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April 15, 2003
Major Changes in LoveCompass Dating Directory Expected
LoveCompass is different and we want to keep it different. This made us think on how to make our Dating Directory more interesting and attracting for visitors. Some research together with obvious need for more quality content seem to help us find the decision.
LoveCompass is different and we want to keep it different. This made us think on how to make our Dating Directory more interesting and attracting for visitors. Some research together with obvious need for more quality content seem to help us find the decision.
Not all changes are obvious yet, and the final result may be finally different from what you read now, but there are some aspects that are more or less clear already.
We have asked SEO specialists about the best ways of building it. Here is the result:
Q: We are now going to rebuild our links directory. The main purpose is to make it content-rich destination, not just stupid collection of links. Now we have categorized structure and we show 10 external links per page. What we are going to do is to force our advertisers add more detailed descriptions and create their site's profile with a few screenshots and even more details.
The question is... should we change links of the directory to link to the profile and then place just one link to this site in its profile, or should we leave direct link from the directory page and add link profile, which will in turn have one more link to this site.
Profile of the site is going to have about 5 times more description text, 3 screenshots, and editorial review.
What are the pros and cons of new structure IMHO:
1. + More text content on each listing
2. + More pages with content and with one external link each
3. + No PageRank leaking on directory pages (really not sure about this one)
4. + Makes our directory different, gives more power for advertisers, more info for visitors.
5. + Title of the link points to the profile, being a good anchor text
6. – Visitors have to view profile and may not go to the site directly from category.
---- Another way is if we keep direct link and add a link to site’s profile on each page.
1. + More text content on each listing
2. + More pages with content and with one external link each
3. – Link to profile has poor anchor text (ex. “view site’s profile”)
4. – Amount of links per page gets even bigger thus diluting power of each of them
5. + Advertiser has direct link from the directory page as well as from profile (all in all two direct links)
6. + Visitors don’t necessarily have to view profile and may just go to the site directly.
Which variant you would choose and do you think it is going to be beneficial?
A: Use whichever way is better for your site visitors only. I like the first group.(Doug Heil – Search Engine Optimization Services)
A: I agree. What's best for your visitors is best for you, IMO.
Keep the higher level direct link. Your visitors will find it easier to visit multiple sites if they are presented in list format.
Also link out from the new more informative pages. If you are going to have a detailed page about a site, it has to include the site's URL! (Alan Perkins
– e-Brand Management )
There were some other replies, but finally we figured out that our best bet is to make two links per site - one from category and one from profile page of the site. Additionally, we are going to make profiles editable, so all advertizers will be able to modify them for better relevance.
Well, now we'll have to finalize all other TO-DO list items to make it happen.
Posted by LC at April 15, 2003 04:18 AM
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