we just put the notice on the main page about the trade show since that was one of the tips I got from my trade show advice thread. Do you think the main page is still too busy without that?  The MSNBC logo is the header to an article about home staging, the title is just below it.  But...I suppose if it needs explaining, it should probably be changed, eh?

Roland, I think since the logo appears on each page, it carries the same alt image tag with it from page to page.  I think we`ll change it as you suggested, to plain old Home Staging.  It`s funny you should mention the FAQs...it is almost verbatim a conversation I had with my partner when we were coming up with possible FAQ`s.  At the time, we understood it...must have been the zinfandel!

We`ll work on those suggestions. Thanks again!! 

-------------------------

First impressions are everything in real estate. Staging should be your first step in the home selling process. Make sure your home is in top condition before showings commence, and then Prepare Yourself for all of the benefits of staging your home!
Entrances Website

Absolutely keep the big notice about the trade show. But you don`t need the secondary graphic that also mentions it. When you`re done with the show, remove it.

In the future, though, you might put this type of notice as a link on the home page, to a "press release" type of page, where you can promote news articles, press releases, shows, and events...all in one place. For now, it`s good to have it there so people see you`re out and about. :-)

AH, I see what you`re saying Craig.  Redundant. The graphic is a link to the show website, so perhaps we`ll keep that and just simply say "see us in booth 801" or something to that effect, short and simple.

Then once the show is over, we can have a page of pictures from the show posted on the site. 

Ideas are like snowballs, don`t you think???

Thanks again Craig!

-------------------------

First impressions are everything in real estate. Staging should be your first step in the home selling process. Make sure your home is in top condition before showings commence, and then Prepare Yourself for all of the benefits of staging your home!
Entrances Website