So you think you're an SEO expert?

[C0ldf1re]

Did you compare keywords/phrases with other related sites ... especially the ones near the top of the SERPs...

Well, I noticed how you had made one keyphrase "your own", and stuck to it in the first word of your title and description, your main heading, and your back-links. That got you top of serps on that keyphrase out of over 9 million results.

The sites that trailed you on that keyphrase had not been so single-minded or consistent, and had scattered their resources.

You also were near the top of serps for just O. W's. and W. A. On the first keyphrase, other sites seem to have beaten you by having the plural.

You had ignored incorporating the words "for sale" onto the end of your keyphrase. Although that was a less popular search phrase, it might have brought more exactly targetted visitors.

[The Old Sarge]

Thanks for the observations. The one about "for sale" was deliberate but maybe unwise. lol

I don't understand what you mean by "just O. W's. and W. A."

You're good! Keep digging.

[C0ldf1re]

I don't understand what you mean by "just O. W's. and W. A."

Meaning "original watercolors" and "watercolor art".

Originally I said that you had lots of back-links from PR0 sites. In fact backlinkwatch had reported links from PR0 pages. Many were part of a PR4 forum. Do you think Google would give those PR0 pages' back-links extra weight because of their domain's PR4?

The thing that most struck me was that you had ruthlessly put your keyphrase at the very beginning of your site contents, title, description and keywords. It would make sense for SE's to give greatest weight to words at the beginning of the title and description, but I have never seen anybody else mention it. Have you invented a new SEO tactic?

[The Old Sarge]

Meaning "original watercolors" and "watercolor art".

Sorry. I was being particularly dense yesteday. lol



Do you think Google would give those PR0 pages' back-links extra weight because of their domain's PR4?[/quote]

That's a very good and interesting question ... and I have no idea. Any ideas how one could/would investigate such a thing to see?

The thing that most struck me was that you had ruthlessly put your keyphrase at the very beginning of your site contents, title, description and keywords. It would make sense for SE's to give greatest weight to words at the beginning of the title and description, but I have never seen anybody else mention it. Have you invented a new SEO tactic?

Yes, it was very deliberate. It's my nature. lol

New tactic? I hope so! That was my intention. What do YOU think? Dare I call it a "new tactic"? Or was it a fluke?

[C0ldf1re]

... New tactic? I hope so! That was my intention. What do YOU think? Dare I call it a "new tactic"? Or was it a fluke?

I don't think it is a fluke. It looks more like mathematical precision. When you have found the right formula, it should give the right answer every time. It seems different enough from anything already published to call it a new tactic. The implementation came down to common sense and self-discipline. I remember other sergeants like that! It's time for a smart salute to the Sarge, and a big "Thank You" for teaching me something new!

Before we celebrate and make our plans to retire rich, we had better be scientific and test it again and again. I am collecting material for a new website, so I can design the site from scratch following these tactics. Cross fingers, and it should go up in a week. I'll keep you posted.

[The Old Sarge]

Hope it works, but for now lets not spread it too far or too wide. We should wait til we're far out in front. lol

At any rate ... I don't want to "sell it too cheaply".

[C0ldf1re]

... for now lets not spread it too far or too wide. We should wait til we're far out in front...

That's exactly what I was going to suggest. Or more exactly, I was going to suggest not spreading it at all. There is no practical way of selling a secret that can be explained in one paragraph. All we can do is use it, and attribute our growing wealth to regular attendance at church.

[Steve_gts]

The thing that most struck me was that you had ruthlessly put your keyphrase at the very beginning of your site contents, title, description and keywords. It would make sense for SE's to give greatest weight to words at the beginning of the title and description, but I have never seen anybody else mention it. Have you invented a new SEO tactic?

Not putting keywords first in the title seems to be a really common mistake, I've even seen pretty big sites which have been "SEO'd" have the company name as the first thing in the title on every page (I know the one in my link does, but I don't want that site found yet, I just have a few pages up to age before the work starts). keywords I personally don't think matter, although I still keep the tag and chuck a few in just in case I'm wrong! Description is good though, not so much from optimisation, but it definitely improves click through rates as that's what people will see on your listing, which in turn (apparently) helps your SERP's.

But anyway Old Sarge, so what you were saying before, is that it really all comes down to getting your keyword research right to start with so you have a high traffic uncompetitive word to work with? I quite agree, just can't seem to find them myself! lol

[The Old Sarge]

I had no trouble finding them. My biggest job was making non-competitive but common words and phrases competitive. Persistence ... and time. It took several months before I saw ANY results and almost two years to get to #1.

All on a PR 2!!

[C0ldf1re]

... I've even seen pretty big sites which have been "SEO'd" have the company name as the first thing in the title on every page ...

The customer is always right. The owner wants his name in lights. Even if he doesn't, his sales team want to lead in with their sales pitch. Perhaps the SEO people were just made to do a sub-optimal site. If they wanted a job where the customer is always wrong, they should have joined the police.

[sweets]

why was the person that generated this thread banned..

I Am looking for someone that can doa SEM SEOare there any recommendations for a clothing store..

[C0ldf1re]

why was the person that generated this thread banned...

Look at my user title. 3oltan changed his title to "Banned" as a joke.

[sweets]

LOL!!! i am new here... okay..
Can you help me decided on who to use to design my store front. I found someone called POD1 they did this i think http://www.myla.com/ i would like something like this..

but i still need a cart..can you assist me

[The Old Sarge]

Look at my user title. 3oltan changed his title to "Banned" as a joke.

No. He really was banned. Trust me.

[C0ldf1re]

No. He really was banned. Trust me.

Of course I trust you! It was just that I remember him still posting after he set his title as "Banned." It was his title that inspired mine.