Question about website layout and google

Discussion in 'Indie Basics' started by DanCon, Mar 27, 2005.

  1. DanCon

    Original Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2005
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Hi Everyone and Happy Easter

    We are beginning to get some exposure for our game and it has been picked up by a few sites. The problem is, when people do a google search for the game, Telltale Texas Hold Em, our site is not in the search results at all. Gamespy is first and then a few other sites, but our page doesn't come up.

    The download and purchase pages are links off of our homepage. What are we missing?


    Thanks In Advance
    Dan

    telltalegames.com
     
  2. Jonas

    Indie Author

    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2004
    Messages:
    96
    Likes Received:
    0
  3. SunAndGames

    Original Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2004
    Messages:
    59
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dan,

    Part of the problem, is that not all of your site pages are indexed into Googles database. Your main page isn't for sure. You can see that there is no cache for your main page. Your main products page is also not cached, and neither is the texas hold em game page. If Google dosen't have them indexed, there's no way anyone will hit on them with a search query.

    Having only one paramater in a URL shouldn't be a problem. If you go with 3 or more, than you could be causing Googles spiders grief. Although having the actual game name in the URL as Jonas suggests should help the page rank higher for that games name. Putting dashes in between the words can help even more http://www.telltalegames.com/telltale-Texas-hold-em/

    You may want to read up on some SEO techniques for your games name. It's currently not even ranked in the top 1000 by Google. You can see that for yourself here The Ultimate Seo Tool is also kinda cool to see how keywords are working for your page.
     
  4. Savant

    Original Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2005
    Messages:
    1,674
    Likes Received:
    0
    As a side note, this seems really bad as well. I clicked your "Buy" link from within FireFox and was presented with:

    "Activition of your game requires that you use Microsoft's Internet Explorer as your browser during the purchase process. We sincerely apologize for this inconvience and can assure you that we are working towards supporting all browsers in the near future."

    Sorry, I'm not starting up another browser and navigating to your page all over again. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

    Why not use a standard payment processor like Plimus or Share-it?
     
  5. DanCon

    Original Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2005
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Savant, a good question that requires a long and stupidly complicated answer.

    Texas Hold em is definitely our trial run to make sure we can launch our next title successfully, with as many issues resolved as possible, the first of which will be better purchase support.

    SunandGames and Jonas thank you for your valuable feedback


    Dan
     
  6. Sillysoft

    Indie Author

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2004
    Messages:
    831
    Likes Received:
    0
    Put the words "Telltale Texas Hold 'Em" into the title tag of the relevant page. Google puts a lot of weight on the title to determine what a page is about.
     
  7. mot

    mot
    Indie Author

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2004
    Messages:
    439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Also change the keywords in the HTML header. "gaming industry" isn't what you need people to find you by, instead add "poker game" and the name of your game.
     

Share This Page

  • About Indie Gamer

    When the original Dexterity Forums closed in 2004, Indie Gamer was born and a diverse community has grown out of a passion for creating great games. Here you will find over 10 years of in-depth discussion on game design, the business of game development, and marketing/sales. Indie Gamer also provides a friendly place to meet up with other Developers, Artists, Composers and Writers.
  • Buy us a beer!

    Indie Gamer is delicately held together by a single poor bastard who thankfully gets help from various community volunteers. If you frequent this site or have found value in something you've learned here, help keep the site running by donating a few dollars (for beer of course)!

    Sure, I'll Buy You a Beer