Optimization of a new website

[redbison]

I am currently working on optimizing a web store on the internet. Our site is qualitycutters.com. I have had no past experience in doing this and sometimes get confused by all the information out there about how to optimize a website. This does not help when I am trying to explain something to by boss.

At the moment we are trying to get ranked on some of the major search engines like Yahoo and Google. Our site is nowhere near the top of the list when we search under specific keywords related to our site. In fact, I have not found it within the top 250 listings. I know these search engines are highly competitive, but I would think there would be some simple things to do in optimizing our site and get ranked higher. Could anyone give me some advice on optimizing our site?

Another thing I have seen and read about is DMOZ. Is it helpful to get your site listed on DMOZ in relation to optimization? Is it fairly easy to get listed in their directory? I have seen good and bad opinions on this directory. I’m not sure which to really believe. Would it be important to at least submit our site to DMOZ and see what happens?

CTABUK Edit www.qualitycutters.com I agree with hoptoo

[Atlantean]

Hi redbison! Welcome to WebProWorld.com!

Ok, I'm not an expert but have SEO'ed my own sites for years and have done quite well.

Let's start at the top:

Your site's domain name is the first opportunity to establish your topic and its relevance! Although the domain is OK, can you consider changing it too QualityCigarCutters.com so that your keyword phrase "Cigar Cutters" is in the actual domain name? To answer this, you have to consider when your current domain was registered and if it has been indexed at all yet, let alone earned a pagerank.

If it is a new domain, then it may be in the "sandbox" (Google), although there is some debate as to what the sandbox is and whether it actually exists.

Let's move on...In your <title> tag you have <title>www.qualitycutters.com</title> but their is no indication of what products you offer besides "quality cutters". I can think of several types of cutters. You should add the phrase "Cigar Cutters", as well as "Cigar Scissors", "Cigar Guillotine" and "Cigar Punch" to your <title> tag.

Next...the content inside your <description> tag should, IMO, include at least the phrases I've suggested above. But there is nothing saying it can't be improved upon even further. Something like this:

Featuring only the best quality cigar cutters, cigar scissors, cigar guillotines and cigar punches.

Next...the content inside your <keywords> tag seems to be in order. Good job!

Navigation...Personally, I would not use images for navigation. When you do, it removes an opportunity to include your site's keywords and keyphrases. So, instead of having a button called "Categories", I would have a text link called "Cigar Cutter Categories". And instead of having a button called "Brands", I would have a text called "Cigar Cutter Brands", etcetera. Also, why have a drop-down menu when you can put all of those options as navigation text links? Drop-downs require more effort for the user in finding what he/she needs. Make it as easy on him/her as possible.

Content Area...I would move the welcome message to the top of the page. Instead of using just images to illustrate your categories, maybe use the images in addition to writing some sort of introductive or descriptive paragragh to go along with each one. Then provide a text link to the target page with the text of that copy. Also, I don't see any <alt> tags in the <img src> code. ALWAYS include an <alt> description! And try to make it different than the paragraph and include the keyword for that category. Finally, if at all possible, try to write some articles about cigar cutters. These could be informational articles or reviews or company profiles, etcetera. You could even write a specific article for each of your keywords and phrases. The hard fact is that content is the ultimate factor in gaining search success.

All of these suggestions are a basic primer. You can find many other ways to improve search performance but these should get you well on your way. I've taken a look at your competition and I think a top ranking is within reach. Just keep working at it!

[Atlantean]

<edit>Deleting duplicate post</edit>

[freehits]

First off link to your site from this forum, put it in your signature, and google/Y/MSn will find you site from there. You wont need more that that to be found, and likely listed somewhere from that.

Its a misconception that it takes any effort or skilled to get listed, its just "get found" and the rest is really designed to work itself out.

As for DMOZ. Why not take the time.

Goto http://dmoz.org/add.html
fill out their application for consideration of inclusion, and dont even think about it for 3-6 months, nothing you do will speed that up. Also keep in mind you are applying to be considered only.

If you have a useful site which is not an affiliate and has full contact information and a true human identity (name phone adddress) then you will likely have an increased chance at them adding your site.

From my glance at your site, it may be too much commerce and not enough of a users resource, BUT WHO KNOWS what the editors think, not me.

A good first step, considering your topc would be to visit some article sites and start writig about what you know. Your cigar topics would make for interesting articles to write about - and get rss'd into lots of good links.

Lastly, there must be some cigar enthusiast forums you can join and contribute on with a signature back to your site. Where better to advertise your site then somewhere like that.

[ctabuk]

You also need backlinks - and I have added the www.qualitycutters.com to your post. But there are some very good tips here. If you PM me your e-mail address I'll do a report on the site and tell you who your competitors are, what theirkeywords are and how to find their Directory/Forum posts, which as Hoptoo has so rightly stated is essential in your quest for listings - Then you can follow your competitors submissions and submit your site. Yes it's boring, yes we hate doing it, but quality links both in and now out of a site are crucial.

ctabuk edit - just had a good look around the site and the report is ready - just a tip - you have listed cigar cutter as your main keywords - think plural, people tend to search for more than one item - so if I were in the market - I'd search Cigar Cutters

[redbison]

Thanks for all the great information. I have never done any web design before, so everything you have said is very interesting.

ctabuk - please email me at ctabuk edit removed e-mail address in case of spam -- I tried to pm you, but received an error message.

again, thank you all.

redbison

www.qualitycutters.com

[google junky]

Take a look at your <title>
http://www.qualitycutters.com/index....PROD&ProdID=27

[dburdon]

Two key factors above all else:

Site title.
Anchor text.