What is search engine optimization ?
Search engine optimization (referred to in the industry
as SEO) is simply the use of search engines to draw traffic
to a web site or sites. SEO usually involves attaining
a higher ranking in search engines by manipulating code
in your website to make it more prominent and therefore
more search engine friendly.
Did you know that 81% of Internet users rely on search
engines and directories to find the information they need?
It's true. Therefore, ranking highly in search engines
and directories should be critical to your Internet marketing
(source Forrester Research Inc).
- Many people believe that all search engines are equal
Wrong!
- They believe that by submitting their site to numerous
search engine that they will be rated higher and increase
traffic to their site Wrong!
- Research has shown that users hardly ever go beyond
the top 30 search engine rankings for a single search.
It is estimated that the top 30 results receive over
90% of search traffic.
- People finding your site via search engines are more
qualified targets for your products and services because
they have actively sought out your site by typing a
search phrase directly related to your site content.
It's the perfect web site promotion!
The pie chart below shows the percentage of searches
done by US web surfers in February 2004 that were performed
at a particular website or network of sites. (Source http://searchenginewatch.com/reports/article.php/2156431
)

If you are listed in Google and Yahoo you stand over
a 60% chance of being found by web surfers!
Search engines should be your very first method of web
site promotion. But there's no way to crack search engines.
Achieving a high ranking takes a combination of positioning
techniques, patience and quality site content. You need
to be very conscious of your search engine positioning.
If you're not listed within the first 20 or 30 search
engine rankings, you lose traffic, no matter how many
engines you submitted your site to. The secret is to use
search engine positioning techniques that will rank you
higher than your competitors. Remember that the best way
to achieve high rankings is to follow the search engine
rules. Keep your content useful, improve your link popularity
and always monitor your search engine positioning to aim
for a higher rank than your competitors.
Why is Submitting Not Enough?
One of the most prevalent marketing exercises from SEO
companies on the Web today is that submitting your site
to 1000's of search engines will open a floodgate of new
traffic to your Web site. Unfortunately, this is a myth
that has been perpetuated by companies selling bulk submission
services. You've seen the advertisement submit to 200
top search engines for only $49.95. What they don't tell
you is that most of the so-called "search engines" they
submit you to exist for only one reason: To collect your
e-mail address so they can send you spam mail. If you
have the misfortune of using your real e-mail address
when you submit, expect to receive over 400 pieces of
junk mail within 24 hours!
The other thing that bulk submission companies don't
tell you is that over 90% of the search engine traffic
comes from the top 4 engines. In addition, you can submit
all day long, but if you don't appear near the top of
the search results for keywords that apply to your business,
you will never be found. Submitting alone is not enough.
In order to gain visibility on the search engines, you
must know how to position your site at or near the top.
With today's search engines, this requires more than simply
adding a Meta tag to your Web page. However, if you know
the industry secrets to gaining top rankings, then you
can still bring in that promised floodgate of free, highly
targeted traffic to your Web site. Search engine marketing
is like any other aspect of marketing your business. Education
is the key to gaining a competitive advantage. We at guide2marbella
can deliver the most efficient and cost-effective way
to promote your website where it counts!
Contact us today! You will be please you did!
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