HomeAdditionPlus.com Monthly Newsletter

Home Improvement News for the DIY Homeowner

March 04, 2011            Edition: 0065

HomeAdditionPlus.com March 04, 2011 Newsletter

Google "Farm" Search Engine Update Killing Quality Websites

Last week Google updated its search engine algorithm to the detriment of many popular and successful websites including HomeAdditionplus.com. HomeAdditionPlus.com lost 25-30% of its traffic virtually overnight, while other folks like AsktheBuilder.com, and Ezinearticles.com have lost over 50% of their traffic. Hundreds of other quality websites have lost much more. The news was so negative that yesterday’s Wall Street Journal wrote two articles on this subject.

Google’s latest Search Engine Optimization (SEO) update is referred to in the industry as the “Farm” SEO update. Google has communicated that the main purpose of this update was to clean up the high number of giant content farm mills out on the internet that scrape, copy and put out hundreds and thousands of low value content webpages each day. I commend them for wanting to do this. Unfortunately, however, some of the same websites that use these tactics survived this SEO update, while other quality and long established websites got the shaft. See Google’s webmaster forum to see the hundreds of webmasters that have been filing complaints and pleading for reconsideration over the past few days. Companies are now laying off employees and online businesses are going bust all due to one company, Google. The true winners in this shuffle of the deck chairs appear to be the big companies such as Sears, Google Shopping division, Amazon, Ikea, HGTV, Britannica, Facebook, MarthStewart, etc. Unfortunately these sites are exclusively about selling you products rather than providing you with free information and answers that save you time and money. To that point, I ask for your help if you value the service and information provide to you at HomeAdditionPlus.com.

First, please visit the Google webpage (the URL listed above) and file your concerns with Google’s “Farm” SEO update. If you can mention HomeAdditionPlus.com as a website you value in your concern to them I would highly appreciate it.

Second, based upon the fact that Facebook was a bigger winner in this SEO update, I would ask that you visit any page on www.HomeAdditionPlus.com and click on the Facebook “Like Button” on the top right hand side of the page, or better yet go to the HomeAdditionPlus Facebook fanpage http://www.facebook.com/pages/HomeAdditionPlus/162646457095510 and click the Like button there. By clicking on the Facebook “Like button” you’ll keep abreast of the latest home improvement news and cost saving tips and ideas coming from HomeAdditionPlus.com, as it is published on the site.

Lastly, I would appreciate if you could forward this email on to your friends and family asking for them to do the same.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Installing Chair Rail

A couple of weeks ago my wife talked me into installing chair rail in our den. It came out great and only took a few hours to do. Granted I have the right tools, namely a miter saw and coping saw, and some practice installing it. So, I chose to film the project to encourage you to try this home improvement project and to give you a few pointers on how to install chair rail like the pros. See my new videos on “How to Install Chair Rail” and “How to Cope Cut Chair Rail” to learn more. I’ll also have a new Chair Rail Installation Ebook coming out soon on this project so stay tuned!
 

How to Install Backerboard around a Tub

A site visitor contacted me the other day with a dilemma on how to install backerboard around a new tub insert so that there was a smooth transition when installing ceramic tile. Having wall ceramic tile bow in around a bathtub or shower enclosure doesn’t have to happen. The tips in this article explain how to prevent this situation from happening. Check out my article on “How to Install Backer Board around a Tub” to learn more.
 

Making your Home Energy Efficient

Reducing your home’s energy consumption doesn’t need to cost a fortune. There are a number of inexpensive things you can do to dramatically make your home more energy efficient. Read my article titled “Six Inexpensive Tips for Making Your Home Energy Efficient” to learn more.
 

Termite Damage Repair

Termites can quickly destroy a home. It’s important to rid your home of these cellulose carnivores as soon as you see them or the results of their work. It’s also important to repair your home after exterminating them as they can easily have caused structural damage to your home. See my article on “Termite Damage Repair” to learn what should be repaired after a termite infestation.

Buying a Vacation Home

I was down visiting St Thomas Virgin Island last week and looked into buying a vacation home. Buying and owning a vacation home is fraught with danger and work, as well as costs. I already own one in the lakes region of New Hampshire, and can vouch from 11 years of personal experience. See my article on “Buying a Vacation Home” to learn what to watch out for and what to consider when contemplating buying your get-away home.

Asphalt Driveway Crack Fillers

This is the time of year, for you northern dwellers, where your asphalt driveway can become destroyed if you failed to fill in all of the asphalt driveway cracks in the fall. My “Asphalt Driveway Crack Fillers” article explains why this is the case and how and what to use to fill your driveway cracks when warmer weather finally hits.

Sign Up for HouseSight Today

HouseSight continues to grow in popularity. Many homeowners and builders have already signed up and are sharing their home improvement and remodeling experiences. Why not sign up today and begin sharing your your home improvement experiences. The more home improvement projects posted the more we can all help each other in sharing home improvement tips and ideas.

As always, if you have any specific home improvement questions or would like to see specific new home improvement related content send your questions to me at mark@homeadditionplus.com.

Again, good luck with your DIY home improvement projects and think baseball!

Mark J. Donovan

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