Adwords and SEO

[godboma]

I have finally put my web store online 2 weeks ago after 7 months of work (part time). Now I am struggling with SEO and Adwords to get my web store into google.

Tried some simple things like static URL and static page, sitemaps, etc. Now I am making more elaborate description with links, Meta Description, Meta Keywords for the static pages of my products. I have not finished yet but this should help me get into Google search... I hope.

This past weekend, I spent about 35$ in paid click with Google Adwords. Got 58 000 impressions and 288 clicks. Most of them from Canadian users (280) since I am targeting the Canadian market for this category of product. A lot came from IPhone and IPod so I disabled them from the search (Sunday morning). I do not think that my site is compatible for their small screen.

None of these click turned out in sells. Most of the clicks did not went further than the first page. Meaning they did not search the store. 35$ is my budget for 3 months on AdCommerce! I need to refine my keywords so I only get quality clicks.

My web site hosting company (godaddy) offers a package to help you optimized you web site for search engine. I do not think it is worth the money. I think they only analyze your pages, give recomendations and create a sitemap. My store provider (xcart) also offer a package to optimize the store, static page and submit it to search engine. I do not have more info on that package for now except that my server is missing one option to run the software properly.

Does anyone have advices, comments or experience that would like to share on this?

Thanks

[dipmicro]

Most important are titles. Most important words on the left, so if you have "My Company - Product", change it to "Product - My Company"

Meta keywords have been abused so much, they may be ignored by Google by now. Meta description will be used by Google as excerpt in organic search results.

Low-ball on your adword bids the first few months. Setup a campaign, set daily limits and forget about it. What you really want is to get into organic results, nobody clicks on the paid side-links and if, it's your competition wanting you to burn money.

Do not select generic keywords that everyone is bidding on. They are expensive and you get low quality clicks. You need to think what the potentional buyer is searching for and offer them solution that you have. People may not be necessarily looking for product, they may be looking for a recipe, article, know-how and you can pitch the product in btw-like fashion. Do not hard-sell, they will leave.

Content rules. Do not stuff your website with AdSense, most people get turned off by that these days.

[surplusdealdude]

I question whether Adwords is the right way to go at all.

Wouldn't it be better to promote your store in the appropriate forums? More direct and cheaper, too - maybe offer a coupon for sales good for 2 weeks to measure impact.

AND I think you might get feedback if your election or pricing is off in some way.

I think Adwords is overblown, frankly.

[godboma]

Thanks dipmicro for your reply,

Content rules. Do not stuff your website with AdSense, most people get turned off by that these days.

I hate it myself. So there is no way I will put it on the site.

[godboma]

Yes it worked!!! Tried to post 4 times yesterday :_|

[godboma]

I question whether Adwords is the right way to go at all.

Wouldn't it be better to promote your store in the appropriate forums? More direct and cheaper, too - maybe offer a coupon for sales good for 2 weeks to measure impact.

AND I think you might get feedback if your election or pricing is off in some way.

I think Adwords is overblown, frankly.

I am starting to feel that too, but my competitors (they are bigger than me for now...) are putting their adds in there at high price. It must be worth something or they would not do it...

I am a member of a few of the Canadian forum related to my products. I will advertise on them but they kind of hide the advertisement. Most forums do not like the advertisement on their forums (just like here).

Yesterday, I got more clicks that went through many pages of the store. No sells though...

Thanks dude

[surplusdealdude]

It must be worth something or they would not do it...

Not necessarily - they may not be skilled at creative advertising.


I am a member of a few of the Canadian forum related to my products

Do you have a link to your tore in your siggy? That's the usual way


I will advertise on them but they kind of hide the advertisement.

Keep in mind that the free ads, like forum classifieds and links in your profile are long-term investments.

I have a link in one of the miniature CNC manufacturer's sites. It started off with a few visits a month 6 months ago - now I get 35-50 visits a month from the site.

And there are hundreds of these small manufacturers around. I'm waiting to get my own site running before I use any more up.


And I still get 15 or so hits a month from links that I established for my Canadian store 3 years ago.

[surplusdealdude]

Keep in mind that it could just be the time of year, too - my sales are down a bit this month. It's Valentines, it's Superbowl and it's pay-the credit-card-for-Christmas month.

Doesn't leave a lot left over for discretionary spending.

[godboma]

The thing is that is takes time to get known. I'll work on that.

Thanks