SEO - Search Engine Optimization

[Christopher Steven b]

Here is one take on splash pages: Splash Pages: Bad for Usability, Bad for SEO

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by Michael1984

Has anyone noticed in the last 2 days your google rank changing? I went from page 1 of google for harrisburg wedding photographer. to page 8. I did not change anything. any ideas?

Maybe your competition is doing more SEO work then you?

[Michael1984]

One thing I did notice is a friend was on page 2 for the same keyword and now is back 4 or 5 pages as well. Im thinking something has changed

[gotyed]

Hello guys,

I have a website, where I offer to sell prints of my photos.

There is a description for every picture, to allow some more content for SEO.

My question is, how to do the right SEO for such a website?

Because, even if my "elephant" picture is number one on google when you search "elephant", I'm not sure it'll help for print sales...

Thanks!

[Christopher Steven b]

^ This question raises a really good point: getting traffic is one thing, getting traffic that converts (to a sale) is another. Just getting folks to your site is indeed probably not enough.

As things stand (optimizing for elephant on your page and ranking highly) 99% of your visitors are likely just curious kids (doing projects) or curious adults looking for images to look at--not buy. One response might be: perhaps elephant photos aren't very saleable. On the other hand, having highly ranked images and pages on your site--regardless of whether or not they buy--helps boost the SEO of your site overall.

What about a strategy that tries to rank for [location] + nature photography, or something similar. Though there are definitely far less folks doing this search, they're probably more likely to make a purchase. In other words, optimize the home page for what I suggest above, but keep the lower pages optimized for, say, 'elephants' (your page title might be something like: "Elephants in the Congo - Africa Nature Photography"

[gotyed]

Originally Posted by Christopher Steven b

^ This question raises a really good point: getting traffic is one thing, getting traffic that converts (to a sale) is another. Just getting folks to your site is indeed probably not enough.

As things stand (optimizing for elephant on your page and ranking highly) 99% of your visitors are likely just curious kids (doing projects) or curious adults looking for images to look at--not buy. One response might be: perhaps elephant photos aren't very saleable. On the other hand, having highly ranked images and pages on your site--regardless of whether or not they buy--helps boost the SEO of your site overall.

What about a strategy that tries to rank for [location] + nature photography, or something similar. Though there are definitely far less folks doing this search, they're probably more likely to make a purchase. In other words, optimize the home page for what I suggest above, but keep the lower pages optimized for, say, 'elephants' (your page title might be something like: "Elephants in the Congo - Africa Nature Photography"

Thanks for your reply.

Well, actually I don't have elephant photos on my website, nor a first page ranking but I used it as an example.

I will try to focus more on the location/subject + photography. but then, for example, I can loose anyone who looks for [location] + image or [location] + picture.

The smart thing is to try and reach these specific "buyers", but also to attract lots of general traffic as well. Is there any other thing I can do as well?

Thanks again!

[Christopher Steven b]

A few things to note:
1) use the google keyword tool to see if more people search for, say, 'image' vs. 'picture'.
2) try to consider what the keyword might say about the person doing the search (perhaps someone looking for a print, will look for 'print' rather than 'picture'.)
3) google understands synonyms. Don't worry about going overboard trying to rank high for every permutation of 'image', 'picture', 'photo' etc.

Originally Posted by gotyed

Thanks for your reply.

Well, actually I don't have elephant photos on my website, nor a first page ranking but I used it as an example.

I will try to focus more on the location/subject + photography. but then, for example, I can loose anyone who looks for [location] + image or [location] + picture.

The smart thing is to try and reach these specific "buyers", but also to attract lots of general traffic as well. Is there any other thing I can do as well?

Thanks again!

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by gotyed

Thanks for your reply.

Well, actually I don't have elephant photos on my website, nor a first page ranking but I used it as an example.

I will try to focus more on the location/subject + photography. but then, for example, I can loose anyone who looks for [location] + image or [location] + picture.

The smart thing is to try and reach these specific "buyers", but also to attract lots of general traffic as well. Is there any other thing I can do as well?

Thanks again!

Sounds like we both do the same type of work. I use my home page <title> element, H! tags and text to try and get people there by searching what I do (landscape, nature, wildlife) and to some degree, my location (central valley, and/or California). My galleries are more refined to try and focus on one specialty (like 'Landscape' and some of the locations (Yosemite).

