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Does anyone know if the lack of sitemaps on ECWID built sites is a negative for SEO? Does Google somehow index these sites and do they penalize because sites can't include the urls in sitemaps?

Also, any idea how to build a sitemap to include ECWID shopping carts?

Lesley, could you elaborate with regards to the time and marketing money that would have to be used to train people? What would they have to train them on? I may be missing something here completely

There have been several new domain extensions recently. .discount .care .attorney and even .wtf (I find that humorous).  What are the extensions that you feel will have value at least secondary to .com? I have been running different url valuators and noticed that the .discount extensions when preceded by a strong keyword for example: roof.discount are showing pretty high values. Also any city with .attorney after it...

What are your thoughts on these domain extensions?

Thanks Sachin

So basically on sites that use ECWID for their ecommerce, only the main pages on the actual website (not the product pages that ECWID generates which is the part from the hashtag on) get indexed?

Essentially Google is NOT indexing any products because ECWID uses an existing page on a website and shows products there.

Is that correct? For example if you look at an XML sitemap for the running boards site that we used as an example you will see there are only 10 pages on it. However there are over a 1000 different types of running boards sold on the site which have their own pages populate after a #tag in the url: http://www.runningboards4less.com/index.php?option=com_xmap&view=xml&tmpl=component&id=1

How long has the site been in the "submitted" status?

Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Also if anyone knows how to modify Ecwid urls so that they are "clean", please chime in...

Thank you for your response. I am not implying that it is indexing a "separate" url.  I am referring to the SEO value of a proper "clean" url for the specific page.  ECWID doesn't allow for it's users to create custom urls.

If I were creating a url for the page I listed above, I would have it something like **** .com/chevy-van NOT _.com/#!/Classic-Pro-Series-Extruded-2/p/28043025/category=6593891  _

My question regards the low or lack of any value at all using a url like the long one above and if the statement made by the ECWID rep is factual.

An ECWID rep stated in regards to an inquiry about how the ECWID url's are not customizable, that "an important thing is that it doesn't matter what these URLs look like, because search engines don't read anything after that # in URLs. " Example http://www.runningboards4less.com/general-motors#!/Classic-Pro-Series-Extruded-2/p/28043025/category=6593891

Basically all of this: #!/Classic-Pro-Series-Extruded-2/p/28043025/category=6593891

That is a snippet out of a conversation where ECWID said that dirty urls don't matter beyond a hashtag...

Is that true? I haven't found any rule that Google or other search engines (Google is really the most important) don't index, read, or place value on the part of the url after a # tag.

This is how I see it after some enlightenment.. Google doesn't really come right out and say this (if you do see that they do, please share). The actual term for the change from http to https is a rewrite.  We are instructing the rewrite via a 301 redirect. Once the 301 redirect is in place, we set the canonical to https://www.xxxx.com (or non www if you prefer)  Google then awards all kinds of SEO juice for the use of https... Right lol...

Hey Alan,

You said that you made these changes in late August. Could it be that Google hasn't updated this number for you in the one week ish amount of time it has been since you made the changes? It seems odd that the number would stay exactly the same.

Thanks for your response Chris.

The point you made is exactly what I told our lead web developer. Why redirect more than necessary? It seems like it would be just another opportunity to have something go wrong, lose something in the switches, not pass as much of the link juice. If you lose 20% redirecting it seems like it could risk doubling that loss.. (I am just picking 20% randomly for an example.)

Does the site "forcing from http to https" count as a redirect? I know it is a change in protocol... hmmm

When migrating a site to a new url and one where the old url had no https and the new url will be full https does it matter if the 301 redirect points at http://thisisthenewsite.com ?

Meaning, should the new site have the ssl / https up prior to redirecting the old site?

Does it matter if you redirect the old site to http://thisisthenewsite.com or https://thisisthenewsite.com? Since the site will force to https anyway?

Google likes fast and clean pages. Pages load better when they are optimized for each platform. With the new Ultra HD resolutions and ultra phones, what is the optimal number of breakpoints for web page with images on them?

