When I first started my website, I simply wanted a place where I could spread the word of bands that I love. I wasn’t really into blogging, and I wanted something where the archives were more navigable than what I’d seen in blogs. So I built a cheap, 5 page (haven’t used all 5) WebSite Tonight site on GoDaddy.
I didn’t know a thing about SEO or how Google crawls pages (I still barely know a thing, but I’m learning). I’d set up the page so that I updated the main page once every one to two months with a new review, and then bump the old review back to an archives page. One archives page… for all of the reviews.
A few days ago I realized that this was a very, very bad idea. By the time Google realized I had new content up, it was already bumped off to another page- making it that much longer until Google recognized it. My immediate solution was to simply put the new review on the archives page first- then post it as the “featured review” on the main page. It didn’t take long for me to realize that that was a little dumb as well.
Then I ran into the problem of two bands releasing new cds in the same week. Which one gets posted first? I’m losing a lot of potential hits by delaying either one. Combined with the need for a proper profile/bio page I soon realized that I’ll just have to take the hit to my wallet and upgrade my page.
By upgrading I can give each band their own page, complete with bio and reviews of each cd on their own page. I can put up targeted Amazon Affiliate links- read the review, buy the cd. And I can give myself my own bio page. I can still link to outside profiles and lenses from there, but I’d have a central location right where I’m getting the most traffic. So far it seems like a good idea. Lots of initial work, but hopefully easier to maintain. At the least, I won’t have to transfer a load of links every month.
This is a cool idea for a site. Good luck! I like the way it’s coming out so far.
Comment by kohuether — June 30, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
The funny thing is- it all started because of one band. I decided to review all the bands I love so that it wouldn’t turn into a “fan site”.
Hm.. maybe a lense would help to promote it…
Comment by wordvixen — June 30, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
I was thinking that a lens would do a great job promoting it, especially if you can get your lens on the first page of google (which I am sure you could). And, I learned that mp3 download site affiliate programs actually do well on squidoo if you wanted a little extra income.
Comment by kohuether — June 30, 2007 @ 8:34 pm
especially since I’m forking out almost 3x’s the hosting fees that I was paying! I also pay for most of my CDs since I don’t feel there’s enough traffic to justify review copies (though I do accept them now if offered, and I sometimes get cds from TitleTrakk that works well on my site).
And, by the way, I totally blame you for this.
I just spent the past 2-3 hours on it.
Comment by wordvixen — June 30, 2007 @ 10:08 pm