Opinions on Ski France Please

[Foxy]

Ok - here's a little cutey conundrum!!!

Keyphrase "ski france"

We are no 9 for Ski France (http://www.ski-france-ok.com/) and have been for some time after recovering from February disaster!

But at no 8 is www skifrance nl

Now we have:

More pages 257 vs 49
More Links 138 vs 10
More @ Links 715 vs 155
allinanchor 4 vs 11
allinurl 1+2 vs ???
allintext 3+4 vs 10
Identical PR [but we were 5 and they are 4]
We are normal html they are a frameset!

What have I missed? What is going on?
:confused:

[T0PS3O]

Google's Cache of that page is empty too.

I can see why you are confused but I don't have a clue either.

If you are beating them off-page already then try on-page SEO perhaps...
Maybe if you get some more content on the page you can beat them since both of you have barely any words on the home page...

[Dominic]

Your site shows pr0 on the mcdar tool.
Theirs shows pr4.

I know the toolbar shows 4 for your site - but I believe your recently added links need time to be accepted and mature in google's eyes.

As pointed out elsewhere on this board, allinanchor is recognised quickly, but l believe it takes time for the effect of links to fully impact on serps.

The only thing more I would do with this is try to get a link to the site from a news article. My experience with these kind of links is they mature quickly and are treated as authority.

[mcdar]

The mcdar tools have a slight glitch in calculating the check sum needed to retrieve PR from Google. So, every once in a while, it is returning a 0 out of ten incorrectly.

I do believe that Foxy's site has an established PR5. (I'm working on the glitch).

I'd also say to try on-page optimization to jump ahead at this point.

Caryl

[Foxy]

Thanks so far guys and girls

On page SEO at the moment is

<TITLE>Ski France Snow Skiing Snowboarding France</TITLE>
H1 Ski France Snow Skiing | Snowboarding France | Ski Apartments | Ski Chalets | Ski Resorts | Ski Database | Ski Jobs | Ski Weather

I guess I need to up the Keyword count some and get a news feed :)

[T0PS3O]

Maybe a weather feed for the area in the mountains... Useful, dynamic and will mention France somewhere probably.

[mcdar]

Great Idea, TOPS30!!!

[schlottke]

Honestly the PR shouldn't play a roll in the ranking if the backlinks are all in place. PR0 could simply mean google banned them for something they did accidently and now that it is fixed the PR will be updated later.

You have quite a few more outbound links than they do, not a huge amount of text either. Still can't see why you're not doing better with those numbers... but Im having a similar problem with wrestling shoes. lol

[Foxy]

I put in place a weather feed the other day but the bloody thing only did big cities so if anybody knows another local feed I would appreciate it

Geneve is good, Albertville, Meribel, Chamonix.....

It is a strange one this one - its as tho there is a ball and chain attached to the site!!!

[mcdar]

Do any of the resorts offer weather reports? Ski conditions? You could bring in the information from their site, perhaps some of them offer datafeeds.

[schlottke]

mcdar,

your DC watch page is forbidden.

[mcdar]

Shawn has just made me aware that there is a problem accessing it through the "tool" menu here at digitalpoint.

I'm looking into it.

It is still available and working if you go directly to the tool.

[mcdar]

The problem accessing The Google Datacenter Watch Tool (http://www.mcdar.net/dance/index.php) from the "tool" menu in this forum has been corrected.

Also, the glitch in returning some PR values inaccurately in the Keyword Analysis Tool (http://www.mcdar.net/KeywordTool/keywordtool.asp) and the Google Quick Check (http://www.mcdar.net/q-check/datatool.asp) have also been taken care of.

As always, let ne know of any other problems - glitches you may encounter.

