Going out on a limb here...

Before I put more time and effort into my website, I believe I need some constructive advice from those who have gone before. I have been spending A LOT of hours working on this website. It is my first wordpress.org affiliate site that I have built. Its been frustrating to say the least. But to move on.

Please take a look at it and tell me if I am doing something wrong. Remember it is in its infancy stages. I only have a few pages with content. The first two and last links in the navigation bar. Specifically, I would like to know what I should work on right now (besides content which is obvious). I know it will be a long process but what is important for now.

snazzycamerbags.com

Thank you for helping out.
judi

Hi Judi,

What a neat idea for a site!

I like the alliteration you've got going on in your category headings (I would totally do that) but it might hurt your SEO. You'd probably be better served to have keywords for categories, like "functional camera bags" instead of "fancy function".

And I would invest in a nicer header graphic. I know content is what keeps readers coming back, but first impressions count for a lot, and your header is kind of ... blah.

HTH, and good luck with your site!

I agree about the header. I tried to get one designed but the result turned out too childish for the site. So I thought I should get the site further along then have a header made.

I would really appreciate any feed back. good or bad.

Great start! Definitely work on keyword research and SEO and I'm a bit confused. The site name says camera bags but I see back packs, purses, etc. I would just have camera bags since that is the name of your site. Maybe you could start a separate site for all other bags.

I did some KW research using Wordtracker and it doesn't seem to have a lot of searches for camera bags. I wonder if you might get a new domain name and then use all the bags that are already on the site. Purses, back packs, camera bags, etc.

Just some thoughts!

all the bags on the site are for cameras. The search I did had 40,500 monthly local searches.

Google keyword tool shows 300 searches per day (exact match) for "camera bag" with lots of opportunity for specific brands as well, like "lowepro camera bags", "tamrac camera bags", and "nikon camera bag."

Then what am I doing wrong. Here are the numbers that come up on my search for camera bag
Keyword Competition Global Monthly Searches Local Monthly Searches Local Search Trends


camera bag

201,000 110,000

slr camera bag

9,900 5,400

nikon camera bag

8,100 5,400

dslr camera bag

6,600 3,600

canon camera bag

9,900 6,600

waterproof camera bag

2,400 1,600

camera bag reviews

2,900 1,600

You want to put quotes around the keywords you are searching if you are using Google's tool.

The 201,000 you see for camera bag is anything including the words camera bag.

It could be things like...

where to buy a camera bag
I need a camera bag
leather camera bag
can I put beer in my camera bag

etc...

If you put "camera bag" into the Google tool, you will get how many searches for that exact phrase.

This is what I get with the quotes:

camera bag

201,000 110,000

camera bags and cases

2,900 1,600

slr camera bags

4,400 2,900

nikon camera bag

8,100 5,400

best camera bag

3,600 2,400

Nice looking theme... totally looks cool for camera bags.

And - you are right. The graphics are important for visitors... but content is what will get you visitors. Go for content first and then looks.

I don't use the Google tool so I can't help with the numbers. But I wonder if other people feel the same as I did and didn't get they were all camera bags. Definitely need to drill down and get more specific as far as KW phrases and SEO goes. Looking forward to seeing this site grow.

Judi, have you ever looked at Lynn's elite membership group here on the forum? You can get a lot more specific help inside there if you're interested.

Hi Judi,

I like the idea...but I am not sure about your site.

It feels like a bedroom business. Even if it is, that's not the impression you want to give.

Also it would be great if it was more clear if it a shopping site or something else. People only spend a few minites on a site before they move on. So, I think you just need to more to the point.

Otherwise a good site. Defintely different. :)

Ryan

Is there something that attracts only women to camera bags? Just a question and I for one see a interesting "niche" site that is focused. Good Job and much success with it. Perhaps do reviews of camera bags

Quote:

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Originally Posted by farmnwife

Before I put more time and effort into my website, I believe I need some constructive advice from those who have gone before. I have been spending A LOT of hours working on this website. It is my first wordpress.org affiliate site that I have built. Its been frustrating to say the least. But to move on.

Please take a look at it and tell me if I am doing something wrong. Remember it is in its infancy stages. I only have a few pages with content. The first two and last links in the navigation bar. Specifically, I would like to know what I should work on right now (besides content which is obvious). I know it will be a long process but what is important for now.

snazzycamerbags.com

Thank you for helping out.
judi

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Angie, I mistakenly thought every visitor to the site would read the parent pages. They give a little more detail to the subpages. I will include the info on those as well.

Ryan, I don't know what you mean by "bedroom feel".

Nar321, there are plenty of black bags for the male photographer. I just chose to focus on the fact that women love cute/pretty bags. My hobby is photography and found a "snazzy" bag to put all my gear in. So I thought a site helping other ladies find colorful camera bags might be a good niche site to start with.

Thanks for all the input on the site. It is helping me to think on how to improve it. If you come up with anything else, let me know.
judi

Hi...

Just a suggestion... but this really helped me to design websites for visitors:

Book on Amazon called "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug.

This book has been suggested by many as the "handbook" of site design and usability.

Also... the latest issue of https://www.websitemagazine.com has some great info about "keywords" as categories and making it easier for the search engines to find you.

Hi, Judi!

I really like your site. Yep, getting the numbers right with keyword research is key to determining if you are pursuing a good money niche.

I did not see an opt-in form on your site. Have you considered embedding one on your site to build a list? There are several good companies out there to consider for autoresponders. I use AWeber.

Debra, thanks for the link and book you referenced -- I must check them out!

Add is an opt in box with tips on cameras, buying your first camera (if your market is first time buyers), the care and cleaning of your camera.

Host a photo contest to get activity going among visitors.

Although you are selling the carry cases, anything that educates your market around cameras would likely work.

The reason you should begin immediately to get opt ins is you can run specials and those who opted in will be warm leads for your offers.