I absolutely DUG my own grave

InternetJon · 10-27-2011, 09:05 PM

What's up guys?

Been getting beaten around by all of this post-panda apocalyptic crap that's been posted around here lately. I'm not even going to sit here complaining about "I cant figure out why my site has been hit" or that "this new algo change decreased my earnings and I don't know why" blabla.

I realized that my main earning site is REALLY, REALLY thin. I came across this niche several months ago and saw that there was only one really heavy player and he was sitting at the top with zero SEO experience, just time + luck, I would suppose.

I decided to break into it and made my own site. Things were going well, finally reached page 1 after a few months of struggle. Then fast forward to now. I'm sitting on page 10 or so of Google, with no signs of recovery. I'm still page 1 of Yahoo and Bing (which is proving useless).

The reason I'm even posting this is I know it's my fault. My site is thin, but the problem is the niche that it's in doesn't have much content. Users are looking to download "x", so I have the main pages set up for the keywords pertaining to download "x" and direct them to a download page on my site.

I need help because this is an insanely profitable niche, I just can't figure out how to 'thicken' my site, if you will. I've added a blog and have been posting relevant content about "x" but I just started doing that, and it's only been a few days.

Long story short, I decided to create a crappy, thin site to compete with a competitor and can't seem to figure out why they can stick. I need a way to provide more value but it's such a non-informational area, I don't know where to begin.

dadamson · 10-27-2011, 09:15 PM

First up, tell us the nature of the niche. I'm sure I can think of some ideas.

Also, what is the competition like? What is your link building regeme?

I'd hazard a guess and say you need more pages, more posts, more content, as closely related to the niche as possible.

You should attach a blog or two (you said you have one so that's great).

And most importantly, consistent high quality link building....

Article marketing, guest posting, squidoo posts, hubpages, profile links, forum links, social media, etc. etc.

Keep things going and flesh out your site. I am sure you know what to do so you need to just push on and do it.

Understandably, the Google algo switchups can slice an IMers determination in half..

JRCarson · 10-27-2011, 09:20 PM

I like dadamson's take,

And also sometimes the "Google Dance" happens!

Do you have enough content on the homepage? It seems more is better at the moment.

yukon · 10-27-2011, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InternetJon

The reason I'm even posting this is I know it's my fault. My site is thin, but the problem is the niche that it's in doesn't have much content. Users are looking to download "x", so I have the main pages set up for the keywords pertaining to download "x" and direct them to a download page on my site.

I need help because this is an insanely profitable niche, I just can't figure out how to 'thicken' my site, if you will. I've added a blog and have been posting relevant content about "x" but I just started doing that, and it's only been a few days.

I also have a few profitable download sites.

You'll have a few guys on this forum (I'm not talking about the guys posted above me) that don't understand how to earn money (good money) from downloadable zips, software, etc..., don't pay them any attention. If they ever seen the money they would shut up & be asking how can they do the same. Some folks are just stuck in their ways I suppose.

Anyways...

Everything in the world (on-line/off-line) has a way to describe in detail what product X does & is all about.

If your running a single software X than your best bet is tutorials on how to use product X. Tutorials will give you unlimited pages of content. Keep the pages/theme tight with keyword anchor-text internal linking.

Next, review your external backlinks. It doesn't take a lot of external backlinks If you target high PR pages.

dburk · 10-27-2011, 09:45 PM

Hi InternetJon,

It sounds like you are facing superior competition. There is nothing that I have noticed in the latest Panda updates that is affecting my websites with very thin content. Google has nothing against "thin" pages, however they do have a guideline against thin "affiliate" sites. The "thin affiliate site" issue existed long before Panda and the Panda update had nothing to do with that particular issue.

A thin "affiliate" site is essentially nothing more than a Bridge page. If that is the type of site you have then you are going to need to come up with some value added content. As long as you remain convinced that you cannot add value you will remain undeserving of a 1st page listing.

The solution, as I see it, hinges on your ability to overcome a self-limiting belief. There are always multiple, perhaps unlimited, ways to add value to an offer. There are many, many ways you could beef up your content, you just need to get creative and start combining new things to come up with totally awesome value for your users.

Once you have the value added offer, and plenty of useful content, you can start promoting your website to get targeted traffic and eventually earn those higher rankings you seek.

And if that seems too hard, just launch a PPC campaign and cash in on that "insanely profitable niche".

InternetJon · 10-27-2011, 10:03 PM

dadamson: The niche is simply a download for some files people are looking for. Hate to be that vague, but really it's that simple. My link building strategy has been totally diverse, and has worked for many sites in the past. I mean everything from the old web 2.0 link wheels, really relevant high PR links (well, as high PR as the niche gets), blog networks, blabla. Been very consistent with it. The competition is ridiculously low. There is one other site that appeared on page 1 last night and they have a referral type script with absolutely no relevant content, no idea how that happened.

JRCarson: I've thought perhaps it's the Google dance, just find it strange to be happening at this point in time, after I've been consistently building links and seeing reuslts for a couple months.

Yukon: There are several ways to "download x" I suppose you could say, so I've been building pages based around them with full detail. At one point in time I was showing up for the different keywords relating to it. Good suggestion about the tutorials, I will definitely add some. I can't send you a PM, so if you could send one my way I would love to talk further if you have time.

Dburk: I don't think it's so much the competition. Most people sitting on page 1 aren't really meaning to be there and are not offering what the searcher is looking for by any means. I suppose the terminology of a bridge page would be correct. My page is a bridge between the user, and a download. There are no "affiliate" links, per se. Thank you for your input about limiting myself to not adding any useful content. My only problem with this is the two top rankers are providing really no useful information, aside from the download itself.