If we "mask" file names for our website but they are left their original name on the server, will Google notice this? Client wants to mask them in order to name them with keywords but not change on the actual server.

What would you suggest as an alternative to ECWID? One of the web design companies we partner with uses them. I am seeking alternatives to recommend.

Thank you for taking a moment to answer my question. I gave you a thumbs up and "Good Answer".  Why do people use ECWID with such a disadvantage? You would think that ECWID would change that. Oh well. I guess I will just have to go on being frustrated.  It would also be nice if you could have descriptions under items for ECWID pages.  "Short" descriptions on the multi product pages. But with ECWID it only allows a link and Sku....

Is there any way possible to be able to name product urls in website that use ECWID for their ecommerce? They have long and "dirty" urls. For example this running boards site: http://www.runningboards4less.com/general-motors#!/~/product/category=6593890&id=28043027

Isn't this hurting the overall SEO of the site?  Especially product pages?

I would keep it in Drupal no matter what.  I have found that my Drupal sites have consistently outperformed my Wordpress sites for SEO and speed.  Also Wordpress is associated with DIY and it cheapens the image or brand of the company the website represents.

Hope this helps...

I am going to use the new Moz Local. When going into my Google places to try to export the list of businesses and location info I can't seem to figure out how to export it.  I click download but it won't download any of the properties.  It downloads a spreadsheet and says -0- locations downloaded.  Frustrated.  Any advice?

I am setting up an ecommerce website that will sell batteries and like most e-commerce sites we will be taking credit cards.  I was exploring the different SSL certificates and providers and I was shocked at the difference in pricing.  Anywhere from free to over $1000!  What is really necessary and what is nice to have? Any suggestions on SSL providers?

Thanks

Thanks for your help... I will let you know if I find something good for markup. Maybe someone will respond with that info as well?

Thanks fupac for the response.  Does this have a good platform for "on-page" markup for structured data? (I gave you a thumbs up)

Thanks

Thanks Donna for your response. I am looking forward to hearing others as well. I gave you a thumbs up

For all of you who have experience with Joomla! Is there a decent SEO component or plug-in that works in Joomla!?

For example there is Yoast SEO Plugin for Wordpress, Beanstags for Drupal, and many others.  What are a few good ones or even one good one for Joomla!?

Thanks

James Chronicle

.com is the best by far, followed by .net and .org... I would get the .com if possible and if not, get the .net or .org... I wouldn't write them off.

You are correct in regards to the .co not helping rank for Colorado.  However .co is not for the country Columbia and made to work for everyone.  The .co extension is for company names and branding your name.  It is a global extension. .co = company

Create the page(s) in HTML and offer a downloadable PDF format.  Win/Win

I would definitely go with a blog and keep it updated. It will rank much faster (since you will have content and fresh content) compared to a landing page. "Content is King"...

Is this in the MOZ program itself or in Open Site Explorer?  I have had issues in the past with MOZ not showing "Page" like counts correct.  If it is site explorer, they are never 100% accurate but usually not that far off.  There is a question posted just prior to this one that is referring to the same issue with Open Site Explorer here: http://moz.com/community/q/facebook-likes-not-showing-up-in-open-site-explorer

I am viewing a new client's site and they have the following nofollow(S) on their site homepage. Is there a reason for this?  Also, they people who originally built their site have a footer link on every page to their company (I guess to promote their work). They didn't "nofollow" that link lol... What are the thoughts on footer links?

• About Us
• Privacy Policy
• Customer Service
• Shipping & Returns
• Blog
• Contact Us
• Site Map

Thanks

James Chronicle

Hey Sarah,

If you are targeting Apple, go with Yelp and/or Yext.  They are the major players in the Apple world.

Looking at that info I would hands down go with Google Local.  Then YP, Yelp, Superpages, Foursquare (all which offer free listings that will get you the results they are referring to.)

Yahoo Local isn't really a player at all with Apple and that is something to think about.

I just don't see why paying Yahoo is worth it.  They are not a major player in local search. Nobody I know uses them.  Even the people I know who use Yahoo mail don't use them for search.

