Search engines

4 Sep 2006

My company is not getting enough enquiry’s via the internet. :cry:
This I know because every customer that telephones the office is asked how they heard of us.
The product / services I sell is a specialist type of product but has many users.
Now my question is:-
How do I boost my company up the search engines?
Which search engines are any good / which ones do I need to avoid?
Which are the best cost wise?
(and yes I know this is non swinging related, but Shoogle is often the best as there are so many of you out there from all walks of life, and someone may be able to offer me an answer.)
cool

4 Sep 2006

It's all to do with Meta Tags and your keywords.
You can pay for early submission to search engines but if you word/design your website effectively, you shouldn't need to spend money.
PM me if you want any more help/info.

4 Sep 2006

Not true (sorry kiss).
Meta tags have not been a consideration of the major search engines for some years now. Keyword density is only a small factor for high ranking, valuable inbound links with appropriate terms essentially determine high ranking these days (along with age of site and level of "trust"). Some inbound links (eg some of those directories) can actually detract from the percieved value of a page.
PPC (pay per click) campaigns can and do achieve really good results.
Been (one of) my profession(s) for about 8 years now, feel free to PM any questions.

4 Sep 2006

He said;

Quote by SteveClarke
Meta tags have not been a consideration of the major search engines for some years now. Keyword density is only a small factor for high ranking, valuable inbound links with appropriate terms essentially determine high ranking these days (along with age of site and level of "trust"). Some inbound links (eg some of those directories) can actually detract from the percieved value of a page.
PPC (pay per click) campaigns can and do achieve really good results.

I read;

Blah de blah blah, this makes no sense to us heathens who only know where the on/off switch is da blah blah blah.

H.x

4 Sep 2006

...shame, it was actually a coded invitation to come on an all expenses paid around the world cruise... sad

4 Sep 2006

See, now you're talking my language.
cool

H.x

4 Sep 2006

Steve and H no hijacking till I have an answer, then hijack away by all means. lol

:lol:
Steve:- Can I have that in English please?
Where do you find pay as you click type things?

4 Sep 2006

Forgive me Steve if I have typed something wrong, I actually run 3 websites. I just didn't want to get all jargony! lol

Maybe I was expected to say something like: :twisted:
In my opinion I wouldn't use a payperclick campaign if you are able to firstly define your keywords (you say it's a specialist product), find out your current ranking for your chosen keywords/website (there is actually lots of free software on the net to help you do this), also put the keywords in the right places on your pages.
Also avoid making classic mistakes such as using frames, having an intro page with very little content, using javascript menus as search engines cannot follow these (or flash ones either). Using graphical menus rather than plain old text - the search engines cannot get clues from text within the link. Stylesheets and scripts included within the page rather than as separate files. Errors in the HTML code. Important keywords rendered as an image rather than text (search engines cannot 'see' images). Database-driven pages. Content generated by scripts.
Keeping your website up to date with lots of relevent content is the best way to get good search engine results. Websites that lie dormant for long periods will slip down the rankings. Search engines figure that websites that have not changed for a while are less likely to provide current information.
Should you have any questions please PM me. :smug:
:giggle: :giggle: :giggle:

4 Sep 2006

watching Steve and Kiss, all i can hear in my head is duelling banjos

4 Sep 2006

For PPC:
This are is often referred to as SEM (search engine marketing)

Those are the two main players at the moment. with Adwords by far outperforming Overture (now ) in most markets I've worked. It is worth having someone who knows what they're doing look after it for you to ensure best results.
Translating what I said, a potted version of current SEO (search engine optimisation) theory:
Inbound links= links from other sites to your site.
Outbound links=links from your site to another.
Keyword density and weighting = a pseudo science in which you measure the value of a certain word or phrase based on what percentage (density) of the text in question it occupies and it's weight, which involves many factors, including (but not limited to), what piece of code it sits within semantically (eg <h1> for 1st level header, <p> for paragraph etc), where in the page text it appears, as well as how far down the actual page code it appears.
Basically, to improve your level of calls you need to decide/establish which phrases/words are going to provide the best ROI (return on investment), start a decent PPC campaign (you decide a capped budget), and then work on your organic listing (that which occurs naturally without you paying for it).
Usually (but not always) your organic campaign will target the same/similar phrases to your paid campaign. You re-work your phrases into your sites copy (keeping it natural), and try to ensure that as many people as possible link to you, preferably using your target phrase (or one of them) as the linking text.
This area is enormous and cannot be answered quickly unfortunately, but I hope that helps a little smile

4 Sep 2006

Quote by essex34m
watching Steve and Kiss, all i can hear in my head is duelling banjos

Not at all - just showing that I'm not a dumb blonde and my first post was a "I do know some bits 'n' bobs if you care to PM me" and that I actually do know some stuff.

