Experts Needed !

[catmouse]

I just started a new website and I am still awaiting google or yahoo to rank me. I did everything recommended. I use the proper keywords, etc..

Can someone tell me what I am doing wrong, thanks. Just learning....

my site is: http://www.gottahotel.com

[seobook]

hi catmouse
welcome to the forums :)

since you are competiting in one of the top dozen most competitive marketplaces with an affiliate site I suggest you start spending thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars on links from many many many location

OR

focus your idea to a more specific niche, perhaps make it geographically limited vice doing a site trying to compete worldwide in such a competitive field .

[critter]

SEOBOOK is right, the industry you are going after is VERY COMPETITIVE and requires not only EXCELLENT link building, but also carefully designed site, excellent navigation, good website architecture, a quality sitemap and a TONNE of backlinks.

Focusing on a more taregeted section of the industry is probably a much better idea, especially if this is your first SEO endevour.

Good Luck

Critter

[Joseph Morin]

I concur.

You may also want to focus on a particular type of hotel or less competitive keyphrases such as types of lodging and shoot for 3 or 4 word keyword combinations. Your keyword research is going to be critical here.

[Robert_Charlton]

In some major tourist cities, you may find that even types of hotels or locale within the city is going to be competitive. You'll need lots of good, relevant inbound links... good onpage optimization... and judicious target selection within the site (taking into account the internal distribution of PageRank in relation to how competitive your phrases are).

[AussieWebmaster]

I would also consider going for localized search.... template your pages and make them city specific which would help reach.

[AussieWebmaster]

You could also make lists of hotels by cities and have them included in the site map... this will prove to help as the repetition would help.

[Incubator]

I think seobook has the best advice, get in there now, buy the links and work on your optimization on site, start off with low cost PPC in europe and wait to see the stats in three months, your budget here is crucial......very competitive industry. Prepare yourself for a long haul organically, but feed the needs now,you'll see the return, nice site...best of luck



Cheers

WC

[Marcia]

I'm "accidentally" ranking for a travel term and it's one of the highest site referrers (NOT on a travel site) even though it's actually for a mis-use of a term generally searched for and doesn't look good at all with the Overture keyword tool.

Try for off-beat non-competetive keywords; a lot of a little tiny bit each all adds up.

[steve sardell]

Hi catmouse

It will be a long road for first page placement.The travel industry is tough. As mentioned above, develop a strong linking campaing and keep plugging away.One suggestion is to look for non search engine traffic traffic, e.g. get into as many travel directories as possible, particpate in travel forums, write a travel article or two, buy a textual ad in travel ezines.There are many ways to get traffic other than the search engines. You simply need to get creative.

[strangerrr]

YES ... I agree with seobook that its VERY COMPETITIVE ....

firstly do the keyword research using overture (http://inventory.overture.com) and find the right keyword with less competition first...

increase backlinks do submission as much as u can and get high PR ... spend some $ for good links.

Inculde the content having keyword or keyword phrase ... with good density ... use keyword or phrase in anchor text ...

these are the basic things u need to do first ..... bcoz ur industry is very competitive ...

And i agree with Incubator that "start off with low cost PPC in europe"

Thanks

Regards,
strangerrr

[robwatts]

Hi catmouse

Just add a point or 2 to the mix.

You need to consider the fact that there are 1000's of simialr sites to yours. You really do have your work cut out as travel is very much a competitive field.

A couple of additional constructive suggestions


Engage your visitors - Involve them in the process, give them the opportunity to submit reviews, write area guides, share anecdotes and experiences.
Add tools and features - Add tools or features, that add value to what you do. Give your domain a distinct edge, keep one step ahead of the competition.
Consider building a forum - By offering useful meaningful ways for them to interact with you, you are giving them reasons to keep coming back for more, tell their friends etc.
Become an authority - Make the domain your passion, write about local culture, research areas and topics, supply local travel information, give handy localised tips on what to look for or beware of. As Aaron suggested, consider focusing on a specific niche first, and then broadening out as you expand.
Build a user base - Run competitions - Run monthly draws, Publish Newsletters, give your site stickiness.

You might well already link to and include a variety of your content providers content, but this in itself might well prove to be a problem. The engines want unique and diverse stuff. They don't want 1000's of travelcow domains on their pages, they want to offer their users choice.


Yahoo for example, uses this very reason to eject/ban domains from its index.

If you want to do well, then you have to appreciate that its going to be a long long road, with many a winding turn. Reconstituted content will not cut the mustard, you will have to go that extra mile and more.

Good luck!