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Hi

This is a really interesting article by Matt Cutts

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/96569?hl=en

I think this will help you to clarify your concerns on syntax etc

Bruce

There is another thread currently running here about PPC.

What is interersting is that some Mozzers are reporting sites are getting only 10% organic traffic.

We are all in the same search for the elixir of SEO. We too are baffled by two competitors getting high ranks, but as we mentioned on another post, we also know we sell more than they do for the competing brand.

So it is not always true that those who appear to be winning actually are.

Bruce

Hi Dan

From what we can see so far, taking out the Keywords dropped impressions over the course of a week.  We put them back in but reduced the instances as per Moz page checker.  We are still over the recommended level of keywords, so we will see what happens over the next period.

Due to various issues that we cannot resolve via normal SEO techniques we are rebuilding our online site, but we are planning to reduce the amount of products on a page and removing Alt image tags where possible.  We used the correct Alt image tag as a way to catalogue the images internally but this doubles the Keyword count instantly

What we have found with Brand searches, that customers find us via text searches or via image searches, as they might not know the style code, but know the brand and will click through via the image.

It would be great if we could register the nature of our business with Google in a way which is not so subtle as them having to work out we are retailers and this is a shopping site.

Will keep the post updated with new results as the appear.

Bruce

Looks to me that some mighty tinkering has been going on, on a regular basis to get these ups and downs and vast swings.

If you can refer back your change logs to see where what and when has reflected in the traffic flow.

Also look at your Adwords account too.  When a key word that drives traffic but no sales is eventually culled this can be the result.  Low traffic, but very good quality traffic remains

Please let us know more info,

Bruce

Good post Patrick

Your right, Google is not here to make us popular, that is our job.  Google has to protect its own postion as No1 search engine, by delivering top quality content first time to the user.

I remember a not that many few years ago starting to get really hacked off with generic search queries delivering porn, meds, directories, warez sites and other useless returns, hit a link and have pop ups galore to try and close before the next one popped open.  What a vastly different experience Google searches are now, of course with Browsers getting better too.  The flip side is that we have to work harder to make our own sites visible to the rank highly.

One other thing we noticed a week ago, was that another competitor who was the bain of our lives, has delisted the brand we were competing with them for.  That said, most who where on the scene a few years ago have also disapeared too.

Without doubt, penguin, panda etc will level again the playing field as Google has to remain the browser of choice for Google to remain at the top position.

(Edit forgot Bruce )

Hi Dan

Google Images, we don't use any plugin as this is not needed.  Google is excellent at picking up new content and images from our site, hence why we ensured the Alt Tags where used properly, using more narrative in the Alt Description to properly paraphrase the content of the image.  The image links are already in the crawl results.Normally images appear on Google Images in about 48 hours after we post themBruce

It is a really tough one to deal with, although Google does recognise ecommerce data for products and recognises that duplication of product titles and descriptions happen and does not from what I understand have a major issue, although you will be competing with the others for the key word and phrasematches with your own site. (edit expand explaination)

Depending how your own site is structured, product popularity etc will give an indication of how well you will rank for your own site versus the big boys.

My view is that whilst you should use your own site to reflect your brand identity, expand the Brand / Category pages with fresh new text to add authority to your site, and look at all the channels collectively and do not worry if your own site is appears to underperform compared to the rest.  This is normal as the volumes of traffic and exposure will drive sales.

Hope that is useful

Bruce

Thanks for the clarification Mark.

So distilling down the motivation of the client, they ultimately are looking for sales?

If this is the case then everything needs draw the customer to the basic motivations to enquire further. This would suggest a cleint based presentation.

If sales are not the motivation, then the site surely must be a vanity site to show how good they are at what they do.  In which case showcasing to the industry their expertise is the important ellement.

I could be wrong, but I think that the client wants a sales introduction site, not a vanity site???

Bruce

(edit typo)