It is working now. I gave him a thumbs up and you one also!  It wouldn't let me give anyone a thumbs up that day.  Frustrating... All good though...

I don't see why you "NEED" Yahoo.  We don't use them for our clients and other SEO companies that I am close with don't use them.  Why do you feel you need to use Yahoo and pay them?  Google has the majority of search traffic.  Yahoo is just a little blip in comparison.  I am curious as to why you feel so strongly?  Especially after you stated "After months of nightmares with Yahoo support, I see that they no longer support free basic local listings and you must buy enhanced listings at $9.95."

Christy

I have clicked the "thumbs up" on Paul's response and it goes  up by one and then it disappears.  ????

Hey Christy,

Thanks for the followup. Yes Paul did pretty much answer it. Although I asked another specific question and then I will mark as "Good Answer".

Thanks

Hey Paul,

Thank you very much for the info. I will be marking as good answer. I gave you a thumbs up. I primarily use Drupal and have a blog format that I find ideal. I like it because it has the blog title and custom excerpts.   I just have a question related to your answer.  In your answer you stated:

"While it doesn't appear that the theme you're using is especially focused on it's blog design, it does appear there are a number of customisations available within it that you're not using. "

Could you elaborate or be more specific about some of these? I am very curious.  Especially ones that would aid with regards to SEO, Social Media, and/or blogs/articles.

Again thank  you for your time and response.

Anybody? We could sure use some guidance.  Joomla! drives me crazy!

A business partner currently has a page on a Joomla! website that is passing for the blog page.   I am not a Joomla! guy so I dont' know much about it. I do know that I don't like a lot of things and prefer Drupal however making a change to Drupal on that site is not an option.  We need to upgrade the blog page so that it is more like a blog and I know there has to be an SEO friendly component for a Joomla! blog page.

Any ideas?

Thank you for the quick response.

Yes three websites.  There are three different market segments.  Each site is for a segment.  One is for Dog Boxes, another for Garage and Shop gear, organizers, etc (basically anything you would want for your at home garage workshop, trailer, and storage.  The third is for Running Boards for trucks of all makes and models and some other minor accessories.

We have a client that has 3 websites.  They sell aftermarket vehicle accessories, dog boxes, running boards etc.  All 3 sites are new and we started the SEO and Social Media campaign when the sites were launched back at the beginning of November.  The client is starting to get leery of our work because they have not had many sales.  They are in highly competitive industries, brand new websites, and new social media platforms.

One of my strong suits is not wording things in a manner that the client understands.

I guess basically what I am asking is if anyone can point me to a paragraph or two that easily explains that the results (new clients) from SEO on new websites can take some time and some bullet points to go along with it.  We do have metrics showing the increase in unique visitors to the site, increased social media activity etc but what the customer sees are the low sales numbers.

I have been running on sites like seorch and other sites and they all show "no xml sitemap found"

I heard using Google web tools is not a good idea.

I am working with a web developer who built our client's site in Joomla.  I seem to have a lot of issues with Joomla based sites.  Any how, the site is www.pitgearusa.com and when we run site reports it is showing there is no xml sitemap. However he used a popular Joomla plugin for sitemaps called Xmap. Here is their url: http://www.jooxmap.com/

Can anyone provide any advice on what the website developer needs to do in order for the xml sitemap to function and "show up" on reports?

Thanks

Mashed Up

I feel your pain.  I have the same issues when I try to download a report with a specific sort here on MOZ.  I hope there is an answer to this but I have a feeling that it is not possible (currently).

An email outreach program is when you create an email and solicit people or other bloggers to review your product, site, service etc and hopefully gain links etc.

If I am understanding your question correctly, you should be able to create a Google Plus page and fill out the address and verify the location.  Google will send you a pin in the mail to verify.

Google plus has incorporated Google local into it...

Hey Jeremy,

Were you able to attain any information at the ecwid conference?

Hey Prager,

I would try "Sharethis" at sharethis.com for your needs.

Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?