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Josh101
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 09:41
I have had my website going on three years now, and when I search using google, I find that I still have to plough through a few pages of results before I see my website listed.

My question is: How do I get Google To Recognize my website in the search results?
tracknut
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 11:46
For one, it will help if your site has backlinks from other places. Here, for example :)

Dave
Hikin Mike
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 14:32
For one, it will help if your site has backlinks from other places. Here, for example :)

Dave

If I were drinking my coffee, I would have spilled it all over the place!!!


Josh,

The first step to be found in Google is to at least have your website linked on your signature. And don't put "My Website". Use a good anchor link.

Could you at least post your site so I (and others) can view it and give you some pointers?
Josh101
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 19:46
added.

don't mind the missing content, more will come when i get a spare moment or two :)
Hikin Mike
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 20:57
For starters, KILL THE MUSIC... really.

Why can't you find your website in Google?

Mainly you use Flash and you have NO content on your home page. Google likes text i.e. CONTENT. If you must use flash, then you need to add some content on your home page. Add a short bio about you , were you live and what you do. You can just use your description metatdata tag.

Speaking of metadata, the name "Joshua O'Neill Photography" for a title is fine, but I would add "Central Florida - Joshua O'Neill Photography" or something like that. Put the most important thing first. If I were looking for a wedding photographer based in central Florida, I would probably Google "Central FL Photographer".

I think you have too many keywords. Just putting a bunch of keywords isn't going to help you. Probably it will hurt you. Use about 10 or less and make sure they are words based on your content.

I see you added a link on your signature. Good start, but I told you NOT to just use "Website". You need a good anchor link, like Joshua O'Neill Photography (http://www.joshuaoneillphotography.com/index2.php).

That's probably enough for now. PM me if you have any more questions....
tracknut
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 21:06
Ah, where to start... here's a few things you could do:

1. It's a full Flash site, and while Google makes some attempt to parse text out of the swf file, it's nowhere near as clean as parsing it out of html. That's why a lot of folks don't do full Flash web sites.
2. No DOCTYPE means a non-conforming site, which is arguably not going to rank as well. I say arguably because there seems to be some debate over this.
3. Sit down and make up a list of keywords that you think your customers might use to find your site. Then make sure they appear in your title and/or description tags.
4. Backlinks, I was serious. And when Mike told you not to use a generic term like "My Website", you used "Website". C'mon.
5. Have you listed with Google's Local Businesses directory?

Dave

Oops, I type slower than Mike, apparently
Hikin Mike
2nd of August 2009 (Sun), 21:14
Oops, I type slower than Mike, apparently

LOL!!! :lol:

Josh,

Just thinking again...

Here's a good read, SEO (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=472885). Make sure you sign up for "Google Analytics" too. ;)
Josh101
3rd of August 2009 (Mon), 09:05
The site is actually in both flash and HTML the html version is hidden, but it is there.

not sure if the visability matters
HTML Version (http://joshuaoneillphotography.com/html_ver/index.php?new_img=1&active_btn=1)
Josh101
9th of August 2009 (Sun), 09:42
Also, i forgot to mention, but i am somewhat limited with what i can do text wise.

my website was designed by Bludomain, and on my edit page i can only add a "site description" which is the same as "<head>" tags (only for the main page, not sub-pages)

then i also have a section called "site keywords" which is used for getting search engine views. thats as far as i can go with meta-tags.

i can add text to the text sections of my website, and to my home page, but even after reading the SEO thread i'm still somewhat lost.

just looking for what to do next so that google will see me. if anybody would care to help a technically challenged kid, it would be highly appriciated.
Josh101
11th of August 2009 (Tue), 22:26
i read the SEO tips and have adjusted my site accordingly, from last month, i have gone from page 8 down to the 9th result, when searching. still looking for help on this one