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Questions
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Hi there, I regularly add content to 4 widgets on my site. I use jaaxy first to create some good ranking content using keywords then add it to a page and then transfer it to a
Does the content in widgets rank in google?
Hi there, I regularly add content to 4 widgets on my site. I use jaaxy first to create some good ranking content using keywords then add it to a page and then transfer it to a
I believe it is only text in post/page that is ranked. Google cannot show your sidebar widgets to people (I assume you speak about sidebar).
Hi - hey Jovo - I'm under the understanding that search engines will look at your whole "html" page - ie. that that your visitors see, including the header, menu, side bar etc. So although some of your content may be dynamic, it will be whatever is shown when it scrapes your page that it indexes on.
Now here's the interesting part (to me anyway) - and where Jovo may be eluding to - the search engines are clever - they will know what is your main content, they will know what is your sidebar, and what is your footer etc (most modern themes have relevant tags to indicate what each area is in a page - eg etc) - and they will then decide whether to rank those items or not, or whether to add any weight to indexing that particular page or not.
That's just my guess - but Matt Cutts seems to be MIA - and he was able to explain exactly how Google at least, indexed and ranked pages - so maybe we'll just have to test. But I do think that as search engines are now very mature, they will be able to "see" what is your main content, and index you and rank you based on that.
Cheers, Mark
Great comment Mark, the topic is worth exploring further. It possibly contributes to the general site authority as seen by search engines.
Yeah I agree - if you're penalised for duplicate content, then surely your header, footer, side-bar etc would incur penalties - but they don't appear to - which is why I believe the search engines are not dumb bots scraping your whole page - I would love to open up a debate with people who have tested this and can share their results.
Cheers, Mark
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I have been here over a year now. Admittedly I went through the training quite slowly but I really thought I would be making some money now.
Anybody any advice before I g
hi Paula, I found a few things that you should fix. You don't have a Favicon placed on your website. Lots of visitors will notice this right away. Another red flag was that i didn't know where to go to read more articles. My suggestion is to place your category navigation tabs on every page with a drop down option so people can easily get to your content. Also use the WA system to get feedback from other members, this will help you grand. Hope this helps! ;0)
Hello
Checked your site,but l did not find any affiliate links to your posts,when l clicked the images(example the lovely red shoes) it does not lead me to a merchant, give your readers a chance to click what you are offering them to buy not at the end but maybe 2-3 times before they finish reading your post.
Where are your affiliate links? l just did not find any.
im no expert but please add affiliate links on your posts.
Please do not give up, im here almost same time too,im not making sales to speak of but giving up is not the answer.
Paula, I checked again and I did find in the sidebar two affiliate ads that go to department store type web sites, Rocky Vintage and Top Vintage. You should consider making some of your images clickable with in your content. Readers may not always get to your sidebar ads, especially if they are using a smartphone. Also, there are a couple of broken links in your sidebar that generate 404 error. Alex
Paula, You have very nice content, well presented. However, I did not find any affiliate links within the content. The sidebar has a googleadservices link and there are a few ad doubleclick links. My question is, "What are you attempting to sell?"
Alex, thanks so much. I plan to fix these issues today. Thanks for your very helpful reply and assistance. Paula
Hi.
#1 don't give up - ask for feedback (which you've just done)
#2 act on that feedback
#3 test what works, ditch what doesn't test again, repeat
You asked for feedback - I'll talk about your site first (I hate people who skirt around issues, but don't give an honest opinion, so I'll be upfront - I'm honest, but take others comments into account too).
I hate CAPITALS - it's people SHOUTING AT ME - I prefer nice big text, 2 or 3 sentences long, in nice easy to digest paragraphs.
Your paragraphs are ok, but they need to be in a more readable font, and use normal capitalisation where needed - and the line spacing is out. It looks as though each line is distanced from the one before.
Your pictures, eg. Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, are split into two columns - and left aligned - then you have Humphrey Bogart centre aligned under the paragraph below.
The images are inconsistent - try to align them the same, whether in one or two columns - but don't have one left, and one centred.
Your images are all clickable - to bigger versions of the images. Why not link them to Amazon (or other - M&S, H&M etc) affiliate pages, where people can buy the outfits, sunglasses etc you are seeing in the pictures.
Your site is responsive, but not in a good way - if you shrink your screen to 500 pixels or so, the drop-down button for the menu disappears (or to be more accurate, is more difficult to see) in front of the arm of the model in the picture.
Your "What's in the news today" is a great feature - but the one on it just now, Adele's new single, is a link away to a YouTube video. This only shortens people's page time on your site, and takes them to YT. Why not just embed the video on your page - so people will watch it on your site. This will help with your SEO, as people will spend more time on YOUR site - not YT.
Your links: Check it out here - fade into the background - they're only a slightly lighter shade of grey than the text - so it's not obvious that they are links. Don't let your visitors have to try hard to see what you're linking to - make it obvious and bold "click HERE (in bright red/green/whatever) to check out the styles you can be wearing tomorrow!!!".
astore's are fine (if looking a little dated these days) - but to be honest, it looks like you've just copied a couple of pages on each style/topic from amazon - and put it on your page. Why wouldn't I just go to Amazon? Answer - I want to read your reviews, and your advice, and your gimmicky/funny/laughable/true/honest comments...
Why not spend a little time rewriting the content - instead of simple links to videos with a title and a price (eg. here: http://dressmeinvintage.com/old-movies-timeless-style-and-vintage-glamour ) - write up your own reviews, inject your personality and enthusiasm for them into your own words - and have something that says (something like) "If you want to share what I found in this fantastic move, click here to get your own copy/view instantly on Amazon" etc.
Where is your mailing list sign-up? Have one on your film link pages, and you can send people reviews of old films you've watched and written about - have one on your fashion pages where you talk or link to articles about how to create the retro look and style. When you setup your autoresponder, make sure that you also include links to really useful and interesting articles and videos and how-to's, and every few autoresponders, include a few links to posts on your pages, that have your affiliate links to where you can get those clothes, makeup, videos etc.
I truly believe you have the makings of a fantastically rich site, and a potentially lucrative business - so don't give up.
I've listed a lot of things I think you can improve on - it may seem like a mountain, but look at it this way - how do you climb a staircase? One step at a time.
IF (and I am using capitals :) sorry...) you agree with any of my comments, take each one in turn, and focus on it (and any others you get from people here you think are constructive) - and in a week or two, you could have turned around your site 100% and given visitors a fantastic experience - do that, and they are far more likely to share your enthusiasm and click through to your affiliate links.
The second part of my advice (I'm a guy - what do I know about fashion etc - except my teen photos show extremely questionable style choices) - where do you share your content?
I may have missed it, but your niche is is very visual - I would suggest getting onto FB and Pinterest and Instagram - and sharing each and every post, particularly as you can I'm sure share a relevant image almost 100% of the time, and FB and Pinterest are very graphical/eye-catching (I think Twitter is catching up - but maybe not there yet?).
Follow people on each of those that share your passion - like/share/comment on what they post, and in turn, they will begin to like/share/comment/repost what you are posting. Don't think you're in a market of competitors - look at it like this - if you like/follow/comment etc on people doing the same thing in your shared common niche, the people that follow them, will start following you - and clicking through to your content, and start clicking on your links, and start sharing your posts... then their friends start coming to your site, and clicking on your links... and then your start to have a business.
It's not overnight - you know that - you've been doing this a year. I've been doing it a lot longer - some of my sites make money, some don't - but I really believe you have a niche that people are really interested in - and if you can just make some small adjustments, and start using social media a little more - you'll never regret not giving up when you posted this question.
I really hope you take all of my comments as constructive - I don't wish to come across as anything other than that - and I look forward to seeing your site and you make a huge success of your passion.
All the best, Mark
Mark, sorry for the delay in replying to your very helpful and encouraging reply. I plan to act on all your recommendations and very excited to do so. Thanks you so very much for helping me. Paula
Hi Paula - I wasn't expecting a personal reply, so no problem at all.
I'm just happy you found some of my comments constructive.
