| |  | | vBulletin Setup > vBulletinSetup Information > Free vBulletin Link Directory |  Free vBulletin Link Directory Discuss GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties in the vBulletinSetup Information forums; Outdoor Activity Forum and website promoting college outdoor classes and encouraging planning new trips.
I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions on how to make my site better and ... | |
  | | GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Published by Cleck
04-04-2007
|  Member rating | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
1 user rated 10% average
| | | | |  | | GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Outdoor Activity Forum and website promoting college outdoor classes and encouraging planning new trips.
I am open to ANY and ALL suggestions on how to make my site better and to help it grow.
Thanks! | | | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Thanks for adding your site to our directory 
I really like it, and think you've been doing a good job.
first thing I see is on the flash page, I would add and alt="" text in the link.. something like "GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activity Forum"
I have some more suggestions, but we'll start here.. I see you got the ? dropped on your forum/navbar link 
cheers
-Bs | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-05-2007, 02:12 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Well, I have been making as many changes as I know how to.
The intro page is actually and animated .gif that I made and then linked the picture to the 'home' page. Do you think that the picture will index better than flash?
I even put some text behind the picture...will this work or merely look like I am being shady to a spider? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
looks legit to me, do you know what I mean by alt tag ?
like
<img src="http://site.com/pic.gif" alt="go take a hike" board="0"/> | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-05-2007, 02:42 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
I see alt text when I click on properties for the pic, is that what you mean? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
like mouse over my logo for vBulletinSetup in the top left of the site.. you'll see some text like "vBulletin SEO Services" or something close to that..
that's your alt text in html
cheers
-Bs | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-05-2007, 03:12 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Thank you so much for all of this help.
I see my alt text as the same as yours, except it doesn't pop up. I will investigate. | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
also I would hard code a few links to a few key parts of the forum under the image on the splash page.. this will help the bots find your content.
and then the next major thing I would work on is your forum descriptions.. This is a great place to add keyword rich text to your indexed pages.
If you look at most the ones I have here, you'll notice that they are pretty wordy and have some good keywords in them.
I did this more on the forums that are about vbulletin help, and not so much on the off topic forums.. I'd rather have the content releated to vbulletin vs the other.
I would take the same into consideration on your site. On the forums that are about hiking and outdoor activities, I would put some more work in those descriptions..
cheers
-Bs | |
Last edited by Brandon Sheley; 04-05-2007 at 04:38 PM..
|
By
Cleck
on
04-08-2007, 06:07 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Ok, I put some links under the picture, and am slowly changing some of the pages insid eof the site to BBcoded modules instead of Iframes to my modifyed pre-existing pages.
I think this will help with content, no? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleck  Ok, I put some links under the picture, | um, not like that :p link.jpg
sorta like this.
and yes, content is always the best thing
but making users and spiders find that content is also key
cheers
-Bs | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-08-2007, 08:29 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Gotcha.
If I understand correctly, this means that it will not only show spiders what I think the important areas are and what they are clled, but it will also ast like a shortcut for members that want to jump to a page right away. OR should they be hidden? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
you can do them either way.. if it was me, I would let users see the link.. maybe have 3 or 5 under your image, to parts of your site with the best content
cheers
-Bs | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-08-2007, 10:30 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Better? I put the links to the side | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleck Better? I put the links to the side | ya, I like that a lot better
now we can work on the forum :p | | |
By
Cleck
on
04-09-2007, 03:50 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon ...now we can work on the forum :p | Bwahahaha. 
I found a neat way to change some of the navigational links totext links within the header. I am in the process of removing the un-needed rollover image links in the navbar since I really like the look (and hopefully the functionality for SEO) of the newer text links.
I figure the text links will be for locations and the rollovers will be for options. Yes? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
I'll have to see it after you change it to get the idea :p | | |
By
Cleck
on
05-03-2007, 10:54 AM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
OK, I have added the text links in the header that I was talking about.
I am also in the process of changing the format of the "pages" within the forum navigation menu on the top left of the home page...so be patient with those.
I decided to just go ahead and remove the intro completely. I have been reading over and over that while it looks cool, it detracts from the indexing of my site.
It is growing, and I am adding more and more....what do you think so far?
And to the users that rated my site, please give feedback on why you all think it is an average of 10%, if there is something you see that needs fixed, please let me know!
