optimizing my site

ibolui · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 01:47 PM

Hi guys, do you think it is worth it to have a forum optimized by a SEO coy?

flood6 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 02:47 PM

"coy"? Is that a type-O?

Assuming you just want to know if hiring someone to SEO your forums is worth it, I would say no. The site in your sig uses phpBB, the same software used to power countless forums around the world, including this one. phpBB forums have no problem ranking very highly for nearly any topic imagined.

Now, if you are considering a custom first page like the one here, you might get some advantge from talking to an SEO. They might help you design the front page to maximize its potential.

Other than that, just keep trying to recruit new members to join in the conversations and work on getting good quality inbound links, and you'll be doing just about all you can.

I can't imagine really wanting to do this for a forum site, but if you are looking for cloaking to improve your positioning then I would suggest either spending a lot of time learning how to do it yourself the right way or hiring a pro to minimize your risk of getting popped.

Good luck.

ibolui · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 04:46 PM

hi, 'coy' stands for company in short :)

wow u use a lot of terms which i dont know. what is a custom first page? what use is it for?

what are inbound links and what it means by getting popped?

flood6 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 05:24 PM

OK, I got the "coy" thing now.

Custom First Page:
See how the first page of this forum looks? They call it "Page One". It is at http://www.webproworld.com

See how the first page of your site looks? It is at http://www.nacz.net

Even though you both use phpBB, they have added a custom home page, your site uses the default phpBB forum page.

Creating this custom first page would change the possibilities for SEO. It's use is just to make the site look different from other sites while adding functionality. WebProWorld features interesting posts on their front page.

Inbound Links:
Here I meant the number of links you have pointing to your site from other sites.

You can search this site or google for "inbound links" to get a better understanding of what they can do for you.

When used properly, they can have a profound effect on your positioning in the SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages; the listings you get when you search for something).

Popped:
That's just American slang. I meant when you use "shady" ("risky", "black hat", etc.) SEO techniques (those techniques that violate Google and other search engine's terms) you run the risk of getting your site banned from those search engines.

If you are just starting out, stay away from these techniques until you learn more.

Good luck.

sudhani · #5 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 07:26 PM

Yes its always worth hiring a 'coy' and WPW is one of the best done forums as far as SEO concerned!!!

HardCoded · #6 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 10:06 PM

Quote:

WPW is one of the best done forums as far as SEO concerned!!!

And what is this pearl of wisdom based on?

ibolui · #7 (**permalink**) 07-06-2004, 11:16 PM

But does creating a custom page make vast improvement in search engine position? Or is it just for the look and functions? Because I see that webpronew first page does not include any meta tags. Isnt it impt?

Inbound links..Understand what it is. Does it include both banners and texts? So the more backlinks the better, provided the number remain constant?

Yah I do not know any SEO techniques. So what do you suggest I should do to?