moving pictures; Google and "close" button

[KRC]

How can I get some movement on my site (KeepHappening.com)?  I want to have some pictures appearing to drop in from the top of the pages, slowly fall and disappear from the bottom. If this is not possible, how can I rotate perpendicular pictures to appear at an angle on the page?

I have listed the key words in the relevant box, but when I search on Google my site is never listed.  Even if I include the words "Keep Happening" Google doesn't list my site.  What am I doing wrong, or what else do I need to do?

Lastly, I have some pages where visitors can find additional information.  These open in a new tab.  How can I remove the standard buttons from these pages only and insert a "close" button.  As a last resort, how can I remove the "open in a new tab option"?

Answers for a simpleton please.  No TLAs!

thanks.

[Cantoris]

Dear KRC,

Several questions here.

First, animations.

Yes, they can be done but you may have to invest some time or effort to make them work. I'm not an expert on Easy Site Wizard, so I don't know whether that package can do them. You might like to investigate "SiteSparks".

If that isn't enough, then try to find a site you admire. From your browser, take the option to View Page Source and look for the word "generator". This will tell you what software has produced the effect. If the software is within your budget and level of know-how, then build your pages with that. You may need to consider several packages or think about paying a developer. Think also how much the animations add to what your site says about your business and weigh that against the cost.

Next, Google.

Google's search engine is thorough. The words "keep" "happening" turn up 65 million sites, but still put you on the first page. (This is Google UK). "keephappening" gives you places 2 to 4. But is that all you want? If people know your site name, they don't need Google. You want the search engine to find you when people look for terms related to your business. My experience is that Google doesn't need to be forced or paid to do this. Look up the options to add tags or keywords to your pages (preferably with commas between them), use text that describes what you do and what is unique (or nearly unique) about you. Persuade some listing sites or trade forums to carry a link to your homepage. If you cater for weddings, church magazines often appear on-line, adverts and all. Just include your URL in the advert. Google does the rest without being asked. If location matters, it is worth putting yourself on Google maps, also free.

Last, tabs.

The "target" parameter on a hyperlink determines whether it opens in the same window or a new window or tab. One rule is to use the same window within your site and a new one for links outside. Your links with "_blank" open a new window. Those without the parameter stay in the same one. Get into the habit of looking at the Page Source so you can learn what is actually happening. You'll be coping with TLAs before long.

Have a happy Christmas,

   Nigel.

[KRC]

Nigel,

Thanks.  I had a call from BT tech help after I filled in the on line help form.  They told me Site Wizard does not provide for key words, or meta tags (whatever they are) and that I cannot configure the site such that a Google search with key words will find it.  If that is so, the site is utterly useless.  As you so rightly point out, it is people who do not know of Keep Happening that we need to have find us.  The BT lady did offer to build a site for £725 that Google would find. This site would have 10 key words and appear on the first page.

Seems I have been sold a pig in a poke.  It is nothing more than a vanity site.  Something I can show to friends and family to brag that I have a website, but of no benefit.  And I was worrying about moving pictures!

Yours rather miffed,

KRC

[Cantoris]

Don't despair. It's better than you think.

Easy Site Wizard will give you meta tags. They call them Keywords. I think you entered things like "Rolls Royce, Ford Mustang" etc in a section called "Define it". (I read the source of your home page and looked up the wizard User Guide.) Remember the commas.

When you pay for webhosting, the real product is a permanently-on dependable computer that will make your site available to anyone interested. That is what you pay your monthly fee for. I've always been happy with how BT provide that service, although you will see some complaints elsewhere in this forum. Site-building tools are incidental. There are plenty of site generators that cost under £50 to install and many have a trial version to see whether you like them before you proceed. That is a once-only cost. Again, if you like a site, look at the generator mentioned in the source and see how much it costs. Some of the fancier ones need a database (which can cost extra) but there is plenty you can do even with a basic hosting package.

Your site already looks presentable. People buying your service mainly want information from your site, not entertainment. Your site does that. And Google finds it. Google reads the text on your pages and indexes it. If the pages describe what you do, people can look you up in Google by what you do. Some more photos will help with impact, and a generator will often have a "gallery" facility, so that you load up small, thumbnail images quickly and people can see the whole image if they choose.

My suggestion:

Get the basic site how you are happy with it.

Take your time building the next version, using a generator. Test it before putting it live.

Let Google take care of itself.

These things take time and practice, but you'll get there in small steps.

  Nigel.

[KRC]

So, does that mean Google will find my site if I entered, say, "wedding entertainment Sussex Ford Mustang catering & c."?

[Cantoris]

There's a chance. Google links up what the searcher specifically wants with what you specifically have. If a word epitomizes your service, have it as a short keyword or "meta tag", with a comma before the next one. The rest is done on the basis of the text in your pages and links to them, plus there is some advantage in naming pages and images with meaningful words. By picking some distinctive words on your home page and adding your postcode I was able to get Google to find you and nothing else.

It's a sophisticated algorithm and I'm only describing what I've observed. I don't pretend to know all the rules, but there are probably books and web-resources describing the whole process. It also takes time. Google has to get around to visiting your site, detecting any changes and updating the indices. It happens but may take a month or two.

If your site makes clear why somebody would want to find it, you needn't worry about Google. It will do the rest.

   Nigel.

[KRC · Accepted solution]

Nigel,

Thanks.  You ought to write a manual on the subject for idiots.  I think I have a better grasp of things now.  Now I know Google will (eventually) find my site I don't have to ditch BT's service and go elsewhere, which would be a real inconvenience.  Being found by a web search is the major reason for having the site, in fact the site is useless otherwise.  I shall update with more pictures and perhaps rename some pages with additional, relevant words.  I have added the commas between keywords and included relevant keywords.

Have a good Christmas.

KRC