Everything that needs to be done.

Alright, I have 2 mid sized forums relatively similar content that compete against eachother (long story).

Now, with one forum for specific keywords, I rank first in google. What I want to do is install VBSEO on the other forum to try to get close to or surpass it.

So what I would like to know, is what exactly needs to be done than just getting vbseo and installing it. I saw stuff like google and yahoo sitemaps, etc. What steps need to be done to have this done properly without missing steps?

I will be a perfect candidate for vb4 vs vbseo as I'm going after the same search terms in google to rank higher. I will install vb4 on the first forum (ranked first in google) and leave vbseo with the second forum and see what happens.

Thanks for your time.

Some of the suggested getting started steps are:

• Install vBSEO
• Install our sitemap plugin
• Review these two guides for common tips:
  
  • Your Site Review - Stuff to Do First
  • Briansol's Ultimate Guide to vBSEO
  • Add as many tweaks as you can.
• Submit a critique request
  
  • vBulletin SEO Discussion - Critique Please at vBSEO.com
  • Adjust based on tips given in your evaluation.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Note: vBSEO is going to be fully compatible with vB4, and will still be required as the premium SEO solution. In fact, we'll be joining several others on the vB4 alpha pre-release, which will allow us to both test and provide feedback regarding vB4, as well as make any required upgrades to vBSEO for compatibility. vB4 will contain only basic features. It's primary focus will be on a new template design and a CMS (Content Management System).

Thanks.

One last question. What does the installation procedure entail? Is it just an addon uploaded via admin cp (a .xml file) or will I have to do a lot of php file editing?


Also I just moved my forum to a new domain/host with no redirect. Will this cause any problems?

If you moved to a new domain without doing a redirect, that is not a good idea. Is the old account still available so that you can add a simple 301 redirect, sending Google and the other SEs to the new site?

Installation procedure requires some file uploads and adding of the product file in vBulletin's CP. However, there are not file edits except for a tiny change to the htaccess file.

Here is the 3.3.0 GOLD readme file which contains both install and upgrade instructions:
vBSEO 3.3.0 Readme File

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

I don't have access to the old domain. Long story there. But I will be reindexed without penalty right?

vBSEO will accelerate your re-indexing. However, Google will basically consider the new domain to be a new site.

When Googlebot checks the old site's URLs, it will drop them from the index. It won't find the location on the new site.

The ideal situation would be to have the old site redirected. However, if it's not possible, at least you have vBSEO + our sitemap working in your favor.

It's not a penalty specifically. It is just that you will not benefit from the old site's indexed pages or links.

Thanks for all your help Joe. You'll be having a new customer soon

Sounds great! Welcome to the team.

Well it's official, just bought it

Let's see what this baby can do.

Welcome to the team CBB!