subject: Search Engine Optimisation For Sme's [print this page] Search Engine Optimisation Search Engine Optimisation
Some Facts
80% of browsers dont look beyond the first page
84% of browsers dont look beyond page 2
45% of browsers wont click on a Google ad
A top position in the organic listings automatically gives credibility
The Challenge
Every business should have a website. However, 95% of websites cannot be found through the internet search engines and therefore arent being fully exploited. For those websites that can be found, very often they are not clear in their purpose and so visitors take little or no action once theyve found the site. The business owner therefore has two key challenges when developing a website:
-Get their site found through search engines or paid listings
-Convert their visitors into paying customers
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is a reasonably complex area. There are many factors, many of which are not immediately obvious, that impact where your website appears in the search engine results pages. While optimising for keywords is one of the most obvious strategies, other aspects such as where your site is hosted, when the domain name was registered, when the domain name expires, use of meta-data and the site structure all contribute to the effectiveness of your site optimisation.
SEO is the process by which you educate Google, Yahoo etc about your site and what you want to be found for. SEO requires that you do your research using keyword tools and analysis of your on-line competitors. You need to set realistic targets and stay focused its very easy to go off message.
So, SEO is your starting point its an integral part of your on-line strategy. When choosing your SEO partners make sure they can back it up with examples of sites theyve optimised and how they perform on the major search engines.
While SEO can seem daunting, once you follow some basic rules you will see results on-line. A business without an on-line presence and on-line strategy is missing out on a huge business opportunity.
