Help Me Optimize My Website Plan and SEO Plan!!!

[Monique Abrams]

Hello Warriors!

Thank you for taking interest in this post. I look forward to hearing any good advice or critique on the website plan.

The website is for a pool service and repair company that will service the whole Dallas/Fort Worth Area. I have not begun the website as of yet because I hope to get some good feedback before I start.

The following is in chronological order:

1) The website plan will have a subtle sales pitch on the front page that explains what they do, the two basic service plans, and some qualifications. There will be a monthly update box that will eventually move into the pool tips tab to create new content and eventually form an information index. I'm debating using a short video on the home page or on the page that goes more in-depth about the company. There will be pages for a link directory, more service options, contact and locations, about the company, a pay online option and user login to view their account status. Does anyone know software to create an online member database? I could use some good advice about keywords on this one. How many should I chose and does it matter how often it shows up on the website?
What are the best SEO tactics involved in that? Anything else someone can bring to the table is welcome.

2) Get on as many Approval Sites and Certification Sites as possible. Example Better Business Bureau Accredited Business Seal of Approval.

3) Submit the website to many directories, mostly local directories.

4) Use the pool tips as sales letters to create more backlinks on the web. Not really for direct traffic, more for higher ranking on search engines.

5) Submit a Press Release about the company. They are new and have a solid program, is this press release worthy?

6) A few Joint Ventures with local pool supply companies and pool builders. How will putting the larger pool supplies help me? Example is Polaris.

7) Create a Blog.

This plan is mostly for Search Engine Optimization, along with all the other traffic it naturally brings with some backlinks.

All the other marketing tactics are offline. For example, networking at city chambers, some targeting mail campaigns and alliances with realtors. I understand this forum is not for offline marketing but any advice is very welcome. Maybe send through personal message?

I do have one question If anyone could help me answer it. How does this website "Texan Blue Pool Service" show up on the firefox search engine under google search next to the map when you type in "Southlake Pool Service" and "Frisco Pool Service" ? I did notice the addresses are located in the city, but that's the only connection I found.

Thanks very much for your time and am looking forward to some critique.

M. Abrams

[dburk]

Hi Monique,

It sounds like you have a smorgasbord of ideas for the website. I recommend that you stop and ask yourself, or the pool company owners: What is the main purpose of this website?

Once you can answer that question, you will be able to point the development of the website toward an effective website for it's desired purpose. The point is that different purposes dictate different design goals. If you're not careful you will end up with a website that has used a tremendous amount of resources but doesn't achieve it's desired goals.

You mustn't be ambiguous in your purpose or the website won't be good for anything specific. "Jack of all trades and a master of none" as the saying goes.

Now, if they are funding this project as a way to show off your web development skills, you could be on the right track. I suspect that the pool service company is mainly interested in the website's ability to generate leads for business. If that's the case, you may need to rethink your plans a bit.

A simple site that gets right to the point and offers a pool service estimate. One that you setup to make it easy to test and optimize for conversions, could do wonders for a company like this, but hey, maybe they don't need the business. (?)

[Solidsnake]

It seems you have a big plan here. Let me know how can I help then.. I am interested to offer my services.

[CTABUK]

First simple rule 'Think Searcher' so the first step is to make the URL title based on what you are selling. If you think that all of the good URL titles have already been taken in a niche market - wrong - all you have to do is open the URL title on your keyword/anchortext search term. Ie PoolServiceinDallas. com then create pages on your various services and give them longtailed URL's.

[Monique Abrams]

Hello Everyone!

Thank you kindly for the advice and offers!

I want to share with you all a little background about this project. My friend wants to start this pool business and I just started Internet Marketing, but have a background in restaurant management and promotion. We both are very green, a bit young but motivated.

I am sincerely grateful for everyone helping us make steps forward with your advice.

Don Burk, The purpose of the site is to be on the first half of the first page of search engines and as a lead generator w/o PPC and very little marketing dollars. Our goal is to get 300 pool routes in 2 years. Do you feel I'm on the wrong path? What would you do different?

CTABUK, The name decided is poolsidetexas. We wanted to make a cloaking url for for every city to be directed to the central site. I.e. poolsidedallas, poolsidefortworth,etc. Is that possible? What exactly are longtailed URLS?

[dburk]

Hi Monique,

Simply, straight forward pages generally are most effective at generating leads for business. They are far less likely to distract your visitor from the primary purpose of lead generation.

While SEO can be effective for your purposes, it often is far less successful than PPC. I believe this is due to the fact that commercial intent is generally much higher with visitors who click on ads.

SEO can be very cost effective if your time isn't too valuable. I generally do both and can get as much as 30% of my revenue from organic traffic.

I believe CTABUK was probaly referring to long tail URLs like:
http: //poolsidedallas.com/pool-pump-repair-service.html
I'm sure he'll confirm when he gets a chance.

