27 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
27 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Artisteer Wordpress template SEO issues

by mmoconnor
17 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I know that Artisteer is supposed to be "not great" for Wordpress SEO but I am wondering EXACTLY how not great is it. Is it really terrible or just OK or is it pretty good?

I have Artisteer and I like it but I often wonder if I am shooting myself in the foot by using these templates.

Can anyone give a not too technical but solid critique of the SEO (SEO only) aspect of Artisteer for Wordpress templates?

Here's another question: Artisteer 2 is supposed to be better SEO-wise than Artisteer 1. So if you take an artx file that was created with Artisteer 1 and run it through Artisteer 2 does that bring the template up to version 2 standards?

Also, are there some simple fixes for the seo problems in the Artisteer templates? The kind of things that could be done by a non-coder who is comfortable editing templates?

Thanks so much for your help!
#artisteer #issues #seo #template #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author YiKeS
    Originally Posted by mmoconnor View Post

    I know that Artisteer is supposed to be "not great" for Wordpress SEO but I am wondering EXACTLY how not great is it. Is it really terrible or just OK or is it pretty good?

    I have Artisteer and I like it but I often wonder if I am shooting myself in the foot by using these templates.

    Can anyone give a not too technical but solid critique of the SEO (SEO only) aspect of Artisteer for Wordpress templates?

    Here's another question: Artisteer 2 is supposed to be better SEO-wise than Artisteer 1. So if you take an artx file that was created with Artisteer 1 and run it through Artisteer 2 does that bring the template up to version 2 standards?

    Also, are there some simple fixes for the seo problems in the Artisteer templates? The kind of things that could be done by a non-coder who is comfortable editing templates?

    Thanks so much for your help!
    G`day,

    Artisteer has a forum for this, I suggest you head
    over there for the best answers. Can you explain
    why Artisteer is "not great for WP SEO"?

    The output can be quickly tweaked to achieve
    valid xhtml 1.0 and valid css ... you`ll likely need
    to learn a bit tho ... Artisteer creates the base
    for you to work with.

    Saves many hours but it still takes quite some time
    to produce something good ... best to take the time
    to learn "coding" to take full advantage of the tool.

    *EDIT* Open your Artx v1 Project in v2 ... if
    the "compatability feature" works it will update
    the Theme/Template.


    YiKeS
    Signature
    AUSSIE MADE
    WSO --> HOMEPAGER <--- WSO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668141].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author mmoconnor
      Originally Posted by YiKeS View Post

      G`day,

      Artisteer has a forum for this, I suggest you head
      over there for the best answers. Can you explain
      why Artisteer is "not great for WP SEO"?

      The output can be quickly tweaked to achieve
      valid xhtml 1.0 and valid css ... you`ll likely need
      to learn a bit tho ... Artisteer creates the base
      for you to work with.

      Saves many hours but it still takes quite some time
      to produce something good ... best to take the time
      to learn "coding" to take full advantage of the tool.

      *EDIT* Open your Artx v1 Project in v2 ... if
      the "compatability feature" works it will update
      the Theme/Template.


      YiKeS
      Thank you for your quick reply!

      The Artisteer forum attracts designers not coders (that's the whole point of Artisteer) so they haven't been very helpful with these kinds of questions.

      I cannot explain why Artisteer is not great for SEO. I have read that opinion but I don't understand what is behind it. That is exactly why I am asking here.

      I am really trying to get away from attempting to learn everything. It would not be cost effective for me to put that kind of time into this minor part of my business.
      Signature

      http://MargaretFlanigan.com

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668208].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author YiKeS
        Originally Posted by mmoconnor View Post

        Thank you for your quick reply!

        The Artisteer forum attracts designers not coders (that's the whole point of Artisteer) so they haven't been very helpful with these kinds of questions.

        I cannot explain why Artisteer is not great for SEO. I have read that opinion but I don't understand what is behind it. That is exactly why I am asking here.

        I am really trying to get away from attempting to learn everything. It would not be cost effective for me to put that kind of time into this minor part of my business.

        I`m sorry ... how do you expect to design (with Artisteer) without
        having some level of coding experience? As I said, it`s best to learn
        coding to take full advantage of the tool ... would you want to
        outsource what needs to be done if it`s not much?

        I wouldn`t worry about the SEO concerns ... if you cannot explain
        ... how can you expect anyone to answer ... there is also a group
        trying to discredit Artisteer and the opinion you "read" sounds like
        coming from that.

        Validate the Theme/Template at W3C and you
        will be fine. PM me if you need help with it.


        YiKeS
        Signature
        AUSSIE MADE
        WSO --> HOMEPAGER <--- WSO
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668270].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
    Originally Posted by mmoconnor View Post

    I know that Artisteer is supposed to be "not great" for Wordpress SEO but I am wondering EXACTLY how not great is it. Is it really terrible or just OK or is it pretty good?
    If you give me the website URL, I might take a look at it for you.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668352].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author WillDee
    If you use the all in one SEO plugin Craig mentioned, you'll definitely be ok. I have three sites running with artisteer templates and SEO and they're indexed and perform fairly well.
    Signature
    WordPress Web Server | Article ReWriter Software
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668445].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author mmoconnor
    Originally Posted by Craig Desorcy View Post

    The themes are not bad for SEO.

    Just pop in "the all in one SEO plugin" and you'll be good to go.

    After installing the plugin, I'd focus my SEO affects on "off page" factors and get on with working whatever market you're in.

