Q and A

[Armand]

Hey Newbie,

One question: There are numerous of sites that have first class web design, first class relevant web content, and some far superior than some of your sites, yet do not rank on page #1 of any search engine. Can you explain why this is so, and why there are numerous sites of the same caliber as your sites that out-rank your sites?

[newbie]

Originally Posted by Armand

Hey Newbie,

One question: There are numerous of sites that have first class web design, first class relevant web content, and some far superior than some of your sites, yet do not rank on page #1 of any search engine. Can you explain why this is so, and why there are numerous sites of the same caliber as your sites that out-rank your sites?

hmm, that is two questions but neither are relevant to this thread anyway.

[Armand]

Not irrelevant at all Newbie!

You claim all you need is good relevant content and good webdesign to get #1 SERPS. This is not the case at all, so it is wrong to claim so.

Let's say you established a business with a proven business plan and you left out the marketing plan, that business will fail. It's the same foundation on the Internet, you may have the best website but without Online Marketing strategies, such as quality back-links your site is doomed.

[newbie]

Originally Posted by Armand

Not irrelevant at all Newbie!

You claim all you need is good relevant content and good webdesign to get #1 SERPS. This is not the case at all, so it is wrong to claim so.

Let's say you established a business with a proven business plan and you left out the marketing plan, that business will fail. It's the same foundation on the Internet, you may have the best website but without Online Marketing strategies, such as quality back-links your site is doomed.

It's irrelevant because this thread is about any page on the internet, not one group of sites, but anyway the "plan" seems to be working OK so far. I would put a link to the search result but I do not want to affect the "experiment".

That page has zero backlinks. I think it ranks highly because of the relevance of the content amongst other things but definitely nothing to do with backlinks or any other tricks or fakes. I wish all of our pages were "doomed" like that.

[Armand]

Originally Posted by newbie

It's irrelevant because this thread is about any page on the internet, not one group of sites, but anyway the "plan" seems to be working OK so far. I would put a link to the search result but I do not want to affect the "experiment".

That page has zero backlinks. I think it ranks highly because of the relevance of the content amongst other things but definitely nothing to do with backlinks or any other tricks or fakes. I wish all of our pages were "doomed" like that.

Newbie,

I know there is an experiment going on, but you still have not answered why other sites outrank you for the following keywords relevant to your site, despite claiming all you need is good content.

Online Shopping
online shopping - Google Search

Shop Online
shop online - Google Search

Shop Online Australia
shop online australia - Google Search

Online Shopping Australia
online shopping australia - Google Search

Shopping Online
shopping online - Google Search

Shopping Online Australia
shopping online australia - Google Search

[newbie]

Originally Posted by Armand

Newbie,

I know there is an experiment going on, but you still have not answered why other sites outrank you for the following keywords relevant to your site, despite claiming all you need is good content.

Online Shopping
online shopping - Google Search

Shop Online
shop online - Google Search

Shop Online Australia
shop online australia - Google Search

Online Shopping Australia
online shopping australia - Google Search

Shopping Online
shopping online - Google Search

Shopping Online Australia
shopping online australia - Google Search

It is because anybody entering those terms at the commencement of a buying process is not likely to have enough money on their card to be able to complete a transaction.

We are competitive where it counts.

Tell you what.

If I send Mike Bullen (Eurisko) some URLS appearing in the most competitive search terms and he reports back here and confirms that there are zero backlinks, just good content, is there any chance you might end this harassment?

I do not trust you, but I do trust him, regardless of whether he trusts me or not.

[Armand]

Newbie,

This is not about harassment, but about informing people the right advice. The point we have be trying to make all along is not to make people think that all you need is content and a website. If it were that easy, all the expert copywriters and web designers would unite as a team and obliterate the affiliate marketing sector leaving no chance for new AM's to make a success out of it.

[bcl]

Originally Posted by newbie

It is because anybody entering those terms at the commencement of a buying process is not likely to have enough money on their card to be able to complete a transaction.