[CTABUK]

As always Don is spot on, it's handy here now being able to track posts. And with longtailed remember the simple basics. Link the pages from directories like Directory and Search Engine JoeAnt.com My Green Corner Google loves those 2

Make your link from the relevant section and aim it at the new page.

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by dburk

Hi Monique,

Simply, straight forward pages generally are most effective at generating leads for business. They are far less likely to distract your visitor from the primary purpose of lead generation.

While SEO can be effective for your purposes, it often is far less successful than PPC. I believe this is due to the fact that commercial intent is generally much higher with visitors who click on ads.

SEO can be very cost effective if your time isn't too valuable. I generally do both and can get as much as 30% of my revenue from organic traffic.

I believe CTABUK was probaly referring to long tail URLs like:
http: //poolsidedallas.com/pool-pump-repair-service.html
I'm sure he'll confirm when he gets a chance.

Thank you Don!

If you were to guess, how much money do you think is needed for PPC a month or do you suggest a site for me to learn more? The knowledge I have about PPC is basic.

I do have some time to play with the rankings on the site, but if its better worth my time to do PPC, I will for sure look into it.

Thanks for describing long tailed URLs. I can see how that is helpful.

I also see what you mean about a simple front page. I'm trying to decide if we should explain our services and pricing on the front or if we should do a what we do and about us and then direct them to the services page.

What do you think?

Thank you again, Don!

Monique Abrams

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by CTABUK

As always Don is spot on, it's handy here now being able to track posts. And with longtailed remember the simple basics. Link the pages from directories like Directory and Search Engine JoeAnt.com My Green Corner Google loves those 2

Make your link from the relevant section and aim it at the new page.

Thank you, CTABUK!

Thank you for bringing to my attention the long tailed URLs. I have never heard of that before. Good advice!

I'm going to look at both those directories. It just so happens I was going to research some directories today!

When you say new page, do you mean to point them to the page that is best suited for the directory?

Thank you for your input!

Monique Abrams

[dburk]

Originally Posted by Monique Abrams

Thank you Don!

If you were to guess, how much money do you think is needed for PPC a month or do you suggest a site for me to learn more? The knowledge I have about PPC is basic.

I do have some time to play with the rankings on the site, but if its better worth my time to do PPC, I will for sure look into it.

Thanks for describing long tailed URLs. I can see how that is helpful.

I also see what you mean about a simple front page. I'm trying to decide if we should explain our services and pricing on the front or if we should do a what we do and about us and then direct them to the services page.

What do you think?

Thank you again, Don!

Monique Abrams

Hi Monique,

I took a quick look at your local market and I have great news for you. While you have plenty of competitors in TX, they are generally doing a poor job of landing page optimization. You could easily design a highly optimized series of landing pages and "eat their lunch".

Most PPC ads are linking to the home pages and nearly all of them are a jumbled clutter of graphics, music and confusing navigation. Most have no online form for requesting quotes or estimates.

That means these sites are not getting very high conversion rates compared to what they could be getting. It should be very easy to out bid them and be way more profitable than they are.

People generally don't lookup pool service companies to find entertainment. They want to know what service you provide, how much does it cost, how can I get a quote and how can I contact you?. They may also be looking for reasons why they should choose your service over some other company.

If you design a simple landing page that adresses the above and includes a form to get a free quote/estimate, you are likely to get very good conversion rates when you target the right searches in the search engines.

If you combine the above with well optimized PPC campaigns, you will easily be able to generate leads for business at a fraction of what you competitors are paying.

[Monique Abrams]

Wow, talk about going above and beyond!

Thanks for doing that search, Don! Your information is helpful!

I was concerned that the PPC may be out of our budget. I took a quick look at your website "Outsource your PPC Management"

I'll be looking around there to soak up your information.

Thanks again, Don!

[CTABUK]

Hi Monique - if you are searching for Directories, I'll go and find some for you. Back soon
Have fun!!

Here's Aaron Wall on Directory submissions
http://www.seobook.com/archives/000166.shtml

[milamber]

Need more help on SEO? PM me if you think you need my help

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by CTABUK

Hi Monique - if you are searching for Directories, I'll go and find some for you. Back soon
Have fun!!

Here's Aaron Wall on Directory submissions
Major Web Directories : SEO Book.com

Oh! That's exactly what I needed, CTABUK!

Thank you! Thank you!

I'm still trying to look for which directories to use. There are so many.

Will free directories lower your ranking? I thought I read that somewhere, but I could be mistaken.

