Not a Bright as Some

[StephenT]

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and admit that I am not as bright as some. I read SEOFastStart as was recommended. It did not find it so easy to read. I am on my second time through. There are terms that many folks are very comfortable with since they have been in this computer speak world for a while. For a newbie like me onpage, offpage, hyperlinks, internallinks, and all that start to get all run together and then I have to walk away and see if I can speak a complete sentence anymore.

I read through SEOFS and worked on my site and thought I had done all the stuff and then Lynn looked at my site and said I should read SEOFS and impliment it. :o Obviously I hadn't done such a great job! :eek:

My point is not for any of you to dumb down, but just to be patient with some of us who don't know a web-crawler from a night-crawler.

[Lynn Terry]

And a great point. That's the reason that we have this forum - so please feel free to ask any questions you have. If you want to list some terms for clarification & examples, that's perfectly okay.

This is a good thread to start over since we have conversations scattered over several threads. Can you list your sites/blogs here again and I'll take a look at them each and give you a review.

You should take me up on that because I don't do detailed site reviews publicly very often :)

[StephenT]

You bet!
http://www.acommonpath.com/blog
www.acommonpath.com (http://www.acommonpath.com)
http://www.lifechangeforu.com/blog
http://www.lifechangeforu.com
http://commonpathsignposts.blogspot.com/

That's it! More than I should have perhaps

[TomM]

Hey stephen don't feel bad. I just read it and found it to be a tough slog to get thru. I have no doubt that it is valuable but it is a very tough read. I am going to use it as a tool when I am building my first site. I am hoping its easier to digest in smaller doses.

[StephenT]

Tom, reading it the second time through has been a little easier. At least I don't feel lost all the time, just some of it!

[TomM]

While I got the overall gist of it, there were some parts that I didn't fully understand. I learn best by doing and asking questions so that is my plan. I think its a good resource but slightly above a newbie level of writing.

[StephenT]

I agree. I got the general gist, but got a little slogged down in the terminology. I also learn by doing, but, for me, sometimes that includes making large mistakes that I would prefer to avoid this time around. Can't aviod 'em all, but I'd like to avoid the big expensive ones! :cool:

[Kayla Fay]

Tom and Stephen, don't feel bad. I've been at this internet stuff a long time, but I'm reading SEO Fast Start for the first time. It's a lot to absorb, and I, too, am going back over it and re-reading to make sure I'm getting it.

[StephenT]

You guys make me feel much better. Perhaps I should re-title this thread to something like, "At least as bright as a few!"

[Lynn Terry]

LOL - I'm on my 3rd read :) Of course, that's because he came out with a new version in June, so reading the update. I love Dan Thies - his brain is a goldmine!!

Off to check out your sites now...

[Lynn Terry]

To start, I am not understanding your need to have 2 websites and 3 blogs all basically on the same topic. My advice is to combine ALL of this into ONE blog.

Blogger - you can just leave that there. Don't delete it. I have an old blogger blog that is still live, and every now and then I update it with links to my "real site". No big deal.

Your other 2 domains: acommonpath, lifechange4u - "a common path" doesn't really resonate with me in regards to life change or improving my quality of life. In my quest, the one thing I want to get away from is the mainstream ideals and the am more interested in the "path less traveled". Given the option, I would move everything to the domain LifeChange4u.com - for that reason.

Both websites are very plain, and would need a more professional web design or template. It's much easier to make a blog look pro with free wordpress themes. So I recommend you ditch the websites altogether, and do everything on the wordpress blog at LifeChange4u.com. Also put it on the root domain, instead of in the /blog directory.

Once you do that, and just ignore the blogger blog, you have ONE "site" to focus on - the wordpress blog on LifeChange4u.com. Much easier, don't ya think? :)

Here is what I would do:

Copy any content you want to keep from acommonpath. You can copy it into text files on your hard drive.

Then forward that domain with a 301 Permanent Redirect to LifeChange4u.com. That way if anyone goes to that site, it will take them straight to your one active site.

Assuming your domain is registered with a registrar, and not the host (?) you can cancel that hosting account once you forward the domain. Unless it's the same account as LifeChange4u.com (?).

Next, get a very nice free wordpress theme for LifeChange4u.com, and let's get started putting that together as your main focus.

