Ok, I'm really nervous but I'm going to ask for a review anyway. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there aren't any typos.

www.vbsofok.com

Don't be nervous! I don't see a single typo, actually.
I'll note any suggestions and as with anything in this democratic, free internet community it's totally up to you to do what you like with them You can ignore me, too!

Just in terms of ranking in the search engine results - you'll want to use the word 'Virtual Assistant' everywhere in your site that you're now using 'VA' - or at least everywhere that you can wiithout being too redundant

Page titles - where they now say 'home' etc. they should say 'Virtual Business Services - Virtual Assistant' or something to that effect, at your preference - but use those keywords, a good set of viable keywords are already in your business name, take advantage of it!

I *love* that you have your smiling face on the 'about us' page - that is such a good move and adds an essential touch of personality to your website.

All in all I didn't see a single typo as I scanned your text, your pages are nicely formatted and the information is well presented...the only thing I would say is - you've got an incredible personality, it's the thing that makes you who you are and when clients contract with you they contract not *only* based on services offered, your experience, or rates, but based on how they feel about you as a person. I think it's always a good thing to let *more* of that come through in your business website with a bit more flair in the text, etc. Don't be afraid of erring on the side of casual - it won't happen - you've got a great professional foundation and glossing over the top with a bit more personality won't detract from that image at all. In fact, in my opinion it can only enhance it.

Your site is extremely professionally presented, which is superb - now in what ways can you make it a bit more *you*?

If you want, you can check out this conversation on this very topic

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Thank you for the great advice. That didn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

I have learned so much about web optimization in the past 2 months it's not even funny. I can't even count the number of hours I've spent setting up backlinks, applying to directories, etc. When I first started this whole process I really thought it was just as simple as "Build it and they will come". LOL Boy, was I wrong. Even after I think I have it figured out, I learn something new. These VA forums have been such a wealth of information.

I do agree with what you said about making the website "more me". It is really hard for me to do. Honestly, I feel my website is a little stuffy, very matter of fact, it doesn't really have any personality, (I know you didn't come right out and say it, but I did), I just don't know how to change it. I want it to be professional, but I want it to be appealing too.

To prove your point, I posted a sarcastic blog on my MySpace page and somebody read it and contacted me and said they thought I was funny and asked to be added to my friends list, and now I may be getting some work from them soon. You never know what will draw people to you.

I have a question about the page titles, if I change them now won't it break any links that I may have set up to them? I know that I have created a lot of links to the free software page. I added that page to draw traffic to the site, it's actually been working pretty good. It gives them a reason to keep coming back too. It's actually helped me out too, because I have them all listed in one place. LOL

'If you build it they will come' plagues alot of people at first but it's so great that you're spending the time to learn and develop that aspect of your business, it's an important part of your marketing habits and is good to continue with the linkbuilding, etc. regularly.

So you see, you found your proof in the MySpace post you made - people relate to *you* before the business 'stuff'! It can be hard to break out of what we think is 'supposed' to be professional, but with a little practice you can make that shift. I'd suggest playing around with one page of copy at a time, in a word doc - and either rewrite it completely (while you're in a great mood and feeling quite sure of your *self*) or edit the existing text to see where you can slip in a few more personal remarks and personality based anecdotes, etc.
One way to approach it is to write it as if it were a conversation with a good friend and then edit for web presentation.

I think the 'about us' page is a great place to start simply because it's less business-y and more just about who you are - this is a great place to tell more of your story than just your professional background - tell people something funny or personal about you. Just take your time and don't feel like you've got to have it figured out right away - it takes time to untrain all that staunch business persona we've been socialized to believe is what's required.

Also, look around at the big name shopping sites, blogs, etc. that you love best and note their use of color and style. The other thing I might suggest is if you do any creative writing of your own, go back to those pieces you really feel proud of and use them as inspiration.

As to the page titles - these actually don't have anything to do with links or the navigation of your site. If you look up at the top of this browswer window you'll notice it says 'Virtual Asssistant Forums' and whatever else relative to the topic on the page, this is something that can be added to a page using code (or in a template system there may be a field for this? If not, there certainly should be! Templates are great for getting a site out there but they don't always account for these things...).