[maestero2010]

hi dear,

i would answer your query one by one-

1. as you have paid feature in your website so make sure that your website seems to be very much legal to any of the visitors. make website as usual user friendly. for keywords initially search for low demend keywords as high demand keywords will land you nowhere if you are optimizing website through organic optimization.
2.getting approved through many sites will surely make a diff and this is a very good idea.
3. submiting website to many directories do not make sense. The fact is- there are thousands of directories available on the internet-paid and free. also some of them are script driven directories(aviod them completely). now going with FFA i.e free for all dir, these directories will help you get a very low value link but they will surely fill in your website's email with spams. There are only hundreds of dir which are really useful one of the best is Dmoz.
4. sales letter is also a good idea.
5.submiting a press release being a very good idea but make sure you need to write it by thinking as a journalist.
6. can't say more about your 6th point.
7. Blog really help you building links, bringing traffic. but make it more sensible and spend time on it.

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by maestero2010

hi dear,

i would answer your query one by one-

1. as you have paid feature in your website so make sure that your website seems to be very much legal to any of the visitors. make website as usual user friendly. for keywords initially search for low demend keywords as high demand keywords will land you nowhere if you are optimizing website through organic optimization.
2.getting approved through many sites will surely make a diff and this is a very good idea.
3. submiting website to many directories do not make sense. The fact is- there are thousands of directories available on the internet-paid and free. also some of them are script driven directories(aviod them completely). now going with FFA i.e free for all dir, these directories will help you get a very low value link but they will surely fill in your website's email with spams. There are only hundreds of dir which are really useful one of the best is Dmoz.
4. sales letter is also a good idea.
5.submiting a press release being a very good idea but make sure you need to write it by thinking as a journalist.
6. can't say more about your 6th point.
7. Blog really help you building links, bringing traffic. but make it more sensible and spend time on it.

Hi there!

Thanks for the critique!

What is a script driven directory?

I got a good directory of good directories to chose from CTABUK. Amongst them are Dmoz, JoeAnt, Yahoo, etc.

Thank you again for taking the time out to look over the plan. All advice is helpful!

Monique Abrams

[strauss]

SEO has many advantages.In addition to that it has disadvantages

Less control on which pages appear in the natural results.
* SEO is slower in terms of ranking your site on a lot of chosen keywords.
* Less stable, more unpredictable traffic and ranking.
* It will take months or years for you to build up your ranking.
* May sometimes not generate profit.

[HallOfWords]

Let me know if I can help. I'm a copywriter, but just starting out as a freelancer. I have ten years advertising experience so I know I can write effective copy for you. If you need content or sales letter I'm willing to work for reasonable compensation.

[bannerdemers]

5) Submit a Press Release about the company. They are new and have a solid program, is this press release worthy?
yes a press release is very worthy prlog is a free submission site and I submitted one today. Two hours later, there it was in google, right under my site in ranking under my domain name. It took three weeks for my domain name to even get ranked in a search for it. Funny,huh?

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by strauss

SEO has many advantages.In addition to that it has disadvantages

Less control on which pages appear in the natural results.
* SEO is slower in terms of ranking your site on a lot of chosen keywords.
* Less stable, more unpredictable traffic and ranking.
* It will take months or years for you to build up your ranking.
* May sometimes not generate profit.

Hello Strauss!

Thanks for the insight. After all the posts i have recently received, looks like I need to revise my plan at some points!

Thanks,
Monique Abrams

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by HallOfWords

Let me know if I can help. I'm a copywriter, but just starting out as a freelancer. I have ten years advertising experience so I know I can write effective copy for you. If you need content or sales letter I'm willing to work for reasonable compensation.

Thanks Randy!

I will remember you if or when I need a good sales letter!

Monique Abrams

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by bannerdemers

5) Submit a Press Release about the company. They are new and have a solid program, is this press release worthy?
yes a press release is very worthy prlog is a free submission site and I submitted one today. Two hours later, there it was in google, right under my site in ranking under my domain name. It took three weeks for my domain name to even get ranked in a search for it. Funny,huh?

Thank you for this post!

I'm very glad to hear that the press release gave you good results. I was a little hesitate about that one. Have any advice for me in regards to the press release?

Thanks,
Monique Abrams

[bannerdemers]

Well, I don't feel like a guy would logically be one to give advice right now on copywriting (you should see the shellacing my site got in a thread I started asking for critique) but all I did was googled a couple press releases in my industry and kinda seen how they did it. Hope that helps.

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by bannerdemers

Well, I don't feel like a guy would logically be one to give advice right now on copywriting (you should see the shellacing my site got in a thread I started asking for critique) but all I did was googled a couple press releases in my industry and kinda seen how they did it. Hope that helps.

Ahh! Very Good! I will try that out!

[Monique Abrams]

Originally Posted by chet548

Monique,

Go to trafficgizer.com if you fallow what they teach you, you can be on the first page of goole in as little as 24 hours

That's what Internet marketing genius Frank Kern calls Traffic Geyser. See, Traffic Geyser makes it unbelieveably easy to unleash the power of online video to drive traffic, leads and sales.

Even businesses that have never marketed online before have started making money in as little as a day. Now you can learn about the power of marketing with online video through a series of free videos.

Oh ok! I will check it out! Thank you!