We're new to this, be gentle :)

Hi,

We're new and listed nowhere in most of the search engines at the moment. I've only really started this SEO stuff in the last couple of weeks and I'd really appreciate some feedback from those in the know.

Our URL is www.giftsourcing.com

So far the only optimisations I've performed are:
Re-arranging titles to put most important words first,
Targetted keyword/description for each category rather than same for whole site,
Sitemap,
Removed session ID's from all URLs (non registered users were tracked with them, we were advised to change this).

I've been using Addweb to submit the site too, but read that it may not be the most ideal solution. We pay for GoogleAds at the moment as we're nowhere to be seen in the results. I would prefer not to rely on these and actually build up a good ranking.

Look forward to your comments

Paul

Still seeing the session ID's in Googles cache - perhaps an older cache?

I'd make the page titles more enticing. That's tyhe first thing search engine users see in the SERPs, so you might want to do something that'll catch their attention.

"Promotional Products at Wholesale Prices"

"Promotional Products - Free Same Day Shipping"

ETC.

AQnd, to be totally honest, the design for me doesn't convey a trust-instilling image. People have different design tastes, but that design doesn't convey a high-power image for me.

Thanks for the swift response.

I forgot to mention in the previous post that we do not supply anything at all, we are simply a place for suppliers to advertise their company in our directory and as an add-on we have a Quote Request system for Buyers to source corporate gifts from our Suppliers.

The Google cache is indeed old, it even holds our old front page which was even worse.

What sort of things would entice you? We made a decision early on that we would not resort to flash front ends which would take ages to download. A company we worked with for advice during development still run their office on Pentium 133's with 64Mb RAM. I fear anything complex would fry their computers ;) edit - and yes they were sharing a 128K ISDN line between 8 computers too.

Welcome to seochat giftsourcing....

I must say - I have learned a thing or two hanging around here too..... What am I saying.... ? I've learned atleast half of what I know here....

Two super fast suggestions at quick glance.... and I mean quick....

Assuming that Corporate Gifts is your target keyword...

Instead of this:
title Gift Sourcing - Serving buyers and suppliers of corporate gifts and promotional products. /title

Change it to this
title Corporate Gifts and Promotional Products. Gift Sourcing.com /title

-------------

If Gift Sourcing is your target:

The fact that your website is called giftsourcing.com and isn't showing on a "gift sourcing" query means "gift sourcing" must be a pretty huge keyword phrase.... , not that I have any idea what gift sourcing is???

I'll mention this one twice cause it's pretty important....
Get Links
Get Links

Have them put your keyword in the link....

I'd bet that with a site called giftsourcing.com,,, if your target keywords are "gift sourcing", then all you need is a couple good links pr4 or above that link to you with text saying "gift sourcing" - you really should be listed within the first three pages..........

Look at the bright side....

Atleast your site is indexed.....

Ohh yea, and
Get a DMOZ Listing!

Thanks for a great response.

I'm still awaiting a response from DMOZ, but we only launched in November so I guess patience is required on my behalf.

Thanks for the tip about the title, that's definitely one for the to-do list.

I know what you mean about learning lots from here, I only really discovered it about a week ago and some of the hints and tips from lots of people are really helpful for a newbie like me.

Our marketing bod is trying to work out an affiliate package, because as you say - we need links and lots of them.

We did just set up a site for a local charity fun day that links to us, maybe google should take charitable links into consideration

Once again, thanks for the response.

I also agree with the others.... definetly get rid of those session id's - (php generated pages)