7 replies to this topic

[Acrossnz]

I am thinking about posting my site now rather than wait until it's totally finished. We will be adding content over the next couple of months, but I though it might be a good idea to get it on Google ASAP. Is this a really bad idea?

[noel_x99]

I wouldn't recommend putting up something that says "under construction" or that looks unfinished. If it's a reasonable site that stands on it's own, then I'd put it up. Without seeing your site...it's hard to say if this is what you have right now.

Continually adding content is good. But how will you know when you are "done"? It's never really going to be done - there will always be additions and improvements you can make.

You should know when your site is something you want other people to see - when it provides good, useful information. If it does that, then I'd publish it. If it looks choppy and unfinished...make it a priority to do the things you need to do to make it good enough to put out there.

[Acrossnz]

Thanks Noel,

Yeah, we have about half of the info up, but there are still a lot of pages that have no text. This part does not bother me too much, but when Google indexes the site will the ranking that it gets be worse than posting it when all the content has been added?

The pages that have text have been optimized, especially the home page.

Cheers

[Randy]

I typically try to wait until the pages I'll be linking to are essentially done before letting the spiders or people in. Or if they're not totally done yet I wait until I'm within a week of completion.

You'd be surprised how many people can find a site even when it's brand new. And like they say you only get to make one first impression.

That said, if you're talking about hundreds of pages and you have 50 finished, where they're not linking to pages that aren't yet finished, I see no problem with making that available to get the ball rolling.

[Acrossnz]

It will only be around 40 pages and we are about 20 into it. We are looking to get most of our enquiries through the yellow pages, soI think we will make it so we just post it and add the content as soon as possible.

[noel_x99]

If at all possible, I'd hide the 20 that don't have content. Make a copy of your site. Take that copy and elminate the pages you don't have content for. Put that version up. Then go back to the original and continue your work. Once you have all the pages done, then replace the 20 page version you have.

If you "cant'" get rid of those pages because the other 20 won't make sense without them...then I'd say wait till you have enough content that it will stand on its own.

Just keep in mind you can have a mini-copy out there while you finish a full copy.

---BTW - I'm not thinking of what Google will do...I'm thinking of users that get to your site...you don't want them seeing 20 empty pages on a 40 page site.

[maleman]

Good idea or should I have patience?

Have patience! Don't jump the gun.

Get it done and proof-read it and make sure everything is correct, then put it up. Get it right the first time if possible. After you bring it live, check it again right away and make sure everything's right.

[1dmf]

never rush to release a site, those inital vistors could turn into regulars, but they won't if your site isn't finished or has bugs / errors such as Javascript errors or 404 error pages.

If you want to put the site up in stages that's fine, but it's better to not have a menu option until the relevant landing pages are ready to roll.

many sites by nature will organically grow over time, as new content is added , or new features introduced, so don't think you have to add all your great ideas or every page in one hit.

Just make sure what you have, works, and of itself is complete