    Craig
    Thanks! I feel better about it now. I just wasn't sure and didn't know how to check. I hoped that might be the case and wasn't too worried because I could see some of my blogs very high in google. I appreciate your advice.
    Signature

    http://MargaretFlanigan.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668447].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    SEO is far more dependant on the person (you) than the program (Artisteer).
    Signature
    Discover the fastest and easiest ways to create your own valuable products.
    Tons of FREE Public Domain content you can use to make your own content, PLR, digital and POD products.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668641].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author jbg00d
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      SEO is far more dependant on the person (you) than the program (Artisteer).
      I couldn't have siad it better my self... If you breakdown the code of a live artisteer themed blog, you'll see that the code is fairly simple. this a good thing becuase the more code you jam into a page the longer it takes the bots to go through... Even if it's a couple hundredth's of a second (which that is what it will amount too) will be enough to throw your site under the bus as your competitor drives over with less and cleaner code.

      I've built a lot of wordpress sites with free and purchased themes and most of theme are just completely loaded down unnecessary code.
      Artisteer themes are simple and easy to modify to ones liking... SEO is diffinitely not a problem with Artisteer themes.

      Like that Kurt said, SEO is about 85% on the developer and 15% theme and the artisteer themes do a pretty decent job at NOT bogging down SEO.

      Brian
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3345564].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Quentin
    The question is where did you hear it as there is so much rubbish going around that unless it can be varified it is still just that rubbish.

    Usually you will find these comments coming from web designers as they are loosing work because we can do just as good if not better than them now designing themes and tweaking them the way we want rather than depending on them.

    In the end SEO is more about content and other factors rather than a theme so keep that in mind. I have been using it for a while and my sites have not suffered. Still getting lots of traffic and ranking well.

    Quentin
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[668830].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ehicks727
    One of the biggest problem with Wordpress templates is its mis-use of content hierarchy.

    For instance, by default, most themes put the blog name in an H1 tag, which is a complete waste of an H1. Further, widget headings, like "Recent Posts" are placed into an H2 tag... another waste.

    This is why I have settled on using the Thesis theme for everything now. This is the only theme that I've found that addresses all these issues.

    I think I could argue that Thesis is the absolute best theme you can get if you are SEO minded, and care about the little things with your site.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[669143].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gareth
    Wordpress SEO is all about the plugins.
    Signature

    Gareth M Thomas
    Serial Entrepreneur
    Auckland, New Zealand
    http://twitter.com/gareththomasnz
    http://www.freefitnessguru.com/blog
    http://flickr.com/freefitnessguru

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[832104].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author GeorgR.
    i am ranking #1 and #2 for some of my sites where i made custom designs with artisteer. The difference is that thesis theme etc. is nice because you dont need a SEo plugin - but with artisteer just use "all-in-one SEO" plugin and you are set.

    I love thesis but i feel so limited sometimes...its very nice for informative and "bland" sites like financial and insurance....but if i want something nice and colorful Artisteer is just great for designing.
    Signature
    *** Affiliate Site Quick --> The Fastest & Easiest Way to Make Affiliate Sites!<--
    -> VISIT www.1UP-SEO.com *** <- Internet Marketing, SEO Tips, Reviews & More!! ***
    *** HIGH QUALITY CONTENT CREATION +++ Manual Article Spinning (Thread Here) ***
    Content Creation, Blogging, Articles, Converting Sales Copy, Reviews, Ebooks, Rewrites
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2095469].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Goatboy
    I have 5 sites of my own and 1 of my wife's that are all operating on artisteer v1 templates. Use the All-in-One SEO plugin like the others have said.

    I have heard a similar rumor about artisteer, but I can't say that I've found it to be true. The software seems to put out really good themes and the only real problem I have had is in learning where all of the controls for the different elements are. For instance, there are a number of different controls to change the color of links or to set the thickness of borders. Every different section of the page has a separate control and it would be nice for those of use who want simplicity to simply be able to press one button to change them all. (That may be possible, but I haven't found it yet.)

    The great advantage that artisteer brings is the ability to rapidly deploy a template that is radically different from any others you may have used on other sites in your network. I doubt you could hand code a template as fast as you can build it with artisteer.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2095979].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
      As a professional software developer and web designer I have to say, yes, Artisteer sucks because of the reason mentioned above by Quentin.

      But, seriously, this myth comes from people who think that W3C/XHTML compliance and tiny differences in site load time make a huge difference in site ranking. (It doesn't)

      The code produced by Artisteer isn't well optimized but it isn't terrible either. This is due to it trying to be "one size fits all" when it comes to making web design easier for those who have little or no background in it.
      Signature
      Product Reviews | Earn Online Cash | Free HTML Templates
      Free WordPress Themes: Boring Memo | Dateless Mini-Site | Info Magazine | 100 Twenty-Ten Niche Headers
      Discount Templates, Graphics and Scripts: Templates for Website
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2096128].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Agent007
        To get the best seo out of Artisteer you just need to load and use the All In One SEO plugin and do your own Title and Description for each post. You also need to change the Page & Post titles to H1's. Default is H2 as the blog title is taken up by H1.

        So all I do is edit the Single Page & SIngle Post templates and change the H2 opening & closing tags to H1.

        Then it would be wise to get rid off the H1 tag on your blog title. According to latest mid-2010 infro from Matt Cutts, haviong too many H1 tags not only confuses Googlebot but also looks spammy. Best to have one H1 per webpage, then make any sub headings etc H2,H3 etc.

        Also its important to note each change to the template code in your own changelog text file. That way if you need to save a change to the template you know what needs changing again before uploading.
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2635153].message }}

Trending Topics