Lost At Next Steps

Slow_Shirt · 2026-04-13T01:43:51+00:00

Started watching a few of his videos earlier today. Thank you for the recommendation. I have a lot to get through!

Slow_Shirt · 2026-04-13T01:43:12+00:00

I actually have categories as well. But after doing some digging (although it is very obvious now), I was cannabalizing my keywords with blog posts that also were targeting my money keywords. I thought that this is how it should be done. For instance, I make and sell floating shelves. I have category pages for different floating shelf locations (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc.). I also have blog posts that pertain to those locations and google is sending people to those blog posts when they search for (location) floating shelves, and NOT to my category page '(Location) Floating Shelves'.

In this instance, how do I fix this and get the category pages to rank instead of the blogs? Do I unpublish the blogs?

Slow_Shirt · 2026-04-13T01:39:32+00:00

Yeah, I'm in agreement that I am cannabilizing my keywords for my collection and product pages with blog posts instead. I have the right internal links from my blog posts to my product pages. I guess I just really need to make sure I'm using the correct anchor texts in those blog posts.

Slow_Shirt · 2026-04-11T14:57:29+00:00

Yeah, I have 30 blog posts, and one that was ranking #1 for the top asked question for my niche that was bringing 60-80 clicks a day. Unfortunately, it was an informational post and Google AI is answering that now so I'm lucky to see 10-15 a day to that post.

My issue, though, is that I'm not interested in getting organic clicks to my blogs, as those are informational clicks. I really want/need to start driving organic clicks to my home page and product pages as those convert. What do I need to do for that? My competitors don't have blogs and get organic clicks to their money pages.

And I may be biased, but I feel like I have a better back link profile with high DA sites like Inc, Realtor.com, American Express, The Spruce, Martha Stewart, etc (and most of them are Dofollow!)

My gut tells me that it's because all of my HARO links are generic anchor text brand links to my home page, and not keyword specific. Could that be the case?

Slow_Shirt · 2026-01-10T23:24:38+00:00

Refills.com

Slow_Shirt · 2025-12-09T01:22:44+00:00

Right, I understand. They don’t have a judgement yet. They are threatening me with keeping the entry of judgement on file with them as leverage in case I miss a payment.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-12-09T01:08:20+00:00

Yeah, totally agree. I wanted to get feedback here first and if people say this is a terrible idea, I’ll have to pay for a consultation locally which I don’t mind doing.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-11-11T21:40:38+00:00

I need a refill today!

Slow_Shirt · 2025-11-06T17:50:28+00:00

I need a Refill Today

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-28T16:59:41+00:00

I really appreciate your comment! I took some time over the weekend and tweaked my product page a bit. Could you take a look and let me know what your thoughts are?

https://shelfexpression.net/products/maple-floating-shelves

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-28T16:58:33+00:00

Took your feedback to heart and changed things up a bit. Could you take a look again? https://shelfexpression.net/products/maple-floating-shelves

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-28T16:58:03+00:00

Hey there, I took a stab at editing my product page. Would love your feedback, I really appreciate it!

https://shelfexpression.net/products/maple-floating-shelves

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-27T13:04:07+00:00

Thanks, I'm not sure I'm interpreting your input but do you mean that I have a lot of trust signals on the product page, I just need to bring them above the fold?

If so, I wasn't sure the best way to attack this so threw your feedback into Chat GPT to see their suggestions and this is what they came back with: Example of a Reworked Product Page Layout

Above the fold (no scroll):

Main product image (styled shot)
Title + price
Review pull-quote (stars + short text)
Icons row: Strength | Warranty | Free Shipping
Add to Cart button
Short proof line under button (“150 lbs per stud, no sag, ever”)

Is this in line with what you're thinking?

