I think you should keep optimizing for keywords that you already rank for, if you are not #1, your pages can still be better optimized. Keep them in back of you mind, but don't forget about them. With SEO, you don't have to sacrifice a lot of keywords as long as they are all somewhat related. Also, a good measurement to see if you should keep any keywords or variations or not is to check their search volume in Google Keyword Tool. That is what would tell you if you are wasting time on not.

I like Vinnie's response! I would 301 all of the expired pages maybe to their lowest level category? I'm not sure how the taxonomy of your site works but once the post is deleted I'd have it 301 all of the way down to the lowest level of categorization. This will keep the URL as specific and relevant to the user and also keep your category pages indexed

Hey Jeff,

If you claim a listing, you can edit the details (name, title, description, category,etc) once your ownership is verified. To get rid of the other listings, you can either use the "report a problem" link and flag it as a duplicate, or claim the additional listings and make them identical to the others. Google will merge them, so i've heard.

I dont have any personal experience with getlisted.org but I have heard good things about it. I've heard it mentioned here on SEOmoz a few times in blog posts.

I think the 3rd option is a good one to go with? Just make sure the site.com/store is optimized like a traditional homepage. Since you are not changing domains I don't think redirecting all pages in option 1 is worth it like you said. Option 2 is good because you can really control the page, its layouts, and text/links for super optimization but the work will double because it is not linked with your CMS. If I were you I'd probably choose #3

Probably not a bad idea. Also maybe focus on making your other elements / keywords more important for search engines if they aren't already? just make it very easy for search engines to read your content, use and headings where applicable and relevant around your keywords

I am not aware of any. Not sure if you want to go through the trouble, but you can insert the timestamp on a separate html page and display it using an iframe, and then link rel no index that page. It depends on what framework or CMS you are using. You'd have to create a PHP script that would create a new file and insert the timestamp onto that page with the correct header and rel information, and then styling to make it appear where it normally was correctly.

How are your timestamps formatted on the page? I would make sure they are not wrapped in any and

## etc format that makes Google treat those words with more importance. you can use CSS to keep the same feel but without using any major tags like that

I have a client who operates 13 stores across 3 general locations. Each store has its own page with unique store information. This site uses breadcrumbs to get back to home page and a sub page listing all of the locations for that particular area.

Our homepage also has a list of all of the locations, but it is feasible for tis operation since it only has 13 locations, obviously this might not work for your model.

As far as bounce rate, the average store landing page is about 63%. Although it seems high, I believe that the user is getting the information they need (phone numbers) and calling the individual store, asking questions, directions, etc and leaving with the info they need to move on. They have confirmed that their call volume is much higher since we started optimizing and their walk in rate is rising also.

I think it's a good move to post the breadcrumbs, it offers better user experience and like you said some linkage to the rest of your site.

If you are ranking #1 for your company name already and your domain is your company name then i think you might be okay to remove it from the title. You could possibly get away with not even putting it in H1 or h2 or if you are weary of doing that then just combine some keywords with your H1 and h2 and company name. You could also use lower headings tags for your company name and I think you would be fine.

I would put your most profitable keywords in the Title, and use meta description and on page (h1, h2, etc) elements to rank for your company name. Also, remember that your domain name (not sure what your is) will also have a good ranking factor if it is your company name.

Are the directories links that your competition ahead of you has as well?

Were the links you have obtained already directory or paid links? Usually a drop in ranking will mean that Google has penalized you for paid links or duplicate content (especially after the recent Panda update). Make sure that your pages are canonicalized correctly also.

Also, you mentioned blogging- make sure that your articles are original and are not spin offs of others. A ranking drop like this could be due to duplicate content as well

If your competitors are using them I guess it wouldn't be a problem, as long as they are ranking ahead of you? You can always remove the listing from the directory but I would be absolutely sure before you do, for several reasons. And the Linkscape update will happen I think April 5th, which is this Tuesday. They update it about once a month or so, sometimes quicker. It's nothing you or I can control (wish I could)!

Have you received any links from untrusted sources or obtained purchased links with search engines knowing about it? I cannot see your most recent links in OSE since its been almost a month since the last linkscape update. There are directory submitted links to your site. Overall you have a great mR and mT ratio but was just wondering if there was anything like that out of the ordinary.

Hey Paul-

If you are already receiving an A grade for the page, I don't see why you would need to drop those 13 characters before it. Remember that those words can entice users to click on your site in the SERPs if it looks more attractive than your competitors. For example, look at the SEOmoz Title: "SEO Software. Simplified." Im sure simplified is not one of their major target keywords, but helps both users and search engines.

No problem, thanks Peter

Here's the thing-

The reason why I gave you that advice is because that is what I would do if I was in your position. I am not a staff member of SEOmoz and cannot endorse any golden way or method of SEO. I am simply a small business owner who has his own methods based on those general and specific principles and methods here at SEOmoz and other sources.

Whenever I am in doubt of what is the best way to optimize the site for search engines, I always fall back on asking myself in what is the best way to optimize the site for my users. Big influences - Rand Fishkin, Matt Cuts, all will tell you the same. I would focus your efforts on making your site the best possible experience for the user. Pick profitable keywords for your homepage, and other keywords for sub pages.

I honestly think that the big picture here is doing some good on page optimization and link building.

Also, you might want to consider getting enough mozpoints for a PRO question or signing up for SEOmoz PRO where you can ask questions directly to their staff if you are having some doubts. I use the pro Q&A and the SEOmoz staff is super helpful! They might give you another perspective as well. Or maybe they might chime in here? Best of luck to you Peter.

Ian

John, I think you definitely are right. If you 301 all old pages to their new destinations, search engines will count each link from the old page to the new page. This will help your PR/mR much better than a contextual link.You can then get the benefit from 2 or more links per old page rather than just 1 optimized link.

Also, consider the domain registrant of oldsite.com and newsite.com. If they are the same, then those links won't pass as much value if you place a contextual link on the page

I think youre intuition is right. For your subpages, like you said, focus on variants of your major keywords. These will usually be longer tail where you probably won't need as many links or a higher PR/mR to get significant rankings for these pages.

I would look at the site structure/sub pages of other successful businesses like yours, who may even be competitors. Especially those ranking ahead of you. You might want to adopt an SEO strategy that your competition uses successfully and tailor it to your own brand. Why re-invent the wheel ya know?

Also, don't forget to do the research of what is actually being searched. Use the SEOmoz tools and Google Keyword tool to make sure that what you are trying to rank for has the search volume to justify your efforts.

I always stick my "sweet spot" keywords in the title tag of the home page. My most profitable keywords (aka products and services) are best displayed on the home page for both users and search engines. I would focus on getting links with great anchor text for your most profitable keywords on your home page from authoritative and relevant sources.