SEO for a newbie

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by dalani, Jul 18, 2006.

  1. #1
    I have documents I prepared in OpenOffice xml THAT I CONVERTED INTO AN HTML3.2 WEBPAGE. I prepeared these documents in OpenOffice for print and web purposes. Now for SEO I added the requisite title and meta tags: (keywords, and descriptions etc..) and uploaded the pages. I then searched for the webpages using google, yahoo etc.. the problem is: even when using the keywords and unique page specific keywords, the page does not show anywhere in the search lists. The pages are on the webserver and browser accesible. But it is as if the webpages were invisible to search engines even when I use quoted search strings to narrow the results to fewer than fifty.

    I am doing this for an NGO with little funds that cannot afford full blown SEO services. Im helping out as best I can with my limited webdesign knowledge and am no expert in SEO, html coding hacks, w3 semantics, context indexing bla bla bla. If any here would like to help optimize the webpages please holler and/or I would appreciate a few hints as why the standard SEO methods dont work
    ....
     
    dalani, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  2. DarrenC

    DarrenC Peon

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    #2
    You've forgotton that to rank in the search engines you have to have links pointing to your website. It's quite simple - get people to link to your pages by providing unique content and you'll rank higher.

    Without links you stand no chance.

    Also bear in mind that you won't rank for competitive keywords in Google for up to 12 months due to the Google Sandbox. Do a search on this forum for the term and you'll find tons of discussions about the subject.
     
    DarrenC, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  3. dalani

    dalani Peon

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    #3
    Even when the keywords is the webpage owner's unique organization name??? what about yahoo search? same thing???
     
    dalani, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  4. BILZ

    BILZ Peon

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    #4
    It can sometimes take a while for the search engine to visit your site and index the pages. If the search engine hasnt visited yet, the page wont appear in any search results. How long ago did you create these pages? and, can you provide us with a link to the pages in question?
     
    BILZ, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  5. DarrenC

    DarrenC Peon

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    #5
    Dalani, did you really think that your going to get 1st page rankings over night? :)

    MSN is your best opportunity to get 1st page rankings providing you get people linking to your website. The problem with MSN though is that it doesn't bring in the same level of traffic that Google brings in.

    Sorry, but having the best designed website in the World means nothing where SEO is concerned - but it helps that the site is not crammed full of FrontPage code, and spiderable!
     
    DarrenC, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  6. infonote

    infonote Well-Known Member

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    #6
    Submit a press release so your page will be indexed faster.
     
    infonote, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  7. isulongseoph

    isulongseoph Peon

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    #7
    i agree. it's the proven offpage factor

    another is to try submitting a sitemap to quickly index your site. ;) and make sure your codes are clean and in tiptop shape.

    a great tool: http://sitening.com a friend in seo contest told me about that tool. i love it! it's so user-friendly, and i now stash it in my bagful of SEO tools--aside from seobook, some in seochat and seopen. ;)
     
    isulongseoph, Jul 18, 2006 IP
  8. dalani

    dalani Peon

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    #8
    thinks for the answers. Thoug I still dont fully understand why google wont display the page in the search list. Kinda like putting your org name in the yellowpages phonebook and it doesn't show up!

    BILZ see it a dalani[dot]com/alfonce.html

    And exactly where do I submit a sitemap and press release???
     
    dalani, Jul 22, 2006 IP
  9. isulongseoph

    isulongseoph Peon

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    #9
    you can submit a sitemap through google. for press releases, try signing up on press release web sites like express release. just search the keywords to better get the urls. :D
     
    isulongseoph, Jul 24, 2006 IP