Why is no one visiting my site?

A few common problems and possible solutions.

KristeenBullwinkle.com

Do you have proof?

• Analytics

Check for technical errors

• Page(s) broken or missing.

• Takes too long to load.

• Coding errors.

• Can’t view on mobile devices.

Can people find your page?

• Check search results (your own and sites like Google)

• Check your own links

• Ask for links from others

• Are you listed in proper directories?

• Look at how the page is listed in search results.

• Is it accurate and enticing?

• Will readers know what to expect from your page?

Title and description

Pest?orBand?

If you had fire ants, which would you click?

<title>About Fire Ants</title>

Good: Uses the keywords I searched for.

Problem: Too short. I want to get rid of them now! Tell me you’ll have the information I need. I want to know you’re an expert. Tell me you’re a university and not an exterminator. I want to do it myself.

Page title

<meta name="description" content="The Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Plan is a state-funded program developed to find effective methods to eliminate the red imported fire ant as a major economic and medical pest. This website provides research-based information to homeowners, agricultural producers, industry professional, institutional clients, educators or anyonelooking for way to help manage fire ants. It also serves as a resource for researchers and students and provides documentation accounting for current and recent research progress at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and collaborating institutions funded through the project." />

Good: Description exists.

Problem: Way too long. Tell me why I should click. Tell me what I’ll find on your page.

Page description

Page description

Problem: Google didn’t find a description so used the first text it found. No keywords. No information about why I should click.

Better

Good: Talks to my emotions. Tells me what to expect to find when I click.Speaks to me, a homeowner with a problem.

Not even showing in search?

• Look into search engine optimization (SEO) – hire someone or learn it yourself.

• Use keywords in titles, URLs, headings.

• Encourage sharing.

• Ask for links.

• Is your content worth sharing and linking to? Is it unique? Engaging? Useful?

Who links to you?

• Analytics can tell you what sites are sending your traffic. (referring sources)

• But they can’t tell you who isn’t.

• What sites link to your competitors?

• What partners, organizations, or associations would be happy to link to you?

Google Webmaster will tell youwhat sites link to yours.

Other services, such asopensiteexplorer.orgwill list sites that link to your competitors.

Who links to you?

Same institution, but no link from Texas A & M Extension to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project.

No link to their sponsored site. At least two links to their sponsor.

Ask for the obvious links

The Texas Pest Control Association might be happy to have any link for their Education section.

Ask for the related links

Announce your site or page

• Brag about your page yourself.

• Social media, print, events, etc.

Encourage sharing

• Use subscription and social media tools

Most importantly

• Create great content.

• Speak to the needs and interest of your audience.

• Ask your target audience to review your pages and tell you what they like and use and what they do not.

I can help

• Kristeen Bullwinkle– KristeenBullwinkle.com– www.linkedin.com/in/bullwinkle– www.twitter.com/xteenb– www.facebook.com/pages/KristeenBullwinkle

com/305696366195