[PremierPDS]

Hi guys

I wanted to ask your advice on this....I have a friend who's a plasterer... He's looking into having a new website built and after reading Alvin's posts (among others) I'm convinced that he needs a keyword rich domain name. However, he's spoken to his web designer about this and the web designer (not an SEO expert) is telling him that this doesn't matter and won't affect the SEO of the website and therefore it's ranking as Google are changing the way they rank sites. This guy is telling my friend that when you do a Google search and it comes up with a map, this is the way to go and that Google are now not putting any weight on keyword rich domain names. How true is this? Seems like a daft question and I know our Alvin will be the first one to say this is wrong but I'm interested in all opinions from as many SEO experts as I can here.

He's in pretty much the same boat as me in that he has a business name and the site will be optimised for the local area and my advice to him so far would be what I've picked up from you guys already which is to have a keyword rich domain name with unique content and 301 redirect it to the main site (maybe the business name?). Am I giving him the right advice here?

Also, what all this Google search map stuff? Can someone tell me just what this guy is referring to when he says 'this is the way to go'?

What about adwords? I doubt in the plastering game there'd be much competition for pretty obvious keywords (certainly not at first glance anyway, all the plasterers listed for the area he wants are covered in telephone or business directory listings)!

[boxby]

Google search maps are Google Local. They bring up the results of "plasterers" near you.

I too have heard that the medium term goals of google are too get the local results working well, and then the plan is make results more specific to your location. This is part of the how to make google better for mobile technology. I've been interested in this in relation to GPS as it then returns results local to you, not your PC.

However, the same principles apply - you need to be ranking well on google, with a good, well optimised site. And as he's local he's going to need the same keywords, and SEO to do well on local as he is on national results.

As for adwords, basically forget it. He's not competing against other local plasterers on PPC but against Yell, THomson, Local and all the other directories, that throw money at PPC. CPC will be pretty good, and then suddenly shoot up to £4.50 per click because THomsons & touch have decided to go head to head on Plasters for a couple of weeks. And you're friend will get no business enquiries for that period.

Properly good site. that's the way forward.

[Alvin]

Not going to comment on your friends web designer.

Problem with google maps is that there is no Tiltle or description.
,therefore its stick a pin in time as opposed to a well written marketing message to attract people to your site.

same applies to PPC.

Alvin

[OldWelshGuy]

I would try to get the word 'plasterers' in the domain name some place as it is a spot on KW rich domain.

[Paul Norman]

The principles of sound web site design have not changed. Your friend needs a good, properly planned, properly coded, properly marketed web site.

The good news is, this doesnt cost a fortune, in fact, in the long run would be cheaper than a less professional option.

[SEO Guy]

Get him to read my DIY articles, http://www.businessservicesuk.com

The best question you can ask any designer that offers SEO advice is where does your site rank for your targeted keywords, if they go quiet seek advice elsewhere

[Paul Norman]

Its difficult to argue with that! So I shant. Results, thats presumably what someone wants when they invest in a site!

[PremierPDS]

Thanks guys, your advice is much appreciated and I'll let you know what happens next. Where Dave (Redevo) lately? Haven't noticed him around much- anyone know where he's defected to lol???