Should we post all of the pages at once, or just one page at a time?

I've seen that it is best to spend 3-6 months creating content filled pages. On the video tour of SiteSells, it was mentioned that at least 30 pages should be built before trying to monetize - I'm wondering how others have gotten to that level of content. How do you write content? Is there a best method, something I'll find out when I purchase my site or is everyone different?

BreLove

This one is so broad that you just have to use your own good judgment. Guidelines are helpful sometimes but even the 30 pages is a generality.

There are effective sites with one page (mostly selling pages) and there are others that require a lot more than 30. I have one site I have been working on for a long time that has more than 100 pages and I still need a few more to feel reasonable good about promoting it or working on monetization. I have another that I think will work well with about ten or twelve.

You should put it up as soon as you have enough for it to feel like a complete, if small, site. Just do not call it "under construction" or anything because that can hurt your rankings. But as soon as you feel what you have would not be looked at in a negative way put it up so you will begin to build a history. The longer your site is up the better for your search engine reputation.

Trust your judgment on this. You will make a good decision.

BTW, the primary reason for SBI's recommendation for 30 pages is that a lot of folks want to work on monetization long before having enough worthwhile content to be any good. You can put up your site with a minimum of content and then keep on developing content for as long as you want before working on these other things, like SEO and selling.

__________________
Good Success!

Douglas County Master Gardeners
"We don't always get what we want, but we always get what we expect."

Thanks especially for "under construction" suggestion and the "put it up as soon as you have enough for it feel like a complete, if small, site." I needed to break this down into chucks, on paper, and that helped a ton.

Another question, do you find it easier to work inside a template than on paper or on notepad? I think I'll be more motivate in a template. I have notes jot down on paper already - too much like writing a book. Cart before the horse kinda thing for me.

If you haven't noticed already, web work is very personalized. There are some basic principles, some are very important in fact, that everyone needs to pay attention to or risk some very significant consequences. But there is a lot that is more art than science and requires self confidence and personal choice based on personal taste or comfort.

There are many good examples. Some like to work with a WYSIWYG editor like Dreamweaver; others of us prefer a basic text editor (I use NoteTab Pro). In the case of your question, there are numerous possible answers and what works for one person is impossible for another. You have to understand your own mind and do what works best for you.

Some people are visual and can imagine their whole page, sketch it out on paper or in Photoshop (or my cheaper perference, Paint Shop Pro) and go from there. I have zero ability to do that so I start with the first element I think I want and code it up in my editor, then look at it in firefox. I may change colors or size or whatever a bit, then add something else. I could use a template and make adjustments from there but I never do. I end up making a lot of adjustments and changes but I will finally (for a while at least) get what I want.

My reasons for working this way is that I have to see it done before I have any idea whether it will work or not. I have a good sense of proportion and balance, etc., when I see it but not in my mind in advance. In short I am a photographer, not a painter.

All this is a long winded way of saying there is no correct answer to your question. Some people may think they have the best answer, but in truth it is the best answer for them. I would try different things whenever you think they would work better for you. You may pick up ideas from others. But in the end whatever works best for you is the best (for you).

__________________
Good Success!

Douglas County Master Gardeners
"We don't always get what we want, but we always get what we expect."

Even in that answer, you gave me more options and methods to think about.