On each picture page I list a <title> element, <h1> tag and a general description of that image. I also renamed each jpg to match the image. As an example; my "First Light at Convict Lake"; the <title> element is "First Light at Convict Lake - Laurel Mountain". I used both the title of the print (Light at Convict Lake) and I added one of the surrounding landmarks (Laurel Mountain). I use the title of the photo as my <h1> tag, just because. Under the <h1> tag I write a generic description that tells the viewer (and Google) what are the keywords (A picture of Laurel Mountain and Convict Lake in the morning light.). I use the word "picture" because most non-photographers use that over "photograph". Trying to be more personal, I will write something about that day under the "About the Day". It probably doesn't help for SEO, but it's not all about SEO, IMO.


For the photos, I rename using the part number and a short description; like '01-112-convict-lake.jpg'. I also fill out the 'alt' and 'title' tags as well.

Hope this helps.

[gotyed]

Originally Posted by Christopher Steven b

A few things to note:
1) use the google keyword tool to see if more people search for, say, 'image' vs. 'picture'.
2) try to consider what the keyword might say about the person doing the search (perhaps someone looking for a print, will look for 'print' rather than 'picture'.)
3) google understands synonyms. Don't worry about going overboard trying to rank high for every permutation of 'image', 'picture', 'photo' etc.

Hi,

Thanks for your answer, it's really interesting, and confusing at the same time, and I must decide on one path to follow. (either the keyword print or photo/image/picture)

Originally Posted by Hikin Mike

Sounds like we both do the same type of work. I use my home page <title> element, H! tags and text to try and get people there by searching what I do (landscape, nature, wildlife) and to some degree, my location (central valley, and/or California). My galleries are more refined to try and focus on one specialty (like 'Landscape' and some of the locations (Yosemite).

On each picture page I list a <title> element, <h1> tag and a general description of that image. I also renamed each jpg to match the image. As an example; my "First Light at Convict Lake"; the <title> element is "First Light at Convict Lake - Laurel Mountain". I used both the title of the print (Light at Convict Lake) and I added one of the surrounding landmarks (Laurel Mountain). I use the title of the photo as my <h1> tag, just because. Under the <h1> tag I write a generic description that tells the viewer (and Google) what are the keywords (A picture of Laurel Mountain and Convict Lake in the morning light.). I use the word "picture" because most non-photographers use that over "photograph". Trying to be more personal, I will write something about that day under the "About the Day". It probably doesn't help for SEO, but it's not all about SEO, IMO.


For the photos, I rename using the part number and a short description; like '01-112-convict-lake.jpg'. I also fill out the 'alt' and 'title' tags as well.

Hope this helps.

It was interesting for me to see your website, which is quite like mine in it's general idea.

I'm actually using a platform that automatically generates the H1 tags, ALT tags, titles, etc.

If I may ask - do you get a lot of orders on this kind of website? How do you "find" your buyers? (or, how do they find you)

I don't have much traffic, but it's starting to grow slowly now, the problem is, it's probably not the right crowd.

I'll try to add a bunch of photo/image/picture/print keywords and maybe be more relevant for specific users.

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by gotyed

...

If I may ask - do you get a lot of orders on this kind of website? How do you "find" your buyers? (or, how do they find you)...

Do I get a lot of orders? Not really, but I'm not trying to make a living doing it either.

How do they find me? I haven't done any shows in a few years, so all of my sales are via the net. Most of my sales are from people interested on the local scenes (central valley / California).

I did got a break last year when one of the editors from Guidepost magazine was searching for some backpacking info (I also have a backpacking website www.thebackcountry.org). He saw my "About Me" page and wanted to interview me for a story. It was published last January and I still get orders because of that article.

Do you have a link to your website?

[gotyed]

Originally Posted by Hikin Mike

Do I get a lot of orders? Not really, but I'm not trying to make a living doing it either.

How do they find me? I haven't done any shows in a few years, so all of my sales are via the net. Most of my sales are from people interested on the local scenes (central valley / California).

I did got a break last year when one of the editors from Guidepost magazine was searching for some backpacking info (I also have a backpacking website www.thebackcountry.org). He saw my "About Me" page and wanted to interview me for a story. It was published last January and I still get orders because of that article.

Do you have a link to your website?

Ok, I see.

Well, I'm not counting on making money from it, but I'll be happy to be able to sell a few.

BTW, I really liked your website, and pictures. It looks great, I guess you're far more experienced with that than I am.