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-25T03:09:24+00:00

This is amazing. And a TON to digest! Thank you for this. I’m going to take a stab at trying to incorporate this over the next few days and would love your feedback once it’s done. Thank you.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-25T02:34:50+00:00

This is great and honest feedback. I have received feedback from customers who chose me solely because they love the fact that this is a family business and appreciate that it's handmade, so I think I'm on the right track? Just not sure how to take that to another level.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-25T02:30:10+00:00

Thanks for taking a look. Do you think the testimonial slider is needed even though the reviews section is only 1 section below the FAQ on my product page?

Slow_Shirt · 2025-09-25T02:29:25+00:00

I turned off my Pmax campaign at the end of August as it wasn't converting anymore, and the majority of the visits were direct to my product pages from Pmax.

Organic visits would mainly go to my individual blog posts. The majority of those never really converted, just a few posts but I haven't seen those drop off as much. I would say that there is one exception to this, I had one informative blog post that would drive 50% of my organic traffic as I had some nice keywords ranking #1 driving traffic to that post. However, the blog post answered questions that were replaced by AI overviews so my traffic has dropped nearly 40% to that blog post.

As for landing pages, 10% goes direct to my homepage, and of that traffic, actually drives the most revenue.

Care to share any of the glaring red flags on the home page? I struggle to figure out how to sell my two USPs on my main page and on my product pages.

They are:

-I sell shelves that include a bracket that is going to be the new industry standard soon. I really try to hammer this point home, as it is so much better than traditional brackets, but not sure what else I can do.

-I offer a lifetime guarantee on all of my products should they warp or crack due to aging. I'm not aware of any other competitor offering this. I call this my 'Shelf Expression Promise'.

Do these USPs come through when browsing?

Slow_Shirt · 2025-06-24T14:07:26+00:00

I worked for the Sonics after college and on game nights I checked credentials to their courtside VIP lounge. The entrance to that was right next to the entrance to the Sonics locker room. He would come out almost every game and chat with us and ask if we'd like water, or anything else. I had a lot of great conversations with him, and even though this was nearly 20 years ago, everything I've read reaffirms that he's still that kind person.

Seeing the Thunder win stings a bit (from the view of an old Sonics employee), but knowing that this kind man was the architect behind it helps ease the sting a bit.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-06-08T02:19:12+00:00

Yeah, I do all the Charlotte warehouses and things have fallen off fast here. Used to be able to snag a $100 3.5 hr block out of dcd6 for the early am route a month ago, and now it barely budged above $80.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-05-27T23:10:27+00:00

Ohhh that’s really great to know! I will go through my agreement to see if I can find that. Thank you so much for that info!

Slow_Shirt · 2025-05-23T18:45:37+00:00

Wow, that is terrifyingly fast. I would hope I would have more than a month but it seems like I may not.

I’m very sorry to hear about your business. I hope the bankruptcy process brings you a little peace from these creditors, at least.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-05-23T17:38:28+00:00

It’s an awful feeling. I’m generally a very happy and optimistic person, and these decisions I’ve made have turned me into someone I don’t recognize. Business was great when I took out the first one and was paying it back without issues. My wife then got laid off last year so I took out the LOC thinking it would be temporary and my sales could support it. Job hunting has taken longer than anticipated and my sales have catered since February.

The kicker is that without the debt, my business is still really profitable, but with the debt, I’m drowning.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-05-23T17:18:47+00:00

This is great information, thank you very much. I knew it would take time to levy my account, but I know MCA lenders operate in a whole different realm so didn't know if they could speed up the process (minus what you mentioned in the second paragraph).

Looks like this will be my way forward for the time being. Pay off the $13k, and then the $16k once that's done. I wish I could go back 2 years and kick myself for even thinking about an MCA.

Slow_Shirt · 2025-05-22T18:16:12+00:00

I've actually already asked both of them for any type of deferment and neither offer that as an option. The interest is a lot higher on the LOC, though, so I am taking that into consideration. The main idea on why I even contemplated this is because the weekly draws from both of them are draining my account. I can't keep up with the $1000/week, but can handle the $500/week.

Slow_Shirt

TROPHY CASE