I have gone from PR2 to PR0 - what am I doing wrong?!

Hi everyone!

I wonder if you could help me?

We launched our website, www valueflora com last year and have been trying to increase our page ranking from 0 ever since!

We got to a PR3, then had 6 more sites with PR5 link to us - however we then dropped to PR2 - and now we have gone to PR0!

We've got lots of text, alt text, links and have over 20 sites that link to us, ranging from PR2 to PR7.

So why are we now PR0?!

Does anyone have any tips how we can increase this?

Thanks for your help

Steven
Valueflora

"1 - 1 of about 2 linking to www.valueflora.com" maybe some of your links dropped you, lost PR or were simply missed in the last update. I'd wait for the next one (maybe a couple of weeks) and then panic if they still don't show.

As above - unless the links you speak of are new they are not showing.

Your title tag could be better maybe "Florist with a range of flowers and bouquets in the UK" all the keywords are there and nothing else - no one is going to search on valueflora or free delivery (a bonus when they get to your site to keep them there). Maybe too many links in that first page too, you could direct customers to pages of interest - a link to "Fresh farm flowers" which then leads them to the categories on your front page.

You could then spend more time with the front page being seo'd for flowers/ florist in the UK with more text. One of your alt tags reads "10 alstroameria was x now y", average punter does not even see this text - how about "exotic flowers from a UK florist" keyword loaded for SE's.- who is going to search on alstroameria keyword (OK there must be alstroameria nuts out there - but how many?). Have I even spelt that right?

Just some thoughts (IMHO).

__________________________________________________
Website Works Bridal Petticoats and Corsets

I think you may want to read the starting guide to seo - or post for a proper review.

Think about the KWs you are targeting and then insert them into your pages.

Also - your first alt tag looks very spammy - oh, and....

<META NAME="keywords" CONTENT="valueflora, florist, florists, online florist, postal florist, farm fresh florist, farm, fresh, fleur, valueflowers, value flowers, bamboo, fresh, Fresh, Flower, flower, flowers, flor, flores, flors, flower arrangements, flowers online, postal flowers, same day delivery, Rose, rose, Roses, roses, mothers day, mother day, valentines day, christmas, bouquet, bouquets, daisy, daisies, tulip, tulips, lily, Lillies, lilly, lilies, gift, gifts, sympathy, funeral, funeral flower, flower arrangement, cheap flower, cheap, flower gift, cut flower, flower delivered, delivery, order flower, sending flower, international flower delivery, birthday flower, flowers by post, flower by post, wedding flower, flower delivery, uk flower delivery, anniversary flower, bridal flower, flower bouquet, flower vase, same day flower delivery, romantic flowers, where can I buy online flowers">

You need to get a lot more links. Sometimes people will drop your link so it is important to get as many as you can. Have you tried to contact related sites? Also, submit to as many directories as you can.

There are stacks of "flower / florist" directory sites - many want cash for a link, something I would resist unless you know they bring in buyers. I have yet to find a directory that does (even DMOZ). As directories are about links don't pay, here are some good general directories in the UK that will link to you almost immediately if you link back:


http://www.great-british-pages.co.uk/
http://www.british-shopping.com/
http://www.buyersindex.com/

I have found many directory sites in the UK will never add your listing the above will and show up on google bl's.

It's already been said but go easy on the meta tags each page should target a small selection of keywords and not a huge selection of every word that might bring someone to the site.

__________________________________________________ _______________
Website Works Holiday Cottage in Scotland Dancewear

I agree... You just need to get more backlinks.
1 backlink above PR3 is not good and you won't be able to compete for any keywords... let alone florist related terms.

Definitely need more backlinks - if you had pr3 and it's been reduced it may be that some of your backlinks have been removed... did you check them?

Also... I believe leeds1 may have hit on something important in your mega-spammy keywords.

For se's that do utilise the meta keywords tag the "limit" is 3 times per word (or word derivative... ie: rose, roses, Rose) - in addition you should never use a keyword that doesn't appear on your page, you should display your keywords/phrases in order of importance and you should be aware that increasing the number of keywords will decrease their importance.

I know google don't "utilise" the meta keyword tag but I have noticed that many sites which have been posted for help after losing pr in the last few updates have something in common... spam in the header area!

I would agree with that "spam in the header area" comment.

no on-page factors will have any impact on PR, really.

you need more backlinks.

it's not hard to get at least a few- go submit to a bunch of web directories to start off with, then start to swap links with other sites.

[font=Arial][size=2]Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the advice! We'll definitely change our keywords and alt text - I agree that some of it is very spammy.

As regard the backlinks, this is what confuses us most. When searching on google for link www valueflora com, we apparently have just one site that links to us.

However, we have many sites that link to us - MSN, Lycos, Kelkoo, Dealtime, Pricerunner plus lots
of smaller sites - directory.co.uk, reviewcentre.com, bizrate.com, www winecellar co uk/flowers www flowers-to-russia com/shop/international_delivery.shtml www flowers-to-russia com, www commindia com/link.htm, www giftsflorist com/florists.htm, www ukindex co uk/index/Flowers.htm plus a fair few more....

Most of these have linked for a good few months without interruption - so is it just time or is something wrong?! Before we had even 1/4 of these links we were PR2, now we have got lots more and we are PR0! Also, we submitted to DMOZ in March but haven't been added as yet.

When changing the ALT text, does it not need to be relevant to the image it is displaying? At the moment, if we show an image of Alstroemeria, the Alt text says "Alstroemeria - £x" - shall we not even bother to match the Alt text to the image and just go for generic things like "Cheap Flowers and Bouquets" on one and "Red Rose Romance Bouquets" on another?

Thanks for the tips - really appreciated by a learner like me!!! And if anyone wants flowers, mention my name and I'll sort you a discount!!

Steve
Valueflora.com

Now I see you have only one backlink, so obviously I think this is the problem

Does anyone have a list of web directories they use and wouldn't mind sharing. I have like 4 or 5 good sites I use over and over, but have never been able to find anything stable over the long term. If the answer is no, I understand...

We have more than one back link though, we have over 20!

Get more backlinks from non-directory sites - many directory sites "hide" links in code or behind frames etc., and they simply will never count. Try to get themed backlinks - maybe from sites whose visitors might be interested in flowers / bouquets.

As for DMOZ, what a waste of time, I have one site listed, they are currently quoting 2 months to two years to list a site and some categories never seem to get additions. You have to submit for the obvious reasons but don't hold your breath, it will be a long, long time.