[StephenT]

Phew! So much to digest! I am trying to get it all in my little pea brain! The original intent on the two sites was that they would be different, but they aren't. I wanted to try to take them in two directions covering a wider range of interest. commonpath was supposed to be more spiritual and Lfechangeforu was more practical. The reason for the three blogs was sorta the same, except the blogger post that I had and started to do as you suggest, btu then thought, "it's one more place for people to visit and possibly click a link.

Ok, for theme, do I look for 2 column, 3? Are lots of colors better than a more stoic? What works?

You can tell I'm new at this! Thanks for the suggestions! Now I just have to figure out how to do all that.

[karonthackston]

StephenT - in case you still need the info:

on page - Actually on the page. Design elements (banner, navigation, etc.), your copy (text), images, etc. would all be considered on page elements.
off page - Things in the code usually. Can also refer to backlinks (links from other websites to your website). Things not on the page.
hyperlinks - Typically an http://www. link. Although some people also group anchor text links into this category. Anchor text links are links where you click words instead of the actual www link. This is an anchor text (http://www.selfstartersweeklytips.com) link.
internal links - Links on your site that point to other pages of your site. A link on your Home page that points to your Services page is an internal link.

[StephenT]

Thanks Karon! I can use all the help I can get!

[angienewton]

Choose a 2 column theme. As far as colors, it really depends but my initial thought would be warm colors, not too bright but not too drab. Probably doesn't help huh? LOL

[Lynn Terry]

I agree - I prefer a 2-column theme. A 3rd column tends to clutter the page and take the emphasis off the content.

[StephenT]

Now, I understand what Lynn is saying and I intend to follow her advice, or at least most of it (I can't ruin my reputation as a rebel), but there are questions!

If I put everything on a blog, can I still have pages for different products and do they load up just like on a web site? What I mean is, how do the links get put on the page where someone sees it. What about selling my own product? I read a lot about multiple streams of income (not that I really have income). It all comes from one blog, or we work on that later?

I have several articles over on ezine and they all point to commonpath. Do I redirect those to lifechange?

I have no idea how to do a 301 Permanent Redirect.

Do I keep the website, lifechangeforu and work on it in the background for future use? I have a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of running it all from a blog site. Part of my problem is that I feel so out of control on WP. Most everything there is php and I am barely html literate. That doesn't mean I want to do all the designing, it just means when something breaks or isn't right, I don't know how to fix it!

Enough questions for now. I'll run along and do the few things I can and wait with bait on my breath for your answers! :confused:

[Lynn Terry]

Hi Stephen,

You will not need to update any links as long as you do the 301 Redirect. No worries - we'll help you with that. Where did you register the domain?

You can do almost anything with WordPress, including adding PAGES instead of posts. And you can still upload HTML files to your domain too. Here is an example of an HTML page I created and uploaded to ClickNewz.com (which is a blog on the main domain):

http://www.clicknewz.com/keyword-research.htm

But you can also create pages in WordPress.

First things first, make sure you get all the content you want to keep off of acommonpath, and saved into text files on your hard drive. Then we'll do the redirect. That way if someone clicks on or types in that URL... it will take them straight to LifeChange4u.com

[retta719]

I had SEOFS printed out this weekend and put it in a binder. Technically, this is my second time reading, I read it on my computer, but found myself going back to it again, which led me to have it printed out like a few other members have done.

I started reading it in it's printed out version this weekend, and I'm definitely "seeing" things that I didn't pick up before. Definitely worth the $9 at FedExKinkos to get it printed and hole punched.

I've got it in a binder with a highlighter and a pen, planning out some revisions to my existing site and taking notes on things to do better on future sites.

[StephenT]

Hi Stephen,

You will not need to update any links as long as you do the 301 Redirect. No worries - we'll help you with that. Where did you register the domain?


Ok, another question. I have a local business for Yoga and Reiki that uses the same name Common Path. Is there a way to keep that site just for local updates and advertising, or have I screwed it up past doing that?

That domain is registered with Register.com

[Lynn Terry]

That being the case, sure - use it for your company website.

[StephenT]

Buuuuttttt. . .if I keep acommonpath, then I have to do the redirect, or can I just do that in WP? I know I'm being difficult. If it is easier to just cut the site altogether, then that's what I'll do!

[Lynn Terry]

No, if you keep acommonpath and turn it into your company site (for the offline business by the same name) then there is no reason to do the redirect.

Simply take the content that is there now, and move it to the other domain. Copy & paste :)

[StephenT]

Lynn, before answering this post, take a walk. Have another cup of coffee, laced if you like. Go beat the cat and then, when some of the frustration has worn off answer. . .

