Need some honest advice

sanhal · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 06:19 AM

I built and launched this site last July with some coaching. I changed coaches after the first few lessons because the first one was very hesitant with answers and I am not sure I was getting good advice.

I don't particularly like the header but it was the only one they had that was suitable. I think I could get one made up or designed but that meant more money.

The terms were that I used their site builder and hosting. The monthly hosting fees are expensive considering the fact that I am not making sales.

There are some restrictions with the builder that I did not realize at the time. I cannot get access to the complete source code. I cannot put a third party script on it such as one needed for a reciprocal linking tool.

Google analytics tell me that my traffic was only 499 last month with a 76% bounce rate. I am looking to rewrite my home page. I probably need to do more to drive traffic.

I have recently added the sign up box and the free report but have had no sign ups.

I am trying to decide :

1 If it is worth continuing with it with improvements you knowledgeable lot suggest.
2. If I should transfer the site to XSite Pro that I already use for another site and my current host which is much cheaper. The domain name was registered through them and to them so I don't know what happens if I want to move it.

So come on give it to me straight. I will appreciate all comments good or bad.

The site is http:www.alternativehealingpower.com

Thanks

Sandy

James · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 10:08 AM

Sandy,

You raise a lot of questions. You are showing a lot of good sense in doing so and seeking advice. In time you will get it all worked out, but you need some patience and persistence. I may be able to make a few suggestions later but will give only one now.

Decide now not to make another decision that puts you into the control of another party--never. I think you see the point of it already from what you wrote in your question, but really reinforce it in your thinking. If you don't have clear ownership of your own domain name it could be a real problem, for example.

When I did my graduate work one of the first things I noticed was that everything in the doctoral thesis became property off the school! I wrote a short book that was used in my program and before the thesis was submitted I was asked to include the entire book as part of the graduate program. I had anticipated the potential although it had never come up before so I had copywrited it already through a business name that I personally set up for that purpose. Consequently I was able to market my book afterward and I still have new plans for it a little later in a new context.

You don't have to put yourself at the mercy of people who don't have your interests at heart. Think ahead and don't do it.

Frankly, I would find a way to get the domain name transferred or quietly get a new one and notify everyone on any mailing list, then on the domain name you have put a big post saying please go to "newname.com" because the current domain name will no longer be used after a certain date. Keep the site up for a while depending on how much you want to spend. If you are lucky you may get to keep your name, but personally (it's just what I would do) I would not devote a lot of my future to a project that could be yanked out from under me at any time.

But remember, the domain name is just one issue. You don't want to accept any arrangement that prohibits your freedom to act in your own best interests.

Good success!

James

MikeD · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 12:28 PM

I would let go of the extra expense. If you’re not getting anything out of the coaching then it’s probably best to end the relationship entirely so you can move forward.

Yes it’s worth it to keep moving forward and the money you’re not spending for a couple of month can go toward outsourcing what you don’t know how to do.

Check the terms again and see what’s yours and what’s theirs. I don’t believe they own your content and that the important part. I too got into this via a coaching program but I’m happy with the price and the guidance is good…I learned more thru trial and error (a lot of error) and places like this forum tho

As far as moving to another host it’s doable. I’ve done it so if you have specific questions I can answer them.

I don’t know how the site builder works or if it locks you in to the host. Is the builder proprietary and can you just download the site and upload it elsewhere without the builder on the new host. This is the first question to answer.

If you can’t them you have to grab all of your content and build another site. Not so bad as you think since you’ve already done it. I don’t know what Xsite Pro is but if it’s a builder and your comfortable with it…marvelous.

If you’re going to move to a new host you need to do a few things in ORDER

Back up the site to your hard drive.
Archive any mail if you have mail accounts
Create an ADD-ON domain at the new host which is the SAME as the one you’re using.
Create the SAME mail accounts on the new host
Upload the site OR BUILD the new site there
Change the DNS: They shouldn’t own the domain and it shouldn't be "locked" to a particular host. Check to see if there is something wacky in the terms. Wherever you registered your domain is a place to MANAGE YOUR ACCOUNT. From there you should see a section to Manage Domain Names…or something like that. All you have to do is change the DNS to point to the new host.
Give the coaching program their walking papers
DONE

Chances are they've simply rebranded a Registrar and have branded a dedicated server for their clients at a major hosting company. So it's probably not as bad as you think but still check the terms of the coaching program.

