Basic information of search engine
What is search engine optimization (SEO)? As a newbie, you have to know that search engines were the very first ways most people promoted their websites and also the number one way most Netters find their information. So, it is important to know about the tips, tricks and tactics in SEO. Afterwards search engines will play a major part in your online business.
Search engines are the most basic way to promote your site, yet they are also one of the most difficult to understand. In this site will show you the basic foundation of how they work and how you can achieve a fairly high ranking.
Most of this information isn't "magical" and all of it is tested and proven. Of course, there are some insider secrets, but let's first begin with the basics before we graduate to the "professional" stage. When you first got on the Internet, what method did you use to track down and find the information you were looking for on the World Wide Web? Chances are you used one of the best search engines or directories. Even though there are literally hundreds and thousands, you probably used one of the top 10 (like Google, Yahoo!, AltaVista, AOL, HotBot, InfoSeek, etc).
This is exactly how most people (over 90%) find information on the internet when they first get on. It's not the most effective way, but it's a start. As time goes on and you become more familiar (and comfortable) with the internet, you add in alternate ways of finding information through banner ads, affiliate and associate programs, newsletter/ezine ads, referral links, etc.
Just as there is no one "best" way of finding information on the Net, there is also no best way of promoting your business, product or service either.
So, why is a top ranking so important if at all? Well, the truth is that it is and it's not. Let's take quick look at the pros and cons.
PROS :
- It is free! It doesn't cost you anything to get placed in the search engines. This is very important for the beginning entrepreneur when money is tight and you're still learning the ropes of Internet marketing.
- Bring lots of traffic! A top ranking can bring in lots of traffic, targeted traffic! A potential customer types in a specific keyword search and if your site comes up, then it's a direct hit. They will be coming to your site because they want to. They are not forced, tricked or persuaded by outside forces.
- Black tricks! The truth is that a big Fortune company has no advantage over you, the smaller and sometimes "broke" home based business. You have just as much an opportunity to rank well, and above these big time spenders. There is no black search engine tricks and strategy, it won't work.
- Results can sometimes be seen very quickly. This is a big bonus, especially if you are in desperate need of some initial traffic and sales. If your site's content is unique, you site could be fast indexing by search engine.
Search engines are the first place most of the new Internet users go to when searching for information or a product/service (actually, this is true for even the veteran marketer). This is very important because new comers are very open to the Internet and your initial "sales pitch". They are like kids in a candy store.
Because of the high competition and vast amount of information available on the Net, if a "newbie" comes to your site, they will probably buy from you or at least listen to what you have to say. (The theory is that you came first, so "I will trust you first". This is why Amazon.com or AOL.com have so many loyal customers because they were "first" on the Net!)
CONS :
- It is not very reliable. Sometimes, you can do everything right and use every single tricks in the book and still, some totally lame and untargeted Web site will rank much better than yours. This is a problem that no body can predict with the search engines. Keep in mind that "never tricks" with the non relevan content on your site.
- It is time consuming. It will take a lot of work to get into the top rangking and stay there! Most of them change their ranking criteria's as often as you change your underwear! What works one day may not work the next. Also, each of them have their own set of rules, so it will take some time to get used to and juggle everyone's "do's and don'ts".
- It takes too long to index! Even though you may see indexing results within a week on some of them, on others, it can take up to 6-8 weeks before you are listed, let alone get traffic to your site. That's a lot of time that is wasted that could be better used for other promotional method.
- Secret are hidden! There are plenty of tried and proven ways of getting and keeping a good ranking on the search result. In fact, there are 3 methods (maybe one or two more) that only a small handful of Internet marketers know of that can literally drive thousands of very targeted customers to your site with very little effort or upkeep on your part for pennies! But guess what, these are just that - secret and well-guarded!
- The best search engine tips! There are lots of articles or company that will help you to be in the top listing with some cost. We suggest you to consider the Webmaster Guidelines tips which is white SEO that suggested by Google to the "Quality Guidelines", which outline some of the illicit practices that may lead to a site being removed entirely from the Google index or otherwise penalized. This is most of the tips for the whole of search engine in the Net.
Anyway, search engine isn't the "holy-grail" or the "best" promotion on the Net. But, it is the most basic and most utilized method, so if nothing else, take advantage of it and at the very least, establish some type of ranking on the major search engines.
As stated earlier, most of the "free" or "low cost" information you see on the Net is just crap (and that's putting it mildly)! Remember, search engines change their ranking criteria's often.
Okay, let's get started with search engine and directory submisssion.