Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization, (referred to in the industry as SEO) is simply the the use of search engines to draw traffic to a web site. It can also be referred to more generally as search engine marketing. SEO usually involves attaining a higher ranking in search engines and directories via changes to your site code to make it more relevant and therefore more search engine compatible.
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 strategy.
Unfortunately, many online businesses fail to address the importance of search engines, building their site without any regard to search engine compatibility at all.
On the other hand, many people assume that submitting their web site to lots of search engines will automatically increase traffic to their site. This isn’t the case. Here’s the proof - when someone conducts a search on a search engine for a keyword related to your site's products or services, does your page appear in the top 20 matches – or does your competitor’s? It’s likely that your site is simply not ranked high enough. You may be listed in the engine, but in the “back pages” of results. To fix this problem, your site may need assistance from an SEO company, who specialize in search engine optimization services.
Why Do You Need Search Engine Optimization?
Here are some excellent reasons:
Major search engines attract more distinct visitors than almost any other Web site. Yahoo! alone boasts over 65 million registered users!
85% of all Internet user sessions involve someone browsing at a search engine. Your search engine ranking determines a major slice of your site traffic.
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*.
Consumers use search engines to locate and buy goods or to research many decisions (such as choosing a vacation destination, medical treatment or election vote).
Another Reason Why:
A new study found that search listings are more effective than standard banner or button advertisements when it comes to brand recall, favorable opinion rating and inspiring purchases. In unaided recall, search listings outperformed banners and buttons by three to one.
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!
Recent U.S. study has found that the World Wide Web contains more than 2.1 billion documents and is growing at the rate of seven million pages per day. How do you expect people to find your site?
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.
