rtroxel — Tue, 11 Mar 2003 21:18:37 +0000

>>if you are running a "something for everyone" type of site, then won't the SE'S list each page for its relevance to the subject that is on that particular page?<<

Not any more, they don't. Re-read my previous post. SEs today are using human editors to review sites for search term relevance, because search terms have been abused so much.

One example: Using the word "sex" all over your site about tractors. This might have caught surfers' attentions, but when they reached the site, all they saw were pictures of tractors. This makes the search engine look bad.

Another example: A surfer wants to learn about vegetable gardening. He types in "vegetable gardening" at Google and is sent to a site full of seed catalogues. Surfer gets mad and thinks Google sucks.

Therefore: the engines and directories are employing human editors to review sites.

>>I am quite happy poodling on with my site, but am I being told that it is a complete "no hoper"?<<

Not at all. You have to start somewhere. Visit the discussion boards often and ask questions.

Roy:)

bigwads — Tue, 11 Mar 2003 18:46:29 +0000

My mind is always open!!
This may seem like a daft question, but if you are running a "something for everyone" type of site, then won't the SE'S list each page for its relevance to the subject that is on that particular page?
I am quite happy poodling on with my site, but am I being told that it is a complete "no hoper"?
thanks for all your help so far, it is appreciated.

rtroxel — Tue, 11 Mar 2003 12:58:30 +0000

Glad to hear that your site is getting popular, but if you want to be successful in getting hundreds of hits per day, winning friends and influencing people on the 'Net,etc, you'd best stick to a single theme, and have the products you advertise relate to that theme. As I said earlier, the search engines like "niche" sites much better than the catch-all sites with many links and little content.

For example, if you really want to create a genealogy site, find something specific, like Irish-American Genealogy - and then become an authority on the subject. This gives you more credibility. Write your own articles on Irish-American genealogy. If you want to branch out to related topics, like German-American and Italian-American genealogy, then create separate pages for them, and include buttons on your home page that go to these "related" pages.

See how it works? Your site will be easy for visitors to navigate, and they can find the information they need very quickly.

It might take a year or so before your site is really viable. That's the way it works for most people, so continue to experiment and keep your mind open for advice - like the rest of us here!

Roy:)

bigwads — Mon, 10 Mar 2003 20:27:51 +0000

In response to "what does genealogy have to do with "bigwads"" well the answer...to be honest..... is absolutely nothing! bigwads was just a short and sweet name, there are plenty of sites that sport a short and sweet name (yahoo!,lycos, etc). No offence taken though, I love criticism, it makes the world a better place. It's fun to learn, but I have recieved praise from friends and relatives...and the site is getting slowly more popular. Probably never be a major player amongst your own sites... but I am enjoying the learning curve. Keep the comments coming, I AM LISTENING!!

rtroxel — Mon, 10 Mar 2003 16:09:35 +0000

I like your enthusiasm, but I really don't understand what your site is all about. It looks like a free-for-all, something-for-everybody site - the kind that search engines and directories will find difficult to classify.

You should settle on a specific theme, like genealogy and build the site around that. That way, the SEs will be able to place you in a niche and web surfers will be able to find your site using keywords like "genealogy", "family tree", etc.. What does genealogy have to do with "big wads"?

It took me a year before I learned this, and my first site looked something like yours.

Hope I don't sound too blunt here. Keep up the good work!

Roy
http://www.webservertimes.com

phoenixfireball — Mon, 10 Mar 2003 04:16:23 +0000

Its really quiet busy. The colours are a good start, but tone it down. Pick three or four colours and go with it. Simplify.

Not bad though. Needs work, but has so much content to go on, I am sure if you can organize it nicer you will have a winner here.

bigwads — Thu, 27 Feb 2003 23:15:39 +0000

Hello again everyone,
I think I have made further improvements, better looking etc.
the family history part of my site now has what i consider to be a good page rank with google,this in turn means that I am getting hits to the main "bigwads" domain.
I have also added some extra free content, which was quite easy to set up, take a look... let me know what you think
now!
http://www.bigwads.com
also... if you think you can make some money with this following link...let me know.
http://filesubmit.com/main.php
thanks

[moderator note] removed affiliate part of link [/note]

Renegade — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 09:26:29 +0000

Your colours don't mix man, do you have any "theme colours"? if you do then stick to them

Don't try to use all 256 million colours

gerer — Mon, 20 Jan 2003 08:44:25 +0000

If you are really newbie, I think the site is good for your skills.
The only thing that i don't like in Your website are buttons in menu - change it with links.

common thread

three — Sat, 18 Jan 2003 05:16:21 +0000

visual identity. that is what you should be in search of. you have started to define the self / site verbally, now you need to take those thoughts and ideas and pull that thread into a graphic unity. you need a visual identity and allow that to control the appearence of the entire site. right now its scattered pieces fighting to be soaked up by the eye before the next. find your visual identity and use it to structure an appearence.

have fun, its the most important thing.

sean