I'm attaching my website as an image because I don't want google to index my page on POTN.
It's quite new and I don't have so many pictures on it, about 50..
I'm using a smugmug-like service to sell them.

Concerning SEO, I'm using the same image name for the H1 tag, ALT tag, and jpg name. I'm trying to bold most of the keywords, and write at least one paragraph under each image.
I will try soon to insert a lot of these picture/photography keywords and we'll see what will happen.


I'll be happy to hear critiques or just about anything on the website/pictures

Thanks!



Edit:: BTW- suggestion needed. As I said, I want to add photography related keywords. Now, I'm thinking on this model:
Image name - without keywords
Page title - [Image name] + "photo/picture/image" (only one of those)
H1 tags - just image name
ALT tags and jpg files names - just image name
Image description - adding a keyword or two (again - photo/picture/image)
Category name - without keywords (for example - not "landscape photography" or "landscape pictures" etc.)

What do you think? Is it a good approach? or should I change something here? I'd rather hear comment before doing anything because changing the whole thing again afterwards will be a drag.

[Matt Peters]

I read up on here a while ago and made some changes which are working, I just have a question about Google Places.. How do I get the two to link up?

I.e. when I search my area for wedding portrait etc it brings up my site but a Google places link.

My website is: www.mattpetersphotography.co.uk

Thanks

[Hikin Mike]

Originally Posted by gotyed

Ok, I see.

Well, I'm not counting on making money from it, but I'll be happy to be able to sell a few.

BTW, I really liked your website, and pictures. It looks great, I guess you're far more experienced with that than I am.

I'm attaching my website as an image because I don't want google to index my page on POTN.
It's quite new and I don't have so many pictures on it, about 50..
I'm using a smugmug-like service to sell them.

Concerning SEO, I'm using the same image name for the H1 tag, ALT tag, and jpg name. I'm trying to bold most of the keywords, and write at least one paragraph under each image.
I will try soon to insert a lot of these picture/photography keywords and we'll see what will happen.


I'll be happy to hear critiques or just about anything on the website/pictures

Thanks!



Edit:: BTW- suggestion needed. As I said, I want to add photography related keywords. Now, I'm thinking on this model:
Image name - without keywords
Page title - [Image name] + "photo/picture/image" (only one of those)
H1 tags - just image name
ALT tags and jpg files names - just image name
Image description - adding a keyword or two (again - photo/picture/image)
Category name - without keywords (for example - not "landscape photography" or "landscape pictures" etc.)

What do you think? Is it a good approach? or should I change something here? I'd rather hear comment before doing anything because changing the whole thing again afterwards will be a drag.

Thanks for the complements. :

It sounds like you have a plan.

[chpa]

Thank you for this topic! It's brilliant, I've spent a whole night reading everything here, I've already started to improve my content. Thank you!

[zachprez]

Long Tail Search Keywords

I'm a firm believer in the long tail, which is the niche phrases people only search once or twice a month but aggregates to be the lion's share of search traffic. For example, Barnes & Noble bookstore doesn't stay in business by only selling Harry Potter. True, Harry Potter sells the most copies, but it is only one title from the hundred thousand other niche titles that sell a couple copies a month and generally make up 90% of the revenue.

We can make our stores (websites) feature dozens to hundreds of niche-focused titles (headlines of a blog post, for example) and capture the portion of SEO where other photographers don't focus. It's great to have your homepage target something like Sacramento nature photographer, but don't make the mistake of trying to get a blog post to rank for that same phrase. It will be outranked by your homepage (and other people's homepages). Instead, create a post about "Mount Dana scenic landscape photos of trees on the river" which will rank for a number of phrases pretty quickly.

Meta Data

Note: meta descriptions and meta keywords don't affect search results. A meta description helps convince users to click your result when it is shown in search, but won't position you any higher in search.

Google Places

Google maps listings run independent of organic search - it is seen as different content. A pro is that you can rank twice (once with a Places result and once with a site). A con is that you may have a great organic rank, but get outranked by Places. Here's a post a wrote about How to Optimize a Photography Business on Google Places.

Image Optimization

Image names, alternate text, and captions will all help an image and its page rank well. They should describe the image specifically. For example, a hundred images all named Sacramento Landscape Photographer would not give Google much information about your site. You'd be known for one term only. But a image named "Redwood tree covered in snow seen in Mount Dana sunset" uses tons of related keywords people will search, and gives Google thousands of specifics about the type of photography you do. Here's a post about Optimizing Images for Search.