New Site for review.

Skrobma · #1 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 04:06 PM

My site www.getartexposed.com is new (live 3 months) any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'm also looking for SEO tips.

Home Page:
My first thoughts are to remove the paint brush image to make room for more art. I think I also need to increase the text on the news items.

SEO? Do I need text explaining the site for the search Engines? If so, I just don't know where to fit it on the homepage. Any Ideas?

Regards & Thanks
-Mark

davebarnes · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 05:03 PM

Mark,

1. Be sure to have all 3 tags (title, description and keyword) on every page. And, every page's tags should be unique and relevant to that page.

2. Homepage.
You have: <title>Welcome to Art eXposed</title>
Better: <title>Art eXposed - merging artists and their works</title>
Remember, when Google display organic search results, it shows:
line 1: title tag
lines 2 & 3: description tags
So, make these SELL for you.

3. Surf to http://www.webconfs.com/search-engin...-simulator.php
and enter your homepage URL. You won't like the results.
a. The tag name is keywords, not keyword.
b. You need more text on your homepage for the spider to capture. For an example, look at the <h1> near the bottom of the page of www.activereasoning.com

4. Dump the paint brushes image.

5. I have no idea what your favicon is. I would go for an A or a X.

6. You have inline styles in the head of various pages and yet, you have an external style sheet. Get all the styles into the external sheet.

7. Get all the javascript into external files.

,dave

**incrediblehelp** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2007, 10:07 PM

What are your target keyword(s)?

Skrobma · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 12:16 PM

I use the following keywords in my adwords campaign:

artist wanted
online art gallery
artist needed
gallery online
painter needed
painter wanted
artist support
PR for artists

My goal now is to get artists, once I have a large group of artists I will work to get Patrons.

Thanks
-Mark

Skrobma · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 12:17 PM

Dave, Thanks for all the great info.

Regards
-Mark

**incrediblehelp** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrobma

I use the following keywords in my adwords campaign:

artist wanted
online art gallery
artist needed
gallery online
painter needed
painter wanted
artist support
PR for artists

My goal now is to get artists, once I have a large group of artists I will work to get Patrons.

Thanks
-Mark

Have you attempted to optimize for these keywords organically?

Skrobma · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 09:42 PM

Incrediblehelp,

Not really sure what that means. Did a quick look on the web and it sounds like I need to use these keywords throughout my copy. (or look at my copy and use those key words)

So I should use my keywords when I Post to message boards, Blog, and in my copy on the site. Is that correct?

Thanks for your help.
-Mark

PS: I also have a myspace (myspace.com/artexposed) to help create a buzz on the company and I started a Blog.

**incrediblehelp** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 10:13 PM

I really think you should visit some SEO newbie threads.

Sticky: All you need for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Sticky: SEO, Where Do I Begin?

SEOmoz: Beginner's Guide to SEO

The Quick Kick-Start Guide to Search Engine Optimization

Give yourself some time to learn some SEO basics.

Skrobma · #9 (**permalink**) 03-13-2007, 11:10 PM

I will do my SEO homework. Thanks for all the info -Mark

jennifer18 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-14-2007, 08:56 AM

I like this - the design is what you'd expect for this type of site - it's not too stylish (if you don;t mind me saying) but it does the job and that's right for this type of site - I like it.
What backend technology did you use to develop this? There's a load of data on this. This is a well developed site, it appears as if you have designed it from developers at CTABUK Edit link removed. Anyway, I think you could make your logo a bit bigger though and maybe space things out a bit more - put more spacing between offers..
Good work on the whole...

Skrobma · #11 (**permalink**) 03-14-2007, 10:43 AM

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for the feedback. I had a friend design the site here in NJ. I thought it was pretty unique, did you see a similar site on thier website? If so, can you send me the link?

The site is developed with PHP/MySQL. I used elance.com to find a company to develop the site based on my specification. They did a great job www.sakshiinfoway.com.

Regards
-Mark

MarcieZoob · #12 (**permalink**) 03-15-2007, 07:16 AM

I am familiar with this market as my husband is an artist. After doing his research, he has chosen two or three major artist directories online to be listed with. I reviewed your website from the standpoint of an artist like my husband to see what he would gain from listing with you.

First off, your "About Us" materials are pretty vague in regard to what you really do FOR the artist. An example of a vague statement is "By supporting local art show through sponsorship." - do you support one local art show and, if so, is it in New Jersey? What good does that do me in Michigan? You need to focus on what it is that makes Art eXposed different, unique and BETTER than the artist directories / promoters that have been out there longer.

Is there a fee to join as an artist? That needs to be disclosed. If you don't publish your fees, the assumption is you're too expensive.

I don't care for the artist image display on the artist pages - the page reloads when you want to scroll to the next image instead of doing a smooth scroll. Links to artist's websites should open in a new window. When I clicked on an artist link, you just lost me.

From a web developer's standpoint, you are missing valuable content on the home page for the SEs. Your code is missing the most fundamental of attributes for SEO like ALT tags, summary tags and proper META formatting.

You really need more content overall (artists, NEW news, NEW events) before you start promoting the site. First impression is everything and you don't have enough to invite participation.

Skrobma · #13 (**permalink**) 03-15-2007, 12:14 PM

Marcie,

Thanks for the critique, it was very helpful. I'm so glad I posted my site onto this forum.

Can you elaborate on "proper META formatting" and are summary tags 'Title' tags?

Would you mind telling me which artist directories your husband decided to use?

Best Regards
-Mark