When should I do Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) on my website?

Julie — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 20:57:08 +0000

OK what the heck is SEO I hear some of you say. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) describes the techniques used to manipulate the structure and content of a website so that it appears in search results pages (SERPs) on the most popular search engines after a search is conducted for a particular term.

We’ve all heard of Google ? (if you think it is the noise a baby makes, you’re on the wrong website) Wouldn’t it be nice if everytime somebody typed the phrase ‘buy deckchairs’ into Google my deckchair site was there at the top of the results - oh bliss if only

:-)

Getting to numero uno in Google and other search engines is a product of such design factors as:

Web page headings
Domain name
File and folder names
Page size
Number of pages on the website

So going back to the original question the answer is, start as early as possible and preferably during the design stage. Ask your website designer how the design meets the requirements for optimisation.

P.S. Anyone want to buy a deckchair?

Small Somerset businesses failing to exploit blogging?

Julie — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 11:23:31 +0000

Know any businesses in Somerset who have a blog? No me neither. While bigger businesses have realised the potential of having a blog, few small businesses in Somerset have siezed the great opportunity for interesting comment and genuine dialogue with customers.

A survey by hosting provider fasthosts say that just 3% of SMEs are planning to start a blog. Aside from the benefits of communicating with customers, blogs stimulate brand loyalty and allow users to create content for your site - now isn’t that a nice thought. Let’s get blogging!

blog = geek speak for a diary on your website to which users can add comments.

How do I get my site on google?

Gus — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:10:45 +0000

A question that i keep getting asked is ‘How do i get my site on google?’ so i thought i would address it here.

First of all its important to realise that google is only one search engine out of many, granted it is by far the most popular but you cant afford to dismiss the others.

(Data: searchenginewatch.com, web surfers in the US July 2006)

The simplest way to get listed on google and other search engines is to use their submission service. Here are the address’ for a few of the most popular:

Google
http://www.google.com/addurl.html 

Yahoo
http://submit.search.yahoo.com/free/request

Windows Live (previously MSN)
http://submitit.bcentral.com/msnsubmit.htm

Underestimating the importance of having a website

Julie — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 11:13:20 +0000

Pottering along the A39 between sets of road works I was amazed at how many businesses refuse to be dragged screaming and kicking onto the web - they don’t have a website (or they have a website but they are just far too ashamed to tell the world about it!).

My observation is perhaps consistent with a survey I recently read in .net magazine (geeky webbie magazine found on the top shelf of Smiths) which says something like 75% of businesses don’t do business online. Come on guys, look over your shoulder because you are just about to be railroaded by your competitor who does have a website. My article Underestimating the importance of a website gives you some reasons why you should have a website - anything I have missed?