files names now?

leesw · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2004, 02:37 PM

Hi,

I just recently decided to change the file name of one of the pages on our site. I thought it might help get us a little higher in rankings though we are already number 6 or 7 for the phrase "marriage ministry."

Basically, I changed the file name to /marriageministry.htm from /ourministry.htm. And, of course, I updated all my pages to point to that new file name.

So......MY QUESTION is, will search engines see that the ourministry.htm link is different and drop it BEFORE I see any positive results from changing the file name to ourministry.htm.

I've noticed that Google now takes a lot longer to list specific pages from a site in searches. So have I made a mistake in changing things? Also, should I make the file name marriage-ministry.htm or is marriageministry.htm just as good?

The page/file in question is at http://www.familydynamics.net/marriageministry.htm and the other is at /ourministry.htm.

Sorry for the long and confusing post. I'd appreciate your feedback as always.

Lee

cbp · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2004, 03:50 PM

I don't think changing the file name would make any difference to your rankings.

CBP

leesw · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2004, 04:37 PM

Ok,

Thanks. But what can I do to make the site rank better? I mean, I know it ranks good, but what can I do to make it better.

I really want to be ranked #1 in google with the phrase "marriage ministry" from our page at http://www.familydynamics.net/ourministry.htm.

And, I want marriage enrichment #1 from our index.html page.

Any suggestions?

Lee

Mel · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 03:16 AM

If you simply change the name of a file, Google will see the file as being new and will drop the old page from the index and list the new page on the next updatem whereupon it will rank based on what the search engine sees. Any external links you have to that page will be lost, unless you can get those linking to the page to change the links URL.

If you want to rank #1 for marriage ministry you will be competing with 1.25 million other pages that also target that term, with the top ranking sites in the PR5-6 area with 100 or more backlinks.

Your onpage content will have to be well optimized for those keywords and You will need at least 100 links pointing at your site with several anchor text links using those words. All IMO of course.

Dave Hawley · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 03:47 AM

Hi Lee

There is a lot to how competive a search term is that how many pages Google states are found. For one thing, the number can be out by 50%! I only wish it were that simple :o)

Try this. Change the Title

"Lee-Wilson.net--Marriage-Enrichment Ministry. Learn to lead marriage courses at your church."

To

"Marriage Enrichment Ministry. Marriage courses at your church or ministry.

Add a H1 tag to the top of this page that read simliar to the Title.

Add a bit more text on the page which includes the keywords and phrases.

Try to get lots of links from other sites and if possible use the anchor text "marriage ministry".

As you are already up high in rankings I would say the competition is NOT that steep.

leesw · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 11:32 AM

Thanks Dave,

But I think I miscommunicated. I'm not trying to get this term with my personal site (lee-wilson.net). I'm trying to with Familydynamics.net which is the ministry I work for.

On the marriage ministry page (http://www.familydynamics.net/marriageministry.htm) I have the title as "marriage ministry." Pretty simple huh? I've optimized the page as best I know how. The description is good, but for some reason Google doesn't list the description in search results. The key words are there too. Some of the sites above mine are not optimized well at all.

Lee

EJRS.COM · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-2004, 11:53 AM

These things take time, page ranking and listing can take time, but what you now need to do is promote your site via offline methods such as maybe in print, radio, tv etc. If a tv or radio interviews you then you get a lot of viewer/listener interest. Have a good reason for people to wanna link to you. Have good material to keep em coming back for more. You need all the links you can get. The more you get the more popular your site gets on search engines.

Quote:

Everyone wants to be popular. Either you're in or you're out. Lotsa broken hearts all around. But at least when you make it finally you can heave a sigh of relief.

http://ejrs.com/metatags.html