Welcome to the Q&A Forum

Candice

It sounds like your site is ranking as it is. The first principle is always do no harm. If you clearly identify a spam link - then disavow. But you are through the big updates and it sounds like the links have an organic origin - so not high from the information on the priority list.

Obtaining backlinks - require some strategic considerations.  I will suggest a few easy options. Check out your link profile and see what links you can change from nofollow to follow.  Might be just a phone call or two.  But most importantly i would have a staff meeting - pay for the pizza...  then explain backlinks to all the staff & make the staff part of the solution as well.  Demand the boss get some editorial on the business and a backlink!

You cannot do everything - share the load.

Michael has identified page speed. That is correct - a big one, aim for under 2 seconds.

Hope that assists.

There are a few things to check.  Have you changed any internal links to the page? A website audit on Moz etc.?

Have you undertaken a link audit? Is there a whole lot of links recently been sent to that page? Page speed? When was that page last updated? Is the page mobile friendly?

Hope that assists in getting started.

Egol is spot on. Assuming the SERP is highly competitive.  You need to do a few things simultaneously. I will mention 3.

Firstly I would not initially target the highly competitive SERP  Long term goal, but it could be several months till you are there. You need to take a beach head first - or own one SERP and build from there. Build your organic traffic. Own a less searched but highly relevant keyword query SERP.  Your keyword research should assist and identify opportunities. So I would find weak SERP's which is related and then build pages & content to own those SERP's.

Concurrently you need to build backlinks. So I would do an audit on your competitors and see what you can also harvest.  Then I would capture the top 100 URL's for the keyword you are chasing and try and see if you can get natural backlinks on those sites.

Thirdly you have to do some good old fashioned marketing. PR & marketing are integral to online success now.

Hopefully given you some ideas.  Good luck.

Without checking your site quality relevant backlinks sound like the main concern.  Do you have a backlink strategy in place?  It does take time...

I had to do a new campaign.

I waited and mine did not crawl..

Hey

I have attached two links to dmoz

http://www.dmoz.org/add.html

http://www.dmoz.org/help/search.html

which may assist. They lay out a clear path for you.

As each application to dmoz is curated - i would focus on listing one blue chip website. Getting one web listed would be a win. I would also review your original application, what has changed and then re-submit. If you cannot find it, i would not be concerned. You simply will have to re-submit.  Dmoz is no longer as strong a ranking signal as was a few years ago.

Let me know if any can assist further.

I am trying to gain knowledge on search analytic's beta - I have observed alot of discrepancies in data and at this stage unsure of what it all means.

I have a large client who ranks for thousands of keywords - and they have lots of data missing for the keywords they have a low Clicks for.  I am not sure but I think google may have cut off the depth at which they collect data for on large sites. That said it is intermittent and I see it randomly.

So still trying to get a clearer picture. I have also tried to find some articles on the exact differences - besides google statement "it is more accurate" - I cant find much. I do love the segmentation now.  Sorry I can't assist - but if you find out, please let us know.

In short - do not concern yourself about negative SEO.  Yes it can happen - but if you monitor your site the way you are - ie using moz diagnostics to regularly crawl back links etc. you will identify spam links and then can go through the procedure to disallow.  So you have that covered.

However you should appreciate that if someone creates a link for you, an editorial article - generally you want a follow link.  I spend time for clients trying to turn no-follows into follows. Then you get the link juice and the bump hopefully in rankings.

Clear as mud? If not let me know. Good question your on the right track.

This is a crawl limit on pages.  So if a big site - it may have been used up.  It is a weekly limit from memory.

You can change the crawl limit. See this link. https://moz.com/help/guides/getting-started/campaign-settings

Have you checked how many pages you have crawled?

There is a limit - I often exceed mine. I assume to prevent abuse - ie one account - 200 companies using it.

Sometimes there could be a problem with your IP address. I am not sure sure what category you would fit under.  Do you use it often?

Paddy

Is there a "new" news feed on the SERP?

I have a site where we were in position 6 - trading ok and have now been pushed to page 2 - in position 6.  Impressions plummeted as well...

happy to do it online - ie through Moz blog.  Post your website address and will have a look.

Kosta

No probs you have a few H1's I think I saw 7...  teh first listed is:-  "Over 25 Years Providing Entertainment Solutions For Perth Weddings".

http://www.writingforseo.org/how-many-h1-tags-can-you-have-on-a-page/

I was trying to suggest that maybe wedding is not the word to lead with. It is better take a beach head and move up from there.

Go get em.

Ok, nope cannot assist. There are some discrepancies between SA beta and old SA I thought that may explain it.

It maybe people are just searching less for that keyword... really only conclusion I can think of at the moment.

