Is my web Site optimized?

Your specific question was this:

"Is my site properly optimized to bring in new customer from generic web searches?"

The answer is No.

I will start with the easy stuff first.

1. Page Title. Here we go again!!!

Right now your title is David J Festa Carpentry.

Change to New Jersey Framing Contractor À David J Festa Carpentry

Ideally, you want a different, but descriptive page title for every page of your site. This helps all of your pages get indexed properly.

2. Page Names. I like how youève kept your file names directly tied to the content on said page. Google likes this too... :thumbup:

3. Links Page. Dont call it a links page. Call it construction-partners or something along those lines. Also there is no point in linking TO contractortalk, servicemagic, yahoo, msn or any of those other places.

Concentrate on exchanging links with other framing contractorsécustom builders from other states or service areas. CT is a good resource for this.

NOTHING will propel you through Google search faster than having highly targeted backlinks.

Good Luck!

Carl

Whatès Up with CT all my special characters like question mark, quotes etc... will not display correctly they work everywhere else....!

id="mKeywords" content="Home improvement, David J Festa Carpentry, Forked River,additions,ocean county, decks, framing contractor"><link
Maybe id="mKeywords" content="Forked River,Ocean County,New Jersey Home improvement, Carpentry, ,additions, decks, renovations, remodeling, framing contractor"><link for instance.

The word Yahoo is all over your page (in html). I think I'd dump those tags.

Hey David,
I think that your website has incredible potential for SEO. There are just a couple changes that I would make right away. The first one is that you have a ton of current jobs that you are working on (or have worked on) listed on the left column. I would remove these and place them on your Services webpage. Once those are removed from the left side, this will give room for your potential clients to see: Reviews, Services, About Us, Contact etc. I'm really glad to see that you have a testimonials section! That is very important.

So once those jobs are removed from the left menu structure and placed on the services tab... I would place the list of those jobs that you've completed close to the bottom of the webpage using SEO.... Here is an example:

Right below "Design your project before seeing an architect" and the image there.. I would say something like:
David J Festa Carpentry L.L.C., provides general and framing contracting service and Home improvement throughout the (list specific cities that you serve). Please take a minute to view the services that we've provided to our previous clients:

Second Floor Home Additions
Garage Additions
Arched Garage Additions
Front Porch Barrel Roof
Lavallette Condo
Garage Roof and Rafter Repair
Special Framing

Etc.

I would list out all of the different types of construction that you have done along with a link to it. So basically, you're making a webpage for each service that you provide. I know this may be quite a bit, but take your time and do it right.. it will pay off in the long run.
Once you have done this, I would go through each page and add a little more copy (text) near all of the images using all the text and keywords that you think that your potential clients will be using to search for your company.

Once you have done this I would create a site map so that google can find all of your pages efficiently.

One thing that's great is that you already have a ton of copy & testimonials, so it's just a matter of making the layout more user friendly and easy to navigate... One thing not to forget is your 100% Guarantee along with a "Free Design Consultation". Clients like the sound of that.. .it puts them at ease and makes them feel like you want to be more involved in the process rather than just throwing them a bid...

Wow.. that was a lot... let me know if you need any further help.

Oh... I saw that you are using yahoo... I would highly recommend using Joomla (a content management system). It's free and makes it easier to update your website!

Denver ty for the input, I have already painfully down loaded each page of my web site
I’m building three defined layouts’. I have been reading SEO web site books.
I don’t want to reconfigure my web site until I have completed the entire package
What I really need is someone to write up a small optimized summary of each page or job
I’m going to give the local vocational school kids a shot, or I may find a college student to write something up for me
Maybe even post something on CT

I’m going to give the local vocational school kids a shot, or I may find a college student to write something up for me
Maybe even post something on CT

Click to expand...

David... You've been given lots of great advice for your website in this thread and a few others. Are you SURE you want to trust a college student to write something up for you?

This is the written copy that is supposed to set you apart from the rest...

Remember: It's not about being the BEST it's about being perceived as the BEST and the written word is one of your most powerful persuasive tools.

Right now... Your ad copy is all about YOU and WE and DAVID J FESTA. That's not compelling copy by any stretch of the word. It's the same as everybody elses.

Talk about your customer... The words "I" "WE" and "David J Festa" should be avoided like the plague. Replace with sentences that use the word YOU or You'll or You're so you're continually relating back to your prospect.

Remember: Your customers aren't really looking for a Contractor. They are looking for an end result. They want a nicer home, bigger kitchen, nicer garage, a bathroom that will be the envy of their friends... You need to address those needs more.

You are NOT going to get compelling ad copy from some college kid unless of course he's the next Michel Fortin, Dan Kennedy or Gary Halbert. If you want to write persuasive copy... GOOGLE Those Names!

Carl

Carl ty for the input, I would not necessary keep the exact description; instead I’m just looking for a kick start that I can modify. Sure I could go to other framing contractor’s web sites and steal the wording, but that’s not me. My skills are with my hands not words.
Oh boy I’m setting myself up for an optimizer to jump in and say why it’s important to hire a professional

My skills are with my hands not words.
Oh boy I’m setting myself up for an optimizer to jump in and say why it’s important to hire a professional

Click to expand...

Yes David... Yes you are. But don't worry... I won't say it! :whistling

Carl

There is an old saying... You get what you pay for. You might want to shop around a bit. There are some very good quality designers at lower costs that can provide you what you are looking for. While a college student my sound like a bargain... find out where and how he plans to HOST your site? Virtually all the profesionals have relationships with hosting companies. If he doesn't have that, you may find yourself having to spend money on hosting, domain name registration etc.. as extras. Do you want to be bothered with all that??

Carl has a good service... there are others too out there like Rockbridge Designs who is working on my site at a very reasonable price and also specializes on sites for small business. They have a good deal if you are a contractor in NJ like me in that they will also provide a digital photography services locally!