Copy what from commonpath and past it where? :confused: Are you speaking of the pages that I have with things like books and recordings and so forth, or are you speaking of the blog at CP?

I have it all on my dreamweaver files. Is that ok rather than text?

Sorry!!!:(

[Lynn Terry]

Don't be sorry :) This is what I LOVE. Trust me - it frustrates you far more than it does me *grin*. Ask away!

I just meant that you take any content you want to keep, and put it on the LifeChange4u.com blog - before wiping the commonpath site and revamping it as your company website.

[carlos123]

I'm going to go way out on a limb here and admit that I am not as bright as some. I read SEOFastStart as was recommended. It did not find it so easy to read. I am on my second time through.


Don't feel bad Steve. I have never read SEOFastStart all the way through. Unlike you I think I have started it at least three times I think.

And I consider myself to be a very intelligent web developer who is familiar with all the concepts Dan talks about in his SEOFastStart.

In the middle of the report he gets bogged down and gets a bit wordy in my opinion. And looses me with respect to my easily making heads and tails of what he is saying.

So it's not necessarily you Steve. Don't get me wrong. His report has some excellent stuff in it and is based on years of experience but...well...it's not my cup of tea either :).

I prefer reading the stuff of other SEO gurus myself.

[StephenT]

Okay, I have changed the lifeforu blog to a different theme and am working on getting that to look right. If I move WP from /blog to the root file, do I do it in its own subfolder as WP suggests or just move it and delete the Index.html file?

What should I be thinking about it terms of making this blog monetized?

[TraciKnoppe]

Hi Steve
If you move WP from a folder to the root directory of your site, then it's no longer in a folder at all.

Just install WP under the root (usually that would be inside the public_html folder in your hosting) - then if you have an index.html file already located at the root, yes, you would need to either rename that file something else (if you don't want to lose the contents on the index.html file, that's what I'd suggest), or delete it to make the WordPress index.php the default so your WP is what displays.

Monetizing a blog is like monetizing any other site, know your goals according to your business model, decide on a method or methods to bring in money, and do your keyword research to bring in organic search traffic.

[StephenT]

Traci, I originally put my blog into lifechangeforu.com/blog. How do I get it to replace the index html file? I can't seem to get it to move or change.

[TraciKnoppe]

First you need to install the WordPress software in your root directory. http://yoursite.com <- you usually get there by uploading WordPress under the public_html folder on your site. So you first need to reinstall WP in the right spot.

If you are just copying your old WP setup and re-installing it in the new location, you'll need to log into the wp-admin dashboard, go to Settings > General and change the URL to your blog in the settings. That could be part of what's giving you problems.

The other thing is, if you have deleted the index.html file and already have changed the settings for your blog telling it that it's no longer located in the blog folder - then you may need to clear your cache on your browser.

[StephenT]

obviously, the title of this thread is correct. I have manages to completely eliminate my blog. All the posts are gone, all I worked on is gone. Now I start over! At least the new blog in in the right directory (I think).

[TraciKnoppe]

Unless you deleted your database, your content is still on your server, in the database.

[StephenT]

I have no idea what I deleted. All I know is it's gone. I have no idea where to even look!

[kdbbiz]

oh no! I'm crying for you Stephen! I did that once before, luckily Hostgator has great support and after an hour or so online with them we managed to find my stuff and get it back. whew! 2 yrs worth of work would have really made me cry.

keep me posted. looking forward to reading the end result. you can do it!

[StephenT]

Ah! Now I've fixed it! Nothing works at all now! I did have some stuff, but now, nothing. It just gets better! Perhaps I should take up knitting for money! :mad:

[angienewton]

Have you contacted your host? I would do that because they might be able to dig deep and find everything and fix it up for you. Crossing my fingers for ya!

[lindastacy]

I sure wish I could look over your shoulder and help you out. It's hard to diagnose the from afar, but what you have on your page now are php errors which most likely can be fixed fairly easily. And once those are fixed everything will be back. As Traci said, unless you've deleted your database, your posts and pages are all still there.

Edited to add: Let me clarify... I probably shouldn't have said "php errors" but rather explained that either some settings are wrong somewhere or some files didn't get moved to the right place.

[StephenT]

I have WP files in both the blog folder and the public-html. I tried to copy the index .php from the blog folder to public-html, and that's when everything disappeared. I don't know how to get the old files from the blog folder to the public folder. Even if I do, will it all work the same?

