Hi. I need some direction please

[lunabin]

Hi. I'm here hoping to get great information as to how i can drive traffic to my new forum. Out of respect, i won't mention the url here, unless you ask me to and say it is ok.

It is a site that i believe i'll make money on once i've driven traffic to it. Can you help me with this? Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dan

 

[Linda Buquet]

Hi Dan,

Welcome!

Thanks for not mentioning your URL as that's not allowed. But it would be helpful if we knew the niche and a little more info. Is it only a forum? Or is it a site plus a forum? So for instance is there a homepage with content so you can do SEO, or is the homepage simply the 1st page of the forum?

PS Removed your other post as it was a duplicate.

 

[lunabin]

Hi Dan,

Welcome!

Thanks for not mentioning your URL as that's not allowed. But it would be helpful if we knew the niche and a little more info. Is it only a forum? Or is it a site plus a forum? So for instance is there a homepage with content so you can do SEO, or is the homepage simply the 1st page of the forum?

PS Removed your other post as it was a duplicate.

Thank you! My username is a hint for you. The forum itself is a news, conspiracy, the-powers-that-be forum that really talks about a ton of different topics, from heavy to light subject matter.

The homepage is the first page of the forum but maybe since the topic sub-categories are all listed there, i may still be able to SEO?

---------- Post added at 12:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 PM ----------

so, if this was your forum site and you had an understanding of internet marketing, yet, this was your first attempt at building out a site, what would you do first, 2nd and 3rd?

I know that the folks who get hooked on sites like mine are a very loyal and diverse group. Since we cover so many topics, I think I'd really be able to have affiliates market a lot of different products there. I just gotta figure out my next steps.

 

[djbaxter]

Hi, Dan:

Here's an article I wrote a few years ago but it's still valid today: Basic forum SEO: Start with the simple things

I've changed my mind about URL rewrites now, though, so ignore that part. Keyword URLs do actually provide a slight edge in search engine rankings.

What forum software are you using? That also makes a difference.

 

[lunabin]

Hi, Dan:

Here's an article I wrote a few years ago but it's still valid today: Basic forum SEO: Start with the simple things

I've changed my mind about URL rewrites now, though, so ignore that part. Keyword URLs do actually provide a slight edge in search engine rankings.

What forum software are you using? That also makes a difference.

i use something sorta new... wikidforum.com
i like it because it is like forum + wiki. i think it is perfect for what i'm trying to do. They are currently adding a bunch of new functions for me including the ability to "in" threads.

---------- Post added at 06:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 PM ----------

thanks for the article, i'll read it now

 

[djbaxter]

I've never heard of that software but be aware that some are inherently NON-search engine friendly. Look carefully at the link structure and the navigation structure of that software. You might be better off going with something like SMF or phpBB for free software, or vBulletin for paid software.