All the best, Mark
Hiya - just had a mini look about - see plenty of writing but not so much affiliate links? Or if they're there - I don't notice them? When I clicked on the halloween bit, I expected to see actual pictures of halloween costumes and decorations, with links to the product. I saw there was a verbal link to a black dress and I clicked it -- but with no image of the dress on your site, I'm doubtful many people would click that link. I think it's important people see the products you're selling to them on your actual site - especially things that are so visual, like clothes/accessories etc. I've only been here a couple of months, but that was my first impression -- if that helps at all. x
Thanks so much for bringing these issues to my attention and for your swift reply. I am motivated again. Best of luck with your site also. Paula
You need to add a link to your pictures, to shopping carts, or make the settings for your pictures to "none"
When people like to purchase an article, and they click on the picture, you have lost a customer.
There is work to be done! Make sure your customers go to the place you want them to go, and that is NOT a mediafile.
This wasn't my post but I read your comment and - when you said about the pictures - I realised all mine click out of my site!!! Not to an affiliate link but just away. I have my links in my descriptions so have started going through all the images and changing the settings to "none" on the photos.. such a straight forward thing that could be losing so many sales!!! I'm so pleased I read this, think it's an important change to make - especially as my sites are very visual. Thank you!!! :)
Thank you Loes for your helpful and honest advice. I will act on all the recommendations. Paula
Hi pinns. I see advertisements on your site, however, I don't see an option to purchase anything. What am I missing?
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No sales as yet. where am I going wrong?
I have been here over a year now. Admittedly I went through the training quite slowly but I really thought I would be making some money now.
Anybody any advice before I g
hi Paula, I found a few things that you should fix. You don't have a Favicon placed on your website. Lots of visitors will notice this right away. Another red flag was that i didn't know where to go to read more articles. My suggestion is to place your category navigation tabs on every page with a drop down option so people can easily get to your content. Also use the WA system to get feedback from other members, this will help you grand. Hope this helps! ;0)
Hello
Checked your site,but l did not find any affiliate links to your posts,when l clicked the images(example the lovely red shoes) it does not lead me to a merchant, give your readers a chance to click what you are offering them to buy not at the end but maybe 2-3 times before they finish reading your post.
Where are your affiliate links? l just did not find any.
im no expert but please add affiliate links on your posts.
Please do not give up, im here almost same time too,im not making sales to speak of but giving up is not the answer.
Paula, I checked again and I did find in the sidebar two affiliate ads that go to department store type web sites, Rocky Vintage and Top Vintage. You should consider making some of your images clickable with in your content. Readers may not always get to your sidebar ads, especially if they are using a smartphone. Also, there are a couple of broken links in your sidebar that generate 404 error. Alex
Paula, You have very nice content, well presented. However, I did not find any affiliate links within the content. The sidebar has a googleadservices link and there are a few ad doubleclick links. My question is, "What are you attempting to sell?"
Alex, thanks so much. I plan to fix these issues today. Thanks for your very helpful reply and assistance. Paula
Hi.
#1 don't give up - ask for feedback (which you've just done)
#2 act on that feedback
#3 test what works, ditch what doesn't test again, repeat
You asked for feedback - I'll talk about your site first (I hate people who skirt around issues, but don't give an honest opinion, so I'll be upfront - I'm honest, but take others comments into account too).
I hate CAPITALS - it's people SHOUTING AT ME - I prefer nice big text, 2 or 3 sentences long, in nice easy to digest paragraphs.
Your paragraphs are ok, but they need to be in a more readable font, and use normal capitalisation where needed - and the line spacing is out. It looks as though each line is distanced from the one before.
Your pictures, eg. Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, are split into two columns - and left aligned - then you have Humphrey Bogart centre aligned under the paragraph below.
The images are inconsistent - try to align them the same, whether in one or two columns - but don't have one left, and one centred.
Your images are all clickable - to bigger versions of the images. Why not link them to Amazon (or other - M&S, H&M etc) affiliate pages, where people can buy the outfits, sunglasses etc you are seeing in the pictures.
Your site is responsive, but not in a good way - if you shrink your screen to 500 pixels or so, the drop-down button for the menu disappears (or to be more accurate, is more difficult to see) in front of the arm of the model in the picture.