I hate it when I have no idea how to fix this! Very frustrating. I guess the worst case scenario is that I delete them all and start all over again.

[Nelson Swett]

I have to admit that I too quickly became lost reading SEOFS. It's nice to know that I'm not alone.

[StephenT]

Okay, so here's the deal. I did what I thought Traci was saying and reinstalled WP. Obviously that's Not what she said because I lost everything. I had to build my WP site all over again. Then a couple of people said I should still have it in my files and so I went to my files and sure enough there was WP right where it used to be in the /blog folder so I tried copying and pasting the index.php into my public-html folder and deleting my old index.html. Now, nothing show and I can't sign into WP any more.

If anyone knows a way to fix this, I would be most appreciative! IF not, then I will just delete all WP files and start all over. It isn't what I want to do, but I can't sit here forever stewing over the loss. Time to move on some way or other!

If you can help, please let me know!

[lindastacy]

Robert,
Hang in there for a little while. I think I have an idea that should recover everything for you, but I need to drive my husband to work. When I get back, I'll post again (unless someone else can help you before then.)

Don't delete anything! :)

[gailjrichardson]

I have read SEOFastStart 2 times and just started it for the 3rd time in the last two weeks. Every time it gets easier to read but Stephen I feel like the same thing would happen to me (LOL). I just know that when I think I've got things just right ,Lynn would have to say the same thing about my stuff. I'm like,now where did he say to put that stuff or how many times should I do this or that. I can only be glad that I am here and around such a wonderful group of people. I have found that at every stage in my life when I thought I knew something and looked back later and said ,I wish I knew then what I know now.Well life is an ongoing learning process and I am gonna grab all the knowledge I can find .Good luck with SEOFastStart.
Gail

[Rick Olsen]

Hi Lynn,

Why do you say to put the blog in the root directory? Is there some advantage to this? I used to do this, but putting it in it's own directory keeps public_html uncluttered. I now put all of my blogs in their own directory. They still have the main domain address. I mean, there's no /blog at the end.

[StephenT]

Rick, I'm just following what Lynn advised. My website was new and looked pretty bad as I am not the best web designer. She suggested taking my blog from the /blog to the root. I have no idea what I'm doing to be truthful!

[Lynn Terry]

Rick - are you using a redirect for that, or addon domains?

[Rick Olsen]

Lynn - Not sure what you mean by redirect. I don't use addon domains. I just followed the instructions here:

http://codex.wordpress.org/Giving_WordPress_Its_Own_Directory

[TraciKnoppe]

Rick - is there some reason you're worried about 'cluttering' your root directory? My grandmother (along with her white gloves), is *the* reason why everyone cleans house before company comes; but even she would not be checking the tidiness of your root directory. :P

All that to say, I am much more prone to putting secondary files into folders, than a program that's running my web site at the root level.

The directions in the link you provided above will work - but also require you to mess with the .htaccess file/ do more configuring to get it to work. Lynn's readers are primarily new to internet marketing, and quite often, new to blogging and WordPress as well (as is my market), so making the WordPress install as quick, easy and simplified as possible is usually the best option.

Since WordPress is capable of doing far more than one usually 'needs'; to cover every possible option, function or feature is really not possible, and most often, not necessary.

[wade_watson]

Thanks for the link, Rick. I'd never thought about that, but WordPress settings do give you the option of having the WP files and the blog in separate locations. I've never had any need to that, but it might come in handy sometime.

Stephen, I hope you managed to get your old blog data into your new WP install by now. I sympathize with your frustrations. Just remember that once you learn this stuff, you'll be fine and you can be the expert.

Wade Watson

[StephenT]

Thanks Wade! Unfortunately, I could not retrieve anything and had to start over, but I will survive. It's probably better this way anyhow!

[Rick Olsen]

Traci - Got it. KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). I look at it a bit differently. I prefer to learn to walk so that I can run. The alternative is to crawl through life, achieving little.

I find it much easier to navigate through a root folder, or a forum, if everything is in it's own sub-directory. So, on my harddrive I don't have one folder called "Internet Business Stuff" and just toss everything I download in there. Each broad topic has a root folder such as "Ebooks" or "Software." Inside are many sub-folders for specific subjects. If I have a question about using article marketing I go to the article marketing folder and then the additional sub-folder for what I need. I don't waste 20 minutes wading through 5000 files. Guess it's just me.

Wade - You're welcome.

Steve - Sorry I couldn't be of help to you.