Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

There are millions and millions of web sites. How is anybody ever going to find yours?

There are millions and millions of web sites. How is anybody ever going to find yours?

Needless to say, things have really changed a lot; search engines are now indispensible as the way to pinpoint exactly what you're after when searching the web. The development of "local search" has now made it easy to find goods and services right in our own neighbourhoods-who needs a tree trimmer if he's in Nebraska and you're 3,000 miles away?

A high "search ranking" is the all-important Holy Grail-you want your site to appear on the first page listing that comes up when someone searches for what you offer, and the higher up the page the better.

So how's your site do in the search rankings? Search Google, Yahoo or MSN for what you're offering, in the area where you do business, e.g. if you're a plumber, key in "plumbing (your town name)" and see if your site appears in the listings. If it does, and you're on the first page high up, congrats! If not, let's see why.
Rankings in search engine directories depend on a few things like "keywords", popularity and unique content. Keywords are words, and phrases, that are probably the very words people will key in when searching in a search engine, so if you're a plumber, keywords like "plumbing, plumber, leak repairs" etc. will be necessary to add into your page code-even better if these same words are actually used in the page copy. For local search, be sure the names of all the places you do business in are included.

Popularity has a lot to do with the sites that are linked to yours and who you link to. The more quality sites that are linked to yours, the higher your popularity score, but I stress, we're talking quality here. So linking to something completely unrelated to your business, or an amateur's hobby site will not count. A plumber might link to a reputable plumbing supply, a kitchen and bath store, a manufacturer of shower stalls-all people he does some business with and who will provide "reciprocal" links. Up goes the popularity score!

Unique content simply means that if you just make a carbon copy of another web site with the same information etc., you won't impress the search engines. Many times, a franchise operation will offer their franchisees a web site but it is really just a copy with a few pictures and the local name changed. No score. So write some interesting and unique stuff about you and your business that no one else can say. Find some fascinating facts about the business you do and write them up in your own words. Watch your score shoot up!

All of this is known as Search Engine Optimization (SEO). It's a very complex and ever-changing craft. Too much to cover here but here's a few more tips:

Be sure all your pictures have "alternate tags" that contain keywords. These are the words that show up when you hover the curser over an image. Our plumbing example might use the tag, "Leaking faucet repair in (name of town)" over a photo of a kitchen sink.

Be sure every page has a title, possible different from page to page-don't use "Welcome to our plumbing web site", make the title keyword rich e.g. "John's the Plumber for fast reliable plumbing repair service in (town name)."

There's much, much more involved, and if you are really serious, you can hire an SEO specialist to do this for you, but be warned, it's pricey and it is an on-going job. Start with the suggestions here as the site is being constructed and you'll be well on your way.





There are millions and millions of web sites How is anybody ever going to find yours - To learn more about this author, visit Liz Walker's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
Casey Gollan
Casey Gollan, Business Coaching & Mentoring Programs. Add $1 Million to $10 Million in the next 1 to 3 years. Since 1996 Casey has to added hundreds of millions of dollars to businesses. Watch a free video see client results Business Coaching website. - Visit Casey Gollan's Website

Leanne Hoagland-Smith
Are your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website

Anne Barr
Anne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website

Cheryl Matthynssens

Cheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur.  Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well.  A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles.  She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide-  to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being.  Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com

- Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Liz Walker
(Visit Liz's Website) Ken Burgin and Liz Walker, Authorized Duct Tape Marketing Coach and Certified Marketing Automation Coach, are the Marketing Masters. They have written for small business for over 20 years and are the authors of This Man Wants to Wreck Your Kitchen and other business building tips from the Marketing Masters.  The Buzz is a monthly ezine for small business owners who want simple, effective, and fun strategies to get more business, guaranteed. Sign up for free tips at www.marketingmaster s.ca and download practical, free reports too.


Liz Walker is a Gold author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Liz Walker's

Complete
List Of
Marketing
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Liz Walker's Complete List of Marketing Articles For FREE!

More Liz Walker
How White Papers Free Reports can Turbocharge your Marketing Efforts
17 Ideas You Can Steal to Grow Your Business Without Spending Money
How to Thrive in Times Like These
Where do you live on the net The importance of a good address
How to grow your Ideal Clients by 25 with zero cost of sales
Connect the dots Use Your Web Site to Make Your Ads Work Harder
Writing a Successful Sales Letter
7 Ideas Owners Must Consider When Succession Planning
How to Make 2009 Your Best Year Ever
10 Ways to Market When cash Is Tight
Free Downloads

Referred by: http://www.makingprofitspour.com



 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Casey Gollan  
John Power  
Jay Kubassek  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Romance to the Dance Icon Romance to the Dance
Creating Rapport Guide Icon Creating Rapport Guide
Competetive Advantage Article Icon Competetive Advantage Article
The Art Of Networking Icon The Art Of Networking
Venture Capital Guide Icon Venture Capital Guide
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top 50 Marketing Blogs
Top Marketing Blogs of 2009
 
Top 50 Business Plan Blog Posts for 2008
Top 50 Business Plans
Top Business Plan Blogs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Abibou Hamida Ilanda Agoe, Togo,
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Gord Hotchkiss, $113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
Gord Hotchkiss
$113k to $1.5 Mil in 5 years
Erez Zevulunov, $150k to $504k in 2 years
Erez Zevulunov
$150k to $504k in 2 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Paul Orfalea, Kinko's
Paul Orfalea
Kinko's
Mark Cuban, Broadcast.com
Mark Cuban
Broadcast.com
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup
Jack Canfield
Chicken Soup
Keith Ferrazzi, Never Eat Alone
Keith Ferrazzi
Never Eat Alone
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Are You Careful or Careless
By Eva Gregory
     Allowing the Objects of Perfection
By Eva Gregory
     Are you Being
By Eva Gregory

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information