Judith Greathouse Success Story

image:Judith Greathouse Success Story - Judith Greathouse Photo.jpg

Judith E. Greathouse, Ph.D., is a designer of “functional” jewelry, and a MesArt artist. She owns and operates Stretchies by Judith Functional Jewelry, a website powered by MesArt. Judith has become one of our best selling artists, who is getting new orders on a weekly basis. We asked her if she can share some advice with other MesArt members about her achieving such levels of success in promoting her website and art business, and she kindly agreed.

"When I started putting my web site together, I went to selfpromotion.com. It is an old site, put together when people who wanted web sites had to use markup language. I merely used his advice in putting in my text.

I also did research on Search Engine Optimization (SEO). While I didn't understand all the nuances of their technical language, what I gleaned was to maximize the use of the title of your web site and to use keywords in context, not spamming the sentences.

I don't know if you are aware that 'functional jewelry' was added to the title of my home page because I learned that the weight given in search engines skews mostly by the title that is used.

After the change, I went from about the 7th page on a Google search return for 'functional jewelry' to consistently #1. Yahoo has me at about #5 (and to get any higher I'd have to pay $299 per year) and MSN or Bing return me on the first page as well."

"After reading your site promotion tips, I found that I have done all of these. There were five thoughts I had that I didn't see listed:

1) The weight of the title of your home page. I discussed this above.

2) I designed a rear windshield vinyl film for my SUV with my web site address. I don't know whether or not this has bumped my direct traffic from less than 20% to almost 25% or not.

3) I joined a fine arts association miles away from my home location because it is prestigious, moneyed people live in that area and the University of Florida has museums which feature artists' work. I am now carried in two prestigious art galleries in that city. (And, I link every site that carries my jewelry to my web page.)

4) I access Google Analytics through your site often to see where my hits are coming from. I try to maximize the info I glean from that site such as landing page and the search requests.

5) I utilize the keyword opportunities you provide in three ways: A) In the header of a collection, B) In the footer of a collection, C) Within each individual item I upload. This is, I think, the major reason, besides the title of my home page, that brings people to my site.

I know you are aware that I have been featured in 3 articles and I'm always plugging for more. This has been a tremendous help to me.

Thank you for considering my ideas. It is a huge compliment to the work I have put into my web site. If someone wants to be a successful seller from their web site, your service is a great way to do so. You have always considered my suggestions and keep improving your product. But, the artists have to do serious work, especially with the text they enter."

Judith E. Greathouse, Ph.D.
Stretchies by Judith Functional Jewelry
StretchiesByJudith.com