Caryl

[compar]

What have I missed? What is going on?
:confused:
As you know I'm not a big advocate of the value of on-page stuff, but I do think your page, and pages, are too bare. Put a 250 --300 sales pitch telling what people will find on your site, and why they should book with you. Do the same thing on the interior pages. For instance I clicked on your Ski Resorts page http://www.ski-france-ok.com/ski-france-resorts.htm and it is nothing but a page full of links. Put some sales bumf on there. Talk about how great these resorts are. Promise love, lust and self fulfilment at every resort. Get Vicious Summer to strap a snowboard to her bicycle and put that picture on there. :)

I think this will do two thing. One it will improve your conversion ratio and it just may convince the SEs that you are really an informational site and not just a list.

[Foxy]

As you know I'm not a big advocate of the value of on-page stuff, but I do think your page, and pages, are too bare. Put a 250 --300 sales pitch telling what people will find on your site, and why they should book with you. Do the same thing on the interior pages. For instance I clicked on your Ski Resorts page http://www.ski-france-ok.com/ski-france-resorts.htm and it is nothing but a page full of links. Put some sales bumf on there. Talk about how great these resorts are. Promise love, lust and self fulfilment at every resort. Get Vicious Summer to strap an snowboard to her bicycle and put that picture on there. :)

I think this will do two thing. One it will improve your conversion ratio and it just may convince the SEs that you are really an informational site and not just a list.

You may well be right Bob - I have resisted doing so because I am a person who is normally blunt - to the point - and I can't quite see what a whole bunch of drivel is going to do to improve the quality of information that a person is going to get when they are looking for an apartment in a specific resort! Afterall look at the first page of Google - do they?

The resorts page I plonked down recently [a month ago] to test whether it is useful to have such a page [remember my PMs on the matter of links?] It is very similar to the first page of one of the sites ahead of me!! I don't like it and it will be coming out / altered! So far it has done nothing to move the site!

Now the comment about Viscious Summer and here bike is cool - maybe if I was to put some of her Hustler 42" thongy things on the site it might get that old search hound Google sniffing around a bit!!! Hehe

Anyway thanks - I have that feeling that you have confirmed my worst fears. :)

[Foxy]

I have altered the Index page to place some relevant drivel - much against my own wishes - if this works I am going to send Google a missive on how they have one rule for themselves and another rule for the rest of the world.:)

I have also upped the keyword count in the H1 and I'm still looking for an RSS feed for the weather!

[T0PS3O]

...if this works I am going to send Google a missive on how they have one rule for themselves and another rule for the rest of the world.:)


Remember this... They don't need to be found in the SE's. Probably a billion people know their name and address, quite a market penetration. You do need to get found because no one knows about you (compare to knowing G).

That's why there are double standards indeed. More spiel will give G more chance t figure out what the heck it's all about.

[compar]

I have altered the Index page to place some relevant drivel - much against my own wishes - if this works I am going to send Google a missive on how they have one rule for themselves and another rule for the rest of the world.:)

I have also upped the keyword count in the H1 and I'm still looking for an RSS feed for the weather!
I just looked at the index page and I don't see any substantial text addition. Are you talking about the "We do everything around Good Food, Good Wine, Good Times and Good Company" line?

If so I think it is way too little. And why have you made it so small and so hard to read. Do you really think that your prospective clients are not interested in "Good Food, Good Wine, Good Times and Good Company"?

Let's assume that you where doing a print brochure for French Ski Resorts. Would you simple list the names of the resorts with no comments or explanation? I really don't think so. So why do you think that works for a web site?

Certainly if I was considering a French Ski Resort for the first time I wouldn't stay on your site for a minute -- there is no information there. I think you need an attitude adjustment. Information isn't drivel. As long as you think that way, what you write will probably read like, and sound like, drivel.

Think of content as "public service" information. Educate your visitors. Why don't you interview some of the people who book reservations on the phone. Find out from them what the most common questions are from people making reservations. Then answer these question on the site.

Hope I haven't offended you, but you asked for opinions.

[Foxy]

Hope I haven't offended you, but you asked for opinions.

I sure did and no you not offended me at all - quite the contrary.

I asked for opinions because the page was stuck - I wanted, and have got, those - its not often that it is me who is doing the asking - but sometimes you need another perspective. This page was/is resisting all moves that I have made but in the end it will probably give me the answer that I want.

