Question
I've only had my website for a few weeks, so I don't expect massive traffic or anything like that. But there is something I'm wondering about.
When you're trying to attract traffic to your website, or traffic to your message forum, would it be beneficial to provide a greater variety of message venues?
Right now I'm using a phpBB board for my message forum that is hosted at my website.
My blog isn't related to my website, or anything specific for that matter, although I have links to my website and message forums on it. However, would it be beneficial to create another blog that is "website specific"?
Would it be beneficial to create a Google Group that is "website specific"?
There are some message board formats that I'm more comfortable with than others. So I figure others feel the same way. Some people might be avid bloggers and very seldom look at a traditional message board. Others might be avid "Googlers" and spend most of their time searching Google Groups for their interests.
Is there any merit in this thought of trying to capture different audiences?
Answer
I'm not sure I can answer your question because I haven't had a interest in having a forum on my websites. I can say for sure I believe in blogs. I started one back in June and for my main keyword it outranks my 5 year old website. I get most of the hits from MSN. It seems MSN loves blogs. It is a great way to get good text links back to your website.
Mike
Answer
MSN loves everything.
MSN has the most links for my blog, website, and community forums. Yahoo is a distant second, with Google coming in last. Within days, both MSN and Yahoo had my website indexed, while it took Google a full 2 weeks.
I'm also learning what you have referred to: that one link feeds another.
I would very much like my website community forum to work. Right now, I'm making most of the posts, which I don't mind at this point. I would definitely like to get more posters there in future, which is why I'm considering providing more/alternate options - to get a bigger audience and to capture people who might prefer one format over another.
Answer
Google has always been the "tough nut to crack". That is why I say over and over it takes time and when I say that I mean months and months. You can get indexed real fast but to crack the SERPS (search results) really takes a lot of work and time.
Mike