Thank you guys for the extremely insightful answers!

10-27-2011, 09:05 PM	#1
InternetJon Get a REAL job! War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 33 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I absolutely DUG my own grave - help me learn to climb out. What's up guys? Been getting beaten around by all of this post-panda apocalyptic crap that's been posted around here lately. I'm not even going to sit here complaining about "I cant figure out why my site has been hit" or that "this new algo change decreased my earnings and I don't know why" blabla. I realized that my main earning site is REALLY, REALLY thin. I came across this niche several months ago and saw that there was only one really heavy player and he was sitting at the top with zero SEO experience, just time + luck, I would suppose. I decided to break into it and made my own site. Things were going well, finally reached page 1 after a few months of struggle. Then fast forward to now. I'm sitting on page 10 or so of Google, with no signs of recovery. I'm still page 1 of Yahoo and Bing (which is proving useless). The reason I'm even posting this is I know it's my fault. My site is thin, but the problem is the niche that it's in doesn't have much content. Users are looking to download "x", so I have the main pages set up for the keywords pertaining to download "x" and direct them to a download page on my site. I need help because this is an insanely profitable niche, I just can't figure out how to 'thicken' my site, if you will. I've added a blog and have been posting relevant content about "x" but I just started doing that, and it's only been a few days. Long story short, I decided to create a crappy, thin site to compete with a competitor and can't seem to figure out why they can stick. I need a way to provide more value but it's such a non-informational area, I don't know where to begin.

10-27-2011, 09:15 PM	#2
dadamson SEO Enthusiast War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Australia Posts: 1,843 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 52 Thanked 345 Times in 262 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: I absolutely DUG my own grave - help me learn to climb out. First up, tell us the nature of the niche. I'm sure I can think of some ideas. Also, what is the competition like? What is your link building regeme? I'd hazard a guess and say you need more pages, more posts, more content, as closely related to the niche as possible. You should attach a blog or two (you said you have one so that's great). And most importantly, consistent high quality link building.... Article marketing, guest posting, squidoo posts, hubpages, profile links, forum links, social media, etc. etc. Keep things going and flesh out your site. I am sure you know what to do so you need to just push on and do it. Understandably, the Google algo switchups can slice an IMers determination in half..
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10-27-2011, 09:20 PM	#3
JRCarson Mile High Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 558 Thanks: 18 Thanked 98 Times in 82 Posts Social Networking	Re: I absolutely DUG my own grave - help me learn to climb out. I like dadamson's take, And also sometimes the "Google Dance" happens! Do you have enough content on the homepage? It seems more is better at the moment.

10-27-2011, 09:45 PM	#5
dburk Senior Warrior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 4,646 Thanks: 163 Thanked 673 Times in 583 Posts Contact Info	Re: I absolutely DUG my own grave - help me learn to climb out. Hi InternetJon, It sounds like you are facing superior competition. There is nothing that I have noticed in the latest Panda updates that is affecting my websites with very thin content. Google has nothing against "thin" pages, however they do have a guideline against thin "affiliate" sites. The "thin affiliate site" issue existed long before Panda and the Panda update had nothing to do with that particular issue. A thin "affiliate" site is essentially nothing more than a Bridge page. If that is the type of site you have then you are going to need to come up with some value added content. As long as you remain convinced that you cannot add value you will remain undeserving of a 1st page listing. The solution, as I see it, hinges on your ability to overcome a self-limiting belief. There are always multiple, perhaps unlimited, ways to add value to an offer. There are many, many ways you could beef up your content, you just need to get creative and start combining new things to come up with totally awesome value for your users. Once you have the value added offer, and plenty of useful content, you can start promoting your website to get targeted traffic and eventually earn those higher rankings you seek. And if that seems too hard, just launch a PPC campaign and cash in on that "insanely profitable niche".
	Don Burk * Get Results - Outsource Your PPC Management * Get a Keyword Domain Name - www.SeriousNames.com

10-27-2011, 10:03 PM	#6
InternetJon Get a REAL job! War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 33 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: I absolutely DUG my own grave - help me learn to climb out. dadamson: The niche is simply a download for some files people are looking for. Hate to be that vague, but really it's that simple. My link building strategy has been totally diverse, and has worked for many sites in the past. I mean everything from the old web 2.0 link wheels, really relevant high PR links (well, as high PR as the niche gets), blog networks, blabla. Been very consistent with it. The competition is ridiculously low. There is one other site that appeared on page 1 last night and they have a referral type script with absolutely no relevant content, no idea how that happened. JRCarson: I've thought perhaps it's the Google dance, just find it strange to be happening at this point in time, after I've been consistently building links and seeing reuslts for a couple months. Yukon: There are several ways to "download x" I suppose you could say, so I've been building pages based around them with full detail. At one point in time I was showing up for the different keywords relating to it. Good suggestion about the tutorials, I will definitely add some. I can't send you a PM, so if you could send one my way I would love to talk further if you have time. Dburk: I don't think it's so much the competition. Most people sitting on page 1 aren't really meaning to be there and are not offering what the searcher is looking for by any means. I suppose the terminology of a bridge page would be correct. My page is a bridge between the user, and a download. There are no "affiliate" links, per se. Thank you for your input about limiting myself to not adding any useful content. My only problem with this is the two top rankers are providing really no useful information, aside from the download itself. Thank you guys for the extremely insightful answers!