That’s basically it. It gets more complicated if your site is dependent on other stuff like databases or scripts that are proprietary to the site builder they came from.

Good Luck

--Mike

redstone · #4 (**permalink**) 02-07-2008, 09:11 PM

I am no Expert like the posters above me.
think it is a nice site easy to find your way around

I did some reading a while ago about how Epson salt lowers your blood pressure taking a hot bath with it.
something about the magnesium relieves stress, that studies were done on it
when someone takes a bath with Epson salt it replenishes the body with magnesium, it gets absorbed into the skin.
also it improves sleep and helps muscles and nerves to work better, also asthma, anxiety.
it does a lot more then that.

well that's a good site you have there just adding my 2 cents worth here..

sanhal · #5 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 02:54 PM

Thanks for the replies to my questions about my site www.alternativehealingpower.com

I have just discovered that my blog created on blogger comes up on page 4 of Google for a search on the keywords Natural Health Remedies.

I have read some ebooks about monetising blogs and how much easier it is to rank with blogs created with blogger. So I am wondering if if might be an idea to pull the plug on my website for the reasons given in my previous post and transfer the articles to my blog and try to monetise it and get traffic to it.

Can you give me some pros and cons on this please?

Sandy

lisa · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 04:51 PM

That's great sanhal. Over time you'll start to see more rankings as you continue to post.

I have also noticed that my blog posts tend to get ranked much faster than my site. For two reasons: 1) SE's like blogs because the content is generally updated more frequently 2) Wordpress has a sitemap plugin that creates, updates and submits my sitemap with each post.

I think it depends on the long-term goals for your site. The nice thing about having a website is you have more flexibility for enhancements (adding chat rooms, shopping carts, and other functionality, etc.)

However if this is not something you plan to use and you just want to write content, then having a blog may be all you need.

I tend to use my site for more involved and through content/tutorials and use my blog for quick posts and tidbits (sort of like a journal).

But if you plan on putting the same content on your blog and website then you might as well choose one platform and stick with that instead of maintaining both.

James · #7 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 10:32 PM

Just a question in response,Lisa. Do you really think your blog would have the attention and respect it does if you didn't have the site and its reputation behind it? There are innumerable people with opinions on anything and everything. It would seem to me that you have to establish yourself somewhere somehow before getting far with most blogs.

Good success!

James

lisa · #8 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 10:57 PM

I definitely think my main site helped my blog tremendously but there are many people who do quite well without building websites. If you really learn how to work the social networking sites, are creative and can find a good niche, you can fair just fine with your blog by itself.

Mikey of pbreak.org is a great example. His blog was only 2-3 months old when he started getting 400-800 visits per day and he had no site.

I've also met a lot of people on problogger.net who only have blogs and some make $50,000+ per year blogging.... again no website.

So I definitely think establishing your presence with a website helps but that's not to say you can't find success with a blog by itself. Either way it's going to be a lot of work and it's all about establishing yourself as the expert in whatever niche you choose.

Also keep in mind, if you produce good content and gain the respect of your audience, it doesn't matter whether your platform is a site or a blog. You don't necessarily need a website to gain respect.

I used to be a little skeptical about starting off with a blog until I started doing more of it and learning from other bloggers. If someone had asked me that questions 6 months ago I probably would have said "Never start with a blog." But I have definitely changed my tune over the past few months now that I'm into blogging more and have surrounded myself with other bloggers who are doing well. I definitely have a new respect for it.

James · #9 (**permalink**) 02-14-2008, 11:18 PM

Thanks, Lisa. Very interesting. More food for thought. Munch. Munch.

Good Success!

James

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