How do you get found in the Search Engines

Last Week I spent a couple of hours reviewing websites, for people who requested feedback on their websites.

Lets Start with SEO Search Engine Optimisation

Some managed to discover Meta tags (Title, Description, & keywords). In most cases, these were left blank. Why not give your site the best opportunity to get found in the search engines. Now before you jump up and down, I know these aren’t the only things Google looks at, but it certainly going to help – rather than leaving the meta tags empty.

It still amazes me that people still build sites using flash, (yeah I know the techies love it and it looks pretty) here’s the deal Google and the other search engines can’t read it, and for that matter they read JavaScript either.

The search engines can only read the words on the page, they store these words in their database and using complicated math algorithms. They match these to the words typed in the search engine and the links to the page, to find the best fit, for the search.

Now why do I say this, these sites with Flash are slow to load, and you only have 8 -15 seconds to get their attention, and their gone. Bye Bye their not coming back. Do you really want your visitors watching a spinning hourglass while it tries to load., I don’t think so. If that’s not bad enough Google has build in to their Algorithm a punishment for slow sites , by downgrading the search because there to slow to load. Ouch. So site might be pushed to page  4 or 5. (there goes the visitor)

If you don’t believe me check your Google Analytic Stats, then you’ll see how long they stayed on your site.

Having a pretty site, that no one stays longer than 15 seconds, it’s like my Dad’s old saying “ their spinning their wheels, but their going nowhere”

To make it worst some of these sites had an intro page with only a Flash video, with the only text on the page saying “Enter Here”. That should really help you in the search engines, if you hoping to get found for “Enter Here, (not very likely)

It’s like having a nice new shinny brochure, then sticking it with a billion other brochures, hoping someone finds your brochure and reads it. Not good odds.

So why do some many websites suck, because most of these websites are built by geeks, who love spinning, twirling flashing things. It makes you feel good, having a so called expert, who knows PHP and javascript and 7 other impressive computer languages.

The only trouble, is these guys, seem to be inept when it comes to marketing and the purpose of the website.

Their doesn’t seem to be much point in having a website, if no one finds your site.

Sure, it looks good.

So far, we looked at your On Page SEO, this certainly can’t do any harm and you might be surprised, by getting more visitors.

This is of course if have, Google Analytic to monitor your visitors

Keep an eye for Part 2, Using Google Analytic

Without Google Analytics, Your Sites Running Blind