Psycho Client With Duplicate Pages on 45 URLS... HELP!

redturbo917 · 12-07-2003, 11:53 PM

Hi Everyone!

I have this new client that has created 45 different URLS with the same content as the original site. This client is aggressive and with the poor resulting rankings, he fired the old Webmaster.

Now... he wants to hire me and wants to know what to do with all of these sites. Although his rankings are poor... different customers are using and still buying from all of these sites!

So clearly we can't take the sites down. Does anyone think just rewording the copy on all of them will help his rankings on one or all of his sites?

I am in a panic...help!

I, Brian · 12-08-2003, 12:55 AM

Hi turbo917 -

I'm not quite sure of what you are exactly asking about. For example, when you talk about URLs, are you talking about pages or domains? Also, if he wants SEO, why has he hired you? How much SEO theory and practice are you familiar with? And what field area is he competing in? I'm just trying to get a clearer idea of what you are asking.

Anyway, whether it's sites or pages, rewording to target specific search terms would be very useful indeed - would make more sense than simply targeting the exact same keywords.

WilliamC · 12-08-2003, 05:43 AM

Question: Why not build a new site on a local machine until it is ready to go live, then upload it to one place and redirect all the other domains to that one?

That way all domains still work, and as long as the content is the same on all of them anyways, the customers will just think you redesigned the site.

pa · 12-08-2003, 02:34 PM

I agree with WilliamC, redirect all the domains to one site just make sure your copy content is optimized...

Fruit & Veg · 12-08-2003, 03:11 PM

Yeah, concentrate on one domain and forward all the other urls (via DNS) to the main site. Mini sites are a waste of time, especially if the sole reason for their existence is to gain extra rankings.

If the client doesn't like it, then don't work for him.

TanyaMartin · 12-09-2003, 06:00 AM

I think redturbo917 is saying that all the pages are on the same domain. I would adjust the target keywords & text on those pages to start.

tigermann · 12-09-2003, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Psycho Client

Be selective ... some clients will end up costing you money!

redturbo917 · 12-09-2003, 09:16 PM

I really appreciate everyones input regarding these 45 URLs/separate domains my client has.

Since he doe not want to remove the duplicate pages, I will bascially tell him he has to re-design the primary site with fresh content, different number of pages, etc., plus use organic SEO. This way on the next spider visit he will not be penalized for the duplicate pages.

The other 44 URLs? I will suggest that he slowly change the copy on each site. We may only do a few sites this way to see how the ranking improves.

I will post what happens!