Your "What's in the news today" is a great feature - but the one on it just now, Adele's new single, is a link away to a YouTube video. This only shortens people's page time on your site, and takes them to YT. Why not just embed the video on your page - so people will watch it on your site. This will help with your SEO, as people will spend more time on YOUR site - not YT.
Your links: Check it out here - fade into the background - they're only a slightly lighter shade of grey than the text - so it's not obvious that they are links. Don't let your visitors have to try hard to see what you're linking to - make it obvious and bold "click HERE (in bright red/green/whatever) to check out the styles you can be wearing tomorrow!!!".
astore's are fine (if looking a little dated these days) - but to be honest, it looks like you've just copied a couple of pages on each style/topic from amazon - and put it on your page. Why wouldn't I just go to Amazon? Answer - I want to read your reviews, and your advice, and your gimmicky/funny/laughable/true/honest comments...
Why not spend a little time rewriting the content - instead of simple links to videos with a title and a price (eg. here: http://dressmeinvintage.com/old-movies-timeless-style-and-vintage-glamour ) - write up your own reviews, inject your personality and enthusiasm for them into your own words - and have something that says (something like) "If you want to share what I found in this fantastic move, click here to get your own copy/view instantly on Amazon" etc.
Where is your mailing list sign-up? Have one on your film link pages, and you can send people reviews of old films you've watched and written about - have one on your fashion pages where you talk or link to articles about how to create the retro look and style. When you setup your autoresponder, make sure that you also include links to really useful and interesting articles and videos and how-to's, and every few autoresponders, include a few links to posts on your pages, that have your affiliate links to where you can get those clothes, makeup, videos etc.
I truly believe you have the makings of a fantastically rich site, and a potentially lucrative business - so don't give up.
I've listed a lot of things I think you can improve on - it may seem like a mountain, but look at it this way - how do you climb a staircase? One step at a time.
IF (and I am using capitals :) sorry...) you agree with any of my comments, take each one in turn, and focus on it (and any others you get from people here you think are constructive) - and in a week or two, you could have turned around your site 100% and given visitors a fantastic experience - do that, and they are far more likely to share your enthusiasm and click through to your affiliate links.
The second part of my advice (I'm a guy - what do I know about fashion etc - except my teen photos show extremely questionable style choices) - where do you share your content?
I may have missed it, but your niche is is very visual - I would suggest getting onto FB and Pinterest and Instagram - and sharing each and every post, particularly as you can I'm sure share a relevant image almost 100% of the time, and FB and Pinterest are very graphical/eye-catching (I think Twitter is catching up - but maybe not there yet?).
Follow people on each of those that share your passion - like/share/comment on what they post, and in turn, they will begin to like/share/comment/repost what you are posting. Don't think you're in a market of competitors - look at it like this - if you like/follow/comment etc on people doing the same thing in your shared common niche, the people that follow them, will start following you - and clicking through to your content, and start clicking on your links, and start sharing your posts... then their friends start coming to your site, and clicking on your links... and then your start to have a business.
It's not overnight - you know that - you've been doing this a year. I've been doing it a lot longer - some of my sites make money, some don't - but I really believe you have a niche that people are really interested in - and if you can just make some small adjustments, and start using social media a little more - you'll never regret not giving up when you posted this question.
I really hope you take all of my comments as constructive - I don't wish to come across as anything other than that - and I look forward to seeing your site and you make a huge success of your passion.
All the best, Mark
Mark, sorry for the delay in replying to your very helpful and encouraging reply. I plan to act on all your recommendations and very excited to do so. Thanks you so very much for helping me. Paula
Hi Paula - I wasn't expecting a personal reply, so no problem at all.
I'm just happy you found some of my comments constructive.
All the best, Mark
Hiya - just had a mini look about - see plenty of writing but not so much affiliate links? Or if they're there - I don't notice them? When I clicked on the halloween bit, I expected to see actual pictures of halloween costumes and decorations, with links to the product. I saw there was a verbal link to a black dress and I clicked it -- but with no image of the dress on your site, I'm doubtful many people would click that link. I think it's important people see the products you're selling to them on your actual site - especially things that are so visual, like clothes/accessories etc. I've only been here a couple of months, but that was my first impression -- if that helps at all. x
Thanks so much for bringing these issues to my attention and for your swift reply. I am motivated again. Best of luck with your site also. Paula
You need to add a link to your pictures, to shopping carts, or make the settings for your pictures to "none"
When people like to purchase an article, and they click on the picture, you have lost a customer.