I also blatantly stole talkdelaware's idea of the introduction block at the top of the page..I think it makes a better welcome to new visitors. | |
Last edited by Cleck; 05-03-2007 at 12:36 PM..
| | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
The new links look sharp
You should see if you can move all the links up in the header part, you can make drop down like our "quick links" so it's organized.
Don't worry about the rating here, you should edit your first post and put your rating, as you yourself is posted 1 out of 10 for all 4 options :p
But, I need to do some work so the rating stands out better, right now only the 2 new skins are real obvious that users can rate the directory listings.
Glad you site is going well for you
cheers | | |
By
Cleck
on
05-08-2007, 12:57 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Well, much to my disappointment, I removed my cool intro page since it did what everyone warned me it would, decreased google's impression of my site. Page rank dropped from 3 to 1 almost instantly.
I am wondering, do you think it would be a good idea for me to have a blog style intro page as well? I know that would be an easy way to have a cool graphic, very simple/inviting layout, as well as have the ability to add new info all of the time so that the google spider sees new content every time it returns.
Should I worry less about my homepage/intro page's rank vs the rest of the site? Is this even an issue?
Even though it looks way busier now (and the welcome header is far from done) is it going to be better for the site in the long run? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
it's a tough call with the blog question. I like to have a blog in the root, hence why I have one, but I also like how your root page looks now.
I really like those links up top, they will help the spiders make it to your forums. | | |
By
Cleck
on
05-09-2007, 01:13 AM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Thanks, I took your advice and now put all of the buttons up in the header as text links.
I am now playing around with a guest header image. Still working on it though. | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cleck Thanks, I took your advice and now put all of the buttons up in the header as text links.
I am now playing around with a guest header image. Still working on it though. | looking good so far
btw.. I think successful sites are always being working on :p | |
Last edited by Brandon Sheley; 07-22-2007 at 05:38 PM..
|
By
Cleck
on
05-24-2007, 12:11 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
I mentioned this in my blog, but I decided to ask it here. I read your pro and con page for subdomains and have found how they can help.
My concern isn't whether I want them or not, my concern is how hard will it be to go through and change everything so that all of the posts and links work properly within my forum. Am I looking at a major overhaul, or a simple change in the config.php file and perhaps the general setting screen? | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
If you are already indexed well with the url's as they are now, I wouldn't change them. | | |
By
Cleck
on
05-24-2007, 12:21 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon If you are already indexed well with the url's as they are now, I wouldn't change them. | Define "well"
Perhaps create the new store and the link directory with a subdomain? Or should I keep them all the same?
I guess if it isn't broke, I should stop trying to fix it! | | |
By
Cleck
on
07-22-2007, 05:21 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
OK, now I need some help on my keywords. I have focused on some of the other issues for the site (still trying to recover from that neat looking but damaging to my PR splash page).
Is having tons of keywords a good thing? OR should limit them a bit more? I tried to use words that rank as high popularity, but low saturation..... but I feel i have useless and random keywords now. 
Any comments are appreciated. | | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
I use to run a ton of keywords, but I only show 7 or so now.. How many keywords do you have ? | | |
By
Cleck
on
07-28-2007, 03:39 PM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Way too many! I used some advice of yours earlier to not try and compete with the giants out there and I went to a place you guided me to see what people were searching for and what wasn't too saturated.
I think that simpler may be way better for me now. I wish I could just have hike,hiking,backpacking,outdoors... but too many site already use them like crazy.