4 Sep 2006

Hey I could have posted something in 20 seconds flat instead of typing it!!! wink

4 Sep 2006

Quote by Kiss
watching Steve and Kiss, all i can hear in my head is duelling banjos

Not at all - just showing that I'm not a dumb blonde and my first post was a "I do know some bits 'n' bobs if you care to PM me" and that I actually do know some stuff.
Wasn't suggesting it for a second kiss

It was just the meta-tag thing really I was responding to (as they're now useless in Google, and MSN...and who else is there, really? ;) ).
The other advice Kiss just gave is also very worthwhile Sarah, but to go into all the ins and outs we'd all be here for weeks!
Simple way of helping, check out and (the forums there are excellent for this sort of help).
...for a geeky afternoon, wade through .

4 Sep 2006

Sorry Steve, it's my hang-up! Working in the totally male domminated world of engineering I often have to prove myself twice over.
kiss

4 Sep 2006

Avoid search engine optimisation companies, or anyone who 'guarantees' to have you in the top 10 for a particular search. Everything they do is either simple common knowledge stuff or things that the search engine companies hate. Trying to trick your way into the rankings is a quick way to paying a lot of money to be blacklisted!
The search engine to concentrate on is Google. Try various searches that your customers might use, and make sure your pages include those words, preferably in close proximity. If you make widgets in inverness, don't have the word 'widget' on your home page, and your the word 'inverness' only on a contact details page. if widgets are price sensitive, make sure the word 'cheap' appers nearby, since 'cheap widgets inverness' is a likely search.
Look at the little bit of text that google pulls out of your page and shows on it's results page. If there's anything negative there, re-write it!
Search engines like lots of content (and so do potential customers!) - my business site went up the rankings when I wrote a few general 'hints and tips' articles and added them to the site.
Make sure your site is readable by search engines, if you use flash (especially for navigation) then the engine might not be able to see your content.
Lastly, think about the look and feel of your website. It may be that people are finding you, but deciding to go elsewhare because your website puts them off. A website should be there to give a potential customer a reason to contact you, not to boost your CEO's ego!

4 Sep 2006

Quote by Mister_Discreet
Avoid search engine optimisation companies,

...just like most FTSE companies do? rolleyes

Poor advice Mister_Discreet, which is a shame because the rest (particularly the phrase targetting) is spot on.
There are a lot of cowboys out there, but there are also a handful of respected SEO agencies servicing some of the biggest companies in the world.

4 Sep 2006

Thank you ALL so much you have given me lots of help and advise.
And the pm box is groaning as well.
I might be back to some of you for further help.
Always knew Shoogle was good!
kiss

:kiss: :kiss:

4 Sep 2006

Can I get back to flirting with Steve now then?
biggrin

H.x

4 Sep 2006

:rascal: :thumbup:

4 Sep 2006

Quote by H-x
Can I get back to flirting with Steve now then?

H.x

H-x
Yes you may.............:giggle:
hijack away lol

:lol:

4 Sep 2006

Have you thought about selling a better product?
OK, don't bother, I'll do it myself smackbottom

4 Sep 2006

Quote by Burtman
Have you thought about selling a better product?
OK, don't bother, I'll do it myself

Oi you
Nothing wrong with the product, holds all relelvant test certification, ISO etc etc etc
I turn over more than enough to keep the taxman happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just want more. (I'm greedy)

4 Sep 2006

Quote by SteveClarke
Avoid search engine optimisation companies,

...just like most FTSE companies do? rolleyes

Poor advice Mister_Discreet, which is a shame because the rest (particularly the phrase targetting) is spot on.
There are a lot of cowboys out there, but there are also a handful of respected SEO agencies servicing some of the biggest companies in the world.
There are indeed a handful of SEO companies that are respected, but unless you ARE one of the biggest companies in the world, they are probably out of your budget range. I stand by my advice and if you have reliable proof that most FTSE companies use SEO,i'd love to see it. The ones I work with dont.

4 Sep 2006

Quote by Mister_Discreet
but unless you ARE one of the biggest companies in the world, they are probably out of your budget range. .

I'm not going to argue beyond this post, enough work in SH - it brings a bad smell.
But....
Pricing for many agencies is worked out by average value per customer (or lead, or sign-up, or whatever). Good agencies (or individuals) will always make proposals that effectively leave the customer in profit for their outlay.
Re-itterating the point. Done correctly, you MAKE money by using an SEO/SEM agency, not spend it.
As to FTSE companies not using agencies, I can't discuss my clients, or those of people I've worked with, and have little interest in proving anything to you. But feel free to do the research and you'll find some fairly high profile media stories about this very issue, in particular mismanagement of accounts and requirement of people with real experience.
...now, about H's bum....
:twisted: