index page, keywords and sitemaps

[Charley]

Should the index page contain the principal keywords if we want to obtain the best chance of a high ranking on Google ?

The reason for asking is this: Google places a large emphasis on submitting a sitemap and in BV, the sitemap command gives a "priority" to each page included in the sitemap.

So, if we want an index page with just our logo and little or no bodytext, should we set the priority of this page to a lower value and give another page(s) with good keyword content a higher priority ?

www.derekeaglen.com

[kortia]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

Make your index page as best you can for your visitors. Your rank has nothing to do with how much or when Google visits you. If you change your site daily, put it on daily. If it is monthly set it to monthly etc.

Treat every pages as it is just as important as your home page or index page.

I dont think you can set each page to a different priority, only the website as a whole.
Your site is not coming up at all right now.

Use your h tags and treat your site as if it were a book. What is the book about and how do you get to all of the pages...
Wikipedia is a perfect example of perfect seo, index, keywords and tags.

[Charley]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

That's weird . . . . . when I click on the link (www.derekeaglen.com) on the last post I get a 404 message, but when I search in google, yahoo, etc for keywords or for our name . . . we come up on the first / second page

www,derekeaglen.com

[Charley]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

just checked the link and it is a "500 message - internal server error" and not a 404 . . . . . . what's up ????

[Vasili]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

What did you do, set up your website script (or even establish an email address) as if you have a SSL cert installed? Apparently, you entered the values improperly ...

SYMPTOM
You use Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, ISA Server 2004, Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway Medium Business Edition, or Windows Essential Business Server 2008 to publish a Web site that requires a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection.
After you do this, client computers may receive the following error message when they try to visit the Web site: Error Code 500 Internal Server Error.

CAUSE
This problem occurs if the name that is included in an SSL client request from ISA Server or Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway Medium Business Edition does not match the common name that is specified in the Web site certificate.
from > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/841664

For more information about how to troubleshoot SSL certificates in ISA Server, publishing rules and about how to name server certificates, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=48904


Submit A Support Ticket To VodaHost
..

[Karen Mac]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

it also happens when u set the permissions to 777 instead of 755

Karen

[kortia]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

Google also made a major change in their algorithm 2 weeks ago.

In a nut shut they are using your cookies to return a search that best soots you and what "you" are searching for. So if you go to your site a lot and you are also searching your main keyword a lot and clicking on your site, Google will show your site as the higest rank when in fact your friend across town or sitting next to you will get totally different search results.

How to see where you really stand:

Microsoft came out with with IE 8.0, once again I went ugg! A new version and reluctantly upgraded.

The best part about IE 8.0 is it has a feature called InPrivate. Inprivate lets you browse with out your cookies being saved or tracked! You have to turn it on every time you open a new browser, BUT it will show you the truth behind Googles hidden cloak.

an obvious silent war between Google and MSN.

[Charley]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

Vasili . . . . thanks for your reply but I did not understand one iota of that message . . . . . Ditto Karen

Kortia . . . . what you suggest makes a lot of sense, but if I search my preferred keywords, they come up equally well in Yahoo.

What do you get when you search "architect sussex" or "english architect france" ??

I thought I was getting to grips with all this stuff . . . . . anyone want a great building designed . . . might do a deal with a good SEO expert !

[kortia]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

You are number 8 on Google for the keyword architect sussex.
However your site domain is not working. I would try and republish the home page or something.
Error 500 is a catch all error and it can be a lot of things.

Do not need a building designed just yet :) But will in a few years.

[Vasili]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

Error 500 is a catch all error and it can be a lot of things...not at all, as sources were cited with solutions offered > http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=48904 and Karen's mention of setting the Server Permissions to 755 to resolve...

Google also made a major change in their algorithm 2 weeks ago...actually the last major shift was in October 2008, although you may be mis-reading the announcement 14 days ago about re-distribution of Load-sharing due to layoffs -- this term USED to refer to Local Hub functions...

[Vasili]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

PS: Here's the link to the Axandra article which explains Google BETA-Testing on a few DataCenters the 'upgrades' (the re-distribution I mentioned) to things like removing penalties for word separators and underscores in URL's .... which improve things for websites overall, not a big deal, and still only a "test" >> http://www.free-seo-news.com/newsletter153.htm

Just in case!


The real big Google news is that they are buying Urchin ..... still the leading tool (back in '99 they were #1 of only 2 such tools).

[Karen Mac]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

You are number 8 on Google for the keyword architect sussex.
However your site domain is not working. I would try and republish the home page or something.
Error 500 is a catch all error and it can be a lot of things.

Do not need a building designed just yet :) But will in a few years.

I agree with Vasili and what i said.. both involve Permissions.. error 500 is no more catchall than 404 not found is. If it was a simple matter of not finding an index page.. it would show the entire folder. This would also occur if you attempted to delete your current site by means of deleting the public_html folder.. you most likely will need an account reset if you have done this and dont know what files SHOULD be in there.

Vodahost servers are set to negate permission to any public access if the server is set to 777. This means anyone can write to your files..so as a secure precaution no access is given and protects your account and everyone elses that resides on that server.

Check your public_html for its permissions.. easily done in cpanel file manager or an ftp client. RESET them to 755.

If you have ssl and dedicated ip on this server.. follow the links Vasili gave you.

Karen

[Charley]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

OK . . .
[1] public_html permission was 750 and now reset to 755 although have to say we don't understand all you told us . . . but we trust you !

[2] we have been experimenting with several different index pages and in the past, we have deleted gif, jpg & html files using BlueFTP but wouldn't have deleted anything else

[3] dedicated IP address & SSL . . . . not sure whether answer is yes or no . . . . . how do we find the answer ? . . . . . we're beginners . . . two months ago "URL" could have been a far flung galaxy from Startrek . . . .

[4] pleased to see we come up no.8 in Google . . . . guess we're doing something right

[5] SEO - we have just downloaded webCEO (freebie) and looked at SEO Studio (cheapie) . . . . any guidance as to their usefulness . . . . or any suggestions on other software

[6] thanks to all for your help

[Karen Mac]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

Your page still isnt coming up.. so it might as well be aboard starship galactica.. you wont hold number 8 long.. if the page cant be found.

Karen

[Vasili]

Re: index page, keywords and sitemaps

You know, if the site was working fine 1-2 weeks ago, it mght be a good reason to ask VodaSupport to "restore from back-up" (restore the account from the last time the server made a back-up) rather than "reset" .... which would wipe the site entirely and reset it to "new account" status. Restoring the account will put everything back to where it was when it was working properly, including any settings -- but only if the site was working the last time the server backed up. You have to be careful that you use the right word when requesting this!

Knowing the last actual date everything was perfect is helpful for Support to verify where to back up to. If this is a possible avenue of 'repair' be sure to include as much information as possible when you Submit a Support Ticket with your "restore from back-up" request.