Andy is correct.

There are a few more aspects you may consider tweaking.  Wedding is a highly sought after keyword. So I would consider re-phrasing your title tag. Not the number 1 word. Also your H1 does not assist as it does not mention the word DJ. I have only looked at these aspects and there is room for improvement on both.

Those phrases really help google match up a searchers intent.  There are plenty of articles on title tags and H1's and how to shape them.

Good luck.

Paddy

I think I know the answer.  Are you now using the new "search analytics beta"? or the old search analytics.

Paddy

Hard to work out from the data we have - but I am starting to get concerning on backlink issue. Two weeks after the site went live and time for the google bots to do a clean sweep.

I note impressions should be similar in position 2 as to 4 - it should be your CTR that changes.

Good luck not sure I can assist.

Nothing obvious.

I noticed a possible similar problem on impressions - a few weeks ago, I looked into it - I changed from old search analytic's to the search analytic's (beta).  I found out if you have not ticked page, then impressions for keywords often dropped considerably to the old search analytic's.

Old Search analytic's counted impressions differently and would double up if the URLs was listed twice in the SERP etc.  Have you crossed checked your data with old search analytic's?

Also perhaps consider changing your title and meta description to something more clickable. 12 impressions is not much.. data, but maybe worth considering down the track.

I also recall (I think) Rand stating (in one of those top 10 type lists) that one of the big things for SEO 2015 would be the correct re-categorization of direct to search.

Effectively exactly what you intuitively think is correct.. that Direct traffic is over compensated for in respect of Search.

The 2012 article from Moz is still current. There are other more current dated articles but in short same outcome.

From what you are describing you are on the right track. Make sure you address the backlinks correctly. http://searchenginewatch.com/sew/how-to/2207168/how-to-conduct-a-link-audit

You sound like you are in safe territory by taking a considered approach. Well done.

Let me know if any more queries.

Laura

The boys have you covered above. If looking for a specific "story" for the next plane ride - read the blog from Pete below.

https://moz.com/blog/the-colossus-update-waking-the-giant

This is what I am watching/monitoring, the unfolding impact of https -v- http

I am making it a rule - to recommend for all sites just in case.

Yes, correct - multiple CCS files & javascript will not affect server response time - I think ryan was referring to page load speed.

Patrick has nailed it.

I would also suggest a monthly retainer / signed contract 6 or 12 months and providing a monthly report.  We also offer an hours education - 1 on 1 every two weeks.  It is rarely taken up, but the customer loves the opportunity - used mainly when new marketing people join the team.  Gets them imbibed with the strategy you are implementing..

Good luck

Old domains can be good value, especially if you know their history which it sounds like you do. The biggest issue with old domains is tracking their history and making sure bona fides.

Is the old domain re-vamp consistent with previous domain use at all. ie  the backlinks and anchor text relevant in any way?

Ryan

Yes. I do not worry about the speed variations - there are too many variables on each test. ie Which server did the test use?

My view on page speed is forget "time" and "time ranges" on various tools. If you have identified page speed as issue which you have focus on what you know you can and should fix. Don't just fix the minimum - on page speed fix the maximum. I believe page speed is a key factor on ranking.

Lesley is correct it is important to understand why the issues before you move forward.

I am not sure if you are familiar with tools.pingdom.com - but free test your site on tools.pingdom.  Then review the performance tab - and see what your loading problems are.  Also .2 of a second is best in class - if you can get below 2 seconds I would be happy with that. Not suggesting you do not go for .2 - just that it is onerous and likely not time efficient.

The positive is I have seen several times dropping a site from 6 seconds to 2 seconds gets me an uplift in rankings without doing anything else!

A strong DA. Are you ranking for those keywords already? or are you building a new page?

Nicos

A couple of things. The 5 reasons why people click on a typical SERP in order are:-

Page Rank

Brand

Title

Description

URL

The Title is far more important to clickability than the description.  Not suggesting disregard the description as it is important as well - where you have fun and place your CTA.  When targeting traffic it is always best to take a "beach head" first.  Most people go to Semrush or Adwords - and choose the word with most traffic and target it - and then never rank for it. Because it is too competitive.  If your website has a high DA do what you are doing - if it is a start-up then slow down - take a beach head. It might be "Luxury Apartments Chelsea" instead .

Next question what is your DA?  ie is over 25?

It is actually not a character limit - it is a pixel limit for the title.  512 pixels and then it truncates. ie WW's are a problem and II's are great.

On which one to choose.

They all look a bit spammy. There is an SEO -v- Clickability factor. You are thinking SEO not clickability.  Recommend you consider both.

The question I have is are you Leasing or selling or both?  What query are you answering to the consumer?

