Is This Keyword Stuffing/Spamming?

[AWCthreads]

You don't need the word "patches" on all those links. Users will know those are patch categories and don't need to read it. Having "patches" in those links is not what is going to bolster your homepage optimization for keywords such as "custom patches" or "custom embroidery patches" etc. A good homepage title and homepage content will do that for you.

I'm guessing your site is relatively new and may not have much domain authority (I may be wrong). If that is the case, pare down the volume (10-15) of links on the homepage to the categories that generate the most business for you: ie "sports patches" "business patches" etc. You'll get better juice distribution to those important pages if there are fewer homepage links.

Once you pare it down, create a left nav link to the rest of your patches - basically a landing page with the rest of the links to the other pages.

[EGOL]

I would use it. 

.... because it is bombing anchor text at all of those pages.

[AWCthreads]

I will always defer to Egol. Proceed with carpet bombing for 6-8 months, then conduct In-Page Analytics and re-consider aforementioned approach.

[EGOL]

ha ha...

I am just sayin' what I would do.  Not sayin' that it is the best.

I am waiting to get a lot of thumbs down for that post.

[UnderRugSwept]

Thanks for the advice. You reminded me that I'm designing for the user, not the bots. I was just getting a little desperate because, no, our site, is not new--it's a PR4 site that's been online since 1998--but it's continuously dropping in Google. It's now one space from the bottom of the first page for the keyword "embroidered patches." We used to rule Google, so I'm just trying anything I can, while still being legit.

All the sites above us are pr1-3 sites, so I'm starting to wonder if something's wrong with the site itself, so I've been making tweaks.

It's www.stadriemblems.com in case anyone's curious.

[EGOL]

I just went to the site and reread your question.... visited some competitors too.

You are looking to add navigation to the homepage of the site that links straight to deeper category pages.

If I had a site in this niche I would do KW research to learn about the most often searched types of patches.  Then my homepage would be a gallery of fantastic images - one for each of the most often searched categories. When a person clicks the image they would go to a fantastic presentation of patches of that type.

Google knows everything that everybody everywhere is searching for.  My belief is that if your homepage has links to internal pages for everything that everybody everywhere is searching for then that is kickass optimization because it clearly says that you are relevant relevant relevant.

This type of gallery would immediately get people drilling deeper into my site and finding that we have done patches for the organizations and themes that they are looking for - so it should be good for conversions too.

======================

<unsolicited comment="">  I see the animation on the homepage... I don't know what your site looked like before that.  But I am wondering if the percentage of people going to deeper pages and placing orders dropped after that animation went up.  If this was my site I would be looking into that and be ready to retire it if the data looked that way. </unsolicited>

My bet is that if you have a "gallery of work" on the homepage as described above that the site will rank a little better and sell a lot better.  Just sayin my gut because I find it almost impossible to focus on other information while that animation is running... and although that animation is a really good one and amusing, I would find out if it is makin' any money.

[AWCthreads]

Do plenty of research (in Keywords, Analytics and SEOmoz) before you start making changes to your homepage, so you'll be making informed decisions. Your get a quote section is taking up a lot of valuable homepage real estate. You might consider creating a banner link to a quote page and use that space for beneficial content. You can create links to your quote page from just about anywhere, so it shouldn't be hard for people to find.

Good luck. Resist the temptation to panic and start grabbing at straws. Be methodical about your changes.

[UnderRugSwept]

Thank you for taking the time. I think everything you said is excellent advice.

Since I've already done the KW research and know the most popular types of patches, I'm one step ahead. I can see how making users more engaged can actually help ranking, since I've been hearing a lot lately about how Google takes into account things like bounce rate and time on site to gauge relevancy. I think I am going to do exactly what you said about including an image and a link for the most popular types of patches.

As far as the animation goes, I hate it too and think it's distracting. I also want to get rid of it because Flash seems to be on the outs. The owner is in love with it, and I don't see it going anywhere anytime soon.

[UnderRugSwept]

Thanks for the advice. Having a quote form directly on the home page has increased conversion by MASSIVE amounts, so I don't see that going anywhere any time soon.

And thanks I'm trying not to panic too much!

[EGOL]

I think that patches could be powerful powerful in social media.  Patches - both directly and indirectly - are a social connection badge.  So if you can get people to start sharing it could lead to a lot of traffic and sales.

[AWCthreads]

You've got some social channels working now...but Pinterest is a missing element and is taking off like lightning.

[UnderRugSwept]

We have a Pintrest account. Why I haven't put a link to it on the homepage, I don't know. Thanks for the reminder!

[UnderRugSwept]

Yeah, you would think! No one seems to care! I think getting more Facebook and Twitter followers is the hardest and most frustrating part of my job!

[UnderRugSwept]

So guess what? I added a links with images on the home page just for the most relevant keywords, like you said, and my ranking improved!

[AWCthreads]

Hi Marisa. That's good news. Keep in mind that it is not uncommon that you get an initial bounce with optimization. Keep an eye on the ranking as it may fluctuate and eventually settle after a few crawls to consistent rank.

[EGOL]

Great!

I see that you made the design wider.  I think that is an improvement.

Thanks for the report.