So, your menu and the like would stay exactly as they are now, but your page titles (only in that top bar of the browser) would display as 'Virtual Business Services - Virtual Assistant' instead of 'Home', etc.

If you're not sure how to add page titles via your template system, check their FAQ or ask support if they have such a thing and if all else fails just let us know and we'll see if we can help you with that part

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

I re-worked the "About Us" page. Let me know what you think and don't hesitate to tell me if I ramble. I have a tendency to do that, but I tried not to.

I'm still working on the page titles. I tried changing them but it only allows a certain amount of letters and it was cutting off my words.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Rebecka, I love it! It tells me volumes more about you and in a very conversational way - hurrah for personality!!

Just a few suggestions:
"Even if you are not technologically advanced, you can work with a virtual assistant. Trust me, old dogs can learn new tricks... no one says they have to be fancy!"

I'm not clear on the 'fancy' part and the dog reference may turn some people off...
Maybe instead of this it could be something like:
"You don't have to be technologically advanced to work seamlessly with a virtual assistant. My experience in both the corporate and virtual worlds means you get the best of both, and can rely on me to help you make an easy transition from in-office assistance to virtual assistance."

"Its fun to take a big mess and re-work it into something organized and functional and it's rewarding to see the end result."
Maybe another word for 'big mess'? Maybe,
"I can take the very thing you've avoided doing because it's too big, too messy, too frustrating and rework it into something...."

I might also lengthen the sentence "I provide a conventional service in an unconventional way" so it continues on with a list of your certifications - as they're a bit farther down the page you don't want people to miss that part.

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

Thanks for the advice. I'll work on it some more.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

I realized my short reply may give off the wrong impression, so I'm revising it.

Tess,

I really appreciate your advice. You have a true talent for critiquing. Its a big help to have an extra set of eyes with these things. I've looked at that site so many times, everything just runs together and sometimes things just make more sense in my head than it does when I put it in writing. LOL

I've tried asking friends and family for advice but they are not much help at all. I think it's better to get a 3rd party "unbiased" opinion.

Thanks again!

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

LOL It's in the family job descrip to approve of everything immediately.
I think your new work on the site is so great and I love that it gives more insight into who you are as an individual!

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29

It looks great! Congrats, Rebecka!

__________________
Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

Hey there Rebecka. Been a while since we have interacted. Love your site! And the blog excerpt was charming! And I especially enjoy your comments here on the Forum.

It is so good to see everyone sharing and growing together. It is quite inspiring!

__________________
Delilah Smith
Caliber Virtual Services

Thank you Delilah, that's very sweet. I don't remember a blog excerpt, so I'll have to take your word for it. Years of insomnia has killed 90% of my memory cells. LOL

I think it's inspiring to talk to and learn from other VAs as well. Tess has put together a great forum. It's very laid back compared to some of the others.

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Oh, you were talking about the one I emailed you... right? Sorry, it comes in flashes. LOL I thought that was a good article too.

How's business? Have you officially started up yet?

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Originally Posted by Rebecka

I'm still working on the page titles. I tried changing them but it only allows a certain amount of letters and it was cutting off my words.

OK, I actually figured out what the page titles were and how to change them!! I know, I know, I'm a little slow... this is why I don't offer web design. I hate to admit it Tess, but when you suggested changing the page titles I thought you were talking about the little tabs you click on to change pages (I don't know what you web people call 'em). Then one day I was surfing the web and noticed the "page titles" at the top of the window and had a "duh" moment.

So, even though I feel like a dumba** I was really excited that I figured it out and had to share it. Oh, I also figured out how to add the Copyright stuff at the bottom. LOL Woohooo.. I'm on a roll!

__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

LOL It would have been more than OK to tell me that you didn't know what I meant...that was my mistake to have assumed that everyone knew what I was talking about (sorry! )

Congrats on progress and hooray for learning new things (even if it is by accident!)

__________________
Stuck in startup? Stop dreaming. Start DOING!
Get the Become a Virtual Assistant eBook for just $29