Getting Your Site Online is only the First Step

So, your site is now online. HHWD design projects include search engine services to help your site become ranked on several of the major search engines.

How will your customers find you?

Once your site is online, most Internet users find your company based on either local word of mouth, advertising (print, business cards, media), or search engines. Search engines have become an daily tool for consumers to find out about new products, research companies, even manage their personal lives. If your site doesn't have search engine tools, then you are missing out on potential sales!

What is Search Engine Optimization?

Search engine optimization is the process of fine-tuning the content of your web site to enhance its ranking on a search engine. This process can include the text and formatting of the text on your site, researching and fine-tuning keywords used to index the site, adding 'robot' instructions to tell the engine(s) how often to visit and placing restrictions on pages you want to keep off the engines, and then tracking the results.

Why is it important?

Consumers use search engine daily. Searches are the most cost effective method of exposing your business to new customers. If you aren't indexed, your customer is going to find what he/she needs somewhere else!

Is my site Optimized?

HHWD can perform an analysis of your site, detailing where your site's current ranking is and offer recommendations to improve the ranking. We offer services to assist your site in reaching its maximum potential on the Internet search engines. And we provide the feedback to improve your site even more.

How long does it take to be ranked?

Just by being online, a web site has the potential of getting indexed, or picked up, by a search engine, even without keywords or optimizations. The longer your site is online, the more often it is updated, the more people type in your web address, the better the possibility of being ranked. Once a search engine has found you, it will tend to periodically come back to you. However, this process can take 12-36 months without optimization. Is that turnaround adequate?

Can I be ranked #1?

Possibly. Depending on what the search engine, and search terms used, your site can be ranked #1. But to be ranked at the top isn't as important as being ranked near the top. A site in the first 2-3 pages may fare as well as one that is near the top. And a site that ranks #1 for a specific search term, may not show up at all for another related term.

Remember too, that the ranking method and the ranking science behind each engine are closely guarded secrets and are subject to change often. Search engine companies often change the rules for ranking and it is up to the web site owner to revisit and review rankings and tweak the site regularly to meet these changing rules.

What guarantees do I have?

Unfortunately, none. Search engine companies can alter their ranking methods; another company may come along and bully its ranking above yours; A good ranking may take longer than you are statisfied with. Unscrupulous ranking services can actually have your site demoted or eliminated from an engine altogether.

So what do you do? Use a reputable company, require regular reports and tuning, review demographic and statistical information and tweak your site accordingly. While there are no guarantees, a site that is well maintained and uses industry approved methods will get a respectable ranking in a reasonable short period of time.

BEWARE ANY COMPANY THAT GUARANTEES A #1 RANKING! Unless they are employeed by the search engine company, they simply cannot make and prove that guarantee!!

Want to know more?
Or want a one time complimentary ranking analysis?
Give HHWD a call and we will be more than happy to help you!