Help! How 2 get people 2 site.

[maitems]

Hello group, how is everyone today? I hope all is well. Todays topic is simple for some, and very helpful for me. What are the different ways, best/worst, cheapest/expensive, to drive people to your site. You can have a great looking store, with plenty of items people want, at good prices, and if no one goes nothing gets sold. Thanks in advance for all the help. As always, you can drop me a line at: [email protected] or post your response (helps other). My Webpage

[scotte]

posting your own site in a thread like this is a good way to get traffic

[burt]

1/ Get yourself a proper domain name that relates to what you are selling.

2/ Search Engines & Directories. Get yourself listed.

3/ Post your link on related forums.

4/ Pay per Click, eg Google Adwords. If your prices are good enough, this will pay for itself many times over.

 

Good luck.

[billwerth]

You didn't ask for it, but maybe this is a good place to start a little discussion of good web site design, using yours as an example.

 

Your site is still under construction, so you will probably fix:

 

1) You need to remove the under construction note. It is functional (right?), the under construction note is like posting a sign that says go away.

 

2) Why no heading at the top? Do I have to read the small print to find out what your company is?

 

3) Get those pictures working (click to enlarge just moves the small picture into a different window).

 

4) Don't spend any time driving people to your site until it is ready. Many times they will see that it is not up to snuff and never return.

 

I'm just a novice, and the above just reflects what I've read, so I would be interested if people with experience agree.

[maitems]

Some people would be mad at your advise. Who does he think he is telling me that...He's just a novice also... :angry: Thanks to all the people that posted a reply. The best is the criticism because it gets me going-working harder-to get it perfect. Thanks again. And remember, as always you can post a message or send me an email, [email protected] but you must check out the new things on my site M.A.S. Items

[richaldridge]

posting your own site in a thread like this is a good way to get traffic

 

:D

 

I sense a hint of sarcasm?

[AlanR]

1/ Get yourself a proper domain name that relates to what you are selling.

myfleamarket.com seems to be available. :D

[maitems]

No sarcasm! I do appreciate all the help. In fact, if you see something else on my page that you think stinks, let's hear it... See the updates Click here! Thanks again for all that help.

[rad_dad]

Eh, joining as many FFA lists as you can will bring you lots of attention. :lol:

[billwerth]

It looks like you have addressed all of the issues I raised earlier. I'm glad you didn't take offense to my criticism, because it really was meant to be helpful.

 

I like the red color your using now (not sure if its the same as before).

 

I did notice a few things that distracted my shopping (more helpful comments :-)

 

1) "Category: Accessories" is displayed in the upper left corner. This text never seems to change no matter what category I select.

 

2) There is an empty category "Books".

 

3) The paragraph that ends with "If you don't see anything you like try and win the $100.00 contest below.", has two different size fonts. This last bit of text would look better if it was put into a separate paragraph.

 

4) I like the contest idea. This will get people to come back once they have first found your site. Although I'm not sure that the privacy notice and conditions of use links should be used for it. I think these are fairly important items that need to be on the site. Maybe you can add a separate link to the contest somewhere else?

 

Looking much better.

[mattwho]

As soon as i got to your site i was tempted to leave by clicking on the ebay add in your header that states "Why pay retail?" And since first reaction is to look for your store name towards the top it was a little confusing. Adwords and even Overture can be great if your products are unique.

[maitems]

Thanks again, and very honest when I say I don't take offense. Yes, as you see I did take your suggestions. I'm new to computers and programing so it's tough to change some of the things around. I'll get there and get it done though.

 

And Mattwho: I do appreciate your suggestions also. I have those ads rotating so they won't be there everytime you go. About the name up top... let me go look again and see for myself. Thanks again and remember to stop by ever once and awhile to check out the progress. My Webpage

[digi]

it would help if the site was available. (site down)- this will make people never come to your site.

 

as for your posts, stop posting your website link in each post. it sickens me.

 

if I want to see your site I will click the www link in the bottom of your posts.

 

digi

[xpetex]

its very bad, I had to refresh about 6 times..

 

I think you should remove all advertising like google adds and the ebay links. They are detracting from your items..

[maitems]

Before I get too far into this post My Webpage So xpetex why would you have to refresh 6 times? What would cause that (yes i'm new) is there a good--or best-- way to clean up the site? Thanks for the advise about the site. I appreciate all suggestions! If someone has advise about me...My Webpage keep it to yourself.

[Guest]

Some people would be mad at your advise. Who does he think he is telling me that...He's just a novice also...  :angry:  Thanks to all the people that posted a reply. The best is the criticism because it gets me going-working harder-to get it perfect. Thanks again. And remember, as always you can post a message or send me an email, [email protected] but you must check out the new things on my site M.A.S. Items

Ok maitems, while the poster you got mad at is perhaps a novice, I am not and have been driving traffic to sites for years.

 

First, write your pages for what the search engines use to rank, which is relevancy.

 

You have to match your keywords, description tags, and body text.

 

Since the majority of a site?s traffic will come from the major search engines, it is wise to cater to them, and properly done pages can be quite user friendly.

 

Eh, joining as many FFA lists as you can will bring you lots of attention.

 

Do not, under any circumstances do this.

It is one good way to get your pages banned from then major search engines.

You are looking for *targeted* traffic, not just visitors. FFA pages, and the resulting spam, will do nothing for sales.

Speaking of spam, putting your email address in the product descriptions is sure to generate a ton of spam.

 

Once you get people to your site you have to be able to convert them.

Conversion involves building trust, and you do not do much of that.

 

Get a proper host. I for one would never purchase from a store hosted on a free service.

I figure if you cannot afford a domain name and a server you are not a real business.

 

If I am going to buy from a site I find out about the owners before I make a purchase.

Set up an about us page and give contact information.

 

If you are serious, fix your product displays.

5x5 pixel images and what looks like homemade pictures just don?t cut it.

 

Try breaking up your descriptions using <BR> tags to make them readable.

Your description of the $1700 DVD package is a horror to read.

[billwerth]

Sounds like great advice.

 

I found this link that explains why FFA lists are such a bad idea: Free For All Links Lists

 

Thanks for starting this thread, maitems, I'm learning alot.

[maitems]

No, thanks to all of you. I am learning alot also, the reason I started it. Like one of the posters, I too am a novice. I think I cleaned it up alittle with having to refresh so many times, now to work on the content some more. Thanks alot Reg-DCP.

[Guest]

No, thanks to all of you. I am learning alot also, the reason I started it. Like one of the posters, I too am a novice. I think I cleaned it up alittle with having to refresh so many times, now to work on the content some more. Thanks alot Reg-DCP.

You are welcome.

I would also suggest that you download the demo of webposition to see how a good ranking page is built.

It will give you a lot of the basic page structure and ingredients that the search engines use when ranking.

 

You have an extremely wide market being a "SuperStore". Competition for rankings will be intense.

I would try to narrow the field by using a "Niche" product when planning your SEO

 

I would however, limit it's use to basic page layout. I will not use it to submit as the only way to do that is manually.

 

Oh, and dont forget to put your web address on your stationary and business cards.

[Guest]

Hi,

You could allways center your site that is a guaranteed way to make sites look better (check out the contributions for this) and also you could get rid of those 3 pics at the top.

 

Tom :rolleyes: