Search Engine Optimisation

SEO can be thought of as existing at two levels.

A good basic competent approach should be fine.

What's it all about.

There are millions of sites on the web, and billions of pages. Google and others like them are supposed to be good at weeding out the garbage and supplying you with a useful list. They cannot use magic,  just clever evaluation of information on your site, and who links to you.

Your objective is to be found, and on the first page,
and preferably one of the first 3 on the list.

Being Found. A basic first job is to submit the site to Google. In addition, there are NZ sites that index web sites. I indexed this one for instance in New Zealand Web Sites. This not only indexes it for that site, but also means other international search engines can now find you. (They note the changes on NZ indexes.)

Note: Once up on the web, it takes 7 days for Google to index you. It will continue to monitor changes in your site, and who is linking to your site.

Optimization - getting well up the found list

I expect people arriving at your site to say 'Great. Just who I was looking for.' That makes me sympathetic to Google's position. They want people using their service to find the sites they are looking for, and not provide a service to hucksters enticing the innocent. Google does that job well. Their core advice is to have a site that is visitor oriented, not Google oriented. If Google think your site has ratings as an absolute priority, you will be penalised. That aside, Google are not psychic. You can add your map position via Google Maps and its Local Business Center.  Competent design helps them rate you highly. If it is important to a visitor, put it as text somewhere important.

Step 1. Second guessing and careful word placing
You need to guess what phrases people will put into search engines, and include each in a key place on the page. Tell me these important phrases so that they are included into the design. A word in a short heading or attached to an image rates more than ordinary text. It helps if the expected phrases are somewhat unusual.

Step 2. Having lots of friends - Sites that link to yours.
Once up on the web, your site is regarded as more important if other reputable sites link to your site. Companies exist to help New Zealand businesses and organisations. Browse around and find who should be listing your web site. If you have a Yellow Pages listing, ask them to link to you. Finda is valuable - they verify the site is genuine, so their listings matter. Also look to be listed in industry and professional organisations.

More on this at Google Webmaster Central

As Google is the most important Search Engine today (70% of market), their search information is a good place to go for more info.

 [Top]