Please critique my mini-site

[metrisoft]

Ok, I have created a mini site targeting auto insurance in the Columbus, Ohio region. The site is www.auto-insurance-columbus.com.

Yes, I know the domain name isn't great (3 dashes) but I'm looking primarily for feedback on the mini site itself. It's basically a simple blog with AdSense. I'm getting almost no traffic or revenue. So, please critique my site with the following questions in mind:

1. How do I generate traffic? I have tried creating backlinks and doing SEO but I'm not getting the search engine placement yet? Is there a better way of getting free targeted traffic?

2. Is the site compelling to visitors (i.e. will they want to stay and read a bit)?

3. Is a blog the best thing for a keyword targeted mini-site or is there something better?

4. Is my AdSense placement decent?

5. Is there any other advice you can give me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Corey]

Only a couple of changes ...would turn the site around

The Google ad background colour could be the same colour as the site.
Print button not displaying
is the term Independent Blog & comments necessary?
maybe you could include some pictures
The Survey could at the top right.

Check out my insurance site and ddcam for an example.

Hope thats helped

Cheers
Corey

Good to see some development work

 

[firefly]

You spelled insurance wrong in your title tag

 

[Rich]

It's a real nice layout, I like it. Only 2 things I would change are the adsense background color on the sidebar to match background and add a new logo/header, maybe something with columbus? Try http://commenthunt.com for free backlinks. Good luck

 

[shockie]

colours are appropriate, but i think you need to fix the footer. all i see is a block of white and a slash "/" on the bottom left. whatever software you're using is also clogging up the minisite in general... not sure what you're using though.

 

[metrisoft]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm interested in more.

I am using an open-source content management system called DotNetNuke.

 

[netzilla]

The site is very clean..but maybe too clean. I agree blend the adsense ads to match the rest of the content. And speaking of content...you need a lot more (unique) content to keep a visitor interested otherwise they will bounce in just a few seconds. Keep working at it.

 

[metrisoft]

By unique content you mean that I should write it myself? What if I'm not an auto insurance expert? Where do I get more content?

And, is the only way to really get traffic to a site like this to build thousands of backlinks?

 

[Rich]

By unique content you mean that I should write it myself? What if I'm not an auto insurance expert? Where do I get more content?

And, is the only way to really get traffic to a site like this to build thousands of backlinks?

Yes, written by you, or use Markov's script(only free article rewriter i know off) http://scriptillusion.com/scripts/markov-chains/
You do not need thousands of backlinks as stated on this blog post http://www.jimboykin.com/site-backlinks/ quality over quantity IMO But the more the merrier right? I'd suggest contacting a manual directory submitter, there are plenty of members on this forum that offer URL submissions for a low cost.

 

[Ross]

I love the layout because it is extremely clean. Which is very important when running a minisite.

There are a couple things i would like to point out though. The adsense on the left side would look better if it blended with the background as said before and if it was centered in the sidebar.

A logo or a header might be something to look in to but it is not a must have thing in the situation of a mini site like this. Though there are some css tricks you can use to make the works look pretty cool without makes a header or logo.

The other thing that bugs me is there are no static pages. You should make 3-4 static pages on content relevent to the domain name. This will help your SEO a ton if done correctly. If you need content, hire someone here at namepros to write it for you. There are plenty of people here that would be willing to do it.

Good Luck!

 

[metrisoft]

Thanks for all the feedback. You guys are awesome! So, here is a summary:

1. Fix the typo in the page title (whoops ) - DONE
2. Fix the left adsense (i.e. colors, layout)
3. Move the survey to a more visible location
4. Add some additional pages with static content
5. Remove all of the print buttons
6. Change the banner/logo text to say "Auto Insurance Columbus" (the site name)
7. Fix the footer
8. Get quality (versus quantity) backlinks

Is there anything else I can do to drive traffic or should I just focus on content/quality backlinks?

I have about 10 or so mini-sites like this and none of them are getting much traffic even though the CTR is pretty good so I need to do something....

 

[Corey]

You could improve the Description and Keywords

<meta id="MetaDescription" name="DESCRIPTION" content="Auto Insurance Columbus - Independent Commentary, Links, and Blogs" /><meta id="MetaKeywords" name="KEYWORDS" content="Auto Insurance Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, OH"

Cheers
Corey

 

[barefoottech]

Knowing very little about minisites (200+) and insurance ones in particular (10)
I can only offer general advice.

1/ WAY More content. Unique is best, Articles from article sites are also good.
(Debates about duplicated content aside, plenty of other threads to discuss that. Google adsense DOES not OBJECT to duplicate articles)

2/ Grab some focus on what the site is actually trying to achieve.
Is it a Splog (Spam Blog) or a Monetised Minisite. Unless you have a Passion for DotNetPuke or Whatever it is called, lose it and redo site with either Wordpress (as BLOG) or Joomla! (as CMS). Both of those packages have more support, Add-ons, and general usage then DotNetPuke.

3/ Biggest factor , MARKETING. MARKETING is where most minisites fail.
You should not have to wonder why no traffic, It doesn't magically appear the minute your site is live. Promote, arrange links, promote on your signature lines, get another site to write a review (hint,Hint I do Paid reviews)

4/ Enjoy the experience of creating a minisite, and Quickly create another.

 

[metrisoft]

Well, I'd rather not switch out DotNet"Puke" at this point because I have a lot invested in it and it works well for me so I'll work on the other 3 recommendations. Here are some more questions:

1. What are the characteristics of a Monetized Minisite? (as opposed to a Splog)
2. What are some of the more popular add-ons that Joomla provides (i.e. surveys, events, etc)
3. Where do you recommend that I get articles?
4. Is there a less time consuming way to promote? Can you recommend some paid manual link submission services that can provide relevant, quality links for cheap?

Thanks so much. I love you guys!!!!

 

[barefoottech]

1. What are the characteristics of a Monetized Minisite? (as opposed to a Splog)
a monetised minisite is a normal small website with ppc or affiliate link ads
a splog is a blog that exists purely for advertising
and BLOGs are not minisites , and MINISITES are not blogs

2. What are some of the more popular add-ons that Joomla provides (i.e. surveys, events, etc)
joomlacode.org has more info

3. Where do you recommend that I get articles?
http://articlesite.info or http://isnare.com
4. Is there a less time consuming way to promote? Can you recommend some paid manual link submission services that can provide relevant, quality links for cheap?
http://linkworth.org for info about paid links