There is work to be done! Make sure your customers go to the place you want them to go, and that is NOT a mediafile.
This wasn't my post but I read your comment and - when you said about the pictures - I realised all mine click out of my site!!! Not to an affiliate link but just away. I have my links in my descriptions so have started going through all the images and changing the settings to "none" on the photos.. such a straight forward thing that could be losing so many sales!!! I'm so pleased I read this, think it's an important change to make - especially as my sites are very visual. Thank you!!! :)
Thank you Loes for your helpful and honest advice. I will act on all the recommendations. Paula
Hi pinns. I see advertisements on your site, however, I don't see an option to purchase anything. What am I missing?
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Hi there,
I pressed the 'request feedback' button and wrote a review of one site first as requested but it still wont let me request my own feedback. It is still saying I
You need to write two reviews (in the spirit of paying it forward) before you can request feedback.
I offered feedback but get feedback back?
Hi there,
I pressed the 'request feedback' button and wrote a review of one site first as requested but it still wont let me request my own feedback. It is still saying I
You need to write two reviews (in the spirit of paying it forward) before you can request feedback.
I have been accepted onto the programme however the application process for the individual advertisers seems quite difficult. I dont even understand some of the questions.
Hello ladies, thank you both for your offer of help. Sorry I'm a bit delayed here with my reply- so much going on....
Anyway, what I was wondering is: to join the individual advertisers ( ie ASOS, ETSY) I have to fill out individual application forms.
The form asks all about PPC, re-dublication etc which I know nothing about but it seems that the questions are already answered with a X or a TICK even though I didn't mark them.
Do I just go with what is marked?
Thanks, so much for any help you can give.
Paula
Hi Paula, I'm sure if you PM Kyle, he might be able to help you with this seeing as you haven't had any answers yet.
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Hi has anybody signed up for affiliate window recently?
I have been accepted onto the programme however the application process for the individual advertisers seems quite difficult. I dont even understand some of the questions.
Hello ladies, thank you both for your offer of help. Sorry I'm a bit delayed here with my reply- so much going on....
Anyway, what I was wondering is: to join the individual advertisers ( ie ASOS, ETSY) I have to fill out individual application forms.
The form asks all about PPC, re-dublication etc which I know nothing about but it seems that the questions are already answered with a X or a TICK even though I didn't mark them.
Do I just go with what is marked?
Thanks, so much for any help you can give.
Paula
Hi Paula, I'm sure if you PM Kyle, he might be able to help you with this seeing as you haven't had any answers yet.
See more comments
I believe it is only text in post/page that is ranked. Google cannot show your sidebar widgets to people (I assume you speak about sidebar).
Hi - hey Jovo - I'm under the understanding that search engines will look at your whole "html" page - ie. that that your visitors see, including the header, menu, side bar etc. So although some of your content may be dynamic, it will be whatever is shown when it scrapes your page that it indexes on.
Now here's the interesting part (to me anyway) - and where Jovo may be eluding to - the search engines are clever - they will know what is your main content, they will know what is your sidebar, and what is your footer etc (most modern themes have relevant tags to indicate what each area is in a page - eg etc) - and they will then decide whether to rank those items or not, or whether to add any weight to indexing that particular page or not.
That's just my guess - but Matt Cutts seems to be MIA - and he was able to explain exactly how Google at least, indexed and ranked pages - so maybe we'll just have to test. But I do think that as search engines are now very mature, they will be able to "see" what is your main content, and index you and rank you based on that.
Cheers, Mark
Great comment Mark, the topic is worth exploring further. It possibly contributes to the general site authority as seen by search engines.
Yeah I agree - if you're penalised for duplicate content, then surely your header, footer, side-bar etc would incur penalties - but they don't appear to - which is why I believe the search engines are not dumb bots scraping your whole page - I would love to open up a debate with people who have tested this and can share their results.
Cheers, Mark