Here is my obscene list of keywords Code: rock climbing,hiking,hike,hikes,backpacking,camping,outdoor,outdoors,fitness goals,rock climbing locations,arizona bags,rock climbing in texas,christian outdoor adventure,hikes arizona,outdoor adventure game,az hikes,hiking in az,forum outdoor,beginner rock climbing,rock climbing how to,about rock climbing,legend trail scottsdale az,camping training,outdoor adventure tour,rock climbing routes,nature class,rock climbing in atlanta,arizona day hikes,map read,nature lesson,book of maps,land navigation training,rock climbing rental,colorado outdoor education,outdoor adventure michigan,outdoors adventures,classic outdoor wood furnace,colorado outdoor adventure guide school,hiking in phoenix arizona,hiking trails arizona,map reading and land navigation,outdoor adventures paintball,outdoor adventure resort,arizona backpack,great outdoor adventure,land navigation powerpoint,backpacking az,arizona trail,rock climbing games,arizona trail riding,maps books,rock mountain climbing,backpacking fishing,outdoor education lesson plans,rock climbing dc,arizona mountain bike trail,outdoor youth adventure,sedona az hiking,adventure bound outdoors,arizona hiking clubs,navigation land,mountain backpacking,hiking class,outdoor adventure company,escalade rock climbing,arizona bike trail,arizona trail maps,course of nature band,classic adventure,colorado outdoor adventure,learning from nature,outdoor education center,outdoor recreation degree,outdoor obstacle course,outdoor adventure jobs,outdoor education college,hike tucson,hiking forum,family outdoor adventure,adventure ropes course,new warrior training adventure,outdoor education degrees,camping lesson plans,outdoor adventures colorado,sedona arizona hiking trails,rock climbing gloves,bayou classic outdoor,nature of learning,adventure courses,outdoor adventure schools,legend trail az,outdoor classic,rock climbing women,rock climbing certification,outdoor recreation center,outdoor youth adventures,adventure based learning,outdoor backpacking,land navigation manual,tent camping forum,hiking in sedona arizona,apache trail arizona,outdoor fitness training,nature learning,red rock climbing center,backpacking cheap,outdoor survival courses,american outdoor adventures,backpacking budget,southern arizona hiking,rock climbing in los angeles,adventure classes,kelty backpacking,backpacking in arizona,camping message board,outdoor survival schools,classic outdoor furniture,adventure rock climbing,outdoor adventure magazine,sedona az hiking trails,hike az,outdoor message board,rock climbing clips,arizona outdoor adventures,hiking in phoenix az,outdoor guide schools,backpack arizona,breckenridge outdoor education center,outdoor education camp,camping chat,rock climbing wall rentals,indoor rock climbing walls,american outdoor adventure,outdoor adventure guide school,ultimate outdoor adventures,extreme outdoor,adventure backpacking,northern arizona hiking,adventure learning center,maps reading,arizona hiking tours,camping help,land navigation test,hiking trails phoenix az,reading map,how to read map,,camping adventures,outdoor adventure clubs,apache trail az,army land navigation,gps land,us army map reading and land navigation handbook,nature classes,tucson hikes,outdoor adventure paintball,moab rock climbing,outdoor forum,arizona trail ride,hiking trails in az,adventure class,outdoor classes,sierra rock climbing,hiking in sedona az,arizona hiking maps,rock climbing in utah,rock climbing chalk,arizona hiking club,how to read a map,rock climbing denver,hiking in tucson,outdoor board,outdoor recreation group,military land navigation,tent trail,outdoor education masters,hiking forums,day hikes in arizona,gps land surveying,in tent,course of nature music,trail rides arizona,goal blog,fitness blog,training blog,training blogs,goal oriented blogs,outdoor adventure headquarters
| | | | | | Member reviews | | Style | | 1 | | Navigation | | 1 | | Community | | 1 | | Functionality | | 1 | |
Average 10%
|
| Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
I've found that I'm able to tweak the META description for the forum and vba and see results in the search phrases. I would try keeping the keywords how they are and working on your meta description.
This is how we are on the first page of google for "vBulletin" it's in the meta description
Well.. and lots of back links. | | |
By
Cleck
on
07-31-2007, 08:53 AM
| | Re: GoTakeAHike.com -- Outdoor Activties
Well, I shouldn't come on here asking for advice and not take it, but I severely chopped my number of keywords. They were irrelevant to much of my site, so I kept them VERY simple and altered them from page to page.
I also spent quite a bit trying to turn code into design (not a strong suit as I am still learning as I am going) to alter my intro page for guests.
I was quite torn over the fact that so many people like my splash page, but google slammed me for having it. I settled for a simpler version in my welcome message and used your directions on how to turn the thing into an image. Well, after searching for what images google had indexed for me, and seeing the little logo in the top left when users are signed on, I felt that that puny thing didn't do my site justice. I don't mind the small and simple boot and name for members, but I wanted something more for guests without being redundant in a welcome message.
I solved this by changing the header completely for guests as opposed to members. I stole a bit of the code from the welcome message section, and played with the header until I got the welcome image I wanted, while maintaining the text links above the image. The hardest part was coding the background to make the text links look like they belong with the image. I then cleaned up my actual welcome message and I feel that it is a much cleaner and welcoming intro page.
What do you think? New Intro Page | | | |
Linear Mode
