Hello! I'm trying to help a friend with making her website a bit more search engine friendly and I need a bit of help. The website is: www.tiedupclothing.com I'm not sure the exact terminology I should use, to send to her webmaster, so please post your suggestions. I think the pages are database driven, and they need to be changed to individual pages (is that called "static pages"?). I'm also suggesting that they get ride of the splash page and fill it with content. All suggestions and help welcome !
Totally agree about dropping the splash page. Urghh, site is a bit of a mess. Throw away and start again??? Sorry to sound so harsh but: dynamic urls, pop-up windows, pages that lack focus, scroll-bars within pages - and what is the collection page about, it's just photos with no links or contact details or even a description? It feels unfinished. Just my opinions of course, others may differ... My suggestions to her webmaster would be: Use a cms with static, descriptive urls Drop the splash page and replace with a featured item from the collection (which can be rotated by the client) with where to purchase details and links to other items from the collection. Stop opening new windows. Don't have scrollbars within pages. Design the site like it was a designer store: good style, lots of empty space and good focus on one or just a few products per page. A quirky or original (but still easy to use) nav would probably suit a site like that imo. Where to buy could use a breakdown by country/area. Lastly, couldn't see a reason to ever go back? Is the collection updated over time? If so, say so or provide a means to tell if new items are due or have been added. News/Blog? Discounts or exclusive items? - On the homepage so you don't have to dig for it. hth
Great suggestions. Thanks so much ! The site is a big mess (in terms of search engines and functionability), which is why I am urging her to get it updated... Anyone else have any suggestions?
What CCD said and ... Although the url includes clothing, on the main page it doesnt say what the site is about. A bit more content and popups are a no go. In the collection section they got to show no more than 6 pictures (preferably less). Stop opening new windows. The only link on the main page has a # - SE's won't know where to go. A LOT of things could be improved but those are the main ones. // You could ask your bro (thats what I would do)
i agree its a mess make it universal if the inks open in a new window then have them all open in a new window, and the other way around.
Here are some guidelines that could help you make the site more search engine-friendly. Optional but very important: 1 - Shorten the title to 55 chars 2 - Add the robots tag 3 - Place the robots.txt in your root on your server 4 - Get rid of the js in the code and put it in an external file 5 - Use css instead of color, size and font tags 5 - Change the link buttons or js links in to text links 6 - Make sure to have a site map page 7 - Make sure you have 404 page 8 - At the bottom of each page use menus as text links 9 - Make sure your page code is not bigger than 100 K 10 - Submit your site to ODP and Yahoo Dir, make sure to select the right cat 11 - Pay special attention to your content 12 - Try to get as much as relevant links you can 13 - Read each search engines guide lines and follow them strictly 14 - Don't spam 15 - Don't use doorway pages 16 - Don't cloak 17 - And pray hard that the big G appreciates all your efforts This could help you get on top of the search engines as long as you follow each rule here
Well, first things first, those JavaScript links HAVE to go. 9/10 spiders won't even make it past the splash page. Then get rid of the frames. About Us loads in a fram on the right. JavaScript + Frame = No Go. Next I got on a page (pop-up = bad usability) that had nothing but images. Every pic needs text. Rebuild from scratch seems appropriate, an image focussed CMS seems to be the best choice and quickest route.