Thanks again for the input all.

BTW I added 105 words but I will add another 200 approx

[Foxy]

I've just noticed that this thread has been "jumped"! Moved from being a case study on Google into the netherlands of a site review - which it ain't, as it is a question specifically about Google and Googles handling of sites. I put it specifically in Google for that reason - obviously I don't know what I am doing or have the experience.

[Foxy]

So I didn't add any more words after the 100 odd to the pages but waited

and....

we lost two places!!!!...to 10

So I thought F... this

and added pages to increase site size including Owlcrofts Book pages

and nothing happened

So I thought F... this

and added/changed to a php driven mysql db

and I jumped 4 places to 6

So I thought...

and I added a b2 blogger news

and another php database for resorts

and....
:)

[mcdar]

So I didn't add any more words after the 100 odd to the pages but waited

and....

we lost two places!!!!...to 10

So I thought F... this

and added pages to increase site size including Owlcrofts Book pages

and nothing happened

So I thought F... this

and added/changed to a php driven mysql db

and I jumped 4 places to 6

So I thought...

and I added a b2 blogger news

and another php database for resorts

and....
:)

... and what? :confused:

I just checked and see you at positions between #6 to #8

[Foxy]

... and what? :confused:

I just checked and see you at positions between #6 to #8

Exactly :)

Those extras were done yesterday so now we wait

but.... I can tell you, that for the lesser competitive phrases we are already showing 1+2 for the blog.....time will tell

Watch this space :D

[Dominic]

I suggest you add a picture to the homepage. SEO asside, when people visit the site - visually it says little.

If I was going skiing in france and looking online for info... a site that paints a picture and reflects back to me what I want from the experience will win me over. I will have a feeling of 'I'm on the right site,' and 'I'll book with these guys - they offer what I want.'

...it needs a feel to it.

Have a look at: Rottnest Island (http://www.rottnest.wa.gov.au/) when you get there wait on the homepage a while and let it flick through the pictures...

[Foxy]

I suggest you add a picture to the homepage. SEO asside, when people visit the site - visually it says little.

If I was going skiing in france and looking online for info... a site that paints a picture and reflects back to me what I want from the experience will win me over. I will have a feeling of 'I'm on the right site,' and 'I'll book with these guys - they offer what I want.'

...it needs a feel to it.

Have a look at: Rottnest Island (http://www.rottnest.wa.gov.au/) when you get there wait on the homepage a while and let it flick through the pictures...

I appreciate your point of view but everything is/can be subjective.

Your example shows me 4 arses, an empty street, and a bay full of bobbing boats with white houses viewing - all of which do not excite me unless you have an arse craving, a wish to be on an empty street or a wish to be on a bay full of boats with nobody on a beach in front of a bunch of houses!

The same goes for the American wish to fill the page full of text to explain in total detail what goes on.

There is no balance - what I do know, is, that people will not wait for information, and Flash, or anything else, remains a waste of time, a "pulling of the pud".

If you are trying to reach your client your page must load quickly, when you are found, and provide quickly what they are looking for otherwise they will go away.

Pictures of arses loading slowly will never win me, however you Aussies are different...and you didn't win the World Cup...did you? Heheheh :D

[Dominic]

You're good quality Foxy!

Put a friggen picture on the homepage it can be small just put something on there for us visual types - doesn't need to be bums - needs to be a picture of snow or someone skiing or relaxing in a chalet looking at snow... something!

.

[compar]

You're good quality Foxy!

Put a friggen picture on the homepage it can be small just put something on there for us visual types - doesn't need to be bums - needs to be a picture of snow or someone skiing or relaxing in a chalet looking at snow... something!

.
I hate to tell you Foxy, but I agree with Dominic. Your pages are too sterile. You are trying to sell to people. Put something on the page that has some personal interest.

You can't judge the rest of the world based on your personal preferences, or likes and dislikes. The great unwashed -- with the money to spend -- like to be pandered too. Bite the bullet, and give them what they want.

[Foxy]

Ok ok.... I 've gone and put up a pretty picture guys :)

[Dominic]

Wow! Thats a great picture... well chosen.

[compar]

That's a big improvement. If we keep badgering you long enough you might end up with a decent site yet :)

[Foxy]

Thanks for the compliments guys - and if I may hand it back - thanks

[radsoft]

I've always dreamt of going Sking in The Alps, but could never afford it.

[T0PS3O]

Been there, done that (snowboarding) twice, loved it! Been too long since. :(

Had another look on the site Foxy, looking better! Any SER updates?

This sentence:"You will discover the old way of life for your winter holidays, in traditional village resorts, or ski-in ski-out modern resorts, the largest interlinked ski domains of the world, fitness or cross country skiing resorts, family friendly places, and some others where wintersports, like snowboard or newschool skiing are the must…" reads difficult. Too long, too many comma's and definitely written for the bots, not for us all-understanding but lazy and easily distracted humanoids.

Just my two pence :D

Any offers on for DP members?

[Foxy]

Been there, done that (snowboarding) twice, loved it! Been too long since. :(

Had another look on the site Foxy, looking better! Any SER updates?

This sentence:"You will discover the old way of life for your winter holidays, in traditional village resorts, or ski-in ski-out modern resorts, the largest interlinked ski domains of the world, fitness or cross country skiing resorts, family friendly places, and some others where wintersports, like snowboard or newschool skiing are the must…" reads difficult. Too long, too many comma's and definitely written for the bots, not for us all-understanding but lazy and easily distracted humanoids.

Just my two pence :D

Any offers on for DP members?

Thanks

Well it was said I needed to pad it out with content, so I did, and what happened was I went down 1 place !! So I then straightened out some blogs that I had floating/lurking in the background and tweaked the php/mysql database so that it was dominant and I jumped 4 places up although it has settled back 1 or 2 places at the moment. I will either alter that content - add some more - or take it out - I haven't decided yet.

Now for the good bits. The snowboarding on the site is done on a shared accommodation basis and is in Tignes Les Brevieres (a village of Tignes) one village of which is that picture on the front, and is not expensive starting at around £150pppw upwards catered half board, not including wine, depending on the week.

The guy who runs it is a speed/extreme nutter and people of all, read youngish, ages seem to have a great time. They certainly tell us so :)

[T0PS3O]

I'm up for it this winter, I'll check it out! Enjoying the wakeboarding season now but soon will be getting a bit cold again here...

[Foxy]

I'm up for it this winter, I'll check it out! Enjoying the wakeboarding season now but soon will be getting a bit cold again here...

Just let me know when you want to, if you want to :)

Where do you wakeboard?

We are about to start a new rib site - will let you know when - where people will be able to syndicate Ribs ie part share of the Rib with 4 upwards owners. So a Rib of say £16000 will get 4 owners at £4000 upfront and a share of the running costs per annum.

[T0PS3O]

I've never heard of the work Rib. Is it like a timeshare / holiday resort ownership scheme?

I ride at Thorpe normally, near Staines. Just messed up my thumb when I gor caught by the handle with a 360 :(

But yeah I am definitely planning to go ride the snow with a bunch of friends so will over the next months be looking in to renting a nice place.

[Foxy]

I've never heard of the work Rib. Is it like a timeshare / holiday resort ownership scheme?

I ride at Thorpe normally, near Staines. Just messed up my thumb when I gor caught by the handle with a 360 :(

But yeah I am definitely planning to go ride the snow with a bunch of friends so will over the next months be looking in to renting a nice place.

No a Rib = Rigid Inflatable Boat and the boat sale share is an old boat thing where the boat had 64 ribs (as in chest rib bones but made out of wood in those days) and each person could buy one 64th of a boat.

Doesn't really happen these days so thought we might reinvoke.

If you have 10 + snowboarders wanting to have FUN (remember it is cheap and cheerful) then Tignes would suit you and we could give you a discount. :D