Gosh google is cleverer than I thought. Now it's determining the results it gives based on how much credit the user has available on their card. Scary stuff!!!

[ikonic]

I've split this thread away from the Data Feed Best Practices thread whilst the test it taking place.

It has been aptly named Q&A and hopefully it can be continually used as the sole place for these types of Q and A discussions.

[Marlnet]

Originally Posted by Armand

The point we have be trying to make all along is not to make people think that all you need is content and a website.

Beg to differ - I have one of my sites that has been online for 18 months with no links and I'm at #5 - which is a drop from #2 following Google's reworking - but I'm confident to get higher again

I have no doubts that my domain name helps - but that would be worthless without the content that drives it...

Personally I think Google has probably been evolving slightly faster than affiliate marketers have - but hey, you go for your linking strategies if they work for you - horses for courses in this game...

[Armand]

Hey Newbie,

Looks like the puzzle has been finally solved, and I'm thinking you must be feeling a little puzzled yourself. Even though you received a lot of "Link Juice" from your main authority site, it was still possible to outrank you in only 24 HRS

It really does not matter what you say from now on, as the "Proof Is In The Pudding" and you have been proven wrong. Everyone has seen the final result of the "Experiment" you created.

I'm certain if you had stayed in the #1 position you would not be making any further excuses in relation to the outcome.

It would be appreciated, and I'm sure everyone feels the same, to put an end to this subject now that it has been resolved.

[newbie]

Originally Posted by Armand

Hey Newbie,

Looks like the puzzle has been finally solved, and I'm thinking you must be feeling a little puzzled yourself. Even though you received a lot of "Link Juice" from your main authority site, it was still possible to outrank you in only 24 HRS

It really does not matter what you say from now on, as the "Proof Is In The Pudding" and you have been proven wrong. Everyone has seen the final result of the "Experiment" you created.

I'm certain if you had stayed in the #1 position you would not be making any further excuses in relation to the outcome.

It would be appreciated, and I'm sure everyone feels the same, to put an end to this subject now that it has been resolved.

I will add more to this later but can I ask what your interest in this is. Are you an affiliate for any related programs?

[Armand]

Newbie,

In all fairness this subject has been going on for months and needs to be closed. You asked me if I am an affiliate to any related programs? Maybe this is the one you are referring too Practical Books and Kits for Web Developers and Designers

I'm sure everyone would agree they are valuable commodities to have and learn about how to build an online business with sound knowledge in building a website, content building and marketing strategies.

Mind you, as I mentioned previously, not every resource is perfect, but you should always endeavour to offer the best available to offer your viewers.

Please note I don't have any interest whatsoever, considering I don't even promote my site in my signature, and was only mentioned on one of your posts not mine.

No hard feelings!

[Armand]

I have a question in regards to all this talk about best practice and data feeds. Wouldn't be better to build your own professional online shop with a secure platform and buy direct from the wholesaler?

Looking at it from a customers point of view, I would feel much more secure buying directly from an established and reputable SSL secure online shop than being directed to merchants through affiliate links or data feeds.

Sure there is more work involved, but if you set out a business plan and manage it correctly you can build an excellent rapport with customers by presenting them a professional and secure shopping environment.

This is definitely the path I would establish if I were to set-up an online store. What are your thoughts?

[bcl]

Originally Posted by Armand

I have a question in regards to all this talk about best practice and data feeds. Wouldn't be better to build your own professional online shop with a secure platform and buy direct from the wholesaler?

It's an interesting question. There are also quite a few models between the straight online shop and the affiliate who refers people to that shop.

I have seen some businesses evolve over the years, both affiliates who have moved into being direct competition with the merchants they once promoted, and merchants who have moved into being in direct competition with their affiliates. And quite a few networks are affiliates who have moved into competition with the existing networks. It pays to keep your wits about you in this game.