Google indexing?

[Admiral Huddy]

I'm trying to add indexes for my website to google but I'm not having much luck and would appreciate some help.

It looks like I have to creat a sitemap and uplod it after verifying my site but i'm really note sure.

[Mark]

Want me to 'prod' it for you? :)

You don't need to upload anything.

[Admiral Huddy]

Want me to 'prod' it for you? :)

You don't need to upload anything.

You can prod me anytime dude :)

Yes please.


According to web tools, you need to upload a site map based on a webtool.. It looks bloody confusing.

Aparantely, Google doesn't look at text info and meta tags any more for indexing.

[Mark]

Sitemap? Frankly that's bollocks.

However, you do have a big problem. Your site uses images for all/most of the text on the site. Google can't read that, other search engines can't either, and neither can 'accessible' software. I'd say you have far bigger problems than the site indexing to worry about unfortunately.

Please, please, use text where text belongs. Unnecessary use of images to display text is one of my pet hates. :(

I can still get you on the Google index, but I can't guarantee the results.

[Admiral Huddy]

Sitemap? Frankly that's bollocks.

However, you do have a big problem. Your site uses images for all/most of the text on the site. Google can't read that, other search engines can't either, and neither can 'accessible' software. I'd say you have far bigger problems than the site indexing to worry about unfortunately.

Please, please, use text where text belongs. Unnecessary use of images to display text is one of my pet hates. :(

I can still get you on the Google index, but I can't guarantee the results.


Ok, Ill change that, It's not a big change to turn it to text based. What about if the text is in the heading.. like the metatags.

[Mark]

That's against Google rules - they really don't like 'hidden' text (i.e. text placed there just for the benefit of search engines).

PS - I'll leave you to submit your site when you are ready - http://www.google.com/addurl/?continue=/addurl

[Mark]

Oh yes, so I see.

:adminpower: (sort of) :)

[Admiral Huddy]

I've finished changing the website so it's text based with image backgrounds and will upload that tonight. Hopefully, that'll do the trick

[Mark]

OK - that's better. The only obvious problem I can see that's caused is on the homepage with the text that is supposed to wrap around the motherboard image. IE (mostly) works, but Firefox (1.5.0.8 anyway) doesn't. :(

[Admiral Huddy]

OK - that's better. The only obvious problem I can see that's caused is on the homepage with the text that is supposed to wrap around the motherboard image. IE (mostly) works, but Firefox (1.5.0.8 anyway) doesn't. :(

Mm I thought that might cause a problem as I'm using a layer in frontpage.. It's a bit untidy and I'm on that. I've noticed a few spelling mistakes and a broken link on "coantact" button.

I'm much happier with this, at least I can change it easily.

[Davey_Pitch]

One thing I'd suggest (purely website related) is to change the contact email from "paul@..." to "contact@...." or something similar. You use words like "we" all the time, yet seem to refer people to an individual for emails. Would probably be better to use a generic email address, looks a bit more professional then IMO. :)

[Admiral Huddy]

One thing I'd suggest (purely website related) is to change the contact email from "paul@..." to "contact@...." or something similar. You use words like "we" all the time, yet seem to refer people to an individual for emails. Would probably be better to use a generic email address, looks a bit more professional then IMO. :)


good call :)


I forgot about that - cheers Davey

[Davey_Pitch]

And to create even more work for you, I'd suggest centralising the table in the screen (or even better, converting to Divs/CSS and putting them in the middle). For anyone using a large resolution there's going to be a lot of white space on the right side, which never looks so bad when the content is central :)

I'll stop finding more stuff for you to do now :embarassed:

[Admiral Huddy]

And to create even more work for you, I'd suggest centralising the table in the screen (or even better, converting to Divs/CSS and putting them in the middle). For anyone using a large resolution there's going to be a lot of white space on the right side, which never looks so bad when the content is central :)

I'll stop finding more stuff for you to do now :embarassed:
ah now you've lost me :)

[Mark]

But I won't... :)

I'm certainly an advocate of using CSS and divs (and not using Frontpage) for websites, but I recognise there's a steep learning curve and not everyone has the time or the inclination to learn all this stuff. I guess it all depends how much time (and money) you want to spend on the site. Please don't take this personally - I salute anyone who has the drive to make a go of their own business venture.

One other thing I've noticed is that site navigation is somewhat lacking. You can get to most pages from the homepage, but once there, your options are very limited and mostly involve going back to the homepage. Also, the 'Back' buttons don't work properly due to attempting to navigate to two different places (check out what happens in Firefox and you'll understand). I must admit I'm not a huge fan of using JavaScript for site navigation, mainly because it breaks when people have scripting turned off (though admittedly most of your target audience probably won't know or care how to do that).

[Davey_Pitch]

ah now you've lost me :)
CSS=Cascading Style Sheets. You use an external file to take care of all the styling of your pages, from the font size and colour, to how links look, and pretty much every point inbetween. Using them means that if you ever want to redesign the site, instead of having to go through every single page changing the text properties, you only need to edit one file and it will affect every single page.

Divs=layers of a sort, used for page layout. Generally used now instead of tables, as they are a lot friendlier to accessibility software. As Divs are also controlled by a style sheet, it means you can change the layout of your site in seconds from one file.

If I get some time would you like me to redo your front page using style sheets and Divs so you can see what I mean? It shouldn't take me too long to do :)

[Admiral Huddy]

Cheers Davey for the explaination.. CSS seems cool and a single point file is a good idea.

I am starting to realise the limitations of frontpage which is a sign I need to move on but as you said, and quite rightly, it's a steep learning curve and I've learnt hell of a lot already and I might not have the time.

I'll have a think about some sort of navigation. Problem is I've had very conflicting opinions which has left me very confused at times. That said, it's helped me find out more about what i'm doing and I'm grasping concepts better now, which is a lot harder than the technical aspect imo.

I'm waiting for my sister (a city lawer) to complete the T & Cs.

[Admiral Huddy]

If I get some time would you like me to redo your front page using style sheets and Divs so you can see what I mean? It shouldn't take me too long to do :)


Thanks - Would you need the FP source?

[Davey_Pitch]

My personal opinion on navigation is that it needs to be fairly constant. If you can reach if from the front page, you should be able to reach it no matter where you are (after all, if they're important enough to have on the first page, they're important enough to have everywhere else).

I'm happy to have a crack at the site for you if you want (no charge of course), you could see then at least the differences that CSS/Divs can make :)

[Davey_Pitch]

Thanks - Would you need the FP source?
If you have it to hand it would be easier, otherwise I'll just download everything from the main page and use that :)

[Admiral Huddy]

Ok cheers, What I'll do I put it into a zipped file and have it ready for FTP.

Are you sure? I know how busy you are and I don't want to impose :)

[Davey_Pitch]

It's no bother Paul, I finish work tomorrow so it'll give me something to do when Lynne's watching TV and I can't get on the Xbox :D

[Admiral Huddy]

It's no bother Paul, I finish work tomorrow so it'll give me something to do when Lynne's watching TV and I can't get on the Xbox :D
You let her use it :D

tut tut.

Thanks Matey :)

[Admiral Huddy]

Davey, What would be the best email address to send the zip file to? :)

[Davey_Pitch]

My Gmail please Paul - davey.pitch@gmail.com :)