I would have the H1 as you state - "online psychic readings".

And yes on the final paragraph do there later. make sure you use the URL  zenory.com/psychic-readings - has great SEO value.

Backlinks! Backlinks and more quality backlinks!

Benefits are massive. You should be able to focus all your link buildings efforts to one domain - ultimately obtain a higher domain authority. Think of it this way you are now presently dividing your time between three sites. You may even feel guilty working on one site and forgetting the other two.

If you think of your websites like houses. Right now you need to maintain, clean and pay for three houses. Also travel between them. If you make one big house - sure you might have to change some rooms so the New Zealanders feel at home. But it is alot easier being in the same house...  Plus fix one room and it adds value to the whole house...

The big global brands - one big house... lots of great rooms accommodating different cultures.

Hopefully not too esoteric!  ps main benefit long term is Domain authority, time and cost..

Edward

The question you face is almost the classic SEO conundrum. Execute the consolidation poorly and you end up losing a lot of rankings and traffic. So it has risks and the first rule is do no harm.

I am what you call a hardliner however. I would consolidate. An eCommerce site doing well www.cottonon.com may be worth viewing. Same issue - global in different markets. One domain. Killing it.

Focusing on one domain long term will have significant benefits.

https://moz.com/blog/2-become-1-merging-two-domains-made-us-an-seo-killing

https://moz.com/blog/rebrand-or-redirect-my-site-consolidate-multiple-sites-whiteboard-friday

That said you have to consider it carefully - map out pro & cons etc. Move slowly and execute brilliantly. Certainly worth keeping on the radar. I would educate myself - talk to more people and then make a decision.

Below is a copy and paste of keywords relating to Arvixe obtained from Semrush. You should check them.  Coupon is very competitive, so I have skipped that. So I would suggest:-

Arvixe Hosting Review | Arvixe Coupon | Sitegeek

or

Arvixe Hosting Review | Arvixe Uptime Report | Sitegeek

You should include your brand name as google usually will do regardless. It really is a personal decision as you know your brand / company best. Hope this helps.

Edward

You should have a read of this blog post - considering your international expansion. I am firm believer in the one domain if at all possible concept.

https://moz.com/blog/why-cctlds-should-not-be-an-automatic-choice-for-international-

Edward

Your current title chases a more niche market - "online psychic readings" as compared to "psychic readings".  So any change to the title - ie deleting online - at the start could impact how you rank now for online psychic readings. It is actually a treacherous game playing with titles - especially if you rank well in key areas.

ie Big companies would do it, only whilst simultaneously running a massive above the line advertising campaign etc. Every click counts, cant afford to lose one.

Am trying to make the point a change to title is not to be done lightly. I built a tool so I can review titles, independently here is the link https://www.predikkta.com/products/free-serp-optimizer-tool.html - you can measure pixels and also see what your Ad looks like next to competitors.

All that said on your examples if you have created some strong backlinks I would jump to the latter one. But I am v concerned about your domain authority. Accordingly I would target niche until you have built up your DA a little more.  I am conservative though. ie the below title is 500 pixels. Then perhaps your H1 "psychic readings".

Online Psychic Readings | Tarot, Astrology & Chat | Zenory

Moving forward this way you keep your primary keyword insitu whilst keeping working on DA for the key pages.

It is a very difficult and nebulous business advising on titles. So you know your site best and what risks you are prepared to take.  The key focus for me looking at your site is DA, everything else looks reasonable...

Ask away though. Hope this is not too muddy.

Title tags are critical as you have pointed out. Like everything in SEO they have two competing features. The first is SEO - the words in the title are integral to tell google what you website is about. The second competing feature is clickability.  Often click ability and SEO do not "intertwine" neatly.

A basic and strong title tag would be

Important Keyword | Second most important Keyword | Brand name

Psychic Readings | Online Tarot or Chat Readings | Zenory (487 pixels)

The title should be no more than 512 pixels long, otherwise it usually truncates. So if you send through a couple of options as per the above. Happy to review and discuss with you.  When "deciding the title" you should always keep an eye on your H1 as they are related.

Ask away I love title tags and meta descriptions.

The first thing is a bit tragic and may be frowned up - you need to set up a female address sarah@brandname.com.  I find if you ask for a link as a male you receive a low response rate. If the email comes from a female - then the response rate is reasonable. A personal choice.

However that is for generic link building.

Of the 75 URL's you have collected I would create a strategy for each one - they are that important!  A phone call, begging, swapping services - whatever you need to do..  it is actually good fun, you will meet some great people. If you get a chance drop into their office.  Do free psychic readings... whatever it takes.

Each of those links has great SEO value.  The reality is it is just hard work but play to your strengths you know what they are.

I will not comment on the directories discussion as the boys have canvassed it well.

On link building the first suggestion or step I recommend is to capture the first 75 URL's that appear in the SERP for the most important keyword you are targeting.  Then strategize how to get a link to each of the URL's - yes some are competitors so they are no good.  Many are not competitors.  Links from these pages have high SEO value. Be relentless in pursuit of these websites for backlinks.

After I have maximised my efforts on the aforesaid I then look elsewhere.

Good luck, let me know if you need any help.

Are you familiar with Hummingbird?  It sounds like it is applicable. As they are a competitor they are likely using synonyms to rank for those keywords.

Below are some articles on them.

https://moz.com/blog/hummingbird-unleashed

http://searchengineland.com/google-hummingbird-172816

The balance to understand fully needs a competitive analysis. Likely backlinks and the anchor text. But it is hard to guess from this afar. That said to answer as best can, I will go hummingbird & backlinks.

The word Arvixe - would not be highly competitive - so need to use that 3 times. Coupons is competitive.

The below is the title that appears if I google Arvixe

Web Hosting | Shared Hosting | Website Hosting by Arvixe

Are you changing the Title to the home page or is it a new page? The Coupon page? The most common search term according to Semrush is "Arvixe Coupon".  The above suggestions appear to be targeting 3 different topics rather than one broadly, like your current title.  Need some more info on what page you are targeting and why - otherwise could be leading you down the garden path.

Firstly when you say your site was hit by a google update, what was the date/time of the decrease? and how much of a decrease?  The below link may assist.

It is important to know which update has effected your site.  But as importantly you need to verify it has actually been hit. As it will depend on what "rules" you have breached to what actions you take.

If I was you I would first work out where you sit on the penalty scale and what needs to be done before approaching anyone. Be appropriately armed with the right information.

https://moz.com/google-algorithm-change

You are always right... so I got confused!  All good...

Here is a blog post with the same question, or close.

http://moz.com/community/q/linking-between-your-own-websites-yay-or-nay

Hope it helps, ask if need any clarification.

Patrick

The company I work for specializes in CTR on search results - we run complex experiments on them ie 30-40 today alone. There is a difference between pipes and hyphens on CTR.  It is small but it is statistically significant. Sure it is irrelevant to most but for big boys chasing keywords like "car insurance" etc it is vital as each click is has such high cost in competitive spaces.

Matt Cutts noted the CTR factor between them as well. I do not believe it makes any difference on SEO except in so far as it uses more pixels.  So maybe we agree, but a clean tidy looking title that looks professional to the customer does have an impact on CTR.

Ok, well that would not keep me up at night!

• The link below is a formal strategy to use to review your site, and why not indexed.:-

  https://moz.com/ugc/8-reasons-why-your-site-might-not-get-indexed

  Work through the points let get the site indexed!

We do alot of experiments for clients on the difference between pipes, colons and hyphens.

99 out of 100 the pipe is the preferred separator.  Generally the pipe is best for both SEO and Clickability.   This is as the pipe also uses less pixels. Recommend as follows:-

Most Important Key Word | Second Keyword | Brandname ( no more than 512 pixels in length or otherwise it truncates).

If you detail a couple of options I can probably tell you what is likely best.

Sorry I wanted to find something more formal, this link below is a better strategy or more formal to use to review your site, than my comments above.:-

https://moz.com/ugc/8-reasons-why-your-site-might-not-get-indexed

Lets get the site indexed!

Ok, then you need to start at the top.

Starting where I would start. ..  Have you checked your robot.txt file?

https://moz.com/learn/seo/robotstxt - cross-check no disallow etc.

2. Have you checked google webmaster? - to make sure the old site map is not providing the road map for google.

https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/183669?hl=en&topic=8476&ctx=topic

Check them out and then revert.  Is that ok?

Max

There is no science to what about I am to tell you. Or I have not seen it. It is my personal observation.  I think that the better quality the content is written, the better english and the more your site is updated - the better you rank. If you regularly add pages with good quality content you get improved rankings. Simple as that.

I have seen it on too many sites. As I said no science but it happens too often to sites I work on.

On dramatic changes to ranking - no such thing. That said if you can do it, and just by virtue you can by talking about it you can - you should do it.  I have no doubt it will improve your rankings. Every now and then - you get a big uplift but there is usually something incidental that also occurs, some above the line advertising works etc.

My belief is that you have the website perfect and ready to catch that "halo" or "ripple"  effect from the marketing campaign. If the site is not optimized the effects of the marketing campaign vanish and you are back to square 1.

Hope that helps. In short urging you do it, but no promises - but that is SEO!