SEO

Harry Potter Chat was started May 1, 2004 using IPB.

Members: 6,120
Active Members: 259
Regulars: 7-8 / day
Most Online: ~10-15
PR: 3

Google 26,200
Yahoo 6,935
MSN 108
Alta Vista 6,930
AlltheWeb 6,890

SEO has never been good for the site, unless someone used the phrase "Harry Potter Chat" in Google and the site is number 1. Since this isn't very likely, we've relied on growing the forums through word of mouth or signatures in forums. If someone uses "Harry Potter" then the site is number 237 (not too likely to be found).

VBulletin was installed this past weekend, as well as VBSEO. Customization of the skin has been slow but hopefully this product will kick the site into a better SEO position and attract more muggles. We'll keep working on improving the look of the site (in the process of choosing colors). A few modifications have been made but we are hoping to get more functioning (e.g., the 123flashchat is not working with the database).

Hopefully this migration to vb and vbseo is worth the time and energy

__________________
Layne Heiny
Tux Reports Network

VBSEO Optimized
Technology Questions | Insane Politics | Harry Potter Chat

I have been following the Google page results for the tern "Harry Potter." I have never expected to be in the top 100 because the keywords are very competitive and there are so many HP fan sites. However, there has been movement that is interesting.

The Site Map was fixed June 13.

June 13: # 237 (same for about 2+ years)
June 14: # 223
June 15: # 187

June 22: #168

Yeah, I know no one goes that deep but the trend is holding. Traffic remains the same as prior to the installation but I am patient.

July 3, 2007: Google Webmaster Tools says for search term "Harry Potter" .. the site is number 116.

Nice change. Will it make it into the top 100? Amazing.