11 replies to this topic

[GreenStalk]

I'm starting to work on a site I acquired that has been around since 2003 but it has not been touched (onpage or offpage) since 2005. At the time it was abandoned it ranked very well for 2 particular kw's according to the owner. All inbound links are the result of even link exchanges, I think there are about 500 of them. Right now the site does not rank well at all for these keywords, they are on the 10th page or so. Has anyone had any experience with a similar situation? Any tips?
Thank you.

-Linda

[SEOmagic]

I would first do a "site:YOURDOMAIN.com" search in Google to see what (if any) pages of this site are currently indexed. Then make a decision if you are going to keep the naming convention for these pages these same OR if you're going to create a new site structure. If you opt for a new naming structure be sure to 301 redirect relevant pages to their new locations.

Then treat this site like you would a new one; add content, revise title tags, create a solid internal linking structure, and keep building quality backlinks. From my experience you will be able to regain ranking in the search engines fairly quickly thanks to the age of the domain.

[incrediblehelp]

Linda not sure what you are asking. I am sure you had a vision on what you wanted to do with the website when you acquired it right? If so then move forward while implementing SEO.

[DannySantos]

I think you're basically in the situation where you are starting a new SEO campaign, regardless of the fact that it has already ranked well for those keywords. Of course, what this means is that you will have a head start in the way that the pages will most likely already be indexed, the site is established, it has backlinks already and the domain name is old (which I think Google puts some weight on)

[MakeMeTop]

If the "Whois" data has changed - Google is likely to treat the site as new and page rank could be demoted until new links are established. In my experience, if the new links are on the same theme as previously established links - then they will regain their full weight.

The rank loss may well be partially due to the fact that Google has picked up on the domain changing hands.

If the Whois data has not changed - then probably the fact the site has been pretty static for years means that other sites have gained in stature and "authority" over the same period - increasing their rankings and depressing yours.

[GreenStalk]

Linda not sure what you are asking. I am sure you had a vision on what you wanted to do with the website when you acquired it right? If so then move forward while implementing SEO.

Yes, I had a vision that I am working toward. What I was asking was if anyone had any tips on SEOing a site that was abandoned. My thought was there could be some valuable tips from someone that has ranked an old site that once ranked well.

Thanks for the information from the other posters. The keywords were already on page 10+ when I bought the site so they did not drop due to the domain changing hands though that probably didn't help any either.

[incrediblehelp]

I would think if anything you have a head start compared to a new website. Just make sure you optimize as normal and make sure if changes are made they 301 redirect to your new locations.

[webslinger]

the domain name is old (which I think Google puts some weight on)

They most certainly do Danny.

Linda as mentioned before I would treat the site as though it has not received any SEO. Do your keyword research and then go about making changes. As the site has ben established with Google before i would move at a steady pace and gauge results with each Google update.

[chrishirst]

They most certainly do Danny.

Ok then, seeing how you are totally convinced!

What's the age of a website?
Is it:

The date of registration?
The date of the last Whois update?
The date it first went on-line?
The date it got it's first link?
The date any search engine first found it?
Or something else?

bearing in mind of course that search engines don't list websites, they list webpages

[lenwood]

What a great question. I would think that it would have to be a combination of these things.

[tannerc]

What's the age of a website?

I would imagine that the age of a website is determined by the date the domain was registered. It's logical.

[Scottie]

My feeling has always been that it's the date Google first found the site and indexed it. Or possibly the date it decided to "trust" the site.

If it's been in G's index all this time, you definitely have a strong start. If it's fallen out of the index, I'd say it's no different than any other new site.

Whether it's considered new or old is really irrelevant- you are going to work with it the same way, right? There aren't any magical SEO incantations for old sites vs new- it's a bonus if you already have some time on the clock with the site.