Talking to Google
SEO is a tricky business. There are formulas to follow. Some of the advice is conflicting. You have to create a website that’s aimed at robots as well as readers.
Take this site as an example – Flashlight Worthy is a site dedicated to recommending great books. The idea is that any book that is worth staying up late to read (i.e. a really good book) is mentioned on the site. It’s organised into lists so you can see what New Yorkers read on the Subway or find great books on Pets and Wildlife by heading to the list that interests you. There are also brief reviews and other information to help you choose!
According to the site’s creator, Google thinks the website is actually about flashlights.
So, anyone searching for really good book recommendations won’t find the Flashlight Worthy site but people looking for flashlights might. That’s a shame because it’s a good resource for book recommendations and I hope the owner is able to find a way of making Google understand the true purpose of the site.
I’ve worked on web site copy before and SEO has always been a consideration. The URL is often the first thing that’s brought up. It is generally considered that the ‘Ronseal’ approach is best – you have to pick a title for your website that encapsulates the purpose or simply echoes the previously created business name.
The trouble is the ‘Ronseal’ domain names are often unavailable, too long or just too boring!
Personally, I think ‘Flashlight Worthy Books’ is much more exciting than ‘Great Lists of Books’ or ‘Good Book Lists’ etc. And there’s plenty of other ways to make sure Google ‘gets’ your site.
I’m sure with a few tweaks everything will fall into place and if you need any help with those tweaks – you know where I am!
Peter 09 Oct 09
Rachel-
Thanks so much for shining a flashlight (so to speak) on my site. Indeed, I’m working hard to improve the SEO.
And you’re right, pretty much any name that spells out exactly the purpose of the site is both a) boring, and b) not available. As an added bonus, once it clicks, people *really* like the name. (For you though, maybe the site should be called “Torch Worthy”?)
Thanks so much for the writeup!
Peter
(The guy who runs Flashlight Worthy)
http://www.FlashlightWorthyBooks.com
Recommending books so good, they